Bushfires NSW: State of emergency for NSW from Friday as tourists scramble out of fire zones
Bermagui and Eden evacuation centres closed on Saturday with residents told to go to Bega instead, as the RFS starts escorting people from the south coast.
- RFS escorts people from south coast
- Evacuation centres closed
- State of emergency declared in NSW
- Roads update
- Get out of Kosciuszko
- Fuel short, power outages limit cash access
- Tourists told to leave
- 382 homes lost
A state of emergency has been declared for NSW from tomorrow. It comes amid queues for fuel and road closures, NSW holidaymakers are scrambling to leave a 250km-long area on the NSW South Coast. There are evacuation orders for Kosciuszko National Park and the Snowy Mountains. More than 380 homes have been lost in the fatal fires.
Lachlan Moffat Gray 11.33pm: PM flags backburn reform
Scott Morrison has signalled reform to land clearing and hazard reduction regulations in response to a devastating bushfire season that has destroyed over 1300 homes and killed at least 17 people.
In a press conference on Thursday the Prime Minister said that as the effects of climate change lengthen the fire season, rules regarding how governments plan for bushfires may have to be modified.
“One of review factors we will have to deal with are the many contributing factors to this fire season.” he said.
“The impact more broadly of climate change, drought and these issues can have a pronounced effect, does have a pronounced effect on the length of the fire season.”
“That, equally then has a need to address issues around hazard reduction for national parks, dealing with land clearing laws, zoning laws and planning walls around people’s properties and where they can be built in countries like Australia, up and down the coast”.
Mr Morrison denied that the Government is not doing enough to combat climate change, saying that it is taking “sensible” action.
Let me be clear to the Australian people, our emissions reductions policies will both protect our environment and seek to reduce the risk and hazard we are seeing today, at the same time, it will seek to make sure the viability of people’s jobs and livelihoods, all around the country.” he said.
Last month the Government asked parliament’s environment and energy committee to undertake an inquiry into past and present vegetation and land management policy and their corresponding effect on bushfires, with the inquiry’s terms of reference including “The science and research behind activities such as hazard reduction burning, clearing and rehabilitation”.
The inquiry is taking submissions with findings to be received at the end of February.
Lachlan Moffet Gray 10.40pm: PM abused at Cobargo
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been abused by angry locals at a meeting with bushfire victims in NSW’s South Coast.
The PM was greeting locals in the town of Cobargo in the Bega Valley shire which has seen the loss of homes and the death of two people when he attempted to shake a young woman’s hand.
“I’m only shaking your hand if you agree to give more funding to our RFS.” said the woman in response.
“So many people here have lost their homes - we need more help.” she said as the PM walked away.
Mr Morrison later told the ABC that he understood that people affected by the fires had strong feelings.
“I’m not surprised people are feeling very raw at the moment,” Mr Morrsion told the ABC.
“And that’s why I came today, to be here, to see it for myself, to offer what comfort I could
“I understand the very strong feelings people have, they’ve lost everything. And there is still some very dangerous days ahead.”
Earlier on Thursday, Mr Morrison defended the government’s response to the crisis saying he wouldn’t allow state and federal governments “to be tripping over each other in order to somehow outbid each other in the response”.
“What is needed is the coordinated response that these agencies planned for in circumstances like this,” he told reporters in Sydney.
Cobargo is held by the Labor member for Eden-Monaro, who has a slim margin of 0.9 per cent.
In the last federal election almost half of Cobargo’s primary votes went to Mr Kelly, 33 per cent went to the Liberals and 14 per cent went to The Greens.
10.25pm: Escort stops
The RFS escort up the Princes Highway has had to stop after burning trees came down on the motorway. Live Traffic Sydney has tweeted that the highway remains closed.
The escorting process has had to stop due to more trees alight coming down on the highway. So the highway remains closed for now.
— Live Traffic Sydney (@LiveTrafficSyd) January 2, 2020
Lachlan Moffet Gray 9.45pm: RFS escorts people out of south coast
The NSW RFS has begun escorting people fleeing the south coast of the state up the Princes Highway, which is still affected by bushfires.
Vehicles are being directed north between Milton and Nowra.
The RFS anticipates that the escort will take between six to seven hours to complete due to heavy traffic and warn that the road may close at short notice for firefighting purposes.
A tourist leave zone was established in the region on Thursday ahead of a weekend where bushfire conditions are anticipated to be “the same or worse” than the catastrophic fires over New Years Eve that destroyed hundreds of homes and killed at least seven people.
