ACT residents near bushfire south of Canberra told to seek shelter as contact lost with large water-bombing plane fighting New South Wales bushfire. Follow latest news and live updates
Before we leave you for the night, let’s briefly recap the day’s events:
Crews fighting blazes near where the C130 went down found this little koala on the road. They say it lost it’s mum.
In slightly happier news: The RSPCA says it has set up a special hotline for people with domestic animals affected by the bushfires, and is working on a suite of support services.
At 6.15pm there are 70 fires burning, 44 are not contained. Three are at Emergency Warning. More than 1,700 firefighters are at work. Hot conditions will continue tonight for many areas. A slow moving southerly change will reach Moruya at 8pm & Sydney at 11pm.
INFORMATION UPDATE - ESA WEBSITE RESTORED
This is Luke Henriques-Gomes taking over from Amy Corderoy. Thanks to Amy for all her work.
Here is a statement from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
ATSB sending investigators to the scene. Preliminary report due in 30 days.
Out of respect for the three US firefighters who lost their lives operating a Large Air Tanker, flags will fly at half mast in NSW tomorrow.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a warning of damaging winds gusting up to 90kmh for more or less everywhere along the NSW coast from the Hunter all the way to the Victorian border.
A Severe Weather Warning for Damaging Winds is current for parts of eastern NSW including the ACT. Winds averaging 60-70km/h gusting to 90km/h possible. Areas affected and full warning here: NSW SES safety info:
Canberra’s airport has reopened, but only Qantas is operating, with a limited service, AAP reports. Virgin and Singapore Airlines have cancelled flights for the rest of the day. But the ACT chief minister, Andrew Barr, has urged people to avoid the airport, so it’s unclear how many people will actually be flying. “If you have a flight booked it’s best to stay where you are and to contact your airline for updates on your flight schedule,” Barr said.
Most of the attention has been on NSW today, but there are also dangerous fires still burning in Victoria. The Buldah fire near the border is now at Watch & Act.
WATCH & ACT issued for Buldah. **This Watch and Act replaces the Emergency Warning issued at 4pm 23 January 2020.** The bushfire at Buldah that is not yet under control. The situation can change at any time. Monitor conditions closely.
The South Coast Register is reporting that a grass fire has approached to within 200m of Moruya hospital. That’s on the south bank of the Moruya River - the RFS site is showing the fire has crossed the river.
Grass fire 200 metres from Moruya Hospital Moruya Hospital has activated its emergency plan as firefighters control a grass fire about 200 metres from the facility. Surgeon Michael Holland said fire crews were at the ... via 24liveblog
UPDATE: Canberra Airport flight status update for the remainder of the day, 23.01.20 : Cancelled : Cancelled: Cancelled: Limited Services – please contact airline directly for up to date information
Government buildings in Canberra are being told to turn down the air-con to help ease the load on the grid in NSW and the ACT. Public servants were told that “extreme weather conditions” necessitated the power-saving measures be put in place until 7pm tonight. This includes:
Good news out of Canberra. The Beard fire has been downgraded from emergency alert to watch and act status. Residents in the suburbs of Beard, Oaks Estate, and Crestwood are now being advised to stay indoors to avoid hazardous smoke and to avoid the area if they’re not already there. Those in Pialligo and the Brindabella Business Park should monitor conditions, stay up-to-date, and follow police directions to safely exit the area. “The fire is burning within containment lines close to Beard, Harman and Oaks Estate. The fire is currently 424 hectares in size,” the emergency services agency said. “Firefighters are on scene. Helicopters are water-bombing and providing aerial surveillance.”
An active crime scene is in place at the site of the C-130 Hercules crash in the Snowy Mountains, say. "The current situation is already dangerous for people, property & the environment." A reminder to drone users that flying near an emergency can increase that danger.
