Bushfire disaster WA, SA, NSW, Victoria: Firefighter dies, two suffer burns in NSW
Scott Morrison says he’s ‘devastated’ to hear a RFS firefighter has died and two others suffered burns battling a blaze east of Albury.
- Daniel Andrews cancels holidays
- PM ‘devastated’ at death
- NSW firey dies, two injured
- Evacuate Bundoora now
- Multiple emergency warnings
- Wind change will make it worse
- 911 NSW homes lost
- ‘People, get out now’
Multiple emergency alerts have been issued for Victorian fires as temperatures soar, two fires merge and East Gippsland residents and tourists evacuate, or wait with dread in the fires’ path. In SA, there are fresh emergency warnings and catastrophic conditions. In NSW a volunteer firefighter has died as new fire emergency fears rise along with the temperature.
Lachlan Moffet Gray 10.25pm: States brace for worsening conditions
The NSW RFS is bracing for another day of heavy fire activity after tomorrow a tumultuous start to the week that saw one RFS volunteer dead and two injured after their vehicle rolled over fighting blazes amid high wind conditions in Jingellic NSW.
NSW RFS spokesman Greg Allan said that a strong southerly change and higher temperatures will exacerbate conditions, particularly in the South-East region of the state, which is covered by a total fire ban.
The NSW RFS has advised residents in bushfire areas between Batemans Bay and Bega to move to the larger towns before 8am tomorrow morning as strong winds exacerbate dangerous conditions.
The RFS has issued four emergency warnings the Dunns Road fire in the Snow Valleys LGA, the Green Valley fire in the Greater Hume and Werri Berri and Wyndham fires in the Bega Valley.
Residents in the area of River Road and Jingellic near the Green Valley fire are being advised that it is too late to leave and to seek shelter from the fires, as are people in the area of Wyndham in the Bega Valley.
Anyone in the area from Yankees Gap to Bemboka near the Werri Berri fire are being advised to evacuate to Bega, whilst residents in Yavin Creek Road and Ellerslie Road near the Snowy Mountains are being told it is too late to leave.
Tomorrow over 2700 NSW personnel and almost 700 vehicles will attempt to contain these fires while fighting expected new breakouts.
In Victoria, fires are travelling from Wingan River towards the town of Mallacoota.
Vic emergency is advising all residents in Mallacoota and surrounds to shelter indoors as it too late to leave.
An assembly area has been established at the Mallacoota Main Community Hall on Allan Drive.
The Genoa Mallacoota road has been closed.
South-westerly winds up to 60km in speed will hit the town at about 4am, making the fire unpredictable.
Kieran Gair 9.45pm: Dead, injured fireys all male
The RFS firefighter who was killed on Monday evening near Jingellic, east of Albury, and the two who suffered burns were all male.
They were battling the Green Valley fire which is also threatening communities on the Victorian side of the Murray River, was one of three NSW blazes subject to emergency warnings on Monday evening.
Another five were subject to watch-and-act alerts, including the massive Currowan fire’s western flank dubbed the Charleys Forest blaze.
Rachel Baxendale 9.15pm: Andrews returns from holiday
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has returned early from holidays and attended a bushfire briefing at the State Control Centre on Monday evening.
He will be working on Tuesday, with 14 emergency warnings current for Victoria on Monday night ahead of a cool change which is expected to bring strong winds and dry lighting.
Just been to a briefing at the State Control Centre. To everyone there and everyone working so hard out on the ground – thank you. #vicfires pic.twitter.com/Y5oUWNDC9C
— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) December 30, 2019
View of East Gippsland fires across Lake King just now. #vicfires #AustraliaFires pic.twitter.com/mpGzNshi8q
— Ed Gannon (@EdgannonWtn) December 30, 2019
Kieran Gair 9.10pm: ‘Devastated at the loss’
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has paid tribute to the firefighter who died fighting a bushfire near Jingellic in southern NSW on Monday evening.
“Devastated at the terrible news of the loss of another volunteer firefighter and two others injured,” Mr Morrison wrote on Twitter.
“This is awful news for the families and our sympathies are with them. These are testing times. We are so grateful for the courage and dedication of our firefighters.”
This is awful news for the familes and our sympathies are with them. These are testing times. We are so grateful for the courage and dedication of our firefighters.
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) December 30, 2019
Thousands of emotional tributes are also being posted on the NSW RFS Facebook page.
“Too many lives touched by this tragedy,” said one post. “Ordinary people doing extraordinary work. Condolences to the family and a speedy recovery for the survivors,” another said.
It’s understood the two injured firefighters are being treated for serious burns at Albury Base Hospital.
Rebecca Urban 8.20pm: Fireys battle to save properties
Firefighters are trying to save properties at Bruthen and Ramrod Creek in East Gippsland, as a bushfire to the north continues to spread.
The fire, one of up to 30 that remain active through the east of the state, has created a large column into the air and is dropping embers and creating spot fires.
“Firefighters are currently undertaking asset protection in private property,” fire authorities have said.
“This fire is threatening homes and lives.”
Fire is burning on three sides of Bruthen, and had crossed the Great Alpine Road between Bruthen and Sarsfield on Monday evening.