Emergency Services have started escorting vehicles on the Princes Hwy, northbound, btwn Milton & Nowra. Due to heavy traffic, this process will take at least 6 – 7 hours to complete. The hwy may close at short notice due to firefighting operations. #nswrfshttps://t.co/UxB9vJaAnC pic.twitter.com/SbXjyvxTch
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 2, 2020
Lachlan Moffet Gray 9.40pm: Leave zone for Khancoban
The NSW Rural Fire Service has declared another “leave zone,” this time for the Khancoban, Greg Greg and Tooma areas in the Greater Hume and Snowy Valleys regions ahead of a hazardous weekend where currently burning fires are predicted to endanger nearby communities.
People in the area south of Tumbarumba to Khancoban, to the west of Kosciuszko National Park and in the towns of Khancoban, Greg Greg and Tooma are being urged to leave opn Friday.
The RFS is saying these communities “will not be defendable” with ember showers from the curently burning Green Valley and East Ournie Creek fires threatening to extend the active fire front in the forecasted weekend heat.
Those in the area are being advised to travel north to Tumbarumba and on to Wagga Wagga via Tumbarumba road, which is open.
The Green Valley Fire has been burning for days and claimed the life of RFS volunteer Samuel McPaul on Monday.
Leave Zone - Khancoban
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 2, 2020
Dangerous conditions for those in Khancoban, Greg Greg & Tooma areas. If you're in the area sth of Tumbarumba to Khancoban, & west of the Kosciuszko National Park, you need to leave tomorrow. For road closure info @LiveTrafficNSW #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/JzN1i7WXMT
Lachlan Moffet Gray 8.10pm: Fuel shortages hit south coast
The NSW south coast has been hit with fuel shortages as residents and holidaymakers alike scramble to escape the region ahead of forecasted hazardous fire conditions on Saturday. Below is an updated list of the status of Caltex Stations in the region as of 5.30pm this evening:
Adaminaby – open, petrol and diesel available
Batehaven – closed, opening 3 January
Batemans Bay – open, petrol and diesel available (EFTPOS outage, cash accepted. Alternatively come in-store and speak with the team to organise an online payment)
Bega – open, petrol and diesel available
Bomaderry – open, petrol and diesel available
Bungendore – open, petrol and diesel available
Cooma – open, petrol and diesel available
Eden – open, petrol and diesel available
Jindabyne – open, petrol and diesel available
Khancoban – open, petrol and diesel available
Merimbula - open, petrol available, diesel out
Moruya Caltex - closed, stock out
Moruya Caltex Woolworths - open, petrol available, diesel out
Nowra South – open, petrol and diesel available
Tumbarumba – open, petrol and diesel available
Tura Beach – open, petrol and diesel available
Ulladulla Caltex Woolworths – open, petrol and diesel available
Ulladulla Caltex – closed, stock out
Vincentia – open, petrol and diesel available
Lachlan Moffet Gray 7.35pm: Evacuation centres shut down
Evacuation centres at Eden and Bermagui near Bega on NSW’s south coast are being closed down, with resources thinly stretched and ahead of hazardous fire conditions this weekend.
Instead, people in the area are being advised to go to the Bega Showground or Club Sapphire Merimbula.
Bega Valley Shire Deputy Mayor Sharon Tapscott confirmed to The Australian that the evacuation centres are being shut after the RFS advised they may not be safe come Saturday, when temperatures are to soar.
“We’re also trying to concentrate resources - there are better facilities to cope in town.” she said.
Roads from Eden and Bermagui to Bega are open and there is food, water, electricity and mobile reception at the showground and Club Sapphire.
Tathra and Kalaru is also unsafe and anyone in the area is being advised to leave.
Lachlan Moffet Gray 7.15pm: Canada sends more firefighters
Canada has dispatched a team of 36 firefighters to assist fireys in Australia ahead of catastrophic conditions forecast for Saturday in NSW and Victoria.
Stephen Tullc, duty officer for the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre said a group of 15 firefighters were sent to Brisbane on Monday and another group of 21 will fly out later in the week.
By January 4th the number of Canadian firefighters in the country will reach 87.
Mr Tullc said the Canadians will be mainly relegated to performing command, planning, logistics and aviation management.
He told the Toronto Star that it will be like an “old homecoming week” as some Australian firefighters helped the Canadians battle forest fires in British Columbia in 2018.
“Our people, kudos to them, have been standing up saying, ‘Yeah, you know what, they’ve been here for us and we’d like to be here for them.” he told The Star.
