North Island faces tornado risk after landslides and flooding wreak havoc in the south
We are expanding our coverage of New Zealand.
New Zealand has been hit by a weekend of severe storms, with landslides and flooding in the South Island cutting off towns and trapping an estimated 1,000 foreign tourists. Most are stuck on the west coast in the towns of Fox Glacier and Franz Josef, according to the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, and some have been forced to sleep in their cars, and are said to be scared and tired.
The active cold front over central New Zealand continues to deliver rain over to the upper South Island and the Wellington area. Thunderstorms are expected to bring strong winds and squally conditions to the Taranaki region particularly. Warning details ^AB
At least forty-three people were killed in India's capital New Delhi on Sunday when a fire swept through a six-storey factory where laborers were sleeping, government officials said.
There’s nothing like going to sleep with the taste of ash in your throat to give you an actual, physiological understanding of real fear Here’s the dismal new routine of life in inner-city Sydney. I get up around 7am, sniffing the air. Sometimes even through closed windows you can smell how bad it is, but today it’s hard to tell. I pad through the quiet house to peer out of the glass kitchen door at the sky: it’s cloudless, a fine pale yellow. Some days the light is deep orange, a colour so striking that only a few weeks ago I’d be compelled to snap a photo – but now it’s horribly familiar. When it’s that colour, you don’t open the door. And you double back through the house to make sure every window is tightly sealed. Today though, I step outside and take a (shallow) breath. Not too bad. In our tiny courtyard the smoke is not actually visible right now, but it still takes a few little forays, stepping back indoors and out again, to determine whether the smell is worse inside the house or out. This morning, outside seems marginally better, so it’s time to move through the house, opening all the windows and doors, turning the ceiling fans up high. With luck we’ll get a bit of “fresh” air throughout in the next hour or so, before the smoke returns.
We’re used to turning our attention briefly to 'those poor people' affected by climate change, then returning to normal life. Now those poor people include us
Gospers Mountain, Paddock Run and Little L Complex, Three Mile and Thompson Creek fires overlap, and there are now seven emergency warnings in NSW as fire conditions worsen along Australia’s New South Wales and Queensland coasts
Very smoky conditions will continue in many areas tonight.
In Kulnara firefighters are regrouping as the wind changes again, now coming from what seems like the south. It’s hard to tell. The gusts are erratic. Smoke is thick and visibility low. Spot fires and grass fires are being jumped on quickly before the main front comes through.
And here are some more of Mike Bowers’ photos from the Palerang fire in southern NSW:
In Queensland for tomorrow, the Bureau of Meteorology has issued severe fire danger forecasts for Darling Downs and Granite Belt, Wide Bay and Burnett, and Southeast Coast.
Water bombing helicopters at work on the North Black Range Palerang fire North of Braidwood
We are now back down to seven emergency warnings for NSW. They are:
An amazing effort by so many - residents, firefighters and pilots working hard in very hot and smoky conditions at the Green Wattle Creek fire in south-western Sydney. This is one of five Large and Very Large Air Tankers in action around NSW today.
The fire came over the top and then came around here and took this, and one of the fire vehicles as well,” says Rob Meggs, Hilson’s neighbour. He’s standing in front of the still-burning ruins of his shed and office. His house survived, thanks to the efforts of the RFS and metropolitan firefighters, he says. The shed was “a hoarder’s heaven”.
At Kulnara, the Wright Creek emergency level fire this afternoon has taken out property. Dozens of firefighters and trucks are on scene ahead of pa predicted wind change, but unruly wind changes earlier in the day pushed a fire past some properties, only to swing it back towards them another way.
Earlier we reported three fires in the Hawkesbury, Hunter and central coast areas had merged, now it seems five have merged.
To give you an idea of the scale of the bush fire threat across NSW, a number of fires in the Hawkesbury, Hunter and Central Coast areas have now joined. The total area burnt by these fires is around 335,000 hectares.
We are back up to eight emergency fire warnings across NSW.
EMERGENCY WARNING: Kaloe Mountain Trail (Clarence Valley LGA) Fire activity has increased in the area of Jackadgery and has crossed the Gwydir Hwy near Purgatory Creek Rd. If you're in the area of Jackadgery Gap, seek shelter as the fire approaches.
As I was saying.
The cause and the effect..The massive fires are in some cases just too big to put out at the moment. As you can see here they're pumping out vast amounts of smoke which is filling the air, turning the sky orange & even appearing like significant rain on our radars.
