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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Graham Readfearn (now) and Amy Remeikis (earlier)

'If you are told to leave, leave,' Daniel Andrews warns – as it happened

A bushfire sweeps through Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island
A blaze sweeps through Stokes Bay on Kangaroo Island. Photograph: David Mariuz/AAP

The fire situation on Thursday evening

I’m closing off the blog for the night. We’ll have another one tomorrow, when the risk rises again for fires, particularly in Victoria and South Australia.

So before we start, anyone in fire-prone areas should stay across their local warnings, follow instructions, and stay safe.

As the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, said earlier today: “If you receive instructions to leave, then you must leave. If it is safe to get out, and if you receive an instruction – a text message – then you must get out. That is the only way to guarantee your safety.”

Here’s the immediate fire situation.

In South Australia, there are two emergency warnings on Kangaroo Island. A fire is currently on the outskirts of the township of Parndana in the centre of the island, where evacuations are taking place.

An emergency warning area is covering a large section of the centre of the island, with Parndana in the middle. An emergency warning also covers the township of Vivonne Bay. Fires are moving quickly on the island. Another dangerous fire day is expected tomorrow.

In Victoria, people are being told to evacuate now in Bennies, Cheshunt South, Markous, Rose River, Top Crossing, Wabonga, Upper Rose River, Buffalo River, Dandongadale, Merriang South, Mount Buffalo and Nug Nug.

The are also 13 watch and act warnings in place. Tomorrow will see fire risks raised across most areas, with total fire bans covering most of the north and east of the state.

In NSW, there are still lots of fires burning, but none are posing immediate risks. The NSW RFS has issued 11 regional total fire bans for tomorrow as conditions are expected to worsen.

In Western Australia, an emergency warning is in place south of Perth for parts of Baldivis, western parts of Mardella, and northern parts of Hopeland in the city of Rockingham and Serpentine-Jarrahdale shire.

Australia’s bushfires have claimed 27 lives and burned through more than 10m hectares (that’s almost 25m acres).

Take care and be kind to each other.

Updated

The Australian Academy of Science has released a video summarising some of the devastating, complex and widespread impacts of the bushfire crisis on Australia’s native wildlife.

Prof Chris Dickman, of the University of Sydney and an academy fellow, says: “For a lot of species with small populations or small geographical distributions, if the fire affects the entire habitat where they occur then they are at risk of imminent extinction.

The Australian Academy of Science has released a video on the ecological impacts of Australia’s bushfires.

Have a look at my story from a few days ago for more on this.

Updated

The mining magnate Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest has been talking to reporters about the $70m donation from his Minderoo Foundation.

And... oh dear.

SBS reports that Forrest said “a large proportion of these fires have been lit by arsonists”. Our reporter Christopher Knaus has checked the facts on that. The short version is that Forrest is wrong.

The BBC has also been covering a misinformation campaign that has been spreading around the false claim that the bushfire crisis is the fault of arsonists.

Updated

Kangaroo Island residents told to leave or seek shelter

Conditions in the township of Parndana in the centre of Kangaroo Island, South Australia, look dangerous right now.

People are told to leave if they can find a safe route out, or seek shelter immediately.

There’s a large emergency warning area centred on the township.

Updated

More on the dramatic helicopter crash near Eden, NSW.

A NSW Ambulance spokesman has told AAP that the pilot of the helicopter that ditched into Ben Boyd Reservoir at Edrom has no serious injuries.

Three ambulance crews and an ambulance helicopter were called to the scene.

Water bombing helicopter ditches into dam on NSW south coast

A water bombing helicopter has ditched into a dam near the Bega Valley shire in NSW.

The RFS has confirmed the pilot has escaped and an ambulance is on the way.

Updated

More from the South Australian CFS media conference. The fire service says that 156,000 hectares have now been burnt on Kangaroo Island. And on Monday “650,000 litres of product were dropped on the fire ground from 182 bomber drops”.

Some 200 firefighters are at work on the island, and 50 non-firefighter personnel.

One reporter asks if firefighters have enough water.

“They have lots of water on the island, there is seawater all around,” authorities say. “The helicrane has been loading with saltwater from the sea. There is water there.

“Water is not the problem, it is the intensity of the fires. Large bushfires travelling quickly don’t get extinguished by water. It is too intense. Much of the water just evaporates before they affect the fire.”

Updated

Good afternoon. Graham Readfearn here taking over our live blog on the ongoing Australian bushfire crisis. Thanks to Amy Remeikis, and to Naaman Zhou who kept things going.

Here’s a quick summary on the three emergency warnings currently on Kangaroo Island, South Australia.

Vivonne Bay township is under threat with residents being asked to follow the emergency warning and leave now or seek shelter if they can’t get out.

Playford Highway, west of the Parndana township near the aquaculture ponds on McHughs Road. Anyone there is also asked to leave if they can.

Anyone near the Cygnet River catchment area, adjoining, and east of the Parndana Conservation Park near Parndana should leave if they can or seek shelter.

A helicopter drops water on bushfires on Kangaroo Island
A helicopter drops water on bushfires on Kangaroo Island. Photograph: David Mariuz/AAP

Updated

South Australian fire authorities also say that tomorrow will be a dangerous day for fires.

Rain is set to fall over Kangaroo Island this evening, but “it’s unlikely that fires will be extinguished by the rain and they will continue to burn”.

“Firefighting operations will continue for some days on the island. All areas in the vicinity of the fire zones on Kangaroo Island are considered to be dangerous to people and we urge them to keep out of harm’s way and heed the warnings.

“It takes a huge amount of rain to put out bushfires of this intensity and of this scale. That’s not forecasted.”

Tomorrow’s weather will bring slightly higher humidity, but still strong winds.

“We anticipate difficult firefighting conditions throughout the day tomorrow as well.”

Updated

I am going to hand you over to Graham Readfearn for the next little bit.

Please follow all advice in your area. Tomorrow is looking horrendous.

Take care of you.

Updated

Fire threatens Vivonne Bay

Authorities moved to evacuate Vivonne Bay on Kangaroo Island yesterday, as a pre-emptive step. The CFS says the fires are “travelling quickly” and “what was safe this morning may not be safe this evening” and for anyone in the fire zone to consider leaving.

I hope everyone can see it’s a very significant incident which we have resourced up to try and deal with.

However, the conditions are such that it is continuing to present a significant risk to the firefighters who are working hard to control the fires, and to anyone else in the vicinity. I am pleased we took the step to evacuate Vivonne Bay.

Regrettably, the fire’s now threatening Vivonne Bay. That is an issue. But the firefighters are on the ground and they are protecting property as much as they can. I urge everyone to heed warnings, follow advice, and to head to the east part of the island, which is deemed safe at this point.

Emergency warnings remain in place for Vivonne Bay on Kangaroo Island, Baladivis, south of Perth, and parts of East Gippsland.

Tomorrow’s fire conditions are expected to be dangerous – high temperatures and winds.

Victorian authorities are urging residents in fire zones to leave now, ahead of the predicted fires.

Updated

Emergency fire warning for south of Perth

Via AAP:

An emergency warning has been issued for a bushfire that is threatening lives and homes in Baldivis, about 40km south of Perth.

Affected residents should leave immediately if there is a clear path, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services says.

The blaze is moving fast in a north-easterly direction and the Karnup Road exit of Kwinana Freeway has been closed.