Around 1000 firefighters, including 300 from interstate, have been deployed to the region.
A southwesterly wind change is expected at around midnight tonight and is likely to drive fires in a north easterly direction.
Kieran Gair 8.15pm: ‘Words fail’
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has described the death of a volunteer firefighter near Jingellic, east of Albury, as “just heartbreaking.”
“A brave firefighter has lost their life protecting the community east of Albury,” Ms Berejiklian said on Twitter. “Words fail at times like this.”
Just heartbreaking. A brave firefighter has lost their life protecting the community east of Albury. Words fail at times like this.
— Gladys Berejiklian (@GladysB) December 30, 2019
The firefighter died after a truck rolled in southern NSW, while two colleagues also suffered serious burns in the incident.
Emergency services were called to the blaze just before 6pm on Monday night after receiving reports of “multiple injuries.”
“It’s believed that the truck rolled when hit by extreme winds,” the RFS tweeted on Monday evening.
“A further two firefighters on the same truck have suffered burns and are being conveyed to hospital.”
The firefighters were working on the Green Valley Fire, 70km east of Albury when the incident occurred.
A second vehicle working in the same area was also blown over and the firefighter on board has been transported to hospital.
The death brings the total death toll from the NSW fires to nine.
Rachel Baxendale 8.05pm: Hotels booked out 90km from fires
Accommodation is booked out as far from the East Gippsland fires as Sale, almost 90km from the fire front.
Hoteliers in Bairnsdale and Sale said the towns were fully booked with holidaymakers who had left national parks and coastal locations closer to the fires, as well as firefighting personnel.
Prospective guests were advised to look for accommodation in Traralgon and Morwell, more than 130km from the closest fires.
Meanwhile, Moorings at Metung manager Jim Delany said he was frustrated after guests had been unable to get through to his hotel due to a road closure on the Princes Highway between Bairnsdale and Swan Reach.
“I’ve had three groups of guests with bookings who got stopped by police at Bairnsdale and told they couldn’t come any further,” Mr Delany said.
“I don’t really understand why, because the fire’s nowhere near that bit of road at the moment, but I guess it’s better to be safe than sorry.
“It’s such a pity, because it’s beautiful and calm and safe down here next to the water.”
Rebecca Urban 8.00pm: Evacuation order in Vic northeast
An evacuation warning has been issued for Victoria’s north-east, due to a large fire 13 kilometres from Walwa that firefighters have been unable to control.
Residents of Burrowye, Cudgewa, Cudgewa North, Guys Forest, Mount Alfred, Pine Mountain, Tintaldra, Walwa have been urged to leave.
“Firefighters have been unable to stop the fire and it has now crossed into Victoria [from NSW] and is moving towards Walwa, Guys Creek, Cudgewa, Burrowa Pine National Park,” Emergency Management Victoria advised at 6.15pm
A warning has also been issued for Lakes Entrance, which is being impacted by the fast-moving Marthavale-Barmouth Spur blaze to the north.
“This bushfire has created a large column which is collapsing and over the Colquhoun Forest to the north of Lakes Entrance,” the warning said.
“This may cause significant spotting over the warning area.
“If you live in the built up area of Lakes Entrance embers may fall and start spot fires.
“If you live in the northern area of Lakes Entrance surrounded by bush the fire may directly impact houses and properties.”
Thousands of tourists have defied orders to evacuate and remain in the town.”
7.30pm: Bundoora fire downgraded
The uncontrolled bushfire threatening lives and homes in suburban northern Melbourne on Monday has eased as firefighters have stopped the forward spread of the fire.
The bushfire ravaging Bundoora is not yet under control but the emergency warning issued has been downgraded, with residents being advised that leaving is the safest option.
Residents at Bundoora, Greensborough and Mill Park had previously been told it was too late to flee the bushfire in the city’s northeast and to take shelter immediately.
The current Watch and Act alert covers Bundoora, Greensborough, Mill Park, Plenty and South Morang.
As weather change hits Melbourne around 8pm, a wind shift is expected between 8:30pm and 9:30pm tonight, which will cause the fire to change direction towards Plenty and Yarrambat.
“Areas to be impacted could include Plenty River Drive, Happy Hollow Drive, Oatland Road, Memorial Drive and surrounding roads”, emergency services said. Firefighters continue fighting the flames, supported by aircraft and heavy machinery.
AAP
Kieran Gair 7.10pm: Firefighter dies in NSW
A NSW volunteer firefighter has died and two others were seriously injured after their truck rolled east of Albury on Monday evening.
The RFS said their truck was blown over after it was hit by “extreme winds” while the crew were battling the Green Valley Fire, about 70 kilometres east of Albury. The Green Valley Fire has burned more than 2000 hectares and was placing some properties under imminent threat on Monday.
In a brief statement, the RFS paid tribute to the unnamed firefighter.
“The service’s thoughts are with all the firefighters’ families, friends and fellow brigade members,” the RFS said.
A second vehicle working in the same area was also blown over and the firefighter on board was transported to hospital.
Three RFS volunteers have now lost their lives during the state’s ongoing bushfire crisis.