The Canadian firefighters will spend six weeks in Australia before returning home, although more will be sent if requested by Australia.
Lachlan Moffet Gray 6.20pm: Total fire ban in NSW
New South Wales Rural Fire Service has declared a total fire ban for the entire state on Friday and Saturday.
Temperatures on the weekend are expected to soar to 35C and above.
From midnight tonight a statewide Total Fire Ban will be in place for Friday 3 January. Check the NSW RFS website to see the rules for Total Fire Bans, and ensure you know the Fire Danger Rating for your area. https://t.co/oTrzcu7HDR #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/f9d3hgogjO
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 2, 2020
NSW RFS have said that conditions will be the same or worse than New Years Eve over the weekend.
No open fires may be lit during the ban and all fire permits have been cancelled.
Lachlan Moffet Gray 6.00pm: Leave zones declared
NSW Rural Fire Service has declared a “leave zone” in the Shoalhaven region, Snowy Monaro and Batlow/Wondalga for Saturday amid deteriorating fire conditions and a state of emergency being declared in the state..
The Shoalhaven exclusion zone alone spreads about 100km from south Nowra in the north to the Ulladulla region on the south coast.
The NSW RFS says that conditions will be the same, or worse than New Years Eve and holiday-goers in the area are being urged to leave before Saturday.
Residents are being advised to prepare for hazardous fire conditions.
A state of emergency will be enforced from Friday morning in NSW with Premier Gladys Berejiklian saying that the move “will ensure our state is best placed to respond to the predicted fire conditions.”
Leave Zone - Shoalhaven
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 2, 2020
Widespread extreme Fire Danger forecast for Shoalhaven Sat 4 Jan 2020. If you're holidaying in areas identified on the map, you need to leave before Saturday. Residents should be aware & prepare. For road closure info @LiveTrafficNSW #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/rmDW7tZlnp
Lachlan Moffet Gray 5.10pm: Airbnbers should go
NSW Rural Fire Service has declared a “leave zone” in the Shoalhaven region for Saturday amid deteriorating fire conditions and a state of emergency being declared in the state for the first time since 2013.
The exclusion zone spreads about 100km from south Nowra in the north to the Ulladulla region on the south coast.
The NSW RFS says that conditions will be the same, or worse than New Years Eve and holiday goers in the area are being urged to leave before Saturday.
Residents are being advised to prepare for hazardous fire conditions.
A state of emergency will be enforced from Friday morning in NSW with Premier Gladys Berejiklian saying that the move “will ensure our state is best placed to respond to the predicted fire conditions.”
Leave Zone - Shoalhaven
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 2, 2020
Widespread extreme Fire Danger forecast for Shoalhaven Sat 4 Jan 2020. If you're holidaying in areas identified on the map, you need to leave before Saturday. Residents should be aware & prepare. For road closure info @LiveTrafficNSW #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/rmDW7tZlnp
Lachlan Moffet Gray 5pm: Airbnbers should go
The Australian National University has closed its university campuses until January 7 amid hazardous fire conditions and a state of alert being declared in Canberra.
In an email to students acting Vice-Chancellor Mike Calford said that “we have decided to close the Acton, Mount Stromlo and Kioloa campuses to all students from midnight today, Thursday 2 of January, until 9am Tuesday 7 January.”
“There is no immediate threat to the campus and this is a precautionary measure to ensure the health and wellbeing of our community.” he said.
The ACT declared a state of alert ahead of a severe fire threat on Saturday.
Evacuations may be necessary if conditions deteriorate further, according to the ACT government.
Mail deliveries were also suspended in Canberra over concerns for staff safety and local air quality this morning was over 10 times hazardous levels.
Further updates about the campus reopening will be given via email on Monday at 11am.
Adeshola Ore 4.45pm: Airbnbers should go
Airbnb has urged holidaymakers using its service to evacuate the NSW Tourist Leave Zone, designated by the NSW Rural Fire Service.
“Guests forced to cancel or avoid going on their trips due to the bushfires in NSW can contact Airbnb for support,” said Airbnb Australia and New Zealand Country Manager Susan Wheeldon.
“We would encourage anyone looking to visit a bushfire-affected area this summer to be vigilant and to check local fire authority websites before travelling.”
Lachlan Moffet Gray 4.30pm: Remain calm, Premier urges
Despite the state of emergency declaration, Ms Berejiklian has urged NSW residents to remain calm:
“I want to reiterate that patience, whether it’s local or tourists wanting to get back home, the patience and neighbourly support has been amazing.” she said.