Updated

The closure of the Eyre Highway – which has been in place since just after Christmas – is causing some food and product shortages in Western Australia.

The Eyre Highway is the main road freight route into the west from the eastern states but has been closed due to a bushfire near Norseman.

The highway is closed between Norseman and the Caiguna Roadhouse, and the roads between Coolgardie and Norseman, and Norseman and Esperance, are also closed. We asked both Coles and Woolworths about how this was affecting the shelves of their supermarkets in WA.

Here’s Coles:

A number of trucks carrying fresh produce for our suppliers to Coles’ Perth distribution centre have been delayed by road closures as a result of bushfire. We are diverting supplier shipments to rail where possible however availability of a small number of fresh fruit and vegetable lines have been impacted this week.

We apologise to customers for the inconvenience and our team is working hard to ensure we can have all lines fully stocked as soon as possible.

And here’s Woolworths:

We’re continuing to supply our Western Australian stores with goods from the east coast despite road closures across the Nullarbor. We have been using alternate transport options to bring in products from eastern states, including rail, air and road routes through northern Australia.

While stock is getting through via these alternate means, there are some impacts to the supply of fruit and vegetable lines in WA. A large amount of our fresh fruit and vegetable range sold in our Western Australian stores is sourced within the state.

We thank customers for their patience as we work around these disruptions to the road network.

You can track the road closures here.

Updated

US issues Australian travel caution because of bushfires/air quality

The United States State Department has issued a travel caution for any of their citizens headed to Australia:

Exercise increased caution in Australia due to natural disaster/bushfires. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Exercise increased caution:

  • The current bushfire season is one of the worst in Australia’s recorded history. Authorities are issuing regular updates on affected areas. Bushfires may continue through March or April 2020.
  • Tourists should consider postponing their trip to affected areas until the danger of natural disaster has passed. Authorities may issue evacuation orders to certain areas as conditions warrant.
  • Even in areas not directly affected by bushfires, smoke is causing poor air quality. Smoke can affect people’s health and it is important for everyone to reduce exposure.
  • Check the air quality for your destinations and take precautions as needed. Consider postponing your travel plans to areas where air quality is significantly affected by bushfire conditions.

State and territory emergency services in Australia provide up-to-date information on bushfires and advice on precautionary measures that can help minimize fire-related risks. US citizens visiting or living in Australia should monitor local television and radio stations, as media reporting may be the best source for breaking news on fire conditions.

Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.

Updated

Among the supplies headed to Mallacoota (via AAP):

A pub with no beer is the last thing people need in the bushfire-stricken Victorian town of Mallacoota.

Locals have made thirsty work of securing more of the amber fluid amid fears the town’s drinking hole would run dry in a week’s time.

Mallacoota Hotel Motel arranged a last-minute delivery of 3,000 litres of beer with Carlton & United Breweries, to be delivered on HMAS Choules.

Twenty kegs of Victoria Bitter and Carlton Draught, three pallets of VB stubbies, 36 slabs of Strongbow and Great Northern was loaded on Thursday.

Updated

AAP has an update on NSW south coast communities still without power after the bushfires last week:

Endeavour Energy plans to have power restored to all its fire-affected NSW south coast and southern highlands customers.

The distributor expects to restore power on Thursday evening by either repairing damaged powerlines, or installing generators for customers where repairs may take longer.

Endeavour said in a statement it was contacting 300 customers in isolated areas without power to offer generators where it was safe and feasible, or to ensure they had their own.

“The final recovery of the south coast electricity network is a challenging effort that needs to be undertaken safely and methodically in the days and weeks ahead,” the statement said.

“There is also a massive job ahead to remove burned and dangerous trees in close proximity to the network. Thermal imaging cameras are being used to help keep workers safe.”

Updated

Not a lot of surprises from the Coalition MP phone hook-up this afternoon.

Scott Morrison, Michael McCormack and David Littleproud provided an update on the government’s response.

They didn’t rule out establishing a royal commission once the fire emergency comes to an end (expected to be some time from now) and updated the MPs on what the government has been doing this week, including the financial commitments.

Updated

South Australian fire authorities are giving an update on the Kangaroo Island fire:

That fire ran south towards Parndana this morning. That fire has been impacted by the westerly wind change and that is running to the east towards Cygnet River and along there towards Kingscote.

We are hoping that we will be able to control that fire when the weather conditions abate.

For the remainder of that, there has been a significant amount of work to control the eastern flank, and for the ground crews and the work they have done to stop that fire from breaking out in any other portions along that line has been an amazing piece of work and we need to be thankful for the work they have done.

With a perimeter of 360km, it is extremely difficult to be able to hold fire when the wind changes.

Updated

QUEENSLAND

Livingstone

Noosa

Scenic Rim

Southern Downs

Sunshine Coast

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Adelaide Hills

Kangaroo Island

VICTORIA

East Gippsland

Towong

This is an initial investment – more councils could be added, depending on where the rest of the fire season heads.

Updated

The councils which will receive the funds are:

NSW

Armidale

Ballina

Bega Valley

Bellingen

Blue Mountains

Byron

Central Coast

Cessnock

Clarence Valley

Eurobodalla

Glenn Innes Severn

Hawkesbury

Inverell

Kempsey

Kyogle

Lismore

Lithgow

Mid-Coast

Mid-Western

Nambucca

Port Macquarie-Hastings

Queanbeyan-Palerang

Richmond Valley

Shoalhaven

Singleton

Snowy Monaro

Snowy Valleys

Tenterfield

Tweed

Walcha

Wingecarribee

Wollondilly

On today’s announcement of $60m to fire-impacted local governments, we have a bit more information:

All funds will be drawn from the $2bn allocated to the National Bushfire Recovery Agency and this is in addition to funding that is automatically available to councils through other disaster recovery arrangements.

The lump-sum payments will be delivered by the commonwealth by the close of business tomorrow to state governments who administer payments to councils.

The only condition placed on councils is that they develop a program of works within three months and report back to the commonwealth in 12 months’ time.

Councils will be able to spend their $1m payments on projects and activities that they deem essential for the recovery and renewal of their communities, including:

    • Rebuilding damaged or destroyed council assets such as key local roads, bridges, and community facilities;
    • Employing additional local staff to take on specialist recovery or planning roles to help coordinate and plan the rebuilding effort;
    • Hosting new public activities and events to bring communities together and attract visitors back to affected regions; and
    • Immediate maintenance and repairs to relief and evacuation centres.

Updated

Scott Morrison will be the guest on 7.30 tonight.

Essentially, Victorian authorities are telling those in the fire zone to get out now, so if conditions do go the way they fear tomorrow, at least they won’t have to worry about emergency evacuations.

Think of Mallacoota, where it became about protecting lives, with 4,000 people sheltering on the beach because the fire became so big, so suddenly.

So if you have received a text message, or any form of message, in that area, the advice is you leave, if it is still safe to do so.

Andrew Crisp says the entire state is very, very dry – so anyone in Victoria is warned to stay vigilant as Friday’s weather leads to dangerous fire conditions.

Updated

Daniel Andrews on why the messaging has been so blunt:

If I reflect on all the public messaging we have done over the fire seasons I have been part of, in lots of different roles, this is by far and away the clearest messaging.

That’s exactly what the Black Saturday royal commission told us we should do.

The state of disaster – it’s never been used before, it is unprecedented – but so too are the fires we face.