Geoffrey Keaton, 32, and Andrew O’Dwyer, 36, were killed when their vehicle rolled off the road south-west of Sydney in the week before Christmas.
#NSWRFS confirms that a volunteer firefighter has died this evening near Jingellic. A further 2 firefighters have suffered burns.
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 30, 2019
The firefighters were working on the Green Valley Fire, about 70km east of #Albury. It’s believed that the truck rolled when hit by extreme winds.
6.50pm: Emergency waring in the Bega Valley
An emergency warning has been put out for Werri Berri in the Bega Valley as a fast moving bush fire burns north of Bemboka. Residents in the area of Yankees Gap to Bemboka are advised to leave now toward Bega.
The RFS has put out maps showing the predicted fire spread for New Year’s Eve in Greater Sydney, the Southern Slopes and the Shoalhaven and South Coast areas. The maps indicate the comunities expected to come under threat from embers or fire fronts.
Fires surrounding Greater Sydney: This map displays the predicted fire spread for NYE. The map indicates the communities that are expected to come under threat from embers or fire fronts. Other areas surrounding the fire may still come under threat if conditions change #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/cDDvL6S8dS
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 30, 2019
Southern Slopes area: This map displays the predicted fire spread for NYE 2019. The map indicates the communities that are expected to come under threat from embers or fire fronts. Other areas surrounding the fire may still come under threat if conditions change #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/9PhTE83hPW
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 30, 2019
Shoalhaven & Sth Coast area: This map displays predicted fire spread for NYE 2019. The map indicates the communities that are expected to come under threat from embers or fire fronts. Other areas surrounding these fires may still come under threat if conditions change #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/8mW4SXPmZY
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 30, 2019
5.55pm: Hobart swelters through hottest day
Hobart appears to have sweltered through its hottest December day on record, as parts of Tasmania’s southeast experience extreme fire danger. The island state’s capital hit 40.8C shortly before 2pm on Monday, according to data from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
The weather bureau says the figure is subject to verification. The previous hottest December day came in 1897 when the temperature reached 40.6C, coincidentally also on the 30th.
An out-of-control bushfire at Pelham in the Central Highland was upgraded to emergency level at 4pm.
Authorities are wary of dry lightning strikes from thunderstorms forecast to cross Tasmania in the afternoon and evening, when the fire danger is expected to be at its highest.
Wind gusts of up to 90 km/h are also predicted, causing further anxiety for firefighters.
Tasmania Fire Service strike teams have been placed on standby at Dunalley, Ouse and Campbell Town.
A state-wide smoke alert has been issued, with conditions particularly hazy on the state’s east coast courtesy of bushfires smoke from mainland Australia. “This smoke and haze is likely to remain or worsen across the state into tonight,” the TFS said in a statement.
A total fire ban has been declared for much of the state until Tuesday morning. Access to popular tourist destinations, including Mt Wellington in Hobart and the Three Capes and Wineglass Bay tracks, has been closed due to the conditions. The annual Taste of Tasmania food festival in Hobart closed early at 5pm because of the weather.
Rebecca Urban 5.30pm: Fire heads to Lakes Entrance
A small fire has broken out on the northern outskirts of Victorian tourist town Lakes Entrance, which is surrounded by bushfires to the north and the east.
The fire has been declared safe but it has sparked fears that the town is increasingly susceptible to ember attack.
Gippsland East mayor John White said the fire front had appeared to have jumped the Bruthen Nowa Road and was headed towards the national park north of Lakes Entrance.
“The fire at Blairs Road [Lakes Entrance] would suggest that means embers are flying into the area,” he said.
“And we know that some of the towns north of Bairnsdale are under ember attack too.”
On Sunday Emergency Management Commissioner advised holiday makers in Lakes Entrance to get out ahead of Monday’s severe weather conditions. However many people have stayed.
An emergency warning has been declared for Nowa Nowa and Wairewa. Residents are told that if they decide to leave they must do so by 6.30pm.
Emergency Warning for Nowa Nowa & Wairewa. Bushfire travelling in southerly direction. If you decide to leave you must do so by 6.30pm. Nowa Nowa and Wairewa could be impacted anytime from 7pm. https://t.co/KBAl7sFYUR pic.twitter.com/WK2Qogc0rs
— CFA Updates (@CFA_Updates) December 30, 2019
5pm: Flames 20m high amid nine emergency warnings
Fire crews battling catastrophic fire dangers in Victoria are confronting flames leaping 20 metres into the air and 14km high smoke columns creating fire-generated thunderstorms.
Multiple emergency alerts have been issued for out-of-control blazes in Victoria’s far east and northeast.
Nine emergency warnings are currently in place in the state.
The worst is yet to come with a dangerous wind change not expected to sweep fire grounds across Victoria until around midnight on Monday.
Victoria is bracing for the potentially ferocious wind change to bring gusts up to 120km/h.
Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said it was a “high-risk day” in Victoria and those still in left Lakes Entrance may now be stuck there. “We’ve just – we recently looked at the columns, and they’re generating their own weather,” Mr Crisp said.