Water bombing helicopter refills at a farm dam North of Braidwood
Some stats from the RFS on fire impact since November 6:
My colleague Helen Davidson is on the ground near the Wrights Creek fire.
The house at this Kulnura property was saved from the Wrights Creek fire but they lost their shed and office space.
Firefighters and aircraft working on the Myall Creek Road fire north of Maclean. Hot and dry conditions are fanning the fire.
For tomorrow, there is a severe fire danger warning in place for the New England and northern slopes of New South Wales. There is a very high fire danger warning in place for the far north coast, greater Hunter, greater Sydney region, central ranges, and north western. The Bureau of Meterology hasn’t yet issued its warnings for Queensland tomorrow.
The Paddocks Run and Little L fires have dropped to watch and act, bringing down the number of emergency warning level fires to seven.
Watch and Act - Paddocks Run and Little L (Singleton LGA) These two fires have dropped to Watch and Act alert status due to reduced fire activity.
North Black Range, Palerang fire burning North of Braidwood this afternoon
Meanwhile in South Australia, a severe heatwave.
Severe Watch and Act MESSAGE issued for the North West Pastoral District. Young, elderly and sick people are at risk. Keep cool. Drink plenty of water. Never leave children in your car. Check on your neighbours and friends. fo:
A brief update on where we are as of 4pm: There are nine fires at emergency warning level in NSW. They are:
Some footage of the blaze at Green Wattle Creek. It is at emergency warning level.
Firefighters, residents and aircraft are working together to protect homes around Oakdale, Belimbla Park, Werombi and Orangeville in Sydney's south-west this afternoon, where the Green Wattle Creek fire is at Emergency Warning level.
A lot of people were sharing an image around on social media last night of the Bureau of Meterology radar for today seemingly suggesting there would be cloud cover over parts of the greater area of Sydney. As you’d know by now, there was no rain.
The Green Wattle Creek fire is burning towards Oakdale and Belimbla Park. If you're in the area, seek shelter if the fire impacts to protect yourself from the heat of the fire. The fire remains at Emergency Warning.
There are now seven areas of New South Wales tomorrow where there will be a total fire ban in place.
Due to a revised forecast, seven areas of NSW will now have Total Fire Bans tomorrow: Far North Coast, Greater Hunter, Greater Sydney, Central Ranges, New England, Northern Slopes and North Western. Know what you will do if fire threatens.
NSW health officials are speaking in Sydney. There’s been a 25% increase in the last week in people presenting to emergency departments with asthma and breathing problems. That’s around 1,100 people. People with asthma are being advised to stay indoors if possible, carry your puffer everywhere, and to use the recycled air option on air conditioners. NSW Ambulance are responding to around 70 to 100 call-outs related to respiratory conditions. A six-year-old boy at school in western Sydney suffered a severe asthma attack, and is in a stable condition in hospital. A 32-year-old woman in the south western Sydney region also suffered a severe asthma attack while shopping today.
We are now at nine emergency warnings, with the NSW RFS issuing an emergency warning for Wrights Creek on the central coast. The fire is currently west of Kulnara.
EMERGENCY WARNING: Wrights Creek (Central Coast LGA) Fire activity has increased west of Kulnara this afternoon in hot and windy conditions. If you are in the area of Kulnara, you are at risk. It is too late to leave. Seek shelter as the fire approaches.
There are eight emergency warnings in place in NSW. Those are:
As I reported earlier, the Gospers Mountain fire, the Paddock Mountain fire, and the Little L Complex fires have some overlap now.
Canada has sent down some firefighters to help out over the next few weeks. Here they are in Sydney.
Was pleased to meet and welcome our Canadian colleagues in Sydney this morning. 21 Incident Management Team & Aviation Specialists receiving a briefing today before being deployed to assist with fire fighting across NSW. Thank you for your assistance.
Residents of Cypress Gardens and Forest Ridge are being advised to prepare to leave. The Milmerran fire is at watch and act stage.
PREPARE TO LEAVE: Cypress Gardens and Forest Ridge (part of Milmerran fire) bushfire as at 1.30pm Fri 6 Dec.
This video from the RFS shows how the embers from the Green Wattle bush fire are being carried away from the fire.
This video shows the dangers of embers being blown ahead of some of the large fires burning across NSW. This is the Green Wattle bush fire burning near Lake Burragorang. The fire is impacting on the area around Nattai.