We’ve never had a fire ground or a fire edge as big as this.

We have never had 1.2-plus million hectares burnt out in the first week of January. Never.

So, you know, there have been fire seasons where there’s been more land burnt out.

But not this early in the fire season. So this is unprecedented.

Therefore, we are using unprecedented language.

And unprecedented powers to keep people safe.

After all, that’s the only thing that matters – keeping people safe. And then getting in, supporting communities through the relief effort, and then the rebuild and recovery.

We will be there every single step of the way.

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews speaks to the media at the State Control Centre in Melbourne on Thursday
Victorian premier Daniel Andrews speaks to the media at the State Control Centre in Melbourne on Thursday. Photograph: James Ross/AAP

Updated

Plan International Australia has put together a guide on how to speak to children about these fires:

The How to talk to your kids about out-of-control fires guide, co-authored by child psychologist Karen Young, offers parents simple and practical tips on how to support children who may be distressed by fires, sirens and emergency personnel nearby or news reports on television about fires in Australia.

Research from the Australian Catholic University has shown that between 7% and 45% of children suffer depression, anxiety or distress after experiencing a natural disaster.

Since bushfire season began unusually early in August, children have watched on as more than 10 million hectares have burned and more than a billion precious wildlife have perished.

Updated

To the people who want to stay and defend their properties, Daniel Andrews says this:

People have a right to stay and defend their property. But the only way to do that is to have a proper plan. Part of any proper plan is that if conditions get so extreme then you abandon any hope of trying to defend your property and you leave.

This is a difficult balancing act. People have the right to protect their own property. But they also, in putting that plan into place, they also have to, I would respectfully submit, have to make a judgment about, if this fire’s so severe, if it’s creating its own weather, for instance, if you have convection columns that are almost molten tornado, that is a different – that might be something that is well beyond the planning that you have done.

Look, we can rebuild houses. We can rebuild sheds. But we can’t be undoing the tragedy that can befall you if you find yourself in the middle of one of these fire zones.

It’s an absolute inferno. The intensity of which, the ferocity of which has been startling, shocking people who – even those who are veterans, have been around fire, in particular landscapes and communities for a very long time.

The final point I make to you is this: people have the right to stay. But all the feedback I keep getting across the board – there are a whole bunch of people who stayed in East Gippsland, who stayed. When I sat and talked – there was a lot of tears shed, it was very emotional.

They put it to me they wish they had left. This fire is of such an intensity it’s, yeah. It is really challenging.

Updated

Andrew Crisp, Victoria’s emergency commissioner, has the same message.

On the [weather] change, there is every chance we will see dry lightning.

You could leave it too late because the road could be blocked.

If you are waiting to see the smoke, see the flames, I’d suggest you have left it to late. If you have the chance to get out, then get out.

Updated

Victorian premier: 'If you are told to leave, leave'

Daniel Andrews has a fairly blunt – but necessary – message for those people in the Victorian fire zone.

If you receive instructions to leave, then you must leave.

If it is safe to get out, and if you receive an instruction – a text message – then you must get out.

That is the only way to guarantee your safety.

I know that’s a very binary message. It’s blunt. It’s not meant to impress anyone.

It’s meant to be the cold facts.

And that is it is dangerous to be in some of these communities.

We cannot guarantee your safety. You might be putting other people into harm’s way. If you receive that message, follow the instructions you are given.

Get out of those communities. Come to a relief centre.

You will be well and truly taken care of. It is inconvenient, yes. But it’s much better than the alternative, which is tragedy.

We’ve seen two people die, plus a Forest Fire Management staff member. Three deaths in the most recent period.

We don’t want to see any more people die. We don’t want to be going to any more funerals. Follow the advice you are given. As inconvenient as it might be, it might just save your life and potentially the lives of others.

Updated

Australia’s prescription drug authority has announced asthma puffers may be sold without a prescription, if necessary, because of the poor air quality in many parts of the east coast at the moment:

Salbutamol is an important medicine for the relief of respiratory symptoms associated with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other respiratory diseases. Salbutamol in the form of metered dose aerosols (puffers) or dry powders for inhalation is available from pharmacies in Australia with or without prescription. However, salbutamol cannot ordinarily be advertised to the public, even the products that can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) from pharmacies without prescription.

Smoke and increased air pollution from bushfires, which are currently being experienced in many areas of Australia, can trigger respiratory symptoms. However, pharmacies in bushfire affected areas may experience irregular stock deliveries and people evacuated from their houses may have lost their salbutamol medication or prescription for salbutamol. In this difficult time, it is important that people can be alerted to the availability of OTC salbutamol.

Until 30 April 2020, the TGA has granted permission for pharmacies to advertise that:

    • people with asthma or COPD can obtain salbutamol puffers or dry powder inhalers from a particular pharmacy; and
    • people with asthma or COPD can obtain salbutamol puffers or dry powder inhalers from pharmacies with or without prescription if necessary.

The permission also extends to salbutamol advertising activities conducted or facilitated by evacuation centres and other places dealing with displaced people. It also permits advertising that reminds people with asthma or COPD to, in the event of an evacuation, remember to take the following with them:

    • any salbutamol medicines that they have, and
    • any scripts they have for salbutamol.

Emergency fire warning for Vivonne Bay

Issued for Vivonne Bay township near South Coast Road

This fire may pose a threat to lives directly in its path.

Act now. Leave, if the path is clear to a safer place, as it will soon be too dangerous to drive.

If you cannot leave, identify where you will seek shelter from the bushfire. Heat from the fire will kill you. Do not enter this area as conditions are dangerous.

The PLAYFORD HWY/WEST END HWY, RAVINE fire is uncontrolled. This scrub fire is burning in a southerly direction towards Vivonne Bay township, Harriet Road, South Coast Road and Knofel Drive. Conditions are continually changing.

Updated

The BBC is also having to debunk the ‘arson is a major cause of the bushfires’ myths being passed around on social media, helped along by some ridiculous headlines and in some cases poor media reporting:

For context, reports that arson is the major cause has made it as far as some Italian news outlets.

We just heard from the CFA incident controller, Brett Mitchell, who once again, said the fires in Victoria are mostly the result of lightning strikes.

Updated

The Australian Conservation Foundation has urged federal MPs to find a solution to Australia’s climate policy paralysis which rises above politics.

From Paul Sheridan:

“When nations have faced similar threats or when at war, leaders have risen above political differences to ensure the country remains resilient and united. That is what is needed now.

“People, all over, have responded, have come together, and demonstrated the true character of Australia. Now is the chance and moment for our political leaders to rise above and beyond politics to address the root causes of this bushfire crisis, not simply the symptoms.”

Updated

One of the big issues with the Victorian fires tomorrow is the very real threat that the wind, which will be coming from different directions, will cause two of the biggest blazes, in Corryong and East Gippsland, to join up.

The CFA incident controller Brett Mitchell:

That is a real possibility, absolutely. Particularly with the north-westerly winds and elevation, some of the fires could link up tomorrow afternoon.

Updated

[continued from previous post]

The Alpine mayor, Peter Roper, who runs his family cattle farm at Tawonga, near Mount Beauty, says he will stay and defend his property because “my livestock are my friends and I want to make sure they are OK.”

But he said that everyone advised to leave should do so, and families should take care not to pressure those who wish to leave into staying.

