’Unprecedented’ bushfires burning across NSW and Queensland
Footage of the moment a Qantas plane hit a huge cloud of smoke caused by the “apocalyptic” NSW and QLD bushfires has emerged.
Three people are dead, five missing, 30 injured and at least 150 homes have been lost as “unprecedented” bushfires sweep through northern New South Wales and south east Queensland.
A grandmother of six, Vivian Chaplain, 69, has been confirmed as the fire’s first victim.
Ms Chaplain is reported to have been seriously injured when a bushfire swept through Wytaliba near Glen Innes. Tragically, she couldn’t be saved.
Earlier, RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said she had “40-50 per cent burns to her body”, according to The Daily Telegraph.
“She was also unconscious and the crews were rendering first aid and CPR for several hours,” he said.
Ms Chaplain’s daughter Chrystal Harwood told the ABC that the grandmother of six had headed back into the bushfire zone to save her animals and home.
“She was stuck and we couldn’t get to her. The loss of her has devastated our family there was nothing we could do.”
The emergency services have issued a warning to expect more fatalities as fire fighters battle to make their way into areas affected by some 81 blazes, 43 of them out of control, in NSW alone.
Concerning footage of a Qantas flight being forced to take emergency action as it attempted to land in Port Macquarie, surrounded by fires, has appeared online.
ABC Reporter James Hancock filmed the moment the Qantas turboprop he was on hit billowing smoke that made it too tricky for the pilot to land.
The pilot abandoned the landing and approached Port Macquarie Airport from another direction to be free of the smoke.
FOLLOW: News.com.au’s live story on the devastating fires
Matt Hope who was on a plane flying from Sydney to Brisbane shared the horror scenes unfolding across on the ground as they flew over.
“So frightening,” he wrote about witnessing the dramatic moments from the sky.
Our @Qantas pilots performed a “go-around†because the smoke was too thick to land at Port Macquarie. Now safely on the ground after taking a different approach. @ABCemergency @abcnews #QF2170 pic.twitter.com/50r0VcIyOK
— James Hancock (@jameshancockABC) November 9, 2019
If that’s what the fires look like from up here on the NSW Mid Nth Coast, huge prayers and thoughts for those down there! 🙠@NSWRFS @7NewsSydney pic.twitter.com/AlgiOgAHQI
— Matt Hope (@MattHope4) November 8, 2019
In tragic news today, the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) confirmed the death of the first victim of the fires who perished at the Kangawalla fire, near Glen Innes.
The remains were found in a burnt out car.
“Clearly that’s very distressing and our thoughts and prayers are to all of those that are affected and particularly the family and loved ones of the occupant of this vehicle,” NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.
“That matter will now be managed by the police and a more forensic identification process will be undertaken to confirm exactly who has been located.”
RELATED: Fire fighters battle fires burning across NSW
RELATED: ‘Frightening’ photos of ‘apocalyptic’ bushfires
Later NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian confirmed a second death during a press conference about the state’s emergency situation.
“Our thoughts and prayers of course go to the families and loved ones of those two deceased persons,” she said, warning residents to “brace ourselves” for the “concerning” weather yet to come.
One stunning, and scary, image taken from a kitchen window shows the sky outside glowing orange from the fires.
Dramatic scenes of a beach near Tuncurry showed ominous flumes of smoke engulfing the area.
The devastation covers and area around the mid north coast of NSW, to the north of Forster, west of Port Macquarie and south west of Grafton. A large fire is burning just to the south of Taree and another near Mullumbimby.
North of the border, residents in Noosa North Shore have been told to “leave immediately” by the Queensland Fire and Emergency Service, while those in Cooroibah/Tewantin have also been told to leave.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said 36 fires were still burning in the state.
It comes as dry and windy conditions continue along the east coast fanning the flames. However cooler temperatures have lessened the risk of fresh fires.
