We’re going to close our bushfires blog for the day. Thanks for staying with us.
I’m going to leave you with some news from Guardian Australia photographer Mike Bowers, who got stuck at the property of Claire and Laurence Cowie along with reporter Christopher Knaus on Saturday.
Aside from the drama, there were two bits of the story readers will remember – they involved horses and beer.
Mike captured a dramatic picture of horses Charm, Billy and Obe as they bolted from the flames at Tallabrook Lodge.
Claire and Laurence spent Saturday putting out fires around their property, but Laurence also made sure they had beer on ice for when the work was done.
Mike has been back to the property today with a trailer of lucerne and feed for the horses. And also, I’m told, some beer.
For all asking about the fate of the horses from Tallabrook Lodge Fire yesterday I took a trailer load of lucerne & feed to them this morning courtesy of @GuardianAus Charm Billy and Obe wasted no time owners Laurence and Claire were very grateful too @lenoretaylor pic.twitter.com/8AAkiUcqB7
— Mikearoo (@mpbowers) February 2, 2020
Updated
Some good news on a couple of fire fronts.
The threat from the ACT’s Orroral Valley fire is easing. The fire isn’t controlled yet, but authorities have downgraded the threat to “advice” level.
ADVICE - ORRORAL VALLEY FIRE - 2:30PM - 02.02.2020 https://t.co/ZWVQ8emYfe
— ACT ESA (@ACT_ESA) February 2, 2020
Conditions have also improved at the three fires in the Bega Valley in NSW, although residents are being told it’s still not safe to return.
Advice - Big Jack Mountain, Postmans Trail & Border Fire (Bega Valley LGA)
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 2, 2020
Conditions have eased after a southerly change. It is still not safe for residents to return to these areas. If you are in the area please, monitor the conditions.#nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/cARxfAI8f3
Updated
The NSW Rural Fire Service says fire activity has increased at the Clear Range Fire, which is now at “watch and act”.
The authority says there are several fires in the Michelago and Bredbo areas that started as a result of the Orroral Valley fire over the border in ACT.
The fires are spreading in a south-easterly direction.
Anyone in the Colinton and Michelago areas are asked to monitor conditions. People in Tinderry, Anembo, Jerangle, Chakola have been told that embers are being thrown ahead of the fire.
Watch and Act - Clear Range Fire (Snowy Monaro LGA)
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 2, 2020
Fire activity has increased. If you are the areas north-east of Bredbo, watch our for embers and spot fires. Know what you will do if the fire threatens.#nswrfs #NSWfires pic.twitter.com/7sLyZFslfq
Updated
Summary
A quick recap.
- The ACT’s fire authorities are waiting for forecast storms that could either help or hinder conditions there.
- The Orroral Valley Fire in the ACT that could be impacted by predicted storms this afternoon remains at watch and act level.
- Health authorities in NSW issued a health warning this morning as smoke and dust created poor air quality. Eastern parts of Sydney, the Illawarra, Central Coast and Newcastle could all be impacted.
- The NSW Big Jack Mountain fire, which merged with the Postmans Trail and Creewah Road fires overnight, remains at watch and act.
We’re also watching for the expected storm activity this afternoon.
Updated
Looks like the forecast rain is heading over Canberra. We’ll wait to hear if this helps or hinders the firefighting efforts.
Rain heading through Canberra. Let's hope this brings some relief. No sign of the storm yet though. pic.twitter.com/YVJDd3HK3u
— Graham Readfearn (@readfearn) February 2, 2020
Fire authorities in the ACT are warning that conditions there could change quickly, with the prospect of a storm this afternoon creating uncertainty.
There’s a fire burning at the southern end of the territory.
The ACT Emergency Services Agency commissioner, Georgeina Whelan, has been speaking to reporters about the storm. News agency AAP is reporting the comments.
Perfect storm conditions for us would be rain and no thunder and no wind in the gap of land that has not been burnt between our southern borders.