“If we do come under ember attack, the sky goes black, you can’t hear very well, you can’t see very well, you are under ember attack so there are fires all around you. It’s truly frightening,” he says. “It looks like a sci-fi movie gone wrong. The damn thing creates its own energy and before you know it you have lost it. It’s just amazing how quickly things can escalate and go from being something that looks relatively placid to something that is really difficult to describe, apart from being frightening and destructive.

The Alpine shire has experienced a lot of severe bushfires – the 2002/2003 bushfires, 2006/2007 bushfires, and 2009 Mudgegonga fire that started on Black Saturday all burned through there. In each case, the fire burned deep into the national park and could not be put out until the autumn rains, which usually caused a flood.

Roper said locals were in for a stressful few months.

“You go to bed at night worrying where the damn thing is,” he says.

Updated

I’ve been talking to Peter Roper, the mayor of the Alpine shire in Victoria. It includes Bright, Myrtleford and the Ovens Valley.

Roper says his community is preparing to defend against the Abbeyard fire, a 60,000-hectare (150,000-acre) blaze that is burning in the Alpine national park and state forests between Mt Hotham and Mt Bulla. But he is worried that people who heeded warnings to evacuate last weekend will be less likely to follow those warnings again, even though calls to leave the area have been made on the basis of good information.

“People don’t like to be displaced,” he says. “I fear if they have left once and they have come back, it will be harder to move them [a second time].”

Spot fires from that fire have prompted emergency warnings throughout the day for the localities of Carboor, Whorouly South, Cheshunt, Edi, Edi Upper, the King Valley and surrounds. They are in an area south of Myrtleford where state forest becomes private farming land.

About 92% of the Alpine shire is national park or state forests, and there are also plenty of pine plantations around Myrtleford and Bright.

The worst-case scenario from the severe fire weather tomorrow is that a strong south-westerly wind will turn the long flank of the Abbeyard fire into a new fire front, and drive it north-east toward the townships of Porepunkah and Bright. They’re about 20km as the crow flies through national park to Abbeyard.

Roper says it is possible those towns could come under threat tomorrow, but his immediate concern was focused on Carboor and Whorouly South. Residents in those areas have been advised to leave, and tourists have been advised to stay away from Bright and the Alpine national park as part of the extended state of disaster declaration.

Updated

On the issue of funding, the Australian Council of Social Service has called on the government to increase the disaster recovery payments people affected by the fires can claim through Centrelink.

Acoss says the payments – currently $1,000 person plus $400 per child – should be boosted to $3,000, with an additional $1,000 per child.

The peak lobby group notes that the rate of these payments has not risen since 2006. It would also like an $30m allocated to food relief community sector organisations to cover the increased demand over the coming months.

“It’s vital that the government plays its role providing adequate support to the thousands of people so badly affected,” the Acoss chief executive, Cassandra Goldie, said.

Updated

Victoria police have just clarified their previous clarification on ‘arson’ numbers:

We’d also like to clarify some figures that have been quoted by various media outlets. This includes:

  • 183 people have had legal action taken against them this bushfire season in regards to fire-related offences – this relates to NSW, not Victoria.
  • 43 offences were recorded in 2019 for causing bushfires. Of these, 21 offences resulted in an arrest/summons (charge). This relates to offences in Victoria in the 12 month period ending September 2019.
  • 12 people were arrested/summonsed (charged) in 2019 for causing bushfires. This relates to offences in Victoria in the 12 month period ending September 2019.

(If you are looking for the difference, they have added in some extra information with the numbers)

Updated

Emergency fire warning near Abbeyard in Victoria's north-east

This emergency warning is being issued for Carboor, Carboor East, Carboor Upper, Cheshunt, Cheshunt South, Claremont, Dandongadale, Edi, Edi Upper, Hyem, Jarrott, King Valley, Markous, Myrrhee, Pieper, Rose River, Whitfield, Whitlands, Whorouly South.

  • There is a bushfire at 8km east-south-east of Abbeyard that is out of control.
  • The bushfire has crossed the Mount Emu track and is moving in a north-westerly direction.

Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous. Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.

What you should do:

  • Leave from Carboor using the Carboor-Everton Road through Bobinawarrah.
  • Whorouly residents should leave via the Snow Road to Wangaratta.
  • King Valley residents should leave via the Wangaratta-Whitfield Road.
  • Travel to the home of family or friends that is away from the warning area.
  • When you leave remember to take your pets, mobile phone and medications.

Updated

Scott Morrison finishes his press conference, with this:

It’s a busy time. We’ve got a lot of work to do. Tomorrow is gonna be a difficult day on the eastern states.

Once again, I express my sincere condolences and sympathies to the families of all of those who have lost loved ones during the course of this terrible disaster.

We will continue to remember them, but also their families in particular in what they need, in supporting them.

But I would encourage all Australians to continue to follow the advice of authorities, to keep being kind to each other as the way you are.

Thank you for your generosity and your support. All levels of government will keep working to ensure that we come through this together, by staying together.

The head of the national bushfire response agency, Andrew Colvin, echoed those sentiments:

Obviously the last thing we want is for government and my agency to be a block to funds, support getting to the people in need.

But clearly we’re working with these organisations, we’re working with these very generous people, who are giving time, money and effort, logistics, products, and we’re trying to direct that to where we think is best going to be utilised.

On the ground, there’s great coordination. Sure, there’s lots of people doing really good work, but that’s good coordination, that’s a local thing.

The message we have is let’s make sure what we give is tailored to the community who needs it.

As I said before, the fire-affected parts of Australia, there are vastly different community needs. So we’re going to tailor this to the local areas.

Updated

On the fundraising efforts – which have raised millions and millions of dollars – Scott Morrison says there is a need for fundraisers to work with governments to best direct the funds:

If you are in a position where you have been raising money for the bushfires, and I thank you for that, first and foremost, and all of those who have supported you, then it is, I think, important to take advice from both the state and federal agencies about where you can best direct that support.

Updated

Scott Morrison says the government has made some decisions on mental health funding (Labor has been calling for the Medicare 10-visit plan to be made unlimited as the fire crisis continues) but he is not ready to make announcements on that as yet.

It will be made “in the coming days”.

Updated

Councils will not have to tell the government what they plan on spending the money on – like they did in the north Queensland flood response – and instead can spend the funds on whatever immediate needs they see fit.

Updated

Scott Morrison has taken a moment to thank some of the international allies who have stepped up to help Australia during the bushfire emergency – and singled out our Pacific neighbours for their immediate offers of help:

I’ve gotta say it’s been of great comfort as I’ve walked into incident response centres, whether it’s in Mudgee or Albury, where I have been around the country, and you can hear the Canadian, Kiwi, US accent that is there alongside the Aussie accents, just focusing on the tasks.

But the one that’s been overwhelming has been the loving response from our Pacific family.

The Vanuatu government provided $250,000 Australian, and it might not sound like a lot in terms of the tremendous assistance provided by many other countries, but from them, that was a gift from the heart.

And the same has been true from prime minister Marape and Bainimarama.

They have all been reaching out to Australia. They know how Australia has been faithful to them in their hours of need, and they just in their own way are trying to extend that in the best way they possibly can. We’re very grateful for it.

Updated

[continued from previous post]

Yesterday Moody’s analysts said the fires increased the chance the Reserve Bank will cut official interest rates, which are already at a historic low of 0.75%, to 0.5%, but Plank said his team was already predicting the move and the blazes did not alter their forecast.

