Firefighters have been given presents at a special Christmas breakfast before heading out for another “challenging” day of strengthening NSW bushfire containment lines.
NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons visited crews on Christmas morning at Colo High School on Sydney’s northwestern outskirts.
“This morning we caught up with crews who were coming in for a wonderful Christmas breakfast before they get out in the field and continue with this really difficult, challenging work of consolidating and establishing containment lines,” he told the ABC.
“People have recognised that a lot of firefighters are going without so there are piles of presents under the Christmas tree for them.
“The trucks will be loaded up a bit more today with these expressions of love and support and admiration.” NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian was also out visiting firefighters on Christmas Day, singling them out in a recorded Christmas message.
“This year we think about our drought-impacted communities across the state and, of course, those communities hit hardest by those bushfires,” she said. “Thank you to the thousands of volunteers, the thousands of emergency services personnel, who are risking their own lives and property to save others.” Ms Berejiklian also paid tribute to RFS volunteers Geoffrey Keaton and Andrew O’Dwyer, who were killed last Thursday while fighting fires. “In particular, we think about the families of Geoff and Andrew, the two brave heroes who lost their lives saving the life and property of others.” Prime Minister Scott Morrison, in his Christmas message released on Tuesday, also gave his thanks to firefighters.
The Bureau of Meteorology says some firegrounds in NSW received much-needed rain on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“Generally speaking we saw some significant rainfalls across eastern and northeastern NSW on Tuesday,” duty forecaster Rose Barr told AAP. “Today we’ve seen some shower and thunderstorm activity on the coast. “Obviously we have a very broad area affected by bushfires. Fires on the mid north coast, northern rivers and eastern slopes regions will have seen some rain, although those totals can be quite localised.” Most of coastal NSW is under “low-moderate” fire risk, while only one region - the northwestern region - is deemed at “very high” risk.
There are no total fire bans in place. The NSW government’s previously declared state of emergency, granting special powers to Mr Fitzsimmons, will expire on Wednesday night.
On Wednesday morning there were some 74 bushfires burning across the state, with almost 30 of those uncontained.
There were more than 1700 firefighters in the field on Christmas Day. At least 873 NSW homes have been destroyed this fire season, while another 353 homes in NSW have been damaged.
A further 100 homes are also believed to have been lost since Thursday, but they’re yet to be assessed due to limited RFS access.
ADELAIDE HILLS RESIDENTS TO REMAIN ALERT
South Australian firefighters have used Christmas Day to try to bring the devastating Adelaide Hills bushfire under control.
A watch and act warning remains in place for the region, where fires have destroyed 84 homes and hundreds of other buildings, as well as claiming one life.
There has again been flareups throughout the day with crews attending to breakouts and undertaking asset protection, emergency services said. Slightly milder conditions on Wednesday were expected to give the state’s Country Fire Service some chance of bringing the 25,000-hectare blaze to heel. Similar weather conditions will be experienced tomorrow before temperatures and winds start to increase on Friday.
Weather will continue to heat up until New Years’ Day, with a change on Monday bringing strong winds and lightning.
The Hollands Creek Road and Cudlee Creek fires remain uncontrolled, the latest update from the CFS states, with nearby residents urged to leave if they are able to.
“There are hot spots within the fireground, and although the forward rate of spread has halted should an outbreak occur it is likely to burn in a northerly direction,” the warning says.
“Localised gully winds may also cause flare-ups and may have an effect on the direction of travel. Conditions are continually changing.” CFS Chief Officer Mark Jones said he was inspired by the efforts of his volunteers as work continues to bring the fire under control. “You selflessly give your time, time away from your family, and you endure financial losses to put yourself in harm’s way to protect the community,” he said.
Mr Jones said about 200 firefighters would remain on the ground in the Hills on Wednesday, and those at home would be ready to spring into action. “Fires don’t discriminate whether it’s Christmas Day or not and our firefighters don’t discriminate either,” he said.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison toured areas hit hard by the fires on Tuesday, visiting the Lobethal emergency relief centre, a CFS brigade at Woodside and a local winery which lost its 10-hectare vineyard.
He said in almost every case, those devastated by the fire had worked incredibly hard to build up what was there.
“They’re very determined people and my encouragement to them today is to access the help that is available,” he said.
“No one is invincible. No one can carry all of this on their own.”
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