“There’s lightning coming out of these columns. It is unpredictable, it’s dangerous out there.”
Rebecca Urban 4.40pm: ‘We cannot be complacent; you shouldn’t be on the roads’
Significant firefighting efforts are taking place north east of Bairnsdale, with a fast-moving bushfire heads towards townships and the coast.
According to Victoria’s Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville, the Marthavale blaze, which has been burning since late November, was an emerging risk, with expectations it would run towards the small town of Nowa Nowa and the coast.
“The Marthavale one, which has spotted quite significant north of Bairnsdale and heading towards the coast is of real concern and is receiving significant resources in order to protect property and assets in that area,” Ms Neville said.
“We also know the Mallacoota area remains at significant risk with that fire around there.”
Ms Neville echoed comments from Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp that the state was only part way through a day of high-risk conditions. It is feared that a wind change due in East Gippsland shortly before midnight could turn long fire flanks into new fronts and significantly expand the spread of the bush fires.
“We cannot be complacent, we continue to have extreme fire danger,” she said.
“We’ve seen some pretty erratic and dynamic conditions.”
Mr Crisp reiterated his warning that it was not safe to be travelling on the region’s roads.
He said there had been no official reports as yet regarding property damage.
“You should not be on the roads” in East Gippsland, authorities say.
“We have the W Tree fire running towards the coast and we believe it could impact on the Princes Highway between 5pm and 7pm this evening.
Rachel Baxendale 4.30pm: Metung deserted as tourists flee
The Gippsland Lakes tourist town of Metung should be enjoying its busiest few days of the year, but instead it is deserted.
Local restaurants and the Yacht Club are closed, and the pub is not serving meals, as fires threaten the town of Bruthen to the north.
Metung Yacht Club commodore Peter Harvey said the club would usually be serving dinner to 50 or 60 patrons this evening.
“That’s not going to happen, but we’ll probably have a very small crew — it’ll probably be the blokes who are still staying here keeping watch on the place,” Mr Harvey said.
“This is our peak time. We’re normally absolutely chock-a-block.”
Asked whether warnings on Sunday for visitors to leave the entire East Gippsland region were excessive, Mr Harvey said authorities had given the instructions “in the best interests of the community”.
“I’ve got to be diplomatic,” he said.
Mr Harvey said he understood why people had left and cancelled holidays.
“If they’ve got young children, why take the risk?” he said.
4.25pm: Lives, homes threatened at Bundoora
Lives and homes are under threat from an out-of-control bushfire in suburban Melbourne, amid 10 emergency warnings across the state.
Residents at Bundoora, Greensborough and Mill Park were told on Monday afternoon it’s too late to flee the bushfire in the city’s northeast and to take shelter immediately. “You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive,” the warning said.
It covers people north of the Metropolitan Ring Road, between Scholar Drive And Booyan Court.
The fire is travelling south from Jubilee Crescent towards Cloverton Way. It’s one of 10 emergency warnings for fires across Victoria, mostly in the state’s East Gippsland region, amid scorching temperatures and strong winds.
Embers are being blown large distances by the wind ahead of the main fire and starting spot fires.
Rebecca Urban 3.45pm: More sections of Princes Highway to close
A fire burning south of W Tree in East Gippsland is running towards the coast and is likely to impact the Princes Hwy between 5pm and 7pm, Emergency Victoria Commissioner Andrew Crisp has warned.
Mr Crisp said he’d been telling people in the region to leave for at least 24 hours and it was now inadvisable to be on the roads.
“Plans are underway to close further sections of the Princes Hwy,” he said.
Ensay (East Gippsland) around 1pm 30th Dec 2019:
— Incident Alert-VicSA (@incident_alert) December 30, 2019
All the best to the Ensay and surrounding communities.#vicFires #gippsnews
Video: Paul Sheenan via FB with thanks pic.twitter.com/CfPzWgi5hU
Debbie Schipp 3.25pm: NSW fire-generated storm
Meanwhile, in NSW, fires are stirring, and there’s a fire thunderstorm warning in the south, north west of Cobargo, according to the NSW RFS.
A fire-generated thunderstorm has formed over the Badja Forest Road and Tuross Falls Road fires, north-west of Cobargo. This is a very dangerous situation. Monitor the conditions around you and take appropriate action. #nswfires #nswrfs pic.twitter.com/bJAGGP1LMg
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 30, 2019
EMERGENCY WARNING - Dunns Road (Snowy Valleys LGA)
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 30, 2019
Fire activity is increasing. If you are in the area of Yaven Creek Rd & Ellerslie Rd, it is too late to leave. Shelter as the fire approaches. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire.
More information: https://t.co/gDoMvt5uQV pic.twitter.com/AZ7yc2QS3r
Rebecca Urban 3.20pm: Evacuate Bundoora now
Residents in Bundoora on Melbourne’s north-east fringe have been urged to evacuate as an out-of-control grassfire approached.
According to an emergency warning the fire is travelling from Plenty Gorge in a southerly direction towards Clovemont Way.
“The fire is expected to impact now,” it says. “If you are located in Clovemont Way Bundoora, you should evacuate now.”