Plank’s research found that major natural disasters have not in the past done much damage to Australia’s economy on a national level, even though regional areas have seen their local industries devastated.

“Due to the magnitude of the area impacted, the current bushfires will almost certainly have a larger economic impact than previous fires,” he said.

“The recurrence of catastrophic conditions, the distribution of the smoke haze, the earlier start of the bushfire season and the coincident peak holiday period mean that a historical comparison can only be viewed as the starting point.”

He said the $2bn pledged by Morrison would not by itself be enough to stop the federal government achieving the cash budget surplus it has pledged to deliver in the 2019-20 fiscal year.

“But bushfire recovery could provide the Morrison government with the political cover it needs to be more equivocal about the 2019-20 surplus target,” he said.

The $5bn surplus the government predicted in the December Mid-Year Economic and Financial Outlook “could easily be eliminated under changed circumstances”, he said.

Updated

The bushfire crisis could cut 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points from Australia’s already anaemic economic growth figures, ANZ’s chief economist says.

In a new report released today, David Plank and his team said the effect could be felt over the final quarter of 2019 and the first of the new year.

Growth in gross domestic product was just 0.4% for the three months to the end of September, the most recent period for which statistics are available.

Figures for the December quarter, which includes the start of the bushfire season and a Christmas period that appears to have disappointed retailers, are due to be released at the start of March.

“This is necessarily a best first guess, and it will be refined as more information comes to hand,” Plank said.

“This initial impact will be offset (to at least some extent) in later quarters, as rebuilding gets under way.”

He urged the Morrison government to spend more on rebuilding than the $2bn it has so far pledged over two years.

“We think the support for affected communities during and following these tragic events, along with wider economic benefits that could be gained, justifies current and additional fiscal loosening, as required,” he said.

Updated

David Littleproud:

It is important to understand we will work hand in hand with the state governments, as we have done during this whole disaster. There has not been one request that any state government has asked, in the operational management of these fires, that I have not approved. Some I have approved within a matter of minutes.

Updated

Elgas has issued handling warnings for gas bottles for people in the fire zones, ahead of their evacuations, given reports of exploding cylinders in the blazes:

For residences that have 45kg or larger home gas bottles or cylinders, here are five safety tips to undertake before the fire arrives or before evacuating:

1. Turn it off (in clockwise direction) at valve on top of the bottle.

2. Leave the bottle or cylinder where it has been installed.

3. Leave the bottle or cylinder in an upright position.

4. Ensure it is secured to a solid structure and on a solid base to prevent it falling over, with the Pressure Relief Valve vent facing away from building. The vent is the protrusion, usually with a dust cover, that is opposite of where the gas line screws into the valve.

5. Remove any combustible materials surrounding the gas bottles.

Please ensure you:

1. Never move an LPG bottle inside a house or structure, as it can be a hazard to firefighters.

2. Never lay it on its side.

3. Never cover it with wet material to it keep cool. These materials may dry out and burn, heating the bottle/cylinder.

When you return home:

• Ensure all supply valves and appliances are turned off if safe to do so.

• Do not attempt to start any LPG appliance, or turn supply back on, until the installation is checked by a gasfitter.

• If your cylinders are heat- or fire-damaged Elgas will replace them without cost.

• If cylinders have fallen or are upturned, do not attempt to move them, contact Elgas on 131 161.

• If you can hear or smell LPG turn cylinders off if safe to do so and call Elgas on 131 161 or a licensed gas fitter. Stay well clear of the installation keep any sources of ignition away.

Updated

Coalition MPs have told us they have been invited to listen in on a phone hook-up with Scott Morrison, Michael McCormack and David Littleproud at 3pm Canberra time.

It’s to discuss the government’s national response. And also to assure them that the Morrison government is on top of the situation.

The National Security Committee of cabinet will next meet on Tuesday.

$60m to be delivered to fire-impacted councils tomorrow

The government is also providing $60m to councils most affected by the bushfires – at least $1m will go to all 42 disaster declared local government areas, with the remaining $18m to be distributed to the worst impacted.

Scott Morrison:

I also want to stress this is initial and urgent. There will be more and that will be assessed but we are going to be disciplined and careful and consultative in the way we make sure that additional support is rendered into these communities. We want to ensure we do that in a proper and coordinated way that enables the support to get to the places that need it most.

This will be commencing this afternoon with the government being in contact with all of those 42 councils to be communicating this decision directly to them and obviously to deal with any questions or issues that they would like to raise.

Updated

Fires are closing in on communities in Kangaroo Island – there are some who are refusing to leave in a bid to keep doing their work protecting wildlife:

Updated

Bushfires claim 27 deaths so far, 2,131 homes

Scott Morrison moves on to the bushfire update:

Firstly, operationally, there are 27 confirmed fatalities and there have been, on this morning’s reports to us, 2,131 homes lost. I am sure over the course of the day, as further damage assessments have been undertaken, particularly in victims the numbers will continue to sadly change and they will continue to escalate.

Fire weather is increasing in the south and east today and it will spike along the east coast tomorrow.

Over 1,600 defence reservists are currently assigned to bushfire operations around the country.

In New South Wales and ACT, the focus is on re-establishing power to blacked-out communities, and there have been thousands of homes and customers who have been reconnected in recent days but there are still many without power.

It is about getting emergency support to impacted areas and tackling the damage and risk to key infrastructure, such as transmission lines, generators and there has been a particular effort through the defence force of supporting what is occurring at the Eden woodchip mill.

Naval assets remain off NSW coast to prepare with evacuations and to bring in supplies. With the positioning of these assets, the HMAS Adelaide and the Choules, we are a long way from the end of this crisis and this disaster.

Updated

Scott Morrison starts his press conference with an update on Australia’s position on Iraq and Iran:

Our goal remains a united and stable Iraq and the focus of our efforts is encountering Daesh. And its support network also.

This is the mission that we have been part of, as part of a broad coalition, and that remains our mission and we remain tasked to that mission as our people there in the Middle East are pursuing.

We remain committed to carrying on this important work.

As I said yesterday, our priority right now is the safety and security of Australians and, along with all other coalition personnel, there were no casualties or losses that were suffered there yesterday.

The chief of the defence force and the secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade advise every precaution is being taken to ensure Australian military and diplomatic personnel are safe.

As I have said before, Australia wants to see and has encouraged restraint and de-escalation and I welcome President Trump’s statement overnight.

We remain in close contact with the United States and our other partners, indeed this morning I was in discussions with the Canadian prime minister, Mr Trudeau, where we discussed this matter. I have been in contact also today with the New Zealand prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, and we will speak again later today about these issues.

There has been much contact between us and our coalition partners in the United States.

It is very clear that our intent remains that the safety and security of our people has been maintained throughout these events and we will continue to monitor these situations very closely and remain as committed to the task that we have in front of us there, as so many, particularly of our defence force personnel and our diplomatic personnel.

Updated

The greatest of all footballs teams ever (Collingwood forever, don’t @ me) has made its own donation announcement.

The club also purchased the 2010 premiership medal Dayne Beams put up for auction, for $27,500, to keep it close to home.