The federal minister for emergency management, David Littleproud, has announced that Victorians who were affected by fires in Baw Baw, Cardinia and Latrobe can now apply for disaster recovery payments of $1,000 per adult and $400 per child. Additionally those affected by the fires at the time will also now have access to up to 13 weeks of income support. People can lodge claims from Monday 9am. formation is available .
Payments of $1000 per adult and $400 per child are now available for those worst-hit by bushfires in February and March this year in the Baw Baw, Cardinia and Latrobe council areas.
It’s a hot one in Queensland.
The heat is on: at noon the temp 37.5C in Brisbane, 38 Amberley, 31.2 Townsville, 31.6 Cairns, 38.3 Mt Isa, 32.5 Bundaberg, 37.1 Gayndah, 38.7 Longreach, 38.5 Gatton. Top temp 40.5 Julia Creek. For more obs, go to
Sydney’s lord mayor, Clover Moore, has announced that an extreme weather plan has been activated for the city’s rough sleepers. That means getting extra water out to people on the streets, help for those with respiratory issues, and temporary accommodation. Libraries and other community centres are also being opened up to accommodate people during opening hours.
A lot of you have contacted me about rough sleepers affected by the smoke in our city. You're right to be concerned – as the thick smoke settles over Sydney and authorities advise us to spend less time outdoors, we must look after those who don't have a place of their own.
Meanwhile in Queensland, residents around Bundaberg, Noosa and Gympie are being urged to keep windows and doors closed due to the smoke in the areas.
SMOKE ALERT Smoke is visible along the coast, from Bundaberg to Noosa and out to Gympie as a result of the Fraser Island fire. This smoke has been produced by a burn off within containment lines. Pls close windows and doors and keep medications close by.
That would be the Paddock Run, Little L Complex and Gospers Mountain fires overlapping.
Last night I spoke to Tassin Barnard, the owner of a wildlife sanctuary on the NSW central coast that is currently under threat from the huge fires in that region. Barnard with her team and some helpful members of the public managed to evacuate over 300 animals, including kangaroos, koalas, chickens, emus, and two old wombats in a matter of hours. You can read more about that .
An emergency warning has been issued for the Green Wattle Creek fire in the Wollondilly local government area.
EMERGENCY WARNING - Green Wattle Creek fire, Lake Burragorang area (Wollondilly LGA) Fire is expected to impact on the Nattai Village this afternoon. Roads are affected by fire and it is too late to leave. Seek shelter as the fire front approaches.
The sheer size of the Gospers Mountain fire is worth putting into context. Just before midday, the NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, held a press conference with the NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, where he outlined what firefighters were facing today. Some of the mid-north coast fires added up to 300,000 hectares, while the Gospers Mountain fire was 200,000 hectares alone, he said.
Josh Taylor here taking over from Naaman Zhou. Here’s where we are at in New South Wales as we enter into Friday afternoon. There are currently 104 fires burning in NSW, with 59 yet to be contained. Six of those fires are at emergency warning level and seven are at watch and act.
As conditions worsen across the state, fire activity is increasing. At 1pm, there are 104 fires burning across the state, with 59 yet to be contained. Six fires are at Emergency Warning and seven are at Watch and Act. Know what you will do if fire threatens.
For the Gospers Mountain fire:
EMERGENCY WARNING - Gospers Mountain (Lithgow and Hawkesbury LGA) If you are in the area of Boree and Wallabadah, the fire is expected to reach this area this afternoon. It is too late to leave. Seek shelter as the fire impacts.
The sixth fire at emergency today.
EMERGENCY WARNING: Bangala Creek (Tenterfield LGA) Fire activity is increasing and spot fires are starting ahead of the main fire front. If you're in the area of Paddys Flat or Currawinya, seek shelter as the fire approaches.
Two new emergency warnings. We are now at five today.
EMERGENCY WARNING: Kerry Ridge (Muswellbrook LGA) Fire is burning in the Wollemi National Park and is spreading quickly towards the area of Gum Tree Hole. If you are in the area of Gum Tree Hole, you are at risk. Seek shelter as the fire approaches.
EMERGENCY WARNING Little L Complex, Yengo National Park (Singleton LGA) Fire activity has increased, and is spotting ahead of main fire front. It is expected to reach Paynes Crossing, Wollombi and Laguna this afternoon. Seek shelter as fire approaches.