Sky above Bruthen in East Gippsland is turning a very dark shade. @9NewsMelb pic.twitter.com/q8lFdEhY1m
— Sam Cucchiara (@SamCucchiara9) December 30, 2019
Rebecca Urban 3.10pm: Storm warning for East Gippsland
The weather bureau has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for East Gippsland and Victoria’s central region, as the state continues to swelter.
“Severe thunderstorms are likely to produce damaging, locally destructive winds in the warning area over the next several hours. Locations which may be affected include Dargo, Bairnsdale, Orbost, Buchan, Mallacoota and Bonang,” according to the warning issued at 2.43pm Monday.
It said Bendigo, Seymour, Maryborough, Ballarat, Geelong, Melbourne, Bacchus Marsh, Morwell, Traralgon and Moe could be impacted by similar conditions.
Emergency Management Victoria Commissioner Andrew Crisp is due to give an update on bushfires in East Gippsland at 3.30pm
2.25pm: Status of Victorian fires: Now seven emergency warnings
It’s midafternoon, and as conditions deteriorate more than 10 fires are burning in East Gippsland, including three that have been going for more than a month.
AAP reports:
* Seven emergency warnings and one evacuate now alert were active in East Gippsland as of 1.50pm Monday.
* 16 fires in Victoria started overnight due to dry lightning
* A fire sparked by dry lightning between Cann River and Mallacoota travelled 24km in six hours overnight, created a 14km high plume and its own dry lightning.
* The Ensay-Barmouth Spur fire had been two blazes before joining, burning about 100,000 hectares.
* A wind change is expected to reach East Gippsland early Tuesday morning
* The Princes Highway is closed between Cann River and Genoa
* The Great Alpine Road between Bruthen and Ensay could be shut for up to a fortnight.
* Relief centres have been set up in Bairnsdale, Sale, Cann River, Orbost, Omeo, Lakes Entrances, and across the NSW-border in Delegate.
Rachel Baxendale 2.10pm: We’ll stay to fight embers: Kerri’s waiting game
Bruthen woman Kerri Strickland was playing a waiting game on Monday afternoon, with sprinklers on the roof of her uninsured weatherboard house and her Toyota 4WD packed full of valuables ready to go, as she faced her third warning in as many weeks that one of several blazes burning in East Gippsland was headed in her direction.
An emergency warning issued shortly after 1pm said the fire north of Bruthen was burning south, from Boys Camp Road towards Ramrod Creek, less than 5km from Ms Strickland’s house on the northern fringes of Bruthen.
Ms Strickland, 39, said her neighbours had all headed to friends and family further from the fire front.
“I’m not insured, so that’s the only reason why I’m here,” she said.
“In the end there’s still more preparing I could have done, but you can only do so much.
“We’re going to stay to fight the embers, but if it’s coming through crowning, it’s get in that car, head down to Main Street. That’s my fire plan.”
The single mother of three said her daughters, 16 and 18, and nine-year-old son were all at her mother’s house in Bairnsdale, along with a pet cat, cockatoo and 25-year-old Shetland pony.
She said she had been on high alert for weeks, since fires ignited in remote country to the north and east of Bruthen in November, and had been told to evacuate in the early hours of last Saturday morning as embers blew over her property to ignite a spot fire at the New Bruthen Cemetery, a few hundred metres closer to the centre of town.
“You could just hear this roar, and then I just went, ‘holy sh**’, Ms Strickland said.
“By 4.30am the whole sky was glowing, and that’s when it travelled 25km down to us this way.”
Rebecca Urban 1.30pm: ‘Day we don’t often see’: Wind change will make things worse
A wind change is expected to reach East Gippsland in the early hours of Tuesday morning, likely resulting in fires rapidly changing direction and significantly increasing in size, authorities have warned.
Thousands of Australians have fled their homes as scorching temperatures fan catastrophic bushfires across southern parts of the country.
For those who stayed behind, authorities fear it is now too late to leave parts of Victoria as firefighters brace for blistering winds to batter the parched countryside.
Victoria’s State Control Centre has provided an update on fires in the east of the state, stressing that lightning strikes in dry, drought affected forests had the potential to quickly become fires that threaten lives and homes.
Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said it was a “high-risk day” and told the ABC: “It is a day we don’t often see”.
Communities could be impacted by a fire front, spot fires and ember attacks on homes, or major roads being closed resulting in communities being isolated.
More than 10 fires are currently burning east of Bairnsdale and Omeo.
Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said those still in the region should be aware of warnings issued.
“Roads could close with no warning as the fires will grow rapidly in size under hot and windy conditions,” Mr Crisp said.
“The safest place to be is in built up areas or to shelter indoors.”
A cool change is expected to sweep the southern states on Monday afternoon with strong and shifting winds heightening the risk of bushfires spreading. Victoria is bracing for the potentially ferocious wind change to bring gusts up to 120kmh, the weather bureau has warned.
Severe Weather Update: extreme fire conditions, record heat across southeastern Australia today Mon, 30 Dec. 2019. This video is current at 10 am AEDT, Monday 30 December 2019.