Updated

David Littleproud spoke to PBS (the US public broadcaster) about the bushfires. He was asked whether Australia had prepared for this season, given the warnings of the impact of climate change:

William Brangham:

Going forward, climate change models have predicted exactly really what is unfolding: longer droughts, hotter heatwaves. They make the conditions ripe for these kinds of wildfires. Are you all prepared, as some here in the US like in California have been saying, that this could be the new normal for you? That these kinds of wildfires could achieve this level of intensity year after year after year? Are you all ready for that?

Littleproud:

Yeah well look, what I’m most proud of in terms of our fire commissioners from all our states is the meticulous planning they undertook well before this event. When I became emergency services minister in June last year, the first advice I got was that the season was going to be earlier, it was going to be more severe, it was going be protracted for longer periods.

They were right and they prepared and they collaborated with you guys in the northern hemisphere, and that’s one thing that this has become, a global effort, and I think we should be very proud that we’ve been able to work collaboratively. And our research and development has collaborated between the northern and southern hemispheres and our assets are, and the most important asset is our human capital, and we’ll continue to do that.

And I think that’s where our continual R&D in making sure that we’re prepared for these events in the future, whether it be fires or here in Australia cyclones and floods, is world’s best and we’ll continue to work and make sure that we get our best science and the best science from around the world to make sure we keep our people safe. But the big part of it is about building back better.

Building the infrastructure to a better standard to withstand bigger events in the future and that’s what the commitment in terms of the federal government, working with our states in recovery will be about, is making sure that we look at it from every aspect, understanding how we adapt to a change in climate and how we do that better into the future in preserving life and property.

Updated

Victoria police correct 'arson' figures used in some media reporting

Victoria police have emailed media outlets over the numbers being used in ‘arson’ reports.

This email is to clarify some reporting that has been made in relation to bushfire arson related offences and charges in Victoria.

While we appreciate media are seeking up to date and current statistics about these offences, it is worth noting that:

  • Official crime statistics in Victoria are released every quarter by the Crime Statistics Agency (CSA).
  • Currently, data up until the year ending September 2019 only is available.
  • Data for the year ending December 2019 will be released in March.

We’d also like to clarify some figures that have been quoted by various media outlets. This includes:

  • 183 people have had legal action taken against them this bushfire season in regards to fire-related offences – this relates to NSW, not Victoria.
  • 43 people were charged in 2019 for causing bushfires – this is accurate, and relates to offences in Victoria in the 12 month period ending September 2019.

If you have any questions about crime statistics, please contact the CSA: https://www.crimestatistics.vic.gov.au/

Updated

Scott Morrison will hold a press conference at 1.30 in Canberra.

Roughly 100 Papua New Guinean defence force personnel will travel to Australia to join the bushfire response and recovery effort after Scott Morrison accepted an offer of assistance from PNG’s prime minister, James Marape.

Over the weekend, Marape issued a statement saying 1,000 soldiers and firefighters from his country were standing by, ready to be deployed if requested by Morrison, with whom Marape said he had been in “constant contact over the last few weeks”.

“Australia is the closest friend of PNG and is always the first in PNG in our times of adversities and we offer our hearts and our hands to you in this time of fire-induced tragedies,” said Marape.

Marape’s offer was one of several from Australia’s Pacific neighbours, despite Pacific and Australian leaders frequently clashing over Australia’s climate policy.

Frank Bainimarama, Fiji’s prime minister, wrote an opinion piece for the Guardian earlier this week urging Australia to fully commit to achieving net zero emissions.

“All across the Pacific, our prayers are with Australia,” he wrote. “But prayers alone will not turn back the tides of the climate crisis facing the world; for that, we need meaningful action.”

Updated

Mining magnate makes $70m donation to bushfire efforts

The $70m donation from Andrew and Dr Nicola Forrest will be administered through their Minderoo Foundation.

The fire fund will see $10m given to immediate bushfire relief, another $10m for mobile specialist volunteers, and $50m for long-term planning for fire resilience.

You can find more details here.

Updated

The government has extended the recovery and restoration grants to the Break O’Day council, for people who lost homes or businesses in the Fingal bushfires.

Here’s a little bit more detail on what tomorrow’s fire weather forecast means for Victoria, from Stephen McGibbony at the Bureau of Meteorology.

As on other significant fire weather days, the BoM has forecast hot temperatures fanned by northerly/north-westerly winds, with a wind change to a south-westerly later in the day that will be followed by a few hours of very strong, gusty winds. Those gusts could get up to 90km/h in elevated areas.

A strong wind warning has been issued for coastal areas tomorrow, including the Gippsland Lakes and East Gippsland coast, and McGibbony said the bureau may issue a damaging winds warning for the Gippsland and East Gippsland coast and alpine regions.

The fire danger ratings for Victoria tomorrow are lower than they were on Monday last week, when the East Gippsland fires destroyed dozens of homes and killed two people, and on Saturday, when dozens more homes in the north-east and East Gippsland were destroyed.

But McGibbony said that did not mean the risk had subsided.

“We are still seeing severe to extreme fire danger to parts of the state,” he said. “In East Gippsland the fire danger comes out as very high, because there’s a bit more humidity around. But it’s still a very hot day with very gusty winds. It’s still a significant day in terms of fire weather.”

Updated

Town of Parndana on Kangaroo Island told to take shelter

In the last 20 minutes or so the town of Parndana on Kangaroo Island has been told to take shelter, with public alarms blaring, and the ADF reportedly saying they are under threat from flare-ups on the west.

Updated

We’ve just received a press released that a man whose uninsured house was destroyed in bushfires has won $1m in the lottery.

The unidentified man from Redlands in Queensland, was told of his win after the Wednesday night draw. He said it was “unreal”.

“My family just lost their home in the bushfires in northern New South Wales and it wasn’t insured, so thank you very much,” he was quoted as saying.

“I can’t wait to go home and give my wife a big kiss and a cuddle! The entry was marked with her special numbers and now they’ve delivered in a big way.”

The house in northern NSW was destroyed in during the ongoing bushfire crisis.

“All that was left of the home was a few charred teacups,” he said.

“We didn’t know if we would ever be able to rebuild but now we definitely can!”

Labor’s shadow health minister, Chris Bowen, has some suggestions on what should happen with mental health services during the bushfire crisis:

In line with the advice of 28 of Australia’s leading health groups who have called for this crisis to be treated as a public health emergency, Labor calls on government to develop a national response to ensure Australians impacted by the fires have access to health and mental health services. It should:

Ensure access to medical care in bushfire-affected areas by:

  • Increasing support for GPs and primary care;
  • Allowing access to Medicare tele-health items in bushfire areas on the same basis already extended to drought-affected areas; and
  • Working with states to increase access to medical specialists, including respiratory specialists.
  • Urgently initiate a public health awareness campaign on the impact of bushfire smoke, as well as fund research into the long-term health consequences associated with more severe bushfire seasons.

Improve mental health services in bushfire-affected areas by:

  • Lifting the cap on mental health consultations allowed under Medicare; and
  • Boosting funding for primary health networks and states to deploy trauma counsellors and other mental health providers.

Prioritise the mental health needs of children and first responders by:

  • Funding states to provide counsellors and resources to children and families in bushfire-affected areas when school returns; and
  • Working with states to implement the recommendations of a recent Senate inquiry on the mental health of first responders, including volunteers.