The NSW opposition leader, Jodi McKay, has also acknowledged the bushfire crisis, while at a press conference announcing internal NSW Labor reforms. “I also want to acknowledge, and Anthony [Albanese] and I were just discussing this, the difficult circumstances being experienced across New South Wales right now, as a result of the bushfires.
The full comments on that Turnbull post and his reference to the CPRS are here. Turnbull posts about the need to move to zero emissions. He is asked what he did to do that as PM. Another commenter says they are disappointed and will be voting Greens. Turnbull brings up how the Greens voted against the Rudd government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme in 2009.
Australian climate policy discourse in a nutshell
EMERGENCY WARNING - Paddock Run fire, Howes Valley area (Singleton LGA) There is an increase in fire activity.The fire is expected to impact on Howes Valley and Reedy Creek this afternoon. If you are in these areas seek shelter as the fire approaches.
Fires are worsening near Taylors Arm and Hickeys Creek near Kempsey on the mid-north coast.
EMERGENCY WARNING: Carrai East (Kempsey LGA) Fire activity is increasing in the area of Taylors Arm and Hickeys Creek. If you're in the area of Taylors Arm or Hickeys Creek and you are unprepared, leave now towards Kempsey. Leave before conditions worsen.
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has shared this picture – and a plea to combat the climate emergency. “I have flown back into Sydney many times but never to a sight like this. The reality of climate change – hotter and drier means more fires. We have to accelerate the move to zero emission energy.”
Fire activity is increasing at the Gospers Mountain fire, which is between Newnes and Wisemans Ferry, 75km north of Sydney. The fire is expected to merge with the nearby Thompsons Creek fire.
EMERGENCY WARNING - Gospers Mountain (Lithgow & Hawkesbury LGA) Fire activity is increasing. If you are in the areas of Lower Portland and Central Colo, seek shelter as the fire approaches.
Fire bans have just been extended in Queensland due to worsening conditions.
LOCAL FIRE BAN EXTENDED – South East Region Due to heightened fire conditions, a local fire ban has been extended for the following Local Government Areas: ❗️ Gold Coast ❗️ Logan ❗️ Scenic Rim ❗️ Somerset ❗️ Lockyer Valley fo:
LOCAL FIRE BAN EXTENDED – South West Region Due to heightened fire conditions, a local fire ban has been extended for the following Local Government Areas: ❗️ Toowoomba ❗️ Southern Downs fo:
Fitzsimmons continues: “We’ve still got months ahead of challenge and the only forecast for rain is late January to early February of any meaningful substance.” Fire and Rescue NSW say they’ve moved 18 firetrucks and 72 firefighters out of inner Sydney to the western suburbs and the periphery of Sydney.
The RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says it will be “another extremely busy day” today. “We literally have fires of concern from the Queensland border, all the way down the ranges and the coast, to the southern border,” he said.
She adds that conditions will be worse next week. “We are anticipating conditions worsening next week especially around Tuesday and that is why it is important for the community to remain vigilant,” the premier says.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian is speaking now in Sydney: “Currently we have over 90 fires burning throughout the state, about 40 of them are uncontained, but the difference now as we lead into the summer months is, previously there were pretty much confined to the northern part of New south Wales but what we have seen this week is our resources stretched across the entire coastline.
Vets are urging people to keep pets inside, if they have health issues or are otherwise vulnerable. Dr Kate Adams told AAP that older pets, or breeds with respiratory problems, could encounter life-threatening difficulties in the heavy smoke.
Crews will be undertaking a large tactical back burn to help contain the Green Wattle fire today. People in the area of Warragamba and points further to the north can expect to see a large amount of smoke.
In Sydney, some hardware stores are selling out of pollution masks.
Near - empty shelves at Bunnings where they sell dust masks. I’d imagine there is a state-wide shortage of P2 masks now.
Yesterday, prime minister Scott Morrison and opposition leader Anthony Albanese both attended Lachlan Murdoch’s Christmas drinks. Described as a “smoky” affair by the Sydney Morning Herald, the haze from bushfires was “so thick that even the view of Rose Bay was obscured from their mansion, Le Manoir”. It has not been particularly well received, given the emergency that is facing the state.
