Australian bushfires: Kangaroo Island resort reopens after fires crisis

A top Kangaroo Island tourism destination has reopened after devastating bushfires ripped through the area.

A kangaroo on Kangaroo Island. Picture: Getty Images

• Good news on Kangaroo Island
• Stokes joins donor flood
• UFC star to donate to firefighters
• Rain brings new threat
• Brisbane honours fire heroes
• How to deal with bushfire smoke

Welcome to The Australian’s live coverage of the national bushfire emergency. While rain has eased current bushfire conditions, flash flooding and damaging winds are expected to create new challenges for affected communities.

4pm: Tourism hit could be $1bn

Fears continue to rise for the future of Australian tourism with one industry leader saying the bushfire crisis could cost the sector $1 billion, AAP reports.

Australian Tourism Industry Council executive director Simon Westaway says losses are growing and many businesses may be unable to recover from the unprecedented blazes.

“We’re not trying to exaggerate the number, but if you look across regional Victoria and what’s happening in NSW and South Australia, a lot of infrastructure has been decimated,” Mr Westaway said on Thursday.

“Even in some areas unaffected by the bushfires we’ve seen more than a 60 per cent increase in booking cancellations.”

Mr Westaway said the sector was suffering from the “contagion effect” with many domestic travellers deciding to stay home during peak holiday season. “The level of spending in many holiday destinations has fallen through the floor, which will have a lasting impact on these small-to-medium-sized businesses,” he said.

“Some of these businesses will not recover but the industry as a whole is very resilient.

“This is not a new phenomenon - we’ve dealt with disasters before.”

Tourism industry leaders met Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham in Sydney on Thursday.

The Morrison government wants to combat misinformation regarding the bushfires and promote tourism attractions.

— AAP

Kieran Gair 2.43pm: Rain brings relief for NSW

Rain has begun falling over NSW’s fairgrounds, bringing sweet relief to a state ravaged by bushfires and drought.

In Cooma, south of Canberra, fire crews watched on in disbelief as up to 20 millimetres of rain fell over the Good Good fireground.

Relief is here for a number of firefighters working across NSW. Although this rain won’t extinguish all fires, it will certainly go a long way towards containment. This footage was captured down at the Good Good Fire burning near Cooma. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/fxV9u2hN6K

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 16, 2020

Lilly Vitorovich 1.30pm: Stokes joins donor flood

Kerry Stokes has joined fellow billionaires James Packer and Andrew Forrest by pledging $10 million to bushfire relief. Read more here.

Kerry Stokes has weighed in with a $10 million donation to bushfire relief. Picture: Colin Murty

Daniel Sankey 12.20pm: McGregor to donate to bushfire relief

UFC star Conor McGregor says he will come to the assistance of firefighters and communities in Australia following his return to the Octagon at UFC 246 in Las Vegas on Sunday (AEDT).

McGregor, a former bantamweight and lightweight UFC champion who famously fought boxing legend Floyd Mayweather in a crossover contest in 2017, is making his return to mixed martial arts after an 18-month lay-off against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.

Questioned at the UFC 246 press conference today over his thoughts on the Australian MMA market, McGregor’s thoughts immediately turned to victims of the national bushfire crisis as he paid tribute to a “strong nation”.

At tonight's presser @TheNotoriousMMA says Proper 12 will be donating to Australian first responders, says the world is with Australia #UFC246

— Jay Anderson (@CageSideJay) January 16, 2020

As previously announced, his Proper No.Twelve Irish Whiskey Brand would be donating its first $1 million in sales in 2020 to first responders — and McGregor said that funding would be extended to Australian firefighters.

Conor McGregor with some very nice things to say about Australia amid the bushfire crisis. He says he is working to support first responders as done via Proper Twelve in the US. #UFC246

— Caden Helmers (@cadenhelmers) January 16, 2020

11.20am: Good news on Kangaroo Island

Top Kangaroo Island tourism destination Seal Bay has reopened to the public after devastating bushfires ripped through the area this month, AAP reports.

Fire danger on the South Australian island has now eased sufficiently to allow access to the bay, which is home to the third largest colony of Australian sea lions, Environment Minister David Speirs said.

“Seal Bay has been at the heart of Kangaroo Island for generations and has evolved to become a world-class tourist destination,” Mr Speirs said on Thursday.