Updated

The National Rural Health Alliance is the latest medical group to call for climate change to be treated as a health issue:

The Royal Australian College of GPs also treats climate change as a health issue

Updated

Zali Steggall is talking about the Climate Act she wants to put forward in the next parliament (Sarah Martin wrote about that here) on the ABC.

She wants “modern Liberals” to cross the floor – and follow through on their promises.

There were a number of members of the Coalition that held on to seats where there is a strong push from their communities for more action on climate change.

Those members put forward a platform and made promises to their electorates that they would act on climate change.

Now, if all they do is repeat the line that “we’re doing enough” despite the science telling them that “you are not”, then you are not being true to your constituents.

What I propose is we take the politics, take political parties out of this debate, it’s been so negative in Australia for the last 10 years and put it to a conscience vote. Put it to each MP should represent their electorate.


Updated

NSW Corrections media has said staff and inmates from the Illawarra reintegration centre have been helping to rebuild the Bargo dingo shelter, which was destroyed by bushfires.

The shelter’s gardens, sheds and showroom, which had half a century of memorabilia in it, were completely gutted.

Two Corrective Services staff have overseen the 13 minimum security inmates clear the area and fix fences and sewer lines in an attempt to rebuild the shelter.

A team of two Corrective Services NSW overseers and 13 minimum-security inmates have cut fallen trees, cleared debris and fixed fences and a sewer line as part of the project.

From the statement:

Dingo sanctuary president and founding director Luci Ellem said they greatly appreciated the group’s efforts at the facility, south-west of Sydney.

“We just don’t have the resources so it’s been fantastic to have extra hands to help with the clean-up,” Ellem said.

“The correctional staff and inmates have worked really hard and I can’t thank them enough.

“Dingoes have a special aura about them and I feel they’ve provided comfort to the inmates.”

The inmates also set up shade cloth to help the dingoes settle into their new pens.

More information from the statement:

The sanctuary is run by the Australian Native Dog Conservation Society, which was formed in 1976 by Berenice Walters to promote understanding and knowledge of Australia’s native dog, the dingo, and its official recognition and protection as native fauna.

If you would like to donate to the Bargo Dingo Sanctuary or help with the rebuild, visit dingosanctuarybargo.com.au for more information.

Updated

It is believed that up to 1.000 beehives have been lost in the Kangaroo Island fires (along with hundreds of livestock).

One of the bee populations under threat is the Ligurian bee – the last of the genetically untouched population lives on the island.

You can learn more about the fundraising effort to save this endangered bee, here.

Updated

Kylie Jenner has donated US$1m to Australian firefighters and those impacted by the fires – the ABC followed up with some of the recipients, which included Queensland, to help them prepare for future seasons.

Kylie Jenner has donated $200,000 to the Rural Fire Brigades Association of Queensland, stunning its general manager who knew little about the makeup mogul and questioned if she had made a mistake.

Justin Choveaux got the call from Ms Jenner’s New York publicist yesterday morning, with the money being transferred today.

“The first thing I said was, ‘are you sure it’s us?’” Mr Choveaux said.

“I said ‘we are the Rural Fire Brigades Association, we support brigades and volunteers in Queensland, if you want your money to help people who have lost everything that’s not us, we don’t do that’.

“But the person who represents the Jenners said ‘we are donating a million dollars, and we want $200,000 to go to rural firefighters in Queensland’.

“Obviously I said ‘that’s fantastic’.”

Kylie Jenner has pledged US$1m.
Kylie Jenner has pledged US$1m. Photograph: Andrew Kelly/Reuters

Updated

There have been a lot of questions around this, particularly since we keep hearing we will “meet and beat” our Paris target, in the midst of this disaster.

Updated

Water contamination is still an issue in many of the fire zones and surrounds.

Professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of NSW, Stuart Khan, has written on that today, for the Conversation.

Updated

For those still wondering what a state of disaster means – it basically gives authorities more compulsion powers.

If they tell you to go, you have to go.

From VicEmergency:

The declaration is made where the premier agrees there is an emergency that constitutes, or is likely to constitute, a significant and widespread danger to life or property.

This declaration gives the Victorian government the powers and resources it needs to keep Victorians safe. It is the first time such powers have been used since they were included in the Emergency Management Act 1986 following the 2009 Victorian bushfires.

The declaration applies to the local government areas of East Gippsland Shire, Mansfield Shire, Wellington Shire, Wangaratta Rural Shire, Towong Shire, Alpine Shire, and Mount Buller, Mount Hotham, Falls Creek and Mount Stirling Alpine Resorts.

A state of disaster:

    • may be declared to exist in the whole, or parts, of Victoria
    • exists immediately upon the making of the declaration and remains in force for one month (unless another declaration is made)
    • can be revoked or varied by the premier at any time.

People in these areas must follow advice from emergency services. Do not travel to these areas and if you are in any of these areas, leave now if it is safe to do so. The community should monitor advice and warnings at emergency.vic.gov.au (External link)

Updated

Daniel Andrews says he has not taken the decision to extend the state of disaster easily, but he believes it is necessary to save lives.

I think people know that we don’t take steps lightly.

I think people know that we issue advice because our experts, the fire modelling, the bureau, conditions on the ground ... This is not a step that is taken lightly.

It is a very serious thing to do.

It was recommended after the Black Saturday inquiry.

That royal commission said we needed this power. This is only the second time we’ve used it.

So once a week ago and extending it now. I think that any risk, as you outlined, [declaring a state of disaster even if conditions don’t turn out to be that bad] is one that’s worth taking because this is about keeping people safe, saving lives and making sure that the job of emergency services is just that little bit easier.

I think this is exactly the decision to make and that’s why I took that decision the other week and why we are extending the state of disaster for another 48 hours.

Updated

Andrew Crisp says authorities are still conducting assessments of homes lost in East Gippsland.

So far, they have made it to 2,800 property assessments. 244 homes “have been impacted in one way or another”. All up, Crisp says 400 “structures” have been hit – that includes sheds and things like that. But there are still areas they haven’t been able to get into because of the smoke and fire risk.

Updated

The Victorian authorities are really stressing the “leave now” message.

Andrew Crisp:

We know what we have got in terms of fire and fire grounds, it is what we don’t know.

What might be the new fires which starts today. What, with the change tomorrow, if there is dry lightning and a new fire starts. Don’t leave it too late.

You might have a plan but because of dry lightning or new fires tomorrow, the roads could be cut.

We don’t want any more isolated communities or families, so get completely out of that fire affected area and move to major regional centres.

Updated

Fifteen million dollars has been donated to the Victorian bushfire appeal so far, Daniel Andrews says.

He says every dollar in the state’s appeal will go to families who have been impacted by the fires.

Updated

Victorian emergency services minister Lisa Neville says fire strike teams are being moved into place, given the predicted conditions for tomorrow:

Victorians will again tomorrow face hot, windy, dry conditions, with a significant change that comes through at different times in the day but with significant winds, particularly over the fire grounds later in the day.

As we said yesterday, the safest place to be tomorrow is not in those fire-affected areas.

If you are unsure, we will be sending out alerts to people via text message and as we did last week and the Sunday before that, you will receive that alert which will indicate to you that the safest place to be is not in those areas and that if you can leave, you should leave.

Based on the weather predictions that we have got today, all our agencies, so VicPol and CFA and MFS and they are prepositioning strike teams and assets into those areas where we have the most significant concerns.