“I’m relieved to note the power shortages experienced on New Year’s Day are still there but not as severe as they were. Many people have had power restored.”
At least 40,000 people on NSW’s South Coast remain without power as of Thursday afternoon.
Ms Berejiklian also cautioned patience for residents who are itching to return home from holiday spots as many roads remain closed due to dangerous conditions.
“it’s important for us to be cautious and to be safe. We know that can result in frustration for people but I’d much rather have people frustrated and get home safely than not feel frustrated and have themselves or a loved one experience a serious injury or worse.”
David Ross 4.20pm: ACT shops close, Canberra cloaked in smoke
Shops across the ACT have closed after Canberra was blanketed in smoke from bushfires across the east coast.
The Canberra Hospital has also confirmed some MRI Machines are unable to run after being affected by the smoke.
This comes as the ACT government has declared a state of alert, one step below a state of emergency ahead of intense fire conditions on Saturday.
Fires have not reached the ACT yet, but several large fires are burning near the territory.
The ACT Emergency Services Agency issued a statement stating the action was “a formal precaution to ensure that we can alert Canberrans about the risk that’s occurring”
“We see Saturday as a severe fire rating day. Winds will change,” it said.
“It will be incredibly hot on the day. And we don’t see any rain before Saturday evening to ease conditions across the ACT.”
Gerard Cockburn 4.15pm: Thredbo closed
Event Hospitality and Entertainment has announced it will close Thredbo until further notice due to the impending threat of bushfires.
The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has taken the decision to close and evacuate the entire Kosciuszko National Park, where the popular ski resort resides.
Event has stated the evacuation of Thredbo will be completed by 10am Friday.
An Event spokesperson said it is currently assisting authorities in evacuating people who are directly impacted by the threat of fire.
Lachlan Moffet Gray 4.10pm: State of emergency powers
The state of emergency declaration means residents can be ordered from their homes.
Catastrophic fire danger is expected for the Greater Sydney, Illawarra Shoalhaven and Greater Hunter areas as temperatures are forecast to soar to 35 degrees or over.
This state of emergency declaration is the first to be enacted since the bushfires of October 2013 and allows for powers to be transferred from the NSW government to NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons.
The powers allow Mr Fitzsimmons to:
– direct any government agency to conduct or refrain from conducting its functions
– control and co-ordinate the allocation of government resources
– evacuate people from property within the declared area
– close roads and thoroughfares to traffic
– pull down or shore up infrastructure at risk of collapse
– order the shutdown of essential utilities in the declared area including electricity, gas, oil and water
– enter or take possession of property in the course of the emergency response.
“With catastrophic weather conditions predicted for this week, particularly Tuesday with hot weather and strong winds, I have decided to take the Commissioner’s advice and make this declaration,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.
“It will ensure our state is best placed to respond to the predicted fire conditions.”
Debbie Schipp 3.30pm: State of emergency declared in NSW
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has declared a state of emergency in NSW from tomorrow.
It means authorities have the power to forcibly evacuate people from danger zones.
The Premier announced at a press conference this afternoon: he reason the why we’re doing it tomorrow ahead of Saturday is to make sure that Commissioner Fitzsimmons and all our personnel, all our agencies know that from tomorrow they will be subject to forced evacuations, road closures, road openings and anything else we need to do as a state to keep our residents and to keep property safe.
“The reason we’re doing it tomorrow ahead of Saturday is to make sure that Commissioner Fitzsimmons and all our personnel, all our agencies know that from tomorrow they will be subject to forced evacuations, road closures, road openings and anything else we need to do as a state to keep our residents and to keep property safe,” she said.
“We don’t take these decisions lightly but we also want to make sure we’re taking every single precaution to be prepared for what could be a horrible day on Saturday.
“We know temperatures will be in the mid-40s in parts of the state. We also know that there are a lot of tourists on the move and allowing us to declare the state of emergency from tomorrow morning will allow us to ensure that we can provide safe access to roads when we need to, we can also provide safe access provide safe access to roads when we need to, we can also provide safe access to and from destinations as we have been encouraging people to move back home, to travel safely ahead of what will been very difficult circumstances on Saturday.”
3.15pm: Jail to be evacuated
A jail near Tumbarumba in the southern slopes of the Snowy Mountains will be evacuated before Saturday amid fears fires will hit the area.
ABC reports more than 150 prisoners and prison guards will be evacuated from Mannus Correctional Centre, and taken to Junee Correctional Centre.