We’ve just heard from ACT emergency services agency commissioner Georgeina Whelan, who held a press conference in Canberra. She said the Beard fire – the product of two fires that have merged in the area near the ACT-NSW border – is still burning out of control and is 425 hectares in size. But there’s some positive news.
Oh c’mon! More fires today, creeping ever closer to area be vigilant. This is scary stuff.
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons has confirmed that all three people who died in the downed C-130 this afternoon were American residents. Fitzsimmons said their deaths will impact fire fighters world-wide.
Fire authorities have no idea what caused the water-bombing C-130 plane to crash suddenly this afternoon, RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says. “We simply lost contract with the machine and the flight tracker we used stopped,” he said. “There is no indication at this stage of what’s caused the accident.”
Fitzsimmons has said it took “quite some time” to locate the wreckage of the C-130. “It’s impacted heavily with the ground and initial reports are that there was a large fireball associated with the impact of the plane as it hit the ground,” he said. “It is still an active fire ground and it was very difficult to locate the wreckage.”
Three people have died in a fiery crash involving a C-130 water bombing aeroplane, the Rural Fire Service commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, has confirmed. The plane went down at 1.30pm.
The NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, is addressing the media in NSW: There are in excess of 70 aircraft that have been used today alone, and today is a stark and horrible reminder of the dangerous conditions that our volunteers, emergency services personnel ... undertake daily. We have more than 1,700 volunteers and personnel on the field today. There are five fires, one in the ACT and four in New South Wales, currently at emergency warning level.
Box Hill: A firefighter has been rushed to hospital.
To make matters worse in Canberra, the ACT’s emergency services agency’s website has just crashed. It’s showing only a “503 service error”. Not great timing.
7 News is reporting that the wreckage of the downed C-130 has been found.
BREAKING: Wreckage of missing RFS C-130 located by search crews. Reports only tail section intact. Aircraft has broken up on impact. Crews reporting difficult terrain and "terrible visibility".
Usually a sea breeze sees the coast cooler than the west of Sydney. Today strong westerlies have kept temperatures hot across the metro area. At 3pm Sydney had reached 41.3 - the same as Holsworthy in the south west. Penrith had reached 42.4 and the Airport hottest at 43.3.
There’s a steady stream of people arriving at the Moruya showgrounds which has been reopened as an evacuation centre. For a lot of people, it’s becoming a home away from home. One woman from Congo, just south of here, told me it was her third time here since New Year’s Eve.
The sky is looking ominous outside the Moruya showground where our reporter on the ground, Michael McGowan, captured this image.
NSW residents have been asked to turn off any unnecessary appliances and keep airconditioners to 24C between 4 and 8pm today. Temperatures in Sydney are expected to remain as high as 40C during that time.
ALERT: weather conditions, fire damage to transmission & mechanical issues at some power stations led to tight conditions in the electricity system. Asking community to help reduce demand between 4-8pm by turning off pool pumps, unnecessary appliances & turning up aircon to 24*C
You can see the plumes of thick black smoke coming from the recycling centre in Beard in this image provided by the ACT emergency services agency.
EMERGENCY WARNING - Badja Forest Rd, Countegany (Snowy Monaro, Eurobodalla & Bega Valley LGAs) There is an immediate threat to properties. If you are in Bumbo, Eurobodalla & Bodalla, it is too late to leave. Seek shelter as fire approaches. For more:
We’re getting reports that the Pialligo fire in Canberra has hit an industrial recycling centre, sending thick black smoke into the air. The ACT’s emergency services agency said the fire had hit the recycling centre on Underwood Street. The fire was now producing “dangerous levels” of smoke, which the ESA said would reduce visibility and air quality. It advised residents to stay inside, close all windows and doors, turn off their air conditioning and evaporative coolers, and stay away from the area if they are not there already.
Fire has just hit a recycling plant near Queanbeyan. Toxic black smoke spreading through the area
A bit of action at the Brindabella Business Park office this morning!
