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Australia bushfires live: NSW and Victoria survey damage from overnight fires – latest updates Australia bushfires live: NSW and Victoria survey damage as fires merge to form new 'megablaze' – latest updates
(32 minutes later)
Towns in north-eastern Victoria and the NSW Snowy Mountains were among those to endure an anxious night as the southerly came throughTowns in north-eastern Victoria and the NSW Snowy Mountains were among those to endure an anxious night as the southerly came through
More from that press conference: Victoria’s emergency services say they are trying to clarify what types of structures were destroyed overnight.
They believe one is a home and the other a shed but crews will be sent to the locations to confirm that.
The state of emergency will also end at midnight tonight, Lisa Neville, says, with 10 days of milder conditions now forecast.
Crews will try to use that time to contain some of the fires that are still burning, but the state is not out of danger yet.
Last night thousands turned out in Sydney and Melbourne calling for more action on climate change and the sacking of Scott Morrison, with more than 10,000 gathering at Sydney’s Town Hall.
People around the world also turned out to protest climate change inaction and show support during Australia’s bushfire crisis.
Victoria’s emergency management commissioner, Andrew Crisp, says there are no total fire bans in the state today but fire danger remains very high in the north and north-east.
“It is a tale of two states at the moment, in terms of temperature and conditions. You get north of that divide and we have temperatures 30 plus, south of the divide is somewhat cooler and somewhat milder,” he says.
A fire near Mt Hotham remains at emergency warning level and there are 16 watch and act alerts from Mallacoota to Bairnsdale and up to the Corryong fire.
He says with the potential in some areas for more rain and even storms, trees could pose a danger. While opening up the Princes Highway and other roads will be a priority, the focus right now is on safety.
Crisp says another 140 firefighters and specialists will be brought into the state and will start arriving in about a week.
More from that press conference:More from that press conference:
Victoria’s emergency services minister, Lisa Neville, says there have been mixed conditions in other parts of the state.Victoria’s emergency services minister, Lisa Neville, says there have been mixed conditions in other parts of the state.
Rain has helped suppress fire conditions in East Gippsland today, which is “really good news” for some of those communities she says.Rain has helped suppress fire conditions in East Gippsland today, which is “really good news” for some of those communities she says.
But she says “a lot of that rain was in that Bairnsdale area, and not all of it in the other fire areas”. She says Bairnsdale received 18mm of rain, while Mallacoota had only 2mm.But she says “a lot of that rain was in that Bairnsdale area, and not all of it in the other fire areas”. She says Bairnsdale received 18mm of rain, while Mallacoota had only 2mm.
Neville also warns that thunderstorms could lead to flash flooding in parts of Victoria this week. Because of the scale of the bushfires, there is a risk of run-off.Neville also warns that thunderstorms could lead to flash flooding in parts of Victoria this week. Because of the scale of the bushfires, there is a risk of run-off.
“It is also dangerous for our firefighters and emergency service workers and in the past we have seen deaths as a result of that, those sort of conditions,” she says.“It is also dangerous for our firefighters and emergency service workers and in the past we have seen deaths as a result of that, those sort of conditions,” she says.
“So it is something we will be monitoring both for communities but particularly for our workers.”“So it is something we will be monitoring both for communities but particularly for our workers.”
Victoria’s emergency services minister, Lisa Neville, has been speaking.Victoria’s emergency services minister, Lisa Neville, has been speaking.
She says Friday night’s “fast moving, scary grassfire” in Wodonga was indicative of the kinds of emergencies communities are facing.She says Friday night’s “fast moving, scary grassfire” in Wodonga was indicative of the kinds of emergencies communities are facing.
That fire was contained to the loss of “two structures”.That fire was contained to the loss of “two structures”.
Neville says there was very little rain in the north-east of the state yesterday and any that did occur would not have hit the fire ground at all.Neville says there was very little rain in the north-east of the state yesterday and any that did occur would not have hit the fire ground at all.
She warns that strong southerlies in that area today are “generating some fire activity as we speak now”.She warns that strong southerlies in that area today are “generating some fire activity as we speak now”.