Inmates at Mannus are classified minim security.
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons presents RFS volunteer Geoffrey Keaton's son with a posthumous Commendation for Bravery and Service at his funeral in Buxton, NSW. Just heartbreaking. pic.twitter.com/qWVU5kUVCa
— Thomas O'Brien (@TJ__OBrien) January 2, 2020
Angelica Snowden 2.35pm: Air quality deteriorates, smoke reaches NZ
Bushfire smoke from the south coast was so intense that it reached parts of New Zealand.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Abrar Shabren said smoke could be seen drifting across the Tasman to New Zealand.
“A brown orange tinge on the satellite image clearly shows that smoke is reaching parts of New Zealand.” Mr Shabren said.
Smoke haze from the bushfires on the south coast affected the city in Sydney today as well as Canberra.
Bushfire smoke lead to increased haze, decreased visibility and poor air quality around the Sydney CBD and Canberra this morning.
In Sydney, the onshore easterly winds pushed thick smoke further west into the greater Sydney area in the afternoon.
It reached as far as the Great Dividing Range and the central west parts of New South Wales.
About 2.30pm, Canberra had the worst air quality in the world for the second day in a row after Delhi in India.
Mr Shabren expects smoke from bushfires to remain “quite hazy” into the evening, particularly in Canberra.
Hot, dry and windy weather with temperatures soaring to 40C will make Saturday dangerous for fires.
“The public should be vigilant about is the weather conditions on Saturday where hot weather conditions will return around the south and south east of the state.”
Angelica Snowden 2pm: More petrol on way to South Coast: Caltex
After reports of fuel shortages in Batemans Bay as scores of cars queued to leave the scorched south coast, a spokesperson for Caltex said two additional deliveries had been organised for this afternoon.
“The most significantly impacted area is Batemans Bay where road access has been restricted for the last few days and where demand is high as holiday makers leave the area in large numbers.”
Caltex confirmed that they made two deliveries to the area last night and one this morning but their priority has been to supply fuel to emergency services.
“Supply for emergency services has been our priority and product has been quarantined at some sites where required to guarantee supply for the emergency response.”
The spokesperson advised that road closures have made it difficult to access fuel stations at Moruya and Eden.
Moruya and Eden are expected to receive more deliveries this afternoon.
Rosie Lewis 1.50pm: PM on more air support
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has not ruled out leasing more aerial firefighting assets to assist the fleet of 140 aircraft fighting bushfires.
The National Security Committee of cabinet will meet on Monday to consider contingencies and a longer term response to the bushfire crisis.
Leave Zone – Batlow / Wondalga
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 2, 2020
Dangerous conditions in Batlow, west of Blowering Dam. If you're in this area, particularly Batlow north to Wondalga & west of Blowering Dam, leave before tomorrow. It is not safe. For road closures go to @LiveTrafficNSW #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/GA0xJjlCQH
Debbie Schipp 1.40pm: Get out of Batlow
As evacuations continue in the Snowy Mountains region, the tiny town of Batlow is being evacuated. It’s reported residents of the town have been told there is little emergency services can do to protect them from the fires forecast to bear down in the next couple of days, and they should leave.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has issued an evacuation notice for Kosciuszko National Park including resorts and all places located within Kosciuszko National Park. For more info visit https://t.co/A8VgIeRT1n
— Fire and Rescue NSW (@FRNSW) January 2, 2020
Kosciuszko National Park has already been closed to the public and may remain closed for some time as fires are out of control.
“This is an essential measure to protect life,” National Parks and Wildlife has warned.
Courtney Walsh 1.37pm: Tennis Australia heeds Kyrgios fundraising call
Tennis Australia has confirmed it will host a series of fundraising activities over the next month to raise funds for bushfire victims, which follows a plea for assistance from Nick Kyrgios.
Cricket Australia, which had already announced players in the Test against New Zealand in Sydney would wear black armbands, has also detailed plans to raise funds in the one-day series in March.
Debbie Schipp 1.35pm: Honouring fallen firey Geoff Keaton
The Prime Minister has paid tribute to fallen firefighter Geoffrey Keaton, who was farewelled on Thursday morning at an emotional funeral procession involving his fiancee and young son.
Geoffrey Keaton, 32, died when his fire truck rolled while battling the large Green Wattle Creek blaze near the town of Buxton.
Mr Keaton was remembered at a funeral at Pinegrove Memorial Park in Minchinbury.
Fiancee Jess Hayes and young son Harvey were part of a long procession of fire trucks that drove to the service in tribute to Mr Keaton.