While NSW burns canapes! Lachlan Murdoch's smoky Christmas drinks attracts a who's who of Sydney elite SMH via
Firefighters and aircraft are working to contain a large spot fire on the southern side of Lake Burragorang. The fire crossed the lake in another section last night, just as the fire was taking a run towards communities around Orangeville.
️ Severe heatwave continues through eastern Qld as temperatures rise up to 12°C above average! The hot and dry conditions are bringing Severe fire dangers to . A cool change on Sunday will cool days by about 5°C, but only briefly. Fire warning:
For the mathematicians - yes the cooler temperatures will still be up to 7C above average! is contributing to more extreme daily heat events, and a longer fire weather season. For fo see the report at:
Smoke and dust from Australia’s fires are so bad, they have spread across the Tasman. Satellite images show that glaciers in New Zealand have been turned “dirty”, “sooty” and pink, as.
Smoke and dust from Australia's bushfires turns New Zealand's glaciers pink - NZ Herald
Fires were also threatening areas of Western Australia overnight. The threat from one south of Perth has lessened this morning, but authorities remain concerned about wind conditions and the risk of a flare-up.
Since early November about 20 homes have been lost in Queensland, with two homes gutted in the past day. Ten buildings have been damaged, including the two destroyed homes, by a fire in the Queensland Darling Downs.
Fire crews fear two homes have been lost in the Millmerran bushfire - this is the Highway, closed to traffic. We’ll have the latest
My colleagues Naaman Zhou and Josh Taylor had a look yesterday about . One person from the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, said they had as a result of aggravated asthma fits, requiring a drain in their chest “for several days”. Another, on the mid-north coast of NSW said their GP had confirmed five weeks of smoke had exacerbated their lung conditions “”. A Sydney GP, Kim Loo, said she was seeing a stream of patients on bad air quality days with “nasal symptoms, sinus symptoms and sore throats”.
The Sydney Morning Herald has published of a fire blowup west of Sydney yesterday, where their photographer Nick Moir was on the scene. “It was simply an explosion of all of the bush being converted to raw energy. It was a massive roar. The sense immediately was just of intense heat. Myself, another Herald photographer Dean Sewell and the Rural Fire Service members just ran as fast as we could.”
A lone held as long as possible before an explosion of fire pushed them back. Green Wattle Creek Fire for and
The news is pretty grim all round, so let’s take a quick break to see some school kids appreciating the firies.
Thanks to all these school kids who have sent us cards thanking all the firefighters! It’s really appreciated!
Prime minister Scott Morrison is holding an (unrelated) press conference and has begun by speaking on the fires. He’s thanked those who have been working to fight them, defend homes and deliver information to the population. “This bushfire season is proving to be very very difficult, and we’ve seen bravery displayed on every single day.”
NSW is experiencing “some of the highest air pollution ever seen” in the state with hazy conditions “the longest and the most widespread in our records”, and it’s caused by the bushfire emergency, according to the environment department. Poor air quality conditions are expected to continue today and into the weekend.
Our website is temp unavailable due to technical issues with the server. SMS service still working. Updates tweeted at . Sydney AQ is forecast for Friday 6 December is POOR due to smoke from and ozone.
There are six fires at watch and act level in NSW this morning, four of them very close together, inland from the Central Coast. The Gospers Mountain fire has burned through more 250,700 hectares of the the Wollemi, Yengo and Dharug National Parks, and Parr State Recreation areas, and there are fears it could join up with the nearby Little L fire near Singleton.
Good morning. It’s another bad day for fires in NSW and Queensland. Conditions are expected to worsen after what was a tough Thursday in a tough month of firefighting.
Gospers Mountain, Paddock Mountain and Little L Complex fires overlap, and there are six emergency warnings from the far south of NSW to south-east Queensland as fire conditions worsen along the east coast of Australia
We are now at nine emergency warnings, with the NSW RFS issuing an emergency warning for Wrights Creek on the Central Coast. The fire is currently west of Kulnara.
EMERGENCY WARNING: Wrights Creek (Central Coast LGA) Fire activity has increased west of Kulnara this afternoon in hot and windy conditions. If you are in the area of Kulnara, you are at risk. It is too late to leave. Seek shelter as the fire approaches.
There are eight emergency warnings in place in NSW. Those are:
As I reported earlier, the Gospers Mountain fire, the Paddock Mountain fire, and the Little L Complex fires have some overlap now.
Canada has sent down some firefighters to help out over the next few weeks. Here they are in Sydney.