“So although we are milder than yesterday, certainly in the north-east we would be encouraging people to continue to heed the messages and look out for warnings because it is still active up there, you can see the smoke developing out of that fire activity,” she says.“So although we are milder than yesterday, certainly in the north-east we would be encouraging people to continue to heed the messages and look out for warnings because it is still active up there, you can see the smoke developing out of that fire activity,” she says.
The Sydney Opera House and Live Nation have also announced a comedy gala to raise funds for bushfire recovery.The Sydney Opera House and Live Nation have also announced a comedy gala to raise funds for bushfire recovery.
The event will be on March 16 on the Opera House Steps and forecourt and will feature artists and comedians including Arj Barker, Carl Barron, Urzila Carlson, Joel Creasey, Kitty Flanagan, Becky Lucas, Tim Minchin, Julia Morris, Harry Shearer and more to be announced.The event will be on March 16 on the Opera House Steps and forecourt and will feature artists and comedians including Arj Barker, Carl Barron, Urzila Carlson, Joel Creasey, Kitty Flanagan, Becky Lucas, Tim Minchin, Julia Morris, Harry Shearer and more to be announced.
Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday 15 January at midday on the Sydney Opera House website. Proceeds from ticket sales will go towards the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery fund, the NSW Rural Fire Service, Wildlife Victoria and WIRES.Tickets will go on sale on Wednesday 15 January at midday on the Sydney Opera House website. Proceeds from ticket sales will go towards the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery fund, the NSW Rural Fire Service, Wildlife Victoria and WIRES.
The sails of the Sydney Opera House will be lit up tonight to show support for bushfire-affected communities and firefighters around the country.The sails of the Sydney Opera House will be lit up tonight to show support for bushfire-affected communities and firefighters around the country.
Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron AM said: “We are lighting the Opera House sails to show our collective support for everyone affected by these devastating fires and to express our deepest gratitude to the emergency services and volunteers for their incredible efforts and courage. As difficult circumstances continue, we want to send a message of hope and strength to the people of Australia.”Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron AM said: “We are lighting the Opera House sails to show our collective support for everyone affected by these devastating fires and to express our deepest gratitude to the emergency services and volunteers for their incredible efforts and courage. As difficult circumstances continue, we want to send a message of hope and strength to the people of Australia.”
Liberal MP Keith Pitt, the member for the Queensland electorate of Hinkler, has been speaking on the ABC.Liberal MP Keith Pitt, the member for the Queensland electorate of Hinkler, has been speaking on the ABC.
He’s asked whether he thinks community sentiment about the government’s climate policies and how we deal with bushfire is changing.He’s asked whether he thinks community sentiment about the government’s climate policies and how we deal with bushfire is changing.
Instead of responding to the question about climate policy, he says people across the country “need to be able to manage their own land”.Instead of responding to the question about climate policy, he says people across the country “need to be able to manage their own land”.
But he is asked again about whether the government’s response to climate change is that “business as usual” is enough.But he is asked again about whether the government’s response to climate change is that “business as usual” is enough.
“Well, the government’s response is that we are meeting our targets and we will meet the targets that have been set,” he says.“Well, the government’s response is that we are meeting our targets and we will meet the targets that have been set,” he says.
“We are doing exactly what we said we would and I think any individual which is out there that is saying that, you know, you could close a coal-fired power station and it wouldn’t have saved a single life or property, well, that is absolute nonsense.”“We are doing exactly what we said we would and I think any individual which is out there that is saying that, you know, you could close a coal-fired power station and it wouldn’t have saved a single life or property, well, that is absolute nonsense.”
A reminder here that the government is not on track to meet its 2030 emissions reduction target under the Paris agreement of 26% to 28% and it intends to use carryover from the Kyoto period to achieve this. Australia is the only country in the world planning to do this.A reminder here that the government is not on track to meet its 2030 emissions reduction target under the Paris agreement of 26% to 28% and it intends to use carryover from the Kyoto period to achieve this. Australia is the only country in the world planning to do this.