However, this cannot be guaranteed. Our community needs to be prepared for the impact this storm may have on our southern and western suburbs.
ACT remains in a state of emergency that will remain until at least Monday. The chief minister, Andrew Barr, told reporters there had been no loss of life or property thanks to the efforts of government agencies and the ADF. Some property had been lost across the border into NSW at Bumbalong.
Updated
NSW Health warns of dust and smoke
More on the warning from NSW Health about air quality in parts of the state.
There are two issues going on at the same time – smoke from the bushfires, and dust being whipped up from inland storms and blowing east.
Eastern parts of Sydney, the Illawarra, and possibly the Central Coast and Newcastle could all be impacted.
NSW Health medical advisor Dr Adi Vyas says people should minimise their exposure.
WARNING: SMOKE AND DUST CAUSING POOR AIR QUALITY
— NSW Health (@NSWHealth) February 1, 2020
NSW Health is warning people to be aware of the health risks as smoke haze and dust storms cause poor air quality across parts of the state today.
Read the full media release: https://t.co/CPrLjsv1QA pic.twitter.com/Vswhbcp5Ck
“People with chronic respiratory and cardiovascular conditions should avoid outdoor physical activity and those with asthma should also follow their Asthma Action Plan and carry their reliever medication with them.”
“Minimising physical activity, staying indoors and knowing your treatment plan are important ways to reduce the risk of dust and smoke-related illness.”
The conditions could aggravate existing heart and lung conditions. The air could also cause eye irritation and coughing.
Anyone with conditions including asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and heart disease should be extra careful.
Smoke from the Erskine Creek Fire burning south of the Blue Mountains has drifted across Sydney this morning. This fire remains at the Advice alert level and is burning within containment lines. There is no threat to homes. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/k4EMFgqTYP
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) February 1, 2020
Updated
Guardian Australia’s photographer Mike Bowers and reporter Christopher Knaus had a dramatic day yesterday.
Along with other journalists, Mike and Chris were cut off by fire on Claire and Laurence Cowie’s property 100km from Canberra.
Here’s their account as the drama unfolded and how the Cowies kept the beer on ice.
Here’s the video from Mike’s camera as the flames moved in.
Updated
There’s going to be thunderstorms for many parts of NSW, including Sydney, starting this afternoon and going into the evening.
Storms inland could also pick up dust and drag that across towards Sydney. Combined with the smoke from bushfires, it’s already having an impact on air quality.
It’s going to be hot and smoky in the west, with Penrith forecast to reach 41C.
Overnight temperatures in Canberra have been remarkable, with some preliminary data suggesting the parts of the city had a record-breaking warm evening.
#Bushfire smoke continues to affect parts of central, eastern & southern #NSW. #Sydney is waking up to another day filled with smoke & heat. Overnight has been very uncomfortable with high minimum temperatures. For latest on today's weather visit: https://t.co/plrgkYqvNG #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/zc8eV1s5S0
— Bureau of Meteorology, New South Wales (@BOM_NSW) February 1, 2020
Good morning to all and welcome to our live coverage of the bushfire crisis.
The awful weather conditions in the ACT yesterday are forecast to be only slightly better today.
The 55,000 hectare Orroral Valley fire south of Canberra is still out of control, but conditions on firegrounds have also eased. Authorities are asking people in the Apollo Road, Boboyan Road, Naas Road and Top Naas Road areas to “remain vigilant”.
The ACT’s total fire ban remains in place for Sunday across the ACT.
Another day of high temperatures, strong winds, areas of smoke haze & chance of possible severe #Thunderstorms in the #ACT. Canberra Airport overnight minimum temperature was 26.7 degrees at 04:07am. For more visit: https://t.co/SkaizpOtf3 #ACT_ESA #ACTHealth pic.twitter.com/lmJmg1MH0F
— Bureau of Meteorology Australian Capital Territory (@BOM_ACT) February 1, 2020
Health authorities in NSW are warning that smoke from fires as well as dust is going to cause air quality problems around the state, including Sydney.
Updated