— Bureau of Meteorology, Australia (@BOM_au) December 30, 2019
Check your forecast at https://t.co/4W35o8i7wJ@NSWRFS | @CFSAlerts | @TasFireService | @CFA_Updates pic.twitter.com/TXsUxcDfSx
Fire initiated dry thunderstorms over #Gippsland are driving erratic gusty conditions in the area. A Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been issued. Deatils: https://t.co/3QZ7LpJaKh #VicWeather pic.twitter.com/GaOltp7Y5g
— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) December 30, 2019
1.10pm: Emergency on SA’s Kangaroo Island
An emergency warning has been issued for a bushfire burning on Kangaroo Island’s northwest coast as South Australia endures a day of catastrophic fire risk. The Country Fire Service says The Scrub fire at Ravine is burning uncontrolled under extreme conditions and poses an immediate threat to lives and homes in the area, AAP reports.
Locals have been urged to seek shelter or leave, but only if it is safe to do so.
The fire comes as scorching temperatures persist across SA’s eastern districts on Monday ahead of a cool change pushing in from the west.
The mercury topped 40C in Adelaide by midday, but temperatures on the state’s west coast had dropped to mid-20s.
A severe thunderstorm warning also remained in place for the Adelaide Hills adding to the risk of bushfires from lightning strikes.
A catastrophic danger has also been declared for Mount Lofty Ranges.
1.05pm: Fifth emergency warning declared: Shelter indoors
An emergency warning has been issued for Goongerah, Martins Creek, Sardine Creek, Errinundra and Nurran in East Gippsland, where it is too late to leave and the safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately.
This is an upgrade in severity from the Watch and Act warning issued on Monday morning. People in the area were advised to evacuate on Sunday.
The CFA says the bushfire, which is west of Goongerah and southwest of Bonang, remains out of control and fire activity is increasing. There are two significant columns building in the southeastern corner of the fire, heading towards Goongerah and Martins Creek.
The fire is threatening homes and lives.
As of 1pm Monday, the Princes Highway is closed between Cann River and Genoa, due to increased fire activity in East Gippsland. If you cannot leave, you should seek shelter. Follow the direction of emergency services in the area. Follow @vicemergency for local alerts. #victraffic pic.twitter.com/1L3dcUalWa
— VicTraffic (@VicTraffic) December 30, 2019
Rebecca Urban 12.50pm: Exodus of locals, tourists from Metung
Holidaymakers and many locals have left Metung in Victoria’s east, amid fears that bushfires to the north could spread rapidly towards the coast.
Metung Yacht Club Commodore Peter Harvey told The Australian that the local CFA had made it clear that “people need to get out”.
“There’s only a few of us around holding the fort, doing what we can to protect the place,” he said.
“I’ve got a 140-year-old house and there’s no way I’d be able to save it. There are a lot of private boats that are loaded up on the jetty and ready to go if we get the word.
“Most people are realistic, they’re not going to stay here to burn.
“ If it gets to dangerous I’ll hop on the boat with a few mates and head out towards Paynesville.”
Mr Harvey said smoke could be seen to the north where fires were burning near Bruthen about 20 kilometres away. He said the town, where the population swelled from about 1200 to 6000 in summer, was surrounded by bush and grassland.
Debbie Schipp 11.50am: Dual fires bear down on town as fourth emergency warning issued
A fourth emergency warning has been issued in Victoria as East Gippsland’s fires continue to rage.
A fire 5km from the tiny township of Suggan Buggan in the Alpine region, almost on the NSW border — is bearing down — residents have been told to take shelter indoors as it is too late to leave.
There is a dual threat: the town is also in the line of fire as a NSW blaze 13km to the north moves south towards Victoria.
It is also too late for people in parts of Victoria’s East Gippsland to leave, with the highest alerts remaining for nearby out-of-control blazes. Two bushfires near Ensay and Tambo Crossing have joined at the southern end and remain very active with extreme fire behaviour,
Debbie Schipp 11.30am: Third emergency warning: You are in danger
A third emergency warning is now in place in Victoria: for the East Gippsland townships of Gelantipy, Wulgulmerang, Wulgulmerang East. Those are townships in East Gippsland.
The CFA says:
There is a bushfire 5km west of Wulgulmerang that is not yet under control.
It is too late to leave, this fire is moving rapidly.
This fire is threatening homes and lives.
“You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.”
An EMERGENCY WARNING for BUSHFIRE has been issued for Gelantipy, Wulgulmerang, Wulgulmerang East.
— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) December 30, 2019
Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous.
For more info: https://t.co/aOGq4oUnkl pic.twitter.com/TgQ7I9ug2R
Rachel Baxendale 11.20pm: Temperatures skyrocket in Gippsland region
The temperature has already reached 42C west of Bairnsdale, in Victoria’s fire-ravaged Gippsland region.
A steady stream of traffic is heading out of East Gippsland towards Melbourne as holidaymakers heed warnings to leave the area ahead of dangerous fire conditions on Monday afternoon.
Cars and 4WDs, many towing caravans and boats, are headed west along the Princes Freeway.
While there is more traffic than usual there are no delays.
Signs are warning motorists headed towards East Gippsland that the Great Alpine Road is closed due to fire between Bruthen and Ensay.