The target is also much lower than was recommended by the Climate Change Authority to be consistent with the global goal of limiting warming to 2C or less.The target is also much lower than was recommended by the Climate Change Authority to be consistent with the global goal of limiting warming to 2C or less.
The Blue Mountains this morning, where there is a mix of heavy smoke and fog:The Blue Mountains this morning, where there is a mix of heavy smoke and fog:
If you are after some longer reading on the bushfire crisis, there is plenty in Guardian Australia today.If you are after some longer reading on the bushfire crisis, there is plenty in Guardian Australia today.
James Bradley has written this piece about the horror day in NSW on New Year’s eve and how it could come to be seen as the “day everything changed” for climate politics in Australia.James Bradley has written this piece about the horror day in NSW on New Year’s eve and how it could come to be seen as the “day everything changed” for climate politics in Australia.
We have another fact check - one of several this season - this time on claims that the “locking up” of national parks has contributed to the increased risk this fire season.We have another fact check - one of several this season - this time on claims that the “locking up” of national parks has contributed to the increased risk this fire season.
And in case you missed it yesterday, an employee at News Corp has written an all-staff email accusing the company of “misinformation” and diverting attention away from the climate crisis during the bushfire emergency.And in case you missed it yesterday, an employee at News Corp has written an all-staff email accusing the company of “misinformation” and diverting attention away from the climate crisis during the bushfire emergency.
And this is the new watch and act alert for a fire near Port Stephens.And this is the new watch and act alert for a fire near Port Stephens.
Here is a summary of what the NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons and the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian had to say about the impact of those conditions on Friday and what is expected in the days ahead:Here is a summary of what the NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons and the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian had to say about the impact of those conditions on Friday and what is expected in the days ahead:
There have been two reports of injuries on Friday. Members of a volunteer firefighting crew from the Central Coast working in the Shannon’s Flat area were overrun by fire. There were some initial reports of burns and shortness of breath for three crew members. They were treated by ambulance and released.There have been two reports of injuries on Friday. Members of a volunteer firefighting crew from the Central Coast working in the Shannon’s Flat area were overrun by fire. There were some initial reports of burns and shortness of breath for three crew members. They were treated by ambulance and released.
In the south of the state, a man has suffered serious burns defending his property. He was treated on scene and flown out of the area on a water bombing helicopter and will have surgery today at Concord Hospital.In the south of the state, a man has suffered serious burns defending his property. He was treated on scene and flown out of the area on a water bombing helicopter and will have surgery today at Concord Hospital.
147 fires are still burning in NSW and one new fire has started today near Port Stephens.147 fires are still burning in NSW and one new fire has started today near Port Stephens.
Fitzsimmons says initial reports suggest no homes were lost overnight but there has been damage to other structures such as sheds.Fitzsimmons says initial reports suggest no homes were lost overnight but there has been damage to other structures such as sheds.
Crews want to use forecast milder conditions over the next to week to contain as much as they can before a return to warmer weather.Crews want to use forecast milder conditions over the next to week to contain as much as they can before a return to warmer weather.
The challenge is the enormous geographic spread of the fires. Fitzsimmons said advice from the Bureau of Meteorology was that while there was currently some rainfall through the state, much of it was showers that are “evaporating before they hit the ground”.The challenge is the enormous geographic spread of the fires. Fitzsimmons said advice from the Bureau of Meteorology was that while there was currently some rainfall through the state, much of it was showers that are “evaporating before they hit the ground”.
“Hopefully, we will not see more thunderstorms and more dry thunderstorms and lightning strikes causing new fires,” he says.“Hopefully, we will not see more thunderstorms and more dry thunderstorms and lightning strikes causing new fires,” he says.
More from that press conference:More from that press conference:
The NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says early reports today suggest no homes were destroyed overnight “but we have got reports of some outbuildings and some sheds that were damaged or consumed by the fire”.The NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says early reports today suggest no homes were destroyed overnight “but we have got reports of some outbuildings and some sheds that were damaged or consumed by the fire”.