An RFS guard of honour was also formed.
Mr Morrison said it was important to be able to honour Mr Keaton’s “great sacrifice and his tremendous service.”
“It was also tremendous to be there with the men and women of the Rural Fire Service brigade as they provided their guard of honour for their mate,” he said.
“Sadly, we will be attending two more of these services in the not too distant future.”
Debbie Schipp 1.35pm: ’I understand the anxiety’: PM
Scott Morrison understands the anxiety and frustration many are feeling, he says.
“But this is a natural disaster,” he continued.
“Natural disasters are best dealt with through the methodical, well co-ordinated response that we are seeing today.
On residents of fire-ravaged Lake Conjola on the NSW South Coast, Mr Morrison said he could understand the frustration.
“I can understand their frustration and some of these parts of the country are difficult for State authorities and agencies to get the support into,” he said.
“There are many areas that are in that situation right now. That is why it is important to allow the response to just roll out and do it and as effectively and quickly and safely as possible.
Debbie Schipp 1.30pm: PM on ADF assistance
The PM has spoken on the ADF’s help with the firefighting battle.
“There is a major evacuation, I have alluded to it and what is happening in Victoria at the moment with the HMAS Choules assisting with that,” he said.
“There has been no request from New South Wales of a similar ADF support for an evacuation of that nature on the South Coast given that the roads are open.”
Debbie Schipp 1.20pm: Fires to burn for ‘many, many months: PM
PM Scott Morrison says the Commonwealth will continue to support operational — and recovery — efforts with the fires set to burn “for many, many months”.
“I have already had a number of discussions about the various payments and forms of assistance that go to small businesses that have been impacted and the category C assistance which is already available in so many local government areas around the country, in these affected areas,” he said.
“That support will be very important and there are other levels of assistance that we can move to as we saw was so effective in response to the north Queensland floods.
“Unlike a flood, where the water will recede, in a fire like this, it goes on and it will continue to go on as those in the agencies have advised us, until we can get some decent rain that can deal with some of the fires that have been burning for many, many months.”
He’s asked people in the fire zones to have patience.
“My simple request is to be patient. To have confidence in the State agencies that are leading the operational response on the ground.
If you are in a position where you can get yourself to safety, please do that and follow the instructions that are available to you.
If you are in a position where you have to hold and wait, then know that there is support that will get to you.”
Debbie Schipp 12.30pm: Roads update: How to get out of southern NSW, Snowys
Emergency services want tourists out of the South Coast and Snowy Mountains ahead of the predicted horror fire weekend.
“The NSW Police Force is working closely with Transport for NSW to allow for safe travel by road,” State Emergency Operations Controller, Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.
“There are still a number of traffic diversions in place, but there are many ways out of these areas, it may just be that you have travel out a different way to make your way home,” Deputy Commissioner Worboys said.
Motorists on the South Coast are able to travel north on the Princes Highway from Batemans Bay.
The Princes Highway as also recently reopened between Tilba Tilba and Brogo, as well as between Falls Creek and Milton.
A reduced speed limit of 60km/h is in place, and the highway may be closed for short periods to allow emergency vehicles through.
The Princes Highway remains closed in the following locations:
• Between Batemans Bay and Moruya
• Between Narrabarba and Cann River (Victoria). From Narrabarba, you can travel west on Imlay Road to the Monaro Highway to head north.
The Snowy Mountains Highway is open between Bega and Adaminaby so anyone on the Far South Coast is also able to travel to Canberra or Sydney via the Snowy Mountains Highway to Cooma, the Monaro Highway to Canberra and the Hume Highway.
Many other roads remain closed including:
South of Nowra: Jerrawangala to Tomerong – Turpentine Road is closed; Wandandian – Wandean Road is closed between the Princes Highway and Bollerang Road; Nowra Hill to Charleyong – Braidwood Road/Nerriga Road is closed
Around Braidwood: Braidwood to Nelligen – the Kings Highway is closed; Braidwood to Moruya – Araluen Road is closed; Braidwood to Cooma – Cooma Road is closed
In and around the Snowy Mountains: Tumut to Adaminaby – the Snowy Mountains Highway is closed; Batlow to Tumbarumba – Batlow Road is closed; Jindabyne to Khancoban – Alpine Way is closed
A number of smaller local roads are also closed in the South Coast and Snowy Mountains areas, and many roads crossing the New South Wales-Victorian border are also closed, including the Monaro Highway between Rockton and Cann River (Victoria).
