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Bushfire live blog: Fatal car crash takes Victorian death toll to three

A 43-year-old firefighter died when his car crashed in Victoria, taking the state's death toll to three amid a horror bushfire season that has now claimed 26 lives.

Stephanie Bedo and Ben Graham
less than 2 min read
January 8, 2020 - 12:06AM
Australia bushfires: Heartwarming moments in times of tragedy

Fires crews are getting on top of more blazes today but some residents remain without power or in evacuation centres on the bushfire-ravaged NSW south coast.

NSW faces yet another day of very high fire danger today, with residents in the Central Ranges, North Western and Southern Slopes warned to prepare their properties.

The state's emergency services minister David Elliott says the state is "not out of the woods yet" but it may have reached the peak of the bushfire crisis.

In Victoria, rains that provided a respite from bushfires will start giving way to sunny weather across Victoria on Wednesday, with warmer conditions prompting warnings for people to remain vigilant.

Meanwhile in South Australia, deteriorating weather conditions on Kangaroo Island have authorities fearful of further flare-up from a devastating bushfire.

Updates

Power update for NSW

Essential Energy is still trying to restore power for customers as quickly as safety allows.

Crews were able to restore power to about 1900 customers in the urban area of Batlow and Tumbarumba today.

They also remain hopeful of restoring power, where possible due to the extensive damage to the electricity network, to parts of urban Cobargo later this evening.

Unfortunately, a small number of customers, including customers in the Nelligen area, who had power restored, are experiencing an additional unplanned outage as further bushfire damage to the electricity network has been identified.

With the prediction of worsening fires on Friday and Saturday, Essential Energy reminds the community that for safety reasons the electricity network may need to be switched off, or it may be damaged, and this means that power will not be available for pumps and that customers should have an alternative plan for water if it is required.

Customers without power in the fire-affected areas are reminded of the extensive damage to the electricity network and that while restoration work will be completed as quickly as safety allows, some customers will unfortunately have to expect to be without power until later this week or even longer.

Once crews are able to safely access firegrounds, estimated times to restore the damage will be provided.

Metallica donates $750k

Metallica has donated $750,000 to the bushfire crisis.

The band made the announcement on Twitter.

"The resulting destruction and devastating effects on all residents, animals, the environment and the incredible land in Australia is truly heartbreaking," they continued.

"Please join us and do whatever you can to assist as we, along with our @AWMHFoundation, are pledging A$750,000 to the NSW Rural Fire Service and to the Country Fire Authority in Victoria to aid in the relief efforts."

Lizzo lends a helping hand

International superstar Lizzo has volunteered while touring Australia.

Foodbank Victoria shared an image of the singer saying she was helping them sort and pack hampers in the warehouse today.

Earlier this week she encouraged her followers to donate to and spread the word about the Australian bushfire crisis.

'Dangerous, dynamic and volatile'

Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville has warned conditions remain "dangerous, dynamic and volatile".

"And the conditions we are going to see can give significant life to these fires going ahead on Friday," she sad.

"Do not be complacent. This is not yet over."

She said being only January there was still months of the fire season to go.

Ms Neville advised those in fire-impacted area to leave before Friday, when conditions are again predicted to be dangerous.

"Those conditions will continue right through until at least pm in the afternoon, so again, if you can, leave early on the Thursday, be out of those areas, that is the safest place to be," she said.

"I think it's true to say that things would be very different today if people had not heeded the warnings that we've given over the last couple of weeks, and can I thank Victorians for following those warnings.

"We have been lucky to have some opportunity with a bit of the rain to have our firefighters out there doing some containment work, backburning where they can, trying to get a handle on these fires as well as providing relief, but that rain has in no way changed the risk."

Victorian death toll rises to three

A third victim has come out of the Victorian bushfires, bringing the national deathtoll to 26.

Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville has announced Forest Fires Management Firefighter Matt Kavanagh, 43, died when his car crashed on the Goulburn Valley Highway on Friday.

The father-of-two died just hours after putting out several unattended campfires.

"This news has come as a huge shock to the entire emergency management community in the midst of ongoing fire," Ms Neville said.

"Matt was a dedicated and respected member of Forest Fire Management Victoria for around 10 years and was on duty as part of our fire response on the day.

"He is being remembered for his friendly and welcoming nature, his passion for the environment, and nature, and his love of fly-fishing."

She thanked Matt and his family for the contribution and sacrifice they made for the Victorian community.

The death toll for the state now sits at three.

NSW Health again issues warning on bushfire smoke

Communities are again being reminded to take extra care of their health while smoke continues to impact several areas in NSW during the bushfire emergency.

Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said NSW Health had issued 15 health warnings since the start of the bushfire emergency and is distributing 1 million P2 masks to bushfire zones.

“To best avoid smoke, stay indoors with windows and doors closed and not undertake outdoor exercise,” Dr Chant said.

“As part of the recovery, NSW Health is supporting bushfire-affected communities with a range of health and mental services on the ground for people returning home or still in evacuation centres.

“We are providing additional staff and resources to support our rural and regional areas and provide advice and pathways to care for those in their local community who need specialist assistance."

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said people impacted by the bushfire tragedy could reach out to their existing health providers and additional supports on the ground.

“I urge anyone who feels they need help to contact their GP or NSW Health staff on the ground to bushfire zones," he said.

Dr Chant said other measures put in place included a temporary special authority to allow pharmacists to supply increased quantities of prescription medicines where people were without their medicine or couldn't get to their GP.

Hospitals continued to operate extremely well, despite an increase in emergency presentations for asthma and breathing problems to 1115, compared with the five-year average of 829, during December 30 to January 5.

When returning home people are reminded to:

  • wear protective clothing, including sturdy footwear, heavy-duty work gloves, disposable coveralls and P2/N95 face masks;
  • throw out all fire-damaged or heat-affected food; 
  • do not drink or give animals water that tastes, looks or smells unusual; and 
  • do not spread or disturb ash around your property, particularly if treated timber was burnt in the fire.

Short-term exposure to bushfire smoke or poor air quality are not known to have any long-term health effects and there is evidence to suggest that even after long-term exposure for many years, people’s health improves when their exposure is reduced.

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/bushfire-live-blog-scorched-communities-band-together-against-looters-as-fire-danger-ramps-up/live-coverage/891560bbeff4cd41e0776dd8bf0b96a7