— AAP

David Ross 10.55am: SES called out

NSW SES reports 18 calls today after rain swept through the state. Most were due to leaking roofs, many of which were caused by winds earlier in the summer.

Five calls have been on the South Coast, 13 in Sydney’s metro area.

The SES said it had been so long since any serious rain that most people were unaware of the damage to their houses.

Rachel Baxendale 10.30am: Split over royal commission

The peak body representing Victoria’s volunteer firefighters has rejected claims by United Firefighters Union national and Victorian secretary Peter Marshall that a royal commission into Australia’s horror fire season would be a waste of time.

Mr Marshall yesterday wrote to Scott Morrison, directly contradicting urgent calls for a royal commission by at least four of his UFU state secretaries and calling on the Prime Minister to abandon his plans for a new national inquiry and instead establish a Council of Australian Governments audit committee to review the findings and recommendations of all previous bushfire-related inquiries.

Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria CEO Adam Barnett said his organisation rejected the view that duplication in the inquiry could not be adequately managed.

“Australia’s 250,000 emergency management volunteer workforce is a national treasure, and VFBV would welcome discussions on how they can be best supported, equipped and protected,” Mr Barnett said.

“There are many factors volunteers would be keen to explore including volunteer support, safety, culture, resourcing and recognition.

“Volunteers would also make valuable contributions and provide a unique perspective on land management and planning, fuel reduction, and emergency warning education and standardisation amongst others.

“A national approach to some of these issues would provide a valuable blueprint for state based agencies and governments of the future.”

Mr Barnett’s comments come as Victoria’s volunteer-dominated Country Fire Authority is set to merge later this year with the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, as part of Andrews government reforms long called for by Mr Marshall which were strongly opposed by volunteers.

9am: ‘Get serious’ on climate

The NSW environment minister has hit out at climate change sceptics within the federal government amid an unprecedented bushfire season, and warned Australia’s coal export markets are beginning to decarbonise, AAP reports.

Matt Kean on Tuesday said a royal commission into the bushfire crisis – for which Prime Minister Scott Morrison is preparing a proposal – would not hinder state-based inquiries as flagged by NSW and Victoria.

Operation Sweet Potato, that targeted wildlife in NSW. Picture: Supplied

But he said any Canberra-led royal commission needed to be clear about the veracity of climate change and its impact on bushfires in Australia.

He criticised federal members of his own party who continued to deny human- induced climate change and hinder decarbonisation policies.

The consensus among scientists is that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of bushfires in Australia.

“We shouldn’t need a royal commission to convince (federal MP) Craig Kelly and the likes of him in the federal coalition partyroom to believe climate change is real,” Mr Kean told ABC Radio National on Thursday.

“The more time we waste debating whether it’s real is the more time we waste in dealing with the actual issue ... we need to get serious.”

Mr Kean said Australia was well-placed to adapt to a post-fossil fuel world and would need to do so to ensure future economic prosperity.

“The reality is that the majority of the world market we currently ship our coal to are starting to decarbonise and they’re looking for newer, cheaper products to power their economies,” Mr Kean said.

— AAP

Angelica Snowden 8am: Rain brings new threat to communities

Flash-flooding and large hail from thunderstorms sweeping Victoria in an eastern direction are likely to cause damage across fire-affected areas.

Thunderstorms that hit Victoria on Wednesday will stay in the east of the state today — but rather than help ease the current active fires, it might mean more bushfire trouble.

Lightning ignited fires in Victoria’s eastern Great Otway National Park on Wednesday and authorities fear it could do the same in the fire-ravaged East Gippsland and north east regions.

Thunderstorms are also likely to produce damaging winds and carry large hail and heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding.

It was wet and wild in Frankston yesterday. Picture: Stuart McEvoy

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued late evening on Wednesday for the north east, East Gippsland and parts of central Victoria.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Kevin Parkyn said he was worried about ash and debris such as soil, trees and rocks that could move into waterways from the fire landscape.

“There’s high concentrations of ash, very vulnerable landscape when it comes to short bursts of heavy rainfall — which could see very quickly mudslides developing.”

A road water alert was also in place for Melbourne on Wednesday evening, after some western suburbs like St Albans saw up to 77mm of sudden rain.

About 50mm of rain fell on Avalon.

The rain helped clear the hazardous bushfire smoke blanketing the city on Wednesday, which had caused the closure of a runway at Melbourne Airport and some flights delayed.