Up to the minute information about road closures is available at livetraffic.com.
12.30pm: League legend loses home
Rugby league legend Ron Coote has lost his home of 35 years in the bushfires and his wife was forced to jump in Lake Conjola to escape the flames.
The 75-year-old rugby great battled with hoses and water from his swimming pool to try and save his home on New Year’s Eve, to no avail, The Daily Telegraph reports.
And at nearby Bendalong, the home of surfing champion Pam Burridge was saved overnight, with her husband and surfboard maker Mark Rabbidge fighting the flames to save the property.
Debbie Schipp 12.20pm: Get out of Kosciuszko
Nation Parks has issued an evacuation order for Kosciuszko National Park in the Snowy Mountains.
The order is for the entire park, and ski resorts including Thredbo and Perisher in the area.
“All people located in Kosciuszko National Park must exit Kosciuszko National Park boundaries before the deadline of 10am Friday,” a statement on the National Parks website reads.
“This is an essential measure to protect life.
“This is not a fire season that NSW has seen before. It is hotter and drier than we have previously experienced.”
Across the border in Victoria new fires have now started in and around the Alpine National Park threatening popular ski resorts Mount Hotham, Mount Buller and Mount Buffalo.
The @nswdpi & @llsnsw urge Snowy Mnts & Snowy Monaro landholders to prepare for Sat. Activate bush fire survival plan, move livestock out of timbered areas to open paddocks, consider moving livestock offsite, plan how to move stock. For info call 1800 814 647. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/majb6Dm6Kw
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 1, 2020
Debbie Schipp 11am: Supermarket rush to restock’
As queues grow for food, fuel and essentials across the area, a Woolworths spokesman says the grocery giant is rushing to keep stores stocked with essentials on the South Coast.
“All stores are currently open for trading with only our Bermagui store set to close at midday due to the planned evacuation of the town,” the spokesperson said.
“We’re also working closely with our partner the Salvation Army to ensure essential supplies are available for them to support their work in evacuation centres set up around the state.”
Angelica Snowden 10am: ‘It’s bumper to bumper’
Co-owner of Uncle Joe’s Cafe Dennis Price in Batemans Bay said outbound traffic is banked up for kilometres on the Princes Highway just before the Clyde River Bridge.
“It’s bumper to bumper,” Mr Price said.
“They wouldn’t be travelling more than five kilometres an hour.” he said.
Mr Price understands that the Coles in Batemans Bay had a long queue and was only letting people in two at a time to buy essentials like toothpaste.
The only other stores open in the town are Woolworths, newsagent and Reject shop.
Mr Price had to close his business for the day at least, and said that thousands of dollars worth of stock went off with power outages.
“This is January trade out the window.” Mr Price said.
“In the six days between Christmas and New Year we normally make what we would in a month.”
Uncle Joe’s Cafe is stocked by larger wholesalers in Canberra who have been unable to reach Batemans Bay with major road closures along the Princes Highway.
Despite the crisis, Mr Price said the community is rallying together to support each other and hoped that after the weekend business would start to go back to normal.
“We have an obligation to trade, have somewhere for the community to gather and give staff an opportunity to make money.”
10am: ‘It’s just hard: Transport minister’s tears over lost homes
NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance, who lives in Malua Bay south of Batemans Bay, saved his home but several neighbours’ homes were razed. He broke down on ABC TV on Thursday morning outlining the devastation, and implored south coast tourists to get out.
“The RFS have been deadset about this, it is dangerous. We have a lot of active fires, big fires, unprecedented fires,” Mr Constance said.
“It’s unfair … I met four RFS guys yesterday who lost their homes. Beautiful neighbours of mine who lost their homes … we will get through together.”
An emotional @AndrewConstance — local MP for Bega — reflects on the impact of the #nswfires.
— News Breakfast (@BreakfastNews) January 1, 2020
"It's unfair. I met four RFS guys yesterday who lost their homes. Beautiful neighbours of mine lost their homes. It is tough. We will get it together." pic.twitter.com/NqAXziygmN
Angelica Snowden 9.20am: Cash only for fuel amid power outages
People on the South Coast have taken to social media saying petrol stations in the Batemans Bay and Narooma area are only taking cash.
But power outages are affecting access to ATMs and mean that EFTPOS machines are down, leaving many without access to cash.
“What it does show is a serious lack of infrastructure to cope with tourist crowds and emergencies.” one frustrated man said.
Others are saying that petrol station ATMs have run out of cash and are also running low on fuel.