“So, as the premier said, no lives lost which is the priority,” he says.“So, as the premier said, no lives lost which is the priority,” he says.
He adds that they are expecting “a run of better weather over the next week”:He adds that they are expecting “a run of better weather over the next week”:
“It would appear that we have got at least a week, it will probably be the best seven days we have had without a rise of very dangerous fire ratings coming towards us over the next seven days.”“It would appear that we have got at least a week, it will probably be the best seven days we have had without a rise of very dangerous fire ratings coming towards us over the next seven days.”
“So, some reprieve. An opportunity for firefighters and affected communities to consolidate and allow us to try and get the upper hand on the fires.”“So, some reprieve. An opportunity for firefighters and affected communities to consolidate and allow us to try and get the upper hand on the fires.”
The NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is speaking.The NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is speaking.
She says a person has been injured overnight while defending their property and was taken to Concord Hospital.She says a person has been injured overnight while defending their property and was taken to Concord Hospital.
She says while “we never want to be complacent and we shouldn’t be under the current conditions” they are relieved that a reprieve in weather conditions is expected over the next week.She says while “we never want to be complacent and we shouldn’t be under the current conditions” they are relieved that a reprieve in weather conditions is expected over the next week.
The NSW RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons confirms that earlier figure that there are still 147 fires burning across the state.The NSW RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons confirms that earlier figure that there are still 147 fires burning across the state.
But he adds that a new fire has started this morning in the Port Stephens region, to the east of Anna Bay.But he adds that a new fire has started this morning in the Port Stephens region, to the east of Anna Bay.
“That’s one that just popped up and has been elevated to watch and act just due to its proximity to people’s homes,” he says.“That’s one that just popped up and has been elevated to watch and act just due to its proximity to people’s homes,” he says.
We are expecting an update within the next hour from the NSW RFS and the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.We are expecting an update within the next hour from the NSW RFS and the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
In the meantime, the RFS has published its latest data on properties damaged and destroyed this season, up until January 10. It says these figures will increase.In the meantime, the RFS has published its latest data on properties damaged and destroyed this season, up until January 10. It says these figures will increase.
Good morning and welcome to today’s coverage of the ongoing bushfire crisis.Good morning and welcome to today’s coverage of the ongoing bushfire crisis.
Firefighters in NSW and Victoria faced a difficult night after a southerly change brought gusty winds through both states.Firefighters in NSW and Victoria faced a difficult night after a southerly change brought gusty winds through both states.
In NSW, more than 3,500 firefighters were deployed and wind gusts of up to 90km/h across some firegrounds created dangerous conditions. We will hear more about the impact of this later today.In NSW, more than 3,500 firefighters were deployed and wind gusts of up to 90km/h across some firegrounds created dangerous conditions. We will hear more about the impact of this later today.
Three fires – the Dunns Road, the Green Valley Talmalmo, and the East Ournie Creek fire – have merged to create a new “megablaze” that is burning across the NSW and Victorian borders.Three fires – the Dunns Road, the Green Valley Talmalmo, and the East Ournie Creek fire – have merged to create a new “megablaze” that is burning across the NSW and Victorian borders.
There is some better news, however, with, conditions having eased on Saturday morning and cooler conditions expected today.There is some better news, however, with, conditions having eased on Saturday morning and cooler conditions expected today.
Most of NSW has a fire danger rating of high today. The southern slopes region has very high fire danger today.Most of NSW has a fire danger rating of high today. The southern slopes region has very high fire danger today.
In NSW, no fires are currently at emergency warning level and one fire is at watch and act level.In NSW, no fires are currently at emergency warning level and one fire is at watch and act level.
The RFS said that, at 6am, there were still 147 bush and grass fires burning across NSW, 65 of which are yet to be contained.The RFS said that, at 6am, there were still 147 bush and grass fires burning across NSW, 65 of which are yet to be contained.
In Victoria, a fire near Wodonga forced evacuations overnight.In Victoria, a fire near Wodonga forced evacuations overnight.
There is one emergency warning in place in Victoria near Mt Hotham.There is one emergency warning in place in Victoria near Mt Hotham.