Heavy rain falls at Melbourne Park last night. Picture: Getty Images

There were 19 active fires across Victoria on Wednesday evening by 10pm, with eight Watch and Act alerts in place.

In NSW, the SES warned that much-needed rain and thunderstorms forecast to sweep across the state could bring new risks.

Firefighters hope the rain will help douse the 88 fires still burning across NSW, with 39 still to be contained and at advice level.

“Some rainfall has started falling across a number of firegrounds. We have everything crossed hoping for some good falls across these areas over the coming days,” the NSW Rural Fire Service tweeted late on Wednesday.

We wanted to re introduce you to a couple of items that you may not have used in some time. With more than 100 fires still burning across #NSW we are hoping we need to use both of these over the coming days. #NSWRFS #nswfires pic.twitter.com/VI3sMEkNdh

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 14, 2020

Most of NSW is expected to receive rain from Thursday, except for the west and southwest, with the falls to continue into Monday.

Areas around the South Coast and Southern Tablelands are predicted to receive up to 30mm but the Bureau of Meteorology said the rain would be patchy, with exact falls difficult to predict.

The NSW SES warned of the risk of flash flooding, falling trees and landslips in areas in which fire had wiped out trees and growth.

“While the rain is welcomed, heavy rainfall and storms in fire affected areas can lead to dangerous conditions such as a higher risk of flash flooding, falling trees and landslips,” NSW SES assistant commissioner Paul Bailey said.

At 9:30pm, 88 bush fires are burning across NSW, 39 still to be contained. All fires are currently at Advice. Some rainfall has started falling across a number of firegrounds. We have everything crossed hoping for some good falls across these areas over the coming days. #nswrfs pic.twitter.com/3IFM3xEQEd

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 15, 2020

“In areas impacted by fires where vegetation has been destroyed, water from heavy rainfall can flow into riverbeds and we could see run-off in areas we wouldn’t normally, resulting in flash flooding.

“The NSW SES is also asking residents in fire affected areas to watch for possible landslips as the ground and roads can be damaged, therefore creating a higher risk of a potential slip.”

The SES warned residents to prepare their properties but trimming overhanging branches, cleaning gutters and pipes, securing loose items in their backyards and not parking under trees or powerlines.

— with AAP

7.50am: Brisbane to honour bushfire heroes

Bushfire heroes will be honoured with a ticker-tape parade through the streets of Brisbane.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner will today reveal details about the parade, saying firefighters, SES volunteers and wildlife carers deserve a very public thankyou for all they have done.

“There are hundreds of heroes who have dropped everything and left families and jobs behind to fight the fires,” he said in a statement.

In honour of the heroic efforts of so many, Brisbane will host a ticker-tape parade so residents can say ‘thank you’. We’ll also offer the opportunity to donate to support the bushfire appeal via the next quarterly rate notice. https://t.co/0qPVZwVU76

— Adrian Schrinner (@Schrinner) January 15, 2020

AAP

7.30am: How to deal with bushfire smoke

Australia needs to urgently do more to improve its public health response to the bushfire smoke choking cities, a health and air quality expert says.

Australian National University’s Professor Sotiris Vardoulakis has created a fact sheet to help Australians limit their exposure to smoke. Professor Vardoulakis said there was an overwhelming amount of health advice available, with most of it tailored on brief exposure despite the ongoing crisis.

Six things you can do to protect yourself from #bushfire #smoke: 1. STAY INDOORS: Create a clean air space in your home, close doors & windows (fill gaps with towels/tape), use air conditioning (not evaporative coolers) on recirculate mode, use air purifier with HEPA filter. 1/6

— Sotiris Vardoulakis (@SotirisVard) January 5, 2020

“This is not normal, and we need to urgently do more,” Professor Vardoulakis said.

“This new situation requires a rapid and well-targeted health protection response.”

The fact sheet lists 10 ways for Australians to protect themselves from smoke exposure. They are:

1. Stay indoors.
2. Have a medication plan.
3. Reduce physical activity outdoors.
4. Use face masks.
5. Trust your senses.
6. Keep well.
7. Take care of your mental health.
8. Follow bushfire news and advice.
9. Follow air quality information.
10. Help others.

Professor Vardoulakis recommended Australians update their medications, including ventolin, as well as reduce their physical activity outdoors. Face masks like P2 or N95 face masks to filter out particulate matter in the air help, but weren’t appropriate for kids or people with breathing difficulties.

AAP