Firefighters have located the remains of a person in a vehicle at the Kangawalla fire, near Glen Innes. Two people remain unaccounted for after yesterday's bush fires. NSW RFS is working with @nswpolice. #nswrfs #nswfires
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) November 8, 2019
LEAVE IMMEDIATELY: Lower Beechmont bushfire as at 6.00am Sat 9 Nov: https://t.co/QCujiHWrhE
— Qld Fire & Emergency (@QldFES) November 8, 2019
At this stage, it appears at least 100 homes have been destroyed in yesterday's bush fires. Three people are unaccounted for. More than 30 people have been injured. At 6:30am there are 77 bush or grass fires with 42 uncontained. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/WtB9O671bU
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) November 8, 2019
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian told reporters today that more than 1300 firefighters and volunteers continue to battle blazes across the state.
“The situation is beyond serious.” the Premier said.
“We are seeing situations in NSW with these fires we have not seen before and of course concerns remain mainly around the Glen Innes area and also Port Macquarie and Taree regions and the townships around those communities.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said army reservists could be deployed “if necessary”. While they aren’t trained firefighters they could help create firebreaks away from the front or provide accommodation and logistical support, Mr Morrison said, reported AAP.
“These fires have already claimed two lives … and as we get access to further areas that have been cut off we are expecting worse news again,” he said.
DEATH TOLL LIKELY TO RISE
The RFS’ Mr Fitzsimmons has warned that the death toll is likely to rise beyond two. Seven people are said to be missing.
“We can’t rule out the really grave concerns that there could be more losses or indeed more fatalities as we get through and identify details across these fire grounds,” he told reporters.
News.com.au reporter Vanessa Brown was at Rainbow Flat, just to the east of the main fire
Northbound traffic is now backed up for more than a kilometre on the Pacific Highway near Nabiac.
— NBN News (@nbnnews) November 8, 2019
The road is closed at the Failford Road intersection, due to bushfire activity in the area.
Reporter @SamBurbury will have the latest from the area on NBN News at 6pm. pic.twitter.com/W3lUBdiJqj
Local RFS captain Paul Johnston was struggling to comprehend the devastation he witnessed while battling the blaze near Nymboida River.
“It was an unprecedented event and I don’t think that I can articulate exactly what I felt but this is something that’s never happened to this degree – certainly here,” he told the ABC.
“It was a storm. It wasn’t a fire, it was a storm. It was a firestorm.
“Nymboida (south west of Grafton) is a small community. Everyone knows everyone, and the community when evacuated were obviously devastated.”
QUEENSLAND ALSO HIT
Thousands of people cleared from the path of a bushfire in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast overnight are in limbo as fire fighters assess whether or not it is safe for them to go home.
Tewantin, in Noosa’s north, is cut off and there are concerns spot fires could cause more havoc as temperatures rise throughout the day.
Roughly 2000 people were evacuated from parts of Tewantin and Noosa North Shore on Friday afternoon and into the night, independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton said.
They sought shelter at local showgrounds, sporting facilities and church outreach centres.
“I know that this does have an emotional impact on people,” Premier Palaszczuk said this morning.
“We’ll make sure that there is the appropriate counselling that people will need, because when they actually have to suddenly get up and leave their home and belongings it can be very distressing.”
It’s been a difficult 24 hours for residents and firefighting crews in the area, reported AAP.
One firefighter broke their leg and a home has been destroyed at Cooroibah.
“I think when eventually the areas are opened up and people can see how close these fires came to property they’ll be aware of what an incredible job the firefighting team did,” Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington said.
Aussies staple you’ll be lucky to find
Floodwaters in North Queensland have cut off supply routes for an Aussie staple that will be in short supply at your local supermarket.
‘Grotesque’: Family’s fury after 95yo tasered
The family of a great-grandmother fatally tasered by a police officer are staring her killer down in court as they share their grief over his actions.
ABC ‘ill informed’ to hire Lattouf: exec
The ABC’s chief content officer Chris Oliver-Taylor, a key player in the sacking of presenter Antoinette Lattouf, has taken to the witness stand in the Federal Court.