Was pleased to meet and welcome our Canadian colleagues in Sydney this morning. 21 Incident Management Team & Aviation Specialists receiving a briefing today before being deployed to assist with fire fighting across NSW. Thank you for your assistance.
Residents of Cypress Gardens and Forest Ridge are being advised to prepare to leave. The Milmerran fire is at watch and act stage.
PREPARE TO LEAVE: Cypress Gardens and Forest Ridge (part of Milmerran fire) bushfire as at 1.30pm Fri 6 Dec.
This video from the RFS shows how the embers from the Green Wattle bush fire are being carried away from the fire.
This video shows the dangers of embers being blown ahead of some of the large fires burning across NSW. This is the Green Wattle bush fire burning near Lake Burragorang. The fire is impacting on the area around Nattai.
The federal minister for emergency management, David Littleproud, has announced that Victorians who were affected by fires in Baw Baw, Cardinia and Latrobe can now apply for disaster recovery payments of $1,000 per adult and $400 per child. Additionally those affected by the fires at the time will also now have access to up to 13 weeks of income support. People can lodge claims from Monday 9am. formation is available .
Payments of $1000 per adult and $400 per child are now available for those worst-hit by bushfires in February and March this year in the Baw Baw, Cardinia and Latrobe council areas.
It’s a hot one in Queensland.
The heat is on: at noon the temp 37.5C in Brisbane, 38 Amberley, 31.2 Townsville, 31.6 Cairns, 38.3 Mt Isa, 32.5 Bundaberg, 37.1 Gayndah, 38.7 Longreach, 38.5 Gatton. Top temp 40.5 Julia Creek. For more obs, go to
Sydney’s lord mayor, Clover Moore, has announced that an extreme weather plan has been activated for the city’s rough sleepers. That means getting extra water out to people on the streets, help for those with respiratory issues, and temporary accommodation. Libraries and other community centres are also being opened up to accommodate people during opening hours.
A lot of you have contacted me about rough sleepers affected by the smoke in our city. You're right to be concerned – as the thick smoke settles over Sydney and authorities advise us to spend less time outdoors, we must look after those who don't have a place of their own.
Meanwhile in Queensland, residents around Bundaberg, Noosa and Gympie are being urged to keep windows and doors closed due to the smoke in the areas.
SMOKE ALERT Smoke is visible along the coast, from Bundaberg to Noosa and out to Gympie as a result of the Fraser Island fire. This smoke has been produced by a burn off within containment lines. Pls close windows and doors and keep medications close by.
That would be the Paddock Run, Little L Complex and Gospers Mountain fires overlapping.
Last night I spoke to Tassin Barnard, the owner of a wildlife sanctuary on the NSW central coast that is currently under threat from the huge fires in that region. Barnard with her team and some helpful members of the public managed to evacuate over 300 animals, including kangaroos, koalas, chickens, emus, and two old wombats in a matter of hours. You can read more about that .
An emergency warning has been issued for the Green Wattle Creek fire in the Wollondilly local government area.
EMERGENCY WARNING - Green Wattle Creek fire, Lake Burragorang area (Wollondilly LGA) Fire is expected to impact on the Nattai Village this afternoon. Roads are affected by fire and it is too late to leave. Seek shelter as the fire front approaches.
The sheer size of the Gospers Mountain fire is worth putting into context. Just before midday, the NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, held a press conference with the NSW premier, Gladys Berejiklian, where he outlined what firefighters were facing today. Some of the mid-north coast fires added up to 300,000 hectares, while the Gospers Mountain fire was 200,000 hectares alone, he said.
Josh Taylor here taking over from Naaman Zhou. Here’s where we are at in New South Wales as we enter into Friday afternoon. There are currently 104 fires burning in NSW, with 59 yet to be contained. Six of those fires are at emergency warning level and seven are at watch and act.
As conditions worsen across the state, fire activity is increasing. At 1pm, there are 104 fires burning across the state, with 59 yet to be contained. Six fires are at Emergency Warning and seven are at Watch and Act. Know what you will do if fire threatens.
For the Gospers Mountain fire:
EMERGENCY WARNING - Gospers Mountain (Lithgow and Hawkesbury LGA) If you are in the area of Boree and Wallabadah, the fire is expected to reach this area this afternoon. It is too late to leave. Seek shelter as the fire impacts.
The sixth fire at emergency today.