There are road closures across Victoria. See them here.
11.10am: Storms add to ‘catastrophic’ SA fire risk
Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued for parts of the South Australian coast, adding to the risk of bushfires from lightning strikes as the state endures a day of catastrophic conditions.
The warnings are in place for the lower Eyre Peninsula, the southeast and, most importantly, parts of the Adelaide Hills where authorities continue to patrol a large smouldering fire ground.
The storms could bring winds of up to 60km/h, but there’s not much chance of significant rain, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
Catastrophic bushfire conditions have been declared in three SA districts on Monday, the Adelaide Hills, the mid-north and Yorke Peninsula. The temperature is forecast to reach 40C in Adelaide on Monday, with some regional centres to get even hotter.
But it’s a cool change in the afternoon that is causing the most concern, with strong and shifting winds set to heighten the risk of bushfires spreading. The Country Fire Service is particularly worried about the potential for breakouts from the Adelaide Hills fire, and from others burning on the Coorong, southeast of Adelaide, and on Kangaroo Island.
Another fire on the western end of the island was reported early on Monday but was not considered an immediate threat to lives and property. The Adelaide Hills fire has already burnt through 25,000 hectares and destroyed more than 80 homes since it was sparked amid similar catastrophic conditions 10 days ago.
10.55am: WA fire fears for lives, homes
A huge bushfire is still burning south of the Western Australian goldfields with authorities warning it may pose a threat to lives and homes in the area. The fire at the Higginsville mine site has already burnt through 148,000 hectares since being sparked in mid-December, AAP reports
More than 40 firefighters are on the scene and Emergency WA says conditions are changing.
A watch and act warning is in place for the Higginsville mine site and a bushfire advice message is current for towns further afield including Norseman and parts of Fraser Range.
A watch and act warning is also in place for another fire burning near Albany, southeast of Perth, which has blackened more than 16,600 hectares after being sparked by lightning on Boxing Day.
Areas considered at risk include the Stirling Range National Park and northern parts of the City of Albany. The blaze is burning east, also under changing conditions.
Rebecca Urban 10.35am: ‘Don’t risk your lives’
Metung Residents and holiday makers have been urged to leave the area, following a community meeting at the lakeside tourist spot on Monday morning.
The local CFA brigade called the meeting at the village green following concerns there was confusion about the current conditions and bushfire risk to the area.
In an earlier post to Facebook, Metung CFA Captain Trevor Blundell urged those who had not left already to “leave early in the morning [and] head to Bairnsdale or west of Bairnsdale”.
“Be ahead of the traffic there maybe car accidents with people driving in panic,” he warned.
“Both our trucks will be manned tomorrow by our awesome Metung crew. THANK YOU guys who have dedicated to protecting the town and not your own properties.”
Regional CFA head Trevor Owen warned that there was “every possibility” that bushfires would spread, causing some communities to become isolated.
Author Lucie Morris Marr, who had been holidaying in the area, posted on the CFA Facebook site on Monday Morning, revealing that she had heeded the advice at left early. “ Highway open and almost empty at 6am,” she wrote.” Very easy to leave folks. Even if you have to sleep in your car tonight. Don’t risk your lives.”
The Metung Golf Club will remain open to shelter people who are unable to leave.
10.30am: NSW has lost 911 homes this fire season
More than 900 homes have been confirmed destroyed this bushfire season.
And rising temperatures and dry winds forecast to peak on New Year’s Eve are likely to increase the count.
The Rural Fire Service on Monday said 911 homes had been destroyed in NSW to date, along with 72 facilities and more than 2000 outbuildings, AAP reports.
More than 350 homes around the state have suffered some damage.
The Bureau of Meteorology says temperatures have started to build and will climb past 40C in western Sydney and parts of regional NSW by Tuesday.
Air pollution in southwest Sydney, close to the Green Wattle Creek blaze, is at a hazardous level. The NSW environment department says the haze is “unhealthy for sensitive people”, particularly those with heart or lung diseases. Northwest Sydney air quality is also hazardous, while in east Sydney, it is poor.
The Currowan fire on the NSW south coast — now almost 220,000 hectares in size — is causing particular worry and expected to threaten homes.
Almost 100 fires are currently burning around the state, with more than 40 uncontained and about 2300 firefighters in the field on Sunday.
NSW will see deteriorating conditions today & tomorrow. Building Impact Assessment teams continue working through fire affected areas, to assess property damage. So far this season over 911 homes have been destroyed, & more than 15,800 buildings have been saved. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/8uEdh5Fm7i
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) December 29, 2019
Rebecca Urban 10am: Tourists defy warnings to leave
Thousands of holiday-makers in Victoria’s east continue to defy warnings to leave, with the local mayor reporting that there’s been “no mass exodus” from the region.
East Gippsland Shire Council Mayor John White said there had been concerns about the impact of Sunday’s evacuation warning on tourism.
“The thought was it could have a big impact but … driving around earlier this morning at the moment there’s still a large contingent of holiday makers in the area,” told 3AW radio on Monday.