Angelica Snowden 9.15am: 10km queue of cars
Kate Carriage was visiting family in Ulladulla over New Year’s and is now trying to pack up and go home to Nowra.
Ms Carriage said there was a 10 kilometre line-up of cars trying to evacuate on the Princes Highway.
Ms Carriage said it appeared that only one petrol station has diesel fuel left, the Caltex before Milton.
“We rationed ourselves to $50 diesel … many people need it more than us.” Ms Carriage said.
Debbie Schipp 9am: Tourists told to leave
Tourists are on the move after being been told to get out on the south coast of NSW ahead of an expected spike in high-risk weather conditions in coming days.
Stretching 250km long from Batemans Bay to Wonboyn on the Victorian border and 160km wide to Badja, the area is expected to be hit with out of control fires once again as temperatures and winds soar on Saturday.
The RFS has stated that anyone holidaying in this area should leave before Saturday. Anyone planning to visit the area should not come.
Tourist Leave Zone – South Coast Bush Fires
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 1, 2020
Dangerous conditions for holiday makers on the South Coast of NSW this weekend
With the widespread power and communications outages across the South Coast please share this information to as many affected people as possible. #nswrfs pic.twitter.com/JvbwrpC1fe
Holidaymakers are now scrambling to leave the affected area and make it to safety with queues for fuel, power outages and road closures.
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said on Thursday that an attempt at mass evacuation from the south coast has never been attempted before.
“Our target is tourists and people who don’t need to be there,” Mr Fitzsimmons said.
But the commissioner also said that if locals feel uncomfortable they too take the opportunity to leave because he could not overstate the potential destruction on Saturday enough.
8.55am: 382 homes destroyed since Monday
Mr Fitzsimmons confirmed that 382 homes have been destroyed in the NSW bushfires since Monday and almost 1300 have been destroyed since the season started.
Mr Fitzsimmons warned that fires in the area this Saturday could be worse than those on Tuesday.
“Unfortunately that also correlates with where we have some of the worst, most damaging and destructive bushfires in NSW at the moment,” he said.
Mr Fitzsimmons said that more fuel and food supplies overnight have allowed “goods to start flowing again”.
Holidaymakers and locals are now able to evacuate north from Batemans Bay with the Princes Highway open but thick smoke and speed limits of 60km/h will make the going slow.
8.50am: Hume Highway open to Canberra
South of Batemans Bay the Hume Highway is open to Canberra and the Snowy Mountains Highway is also open between Bega and Adaminaby allowing anyone travelling from the far south coast to get to Canberra or Sydney via the Monaro Highway.
Mr Fitzsimmons said defence helicopters allowed emergency service crews to access the wounded and treat them.
Firefighting crews will focus of safely evacuating people from the south coast community today as well as backburning to the east of the Princes Highway.
EARLIER:
Brace for more fatalities: Premier
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said that residents in the area needed to brace for a weekend that could include more fatalities.
The move came as firefighters in NSW and Victoria work furiously to control a series of fires along the east coast ahead of the expected catastrophic fire conditions.
While firefighting teams used the milder conditions on Wednesday to try to wrangle fires burning across East Gippsland and up the NSW south coast, they know a fresh test of resolve is just a day or two away as high temperatures and strong winds return.
Temperatures are expected to pass 40C in some parts of southeast NSW and East Gippsland at the weekend, between 8C and 16C above January averages.
Ms Berejiklian said communities needed to prepare themselves for the certainty that conditions would worsen over the weekend.
“I do want everyone to brace themselves,” she said.
Snowy Mountains fears
Fires in the Snowy Mountains region could also add to those concerns if they grew out of control and threatened critical transmission lines from the Snowy Mountains hydro scheme.
AEMO issued similar warnings in Victoria for Monday in the face of extreme temperatures.
The market operator was forced to buy extra generation capacity and call for major industrial users to reduce consumption when the failure of two coal-fired generation units in the Latrobe Valley, combined with the loss of a key transmission line from NSW due to bushfires, put the Victorian grid under severe pressure.
Fears of more fires in WA
Difficult weather conditions are not confined to the eastern states, with a cold front anticipated to pass through the southern corner of Western Australia on Thursday, bringing severe winds of more than 90km/h and a heightened risk of dry lightning.
“The significance of the dry lightning is it can ignite new fires,” Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Dean Sgarbossa said. “It can also produce quite gusty conditions that can lead to erratic fire behaviour.”
Additional reporting: Nick Evans, Mackenzie Scott
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