The aerial mud that fell on Melbourne in an extended deluge overnight was joined by a fresh burst of rain on Thursday to delay play on the outside courts at the Australian Open. Concerns about air pollution remain high as well, as the elements combine to bedevil the first grand slam tournament of the year. Staff had to power-blast the red carpet of dust and muck from the uncovered courts, pushing back the scheduled start of play to 2pm. There were further interruptions for rain as the card was squeezed again.
At 3pm there's 84 bush or grass fires across NSW with nearly 40 yet to be contained. Five fires are at Emergency Warning level. A southerly change is moving up the coast. It's not likely to reach places like Sydney until early tomorrow morning.
Smoke from fires near Moruya and Nowra can be seen on our radar. Fires are picking up due to hot temperatures, strong winds and low humidity. For up to date fire info refer to Fires Near Me: and the latest weather warnings at:
It’s quite a fluid situation here in Moruya on the New South Wales south coast. The massive Clyde Mountain fire is approaching at quite a clip thanks to incredibly strong westerly winds, and the Rural Fire Service says homes in the town are at risk. RFS crews are defending properties north of the town.
Some more on the reported crash of the air tanker from AAP: Five road ambulances and two rescue helicopters are en route after receiving reports of a plane crash in Peak View, a NSW Ambulance spokeswoman said.
These images were taken about 40 minutes ago a few hundred metres from the community of oaks estate
Visibility reduced to approximately 500m at Mildura Airport today as another dust storm affected the region. The good news is that lighter winds are expected Friday and across the long weekend.
The NSW Rural Fire Service has said it is investigating after contact was lost with the large air tanker working in the Snowy Monaro area this afternoon. Local ground crews have reported it may have crashed, and helicopters are in the area searching for the missing aircraft.
The two fires near the Canberra airport have merged.
EMERGENCY WARNING - BEARD FIRE
The Buldah fire in East Gippsland has moved up to emergency warning level, and residents are advised to seek shelter.
EMERGENCY WARNING issued for Buldah. There is a bushfire at Buldah that is not yet under control. You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. More details at
There are several road closures across the ACT as a result of the fire.
AS OF 1.45PM – BUSHFIRE ROAD CLOSURES • CANBERRA AVE - NOMAD DR • TOM PRICE ST - CANBERRA AVE • RAILWAY ST • FAIRBAIRN - OLD MAJURA RD • BELTANA PIALLIGO • NORSE RD - COPPER CRES AND CANBERRA AVE • URIARRA RD - KENDALL AVE • BELTANA RD - PIALLIGO AVE • BEARD 2/3
AS OF 1.45PM – BUSHFIRE ROAD CLOSURES • BRINDABELLA - PIALLIGO AVE • BRINDABELLA - MOLONGOLO • URIARRA RD - KENDALL AVE • HINDMARSH DR - CANBERRA AVE • TOM PRICE ST - CANBERRA AVE 3/3
From the ACT:
Crews battling the fire now burning next to the electrical substation near Oaks Estate
The conditions in Canberra are pretty abysmal. Video from the Brindabella business park, which was threatened by the Pialligo fire, shows the strong winds ripping through the trees and thick blankets of smoke. The business park sits right next to Canberra airport and has offices for a number of government departments and the big corporate accounting firms Deloitte and KPMG.
Pretty awful conditions in Canberra. This vision just sent to me by someone at Brindabella Business Park, which is being threatened by the Pialligo fire.
Firefighters are working to stop the fire jumping Pialligo Ave to be Brindabella Business Park.
An emergency warning has been issued for a fire burning in Glen Allen in NSW. People in New Line and Creewah roads have been advised to seek shelter.
EMERGENCY WARNING - Creewah Rd, Glen Allen (Snowy Monaro LGA) Fire burning in Glen Allen & spreading quickly. If you're in New Line Rd & Creewah Rd, Glen Allen area, it's too late to leave. Seek shelter as fire approaches. Protect yourself from heat of the fire.