EMERGENCY WARNING: Bangala Creek (Tenterfield LGA) Fire activity is increasing and spot fires are starting ahead of the main fire front. If you're in the area of Paddys Flat or Currawinya, seek shelter as the fire approaches.
Two new emergency warnings. We are now at five today.
EMERGENCY WARNING: Kerry Ridge (Muswellbrook LGA) Fire is burning in the Wollemi National Park and is spreading quickly towards the area of Gum Tree Hole. If you are in the area of Gum Tree Hole, you are at risk. Seek shelter as the fire approaches.
EMERGENCY WARNING Little L Complex, Yengo National Park (Singleton LGA) Fire activity has increased, and is spotting ahead of main fire front. It is expected to reach Paynes Crossing, Wollombi and Laguna this afternoon. Seek shelter as fire approaches.
The NSW opposition leader, Jodi McKay, has also acknowledged the bushfire crisis, while at a press conference announcing internal NSW Labor reforms. “I also want to acknowledge, and Anthony [Albanese] and I were just discussing this, the difficult circumstances being experienced across New South Wales right now, as a result of the bushfires.
The full comments on that Turnbull post and his reference to the CPRS are here. Turnbull posts about the need to move to zero emissions. He is asked what he did to do that as PM. Another commenter says they are disappointed and will be voting Greens. Turnbull brings up how the Greens voted against the Rudd government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme in 2009.
Australian climate policy discourse in a nutshell
EMERGENCY WARNING - Paddock Run fire, Howes Valley area (Singleton LGA) There is an increase in fire activity.The fire is expected to impact on Howes Valley and Reedy Creek this afternoon. If you are in these areas seek shelter as the fire approaches.
Fires are worsening near Taylors Arm and Hickeys Creek near Kempsey on the mid-north coast.
EMERGENCY WARNING: Carrai East (Kempsey LGA) Fire activity is increasing in the area of Taylors Arm and Hickeys Creek. If you're in the area of Taylors Arm or Hickeys Creek and you are unprepared, leave now towards Kempsey. Leave before conditions worsen.
Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull has shared this picture – and a plea to combat the climate emergency. “I have flown back into Sydney many times but never to a sight like this. The reality of climate change – hotter and drier means more fires. We have to accelerate the move to zero emission energy.”
Fire activity is increasing at the Gospers Mountain fire, which is between Newnes and Wisemans Ferry, 75km north of Sydney. The fire is expected to merge with the nearby Thompsons Creek fire.
EMERGENCY WARNING - Gospers Mountain (Lithgow & Hawkesbury LGA) Fire activity is increasing. If you are in the areas of Lower Portland and Central Colo, seek shelter as the fire approaches.
Fire bans have just been extended in Queensland due to worsening conditions.
LOCAL FIRE BAN EXTENDED – South East Region Due to heightened fire conditions, a local fire ban has been extended for the following Local Government Areas: ❗️ Gold Coast ❗️ Logan ❗️ Scenic Rim ❗️ Somerset ❗️ Lockyer Valley fo:
LOCAL FIRE BAN EXTENDED – South West Region Due to heightened fire conditions, a local fire ban has been extended for the following Local Government Areas: ❗️ Toowoomba ❗️ Southern Downs fo:
Fitzsimmons continues: “We’ve still got months ahead of challenge and the only forecast for rain is late January to early February of any meaningful substance.” Fire and Rescue NSW say they’ve moved 18 firetrucks and 72 firefighters out of inner Sydney to the western suburbs and the periphery of Sydney.
The RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says it will be “another extremely busy day” today. “We literally have fires of concern from the Queensland border, all the way down the ranges and the coast, to the southern border,” he said.
She adds that conditions will be worse next week. “We are anticipating conditions worsening next week especially around Tuesday and that is why it is important for the community to remain vigilant,” the premier says.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian is speaking now in Sydney: “Currently we have over 90 fires burning throughout the state, about 40 of them are uncontained, but the difference now as we lead into the summer months is, previously there were pretty much confined to the northern part of New south Wales but what we have seen this week is our resources stretched across the entire coastline.
Vets are urging people to keep pets inside, if they have health issues or are otherwise vulnerable. Dr Kate Adams told AAP that older pets, or breeds with respiratory problems, could encounter life-threatening difficulties in the heavy smoke.
Crews will be undertaking a large tactical back burn to help contain the Green Wattle fire today. People in the area of Warragamba and points further to the north can expect to see a large amount of smoke.