The Victorian emergency commissioner, Andrew Crisp, says there are 23 ongoing fires in the state’s north-east region at the moment.

It had been 12. They are not new fires, but they have split the fires up (in terms of names) to make it easier for people in the impacted communities to understand which are close to them.

Of those 23 fires, 13 have watch and act alerts.

More than 1.2m hectares has been burned since 21 November.

Updated

Significant fire activity expected over the next 48 hours in Victoria

The Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, says the state of disaster declaration will remain in place for at least another 48 hours, after receiving a briefing on the weather conditions for the next two days.

It’s always difficult to predict how challenging the next couple of days will be but with so much fire in the landscape with such a massive fire edge, with hot weather and significant winds, there’s every reason to think we are going to have more fire today and, of course, tomorrow and potentially right into the weekend.

This is a really significant challenge for us. We don’t underestimate it. We don’t lightly extend the state of disaster. We have done it because we believe that it will save lives and that, after all, is the most important thing.

Updated

The Australia Institute has done some polling on what sort of response people want in terms of the climate emergency.

– Two in three Australians (66%) agree that Australia is facing a climate change emergency and should take emergency action. Only one in four Australians (23%) disagree.

– Two in three Australians (63%) agree that governments should mobilise all of society to tackle climate change, like they did during the world wars.

– A majority of Coalition (56%), Labor (74%) and Greens voters (80%) agree that governments should mobilise all of society to tackle climate change.

And here was the method, for those wondering:

“The Australia Institute conducted a national survey of 1,424 people between 1 and 15 November 2019, online through Dynata with nationally representative samples by gender, age, state and territory, and household income. The margin of error (95% confidence level) for the national results is 2.6%. Results are shown only for larger states.”

Updated

The road to Corryong has been reopened – but only for residents. And it could close at anytime.

From VicEmergency:

Murray Valley Highway from Bullioh to Corryong
For access past the Traffic Management Points, residents must provide photo ID and proof of residency for access to Corryong.

The Murray Valley Highway will be open between 7.00am to 8.00pm each day.

The road will be closed at 8.00pm each day at Bullioh and Corryong. You will not be able to return after this time. It is unsafe to drive on this road at night.

This road is subject to closure at any time based on fire risk or operational activity.

Updated

Canberra is still suffering from hazardous air quality (it is not so bad now but last night the smoke came rolling through again).

The ACT health minister has put out this update:

You’ll find that website, here

Updated

AAP has an update on the Kangaroo Island fire, which has seen authorities preemptively evacuate Vivonne Bay:

As a precaution, police and the Country Fire Service evacuated the town of Vivonne Bay on the south coast amid fears homes could not be protected should the fire move quickly into the area.

Made up of mostly holiday shacks, it’s thought less than 100 people live there at any given time.

Police went door to door, calling on residents to head for Kingscote or Penneshaw, but some still chose to stay.

Those who left will not be allowed to return until Friday, but only if it is then deemed safe.

We have had a few questions about the Volunteers Fire Fighters Association in recent days, so Chris Knaus has taken a look.

This is what he has found:

A small volunteer firefighting association that disputes the link between climate change and the current bushfires has close ties to the New South Wales Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party and diverted thousands of dollars from its meagre finances to bankroll a bid by its president to run as an SFF candidate in the NSW election.

The Volunteer Fire Fighters Association has been quoted extensively in the media during the bushfire crisis, particularly on Sky News and in the Australian, downplaying the links to climate change, attacking the group of ex-fire and emergency chiefs who have called for climate action, and placing blame for the fires chiefly on a lack of hazard reduction burning and poor land management.

The VFFA, which splintered from NSW’s main volunteer firefighting representative body in 2004, has repeatedly refused to say how many members it has, and recently drew the ire of the RFS commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, who called it a “highly politically charged” group with unclear motivations that had failed to reveal “who they claim to represent, how many they represent, and how they operate”.

The Guardian can now reveal the group’s close links to the SFF party, whose leader Robert Borsak frequently disputes that humans are causing climate change and similarly blames the fires on a lack of hazard reduction burning.

Updated

Zali Steggall is pushing for a climate change act – and she is targeting “modern Liberals” to cross the floor to make it a reality.

From Sarah Martin:

The independent MP Zali Steggall is calling on self-styled “modern Liberals” to support legislation to establish a new climate change framework, warning them to ignore the views of their constituents “at their peril”.

Steggall, who toppled Tony Abbott in the Sydney seat of Warringah at the May 2019 election, largely on a platform of climate change action, is finalising draft legislation for a “national climate change framework” that sets out a roadmap for Australia to transition to a decarbonised economy.

The legislation is modelled on the UK’s Climate Change Act, passed in 2008, and mirrors framework laws in place in New Zealand and Ireland. Germany and Fiji are considering similar draft legislation.

Updated

Adam Morton has had a look at Australia’s 2019 temperatures. It is not good news.

More than three-quarters of the Australian continent experienced the worst fire weather conditions on record last month as 2019 set new benchmarks for heat and dryness across the country.

Nearly all of New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia, most of the Northern Territory, significant parts of Victoria including east Gippsland and populated areas in south-western Western Australia and north-eastern Tasmania set new records for accumulated fire risk for December, the Bureau of Meteorology says.

Most of the rest of the country, including southern Victoria and Tasmania, had scores on the forest fire danger index that were “very much above average” – in the worst 10% recorded.

Updated

Firefighting efforts have received an extra $166m since the fire season began.

Gladys Berejiklian:

We said to the commissioner, to Commissioner Fitzsimmons, do what you need to do and we’ll pay it. We have made sure people have access to the resources needed.

In total, this fire season alone, the New South Wales government’s already provided $231m in support, including the extra money to firefighting efforts but also includes our distribution towards the clean-up costs and our contribution towards direct payments to those who’ve lost everything and are directly impacted.

Updated

NSW announces $1bn rebuilding fund

Gladys Berejiklian says the government is committing $1bn to rebuilding after the fires, which frees up the money the federal government is providing from its $2bn recovery fund to go in direct payments to those who have been impacted.

Updated

Scott Morrison is in Canberra today as cabinet’s national security committee meets to discuss Iran and Iraq.

The Labor shadow cabinet will be meeting in Adelaide.

Updated

This short clip from Scott Morrison’s trip to Kangaroo Island yesterday is doing the rounds on social media.

To be fair, he had just been informed about the Iraq situation while in the air.

Dick Lang and his son Dr Clayton Lang were found in their car on the Playford Highway at Gosse on Saturday, after trying to escape what was described as a “virtually unstoppable” fire, devastating the Kangaroo Island community.

Updated

Good morning.

We start the day with residents in Victoria’s firezone being told to leave now, as temperatures begin their climb back to dangerous levels.

An emergency warning was issued on Thursday morning for Bobinawarrah, Carboor, Kneebones Gap, Whorouly, Whorouly East and Whorouly South. Heavy ember attacks are being reported.

We haven’t had an emergency level warning since earlier this week.

Tomorrow is still the next really worrying day, with authorities warning all week that Friday’s conditions were going to be dangerous, with high temperatures and unpredictable winds.

In South Australia, Vivonne Bay in Kangaroo Island is being evacuated.

The weather bureau has officially reported last year was Australia’s hottest on record, with temperatures 1.5 degrees above average.

The NSW RFS has also released an update

We’ll bring you the day’s events, as they happen.

Updated

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