There are currently about 20 active warnings for fires burning across East Gippsland, a region that swells with tourists over the summer holidays.
A fire near Mallacoota began generating its own weather last night, the dots indicate lightning from a pyrocumulonimbus cloud with plume to 14km. More dangerous fire behaviour is expected across #Victoria today. Stay up to date with forecasts and warnings: https://t.co/DDRfwBegeY pic.twitter.com/lmQrpL40YJ
— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) December 29, 2019
The latest warning is for residents of Reedy Flat, Tambo Crossing, Wattle Circle, Ensay South to evacuate to the north on the Great Alpine Road towards Swifts Creek and Omeo.
Another warning has been issued about an out-of-control bushfire at Wingan River, 20km east of Cann River, with residents of Furnell, Tamboon, Tamboon South, and Wingan River have been told it is too late to leave.
The fire has reached the coast east of Point Hicks and is expected to travel along the coast in a westerly direction under the influence of a sea breeze.
Emergency authorities remain concerned about three fires burning north of Lakes Entrance as temperatures are set to soar above 40c on Monday.
9.30am: Emergency alerts as blazes merge
Two out-of-control bushfires have merged in Victoria’s East Gippsland where emergency alerts have been issued and an evacuation order remains in place.
The bushfires near Ensay and Tambo Crossing have joined at the southern end and remain very active with extreme fire behaviour, authorities warn. An emergency warning has been issued for Brookville, Dogtown, Double Bridges, Ensay, Holstons, Nunniong, Reedy Flat, Stirling, Tambo Crossing, Timbarra, and Wattle Circle.
Another emergency warning has also been issued further east at the Wingan River fire, which has burnt through more than 27,000 hectares.
Princes Highway closed
The Princes Highway has been closed between Cann River and Genoa because of the fire threat, so is Great Alpine Road between Bruthen and Ensay. That section of Great Alpine Road is expected to be closed for up to 14 days.
The Princes Highway was temporarily closed overnight after a new fire, started from lightning, was punching a column 14 kilometres in the air creating its own weather, Victoria Commissioner Andrew Crisp said on Monday.
People, get out now
“This is a high-risk day for Victoria, it is a day we don’t often see,” Mr Crisp told ABC TV.
“The state is dry and it is going to be very hot and windy. People, get out now. If you don’t, you have got to stay across the conditions and listen to the warnings during the day.” An evacuation order issued on Sunday, telling about 30,000 tourists at Lakes Entrance and thousands of residents in the area to leave, remains in place. It’s not known how many people have gone, but people can still get out by 9am, Mr Crisp said.
Lakes Entrance Recreation and Camping Reserve caretaker Darren Martin said the message to leave hadn’t quite stuck with holiday-makers.
“All of the people in our caravan park have been coming back and forth for years and seem to think they would bunker down and just hope for the best,” he told 3AW.
“There’s really only one way in and out of Lakes Entrance.” Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville said the fires in Gippsland were forecast to continue to spread towards the coast, affecting townships and she urged people to leave early.
Temperatures are set to soar into the 40s across Victoria on Monday, with a total fire ban in place across the state and extreme fire danger ratings in most regions.
The Bureau of Meteorology expects strong and gusty winds throughout Monday, as well as thunderstorms that will give way to much cooler air across Victoria later in the day.
More than 70 helicopters and planes will be working on Monday if conditions allow.
The conditions forced organisers of the Falls Festival on Victoria’s west coast to cancel the event, with 9000 punters leaving.
Ambulance Victoria said two children and a woman in her 70s were taken to hospitals after being locked in cars on Sunday and reminded people to never leave pets or people in cars.
9am: Call on Sydney fireworks Monday afternoon
Dangerous fire weather and poor air quality are forecast for NSW as firefighters brace for deteriorating bushfire conditions ahead of New Year’s Eve. The Bureau of Meteorology says temperatures will start building on Monday and are likely to climb past 40C in western Sydney and parts of regional NSW by Tuesday.
“Conditions will deteriorate again as it heats up on Monday with very high to severe fire dangers forecast for areas of the state,” the bureau said on Sunday evening.
The NSW Rural Fire Service says Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks display is unlikely to be canned despite concerns about bushfire conditions: a call will be made on that on Monday afternoon.
The NSW environment department is forecasting poor air quality in Sydney on Monday, warning that pollution will be “unhealthy for sensitive people”, particularly those with heart or lung diseases.
RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says deteriorating weather conditions could result in “extreme” fire danger across large parts of the state by Tuesday. “We can expect a broad geographic area of extreme fire danger ratings, which will extend through places like the southern ranges, the Illawarra south coast and probably down through to the Monaro area, down through the high country,” he told reporters on Sunday.
Severe fire danger ratings are in place on Monday for the southern Riverina, southern slopes, Monaro alpine region, southern ranges and far south coast. Total fire bans are also in place for large chunks of eastern and southern NSW. “Deteriorating conditions are forecast the next few days with expected high temperatures and strong winds,” the RFS said on Sunday evening. “If you have plans to travel through or are staying in bushfire prone areas during this time you should consider the risk, monitor changing conditions and be aware that roads may be closed without warning.”
— with AAP
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