Strong winds drive a dust storm across the Snowy Mountains Highway south of Cooma-visibility is down to 50m in places
A dust storm has just hit Mildura, too.
This is how quickly the dust storm has just enveloped Mildura. Videos shot a couple of minutes apart.
The chief of the defence force, Angus Campbell, says reservists will transition from full-time service on 1 February ahead of the order being revoked on 7 February. He said reservists typically would have served for 28 days full-time continuously.
The Australian Open has been suspended due to the brown rain messing up the courts in Melbourne.
The tennis world was stunned by the "dirty" conditions that suspended play at the Australian Open in a first for the sport. : Shane McInnes More:
The Box Hill fire has been reduced to watch and act level.
Watch and Act - Janpieter Road, Box Hill (The Hills LGA) A fire is burning in the area of Box Hill & Nelson. Firefighters on scene. Immediate threat to homes has eased. If you're in Box Hill & Nelson areas, monitor conditions. Follow the advice of firefighters.
There has also been a lot of criticism in the past few days over whether the charities people have donated to in response to the bushfire crisis have been getting that money out to the victims of the fires. Morrison said the Salvation Army, the Red Cross and St Vincent de Paul remain “trusted, respected and good-hearted”, but he said he had heard they needed more support to get the millions of dollars out to those affected. He said the federal government was building a “database capability” to make it easier for charities to connect with the fire victims, and state governments would also help to get funds to those who need it.
In a press conference, the prime minister, Scott Morrison, said the compulsory callout for the ADF reservists in response to the bushfire would expire on 7 February, 28 days since the callout was made. “Now I want to stress absolutely that this does not mean, in any way, shape or form that you’re going to see any significant change at all in the level of the defence force deployment to support the recovery effort with these bushfires,” he said.
An emergency warning has been issued for a fire on Badja Forest Road, Countegany, in the Snowy region.
EMERGENCY WARNING - Badja Forest Rd, Countegany (Snowy Monaro, Eurobodalla & Bega Valley LGA) Fire activity increasing. Dignams Creek area, on W side of Princes Hwy, leave now towards Narooma if path clear. Wallaga Lake area, monitor & watch out for embers.
Smoke from fires near Moruya and Nowra can be seen on our radar. Fires are picking up due to hot temperatures, strong winds and low humidity. For up to date fire info refer to Fires Near Me: and the latest weather warnings at:
If you want some background on why the fire conditions have worsened in New South Wales and the ACT today, and why it’s a bit calmer in Victoria (aside from the brown rain in Melbourne), you can read a piece I wrote earlier .
People in Brindabella business park in the ACT are being advised to stay where they are. It is safe there.
In New South Wales, there are five fires at emergency warning level, and are listed as out of control. They are:
Canberra airport is closed and has been holding flights in and out of the nation’s capital on Thursday as emergency services issued an emergency warning for a bushfire near Beard, Oaks Estate and West Queanbeyan. Residents have been advised to seek shelter.
The climate emergency seemed so abstract. It was something that was happening elsewhere, to other people. Until it wasn’t For months leading into this bleakest of summers, all anyone out this way could talk about was the dry. It crunched underfoot, was carried on the furnace-blast of a breeze, dust and dry leaves rattling down the wide avenues and riverbanks of the once mighty Murray River like a premonition of loss. It was written in the furrowed brows of farmers poring over district forecasts like they were scripture – ethereal in their promise of deliverance or damnation. Dry as the bones, pronounced, beneath the hides of animals starving and stunned; landscape bleached as a fossil.
A new coronavirus spreading from the city of Wuhan has put a spotlight on China's poorly regulated wild animal trade - driven by relentless demand for exotic delicacies and ingredients for traditional medicine.
The U.S. Transportation Department on Wednesday proposed giving airlines the power to bar emotional support animals from cabins and limit the definition of a service animal to a trained dog.