In Sydney, some hardware stores are selling out of pollution masks.
Near - empty shelves at Bunnings where they sell dust masks. I’d imagine there is a state-wide shortage of P2 masks now.
Yesterday, prime minister Scott Morrison and opposition leader Anthony Albanese both attended Lachlan Murdoch’s Christmas drinks. Described as a “smoky” affair by the Sydney Morning Herald, the haze from bushfires was “so thick that even the view of Rose Bay was obscured from their mansion, Le Manoir”. It has not been particularly well received, given the emergency that is facing the state.
While NSW burns canapes! Lachlan Murdoch's smoky Christmas drinks attracts a who's who of Sydney elite SMH via
Firefighters and aircraft are working to contain a large spot fire on the southern side of Lake Burragorang. The fire crossed the lake in another section last night, just as the fire was taking a run towards communities around Orangeville.
️ Severe heatwave continues through eastern Qld as temperatures rise up to 12°C above average! The hot and dry conditions are bringing Severe fire dangers to . A cool change on Sunday will cool days by about 5°C, but only briefly. Fire warning:
For the mathematicians - yes the cooler temperatures will still be up to 7C above average! is contributing to more extreme daily heat events, and a longer fire weather season. For fo see the report at:
Smoke and dust from Australia’s fires are so bad, they have spread across the Tasman. Satellite images show that glaciers in New Zealand have been turned “dirty”, “sooty” and pink, as.
Smoke and dust from Australia's bushfires turns New Zealand's glaciers pink - NZ Herald
Fires were also threatening areas of Western Australia overnight. The threat from one south of Perth has lessened this morning, but authorities remain concerned about wind conditions and the risk of a flare-up.
Since early November about 20 homes have been lost in Queensland, with two homes gutted in the past day. Ten buildings have been damaged, including the two destroyed homes, by a fire in the Queensland Darling Downs.
Fire crews fear two homes have been lost in the Millmerran bushfire - this is the Highway, closed to traffic. We’ll have the latest
My colleagues Naaman Zhou and Josh Taylor had a look yesterday about . One person from the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, said they had as a result of aggravated asthma fits, requiring a drain in their chest “for several days”. Another, on the mid-north coast of NSW said their GP had confirmed five weeks of smoke had exacerbated their lung conditions “”. A Sydney GP, Kim Loo, said she was seeing a stream of patients on bad air quality days with “nasal symptoms, sinus symptoms and sore throats”.
The Sydney Morning Herald has published of a fire blowup west of Sydney yesterday, where their photographer Nick Moir was on the scene. “It was simply an explosion of all of the bush being converted to raw energy. It was a massive roar. The sense immediately was just of intense heat. Myself, another Herald photographer Dean Sewell and the Rural Fire Service members just ran as fast as we could.”
A lone held as long as possible before an explosion of fire pushed them back. Green Wattle Creek Fire for and
The news is pretty grim all round, so let’s take a quick break to see some school kids appreciating the firies.
Thanks to all these school kids who have sent us cards thanking all the firefighters! It’s really appreciated!
Prime minister Scott Morrison is holding an (unrelated) press conference and has begun by speaking on the fires. He’s thanked those who have been working to fight them, defend homes and deliver information to the population. “This bushfire season is proving to be very very difficult, and we’ve seen bravery displayed on every single day.”
NSW is experiencing “some of the highest air pollution ever seen” in the state with hazy conditions “the longest and the most widespread in our records”, and it’s caused by the bushfire emergency, according to the environment department. Poor air quality conditions are expected to continue today and into the weekend.
Our website is temp unavailable due to technical issues with the server. SMS service still working. Updates tweeted at . Sydney AQ is forecast for Friday 6 December is POOR due to smoke from and ozone.
There are six fires at watch and act level in NSW this morning, four of them very close together, inland from the Central Coast. The Gospers Mountain fire has burned through more 250,700 hectares of the the Wollemi, Yengo and Dharug National Parks, and Parr State Recreation areas, and there are fears it could join up with the nearby Little L fire near Singleton.
Good morning. It’s another bad day for fires in NSW and Queensland. Conditions are expected to worsen after what was a tough Thursday in a tough month of firefighting.
MICHELLE OBAMA has revealed the devastating moment she couldn’t sleep and would wake up in a “panic” in what has been a tumultuous year for the ex-FLOTUS.
