beach fighting fires australia

Home » Thousands Shelter on Beaches in Australia as Fires Continue to Rage

Thousands Shelter on Beaches in Australia as Fires Continue to Rage

About 6,500 people are taking shelter on beaches along the coast in Victoria as fires continue to rage, according to ABC News’ latest figure at 08h30 SA time. The worst hit coastal town on Tuesday morning was Mallacoota where about 4,000 people – several with lifejackets – were ready to flee into the ocean. Fortunately […]

By Jenni Baxter
31-12-19 14:43
in Eish!
beach fighting fires australia

About 6,500 people are taking shelter on beaches along the coast in Victoria as fires continue to rage, according to ABC News’ latest figure at 08h30 SA time. The worst hit coastal town on Tuesday morning was Mallacoota where about 4,000 people – several with lifejackets – were ready to flee into the ocean.

Fortunately officials have confirmed that the fires (some caused by lightning) have now bypassed the Victoria holiday town, but other places are still at risk and thousands are still gathered on the beach as it is not yet safe to return to their homes (if they are still standing). According to local reports a cheer went up from the huddled crowd at Mallacoota when firefighters announced the winds had luckily changed.

Firefighters are still on the scene, extinguishing homes that burnt down. One firefighter said the scene is “eerie” with an apocalyptic sky. Four people are missing in Victoria.

Dozens of homes and a school in Buchan and Sarsfield were burnt down in the state. More than 200,000ha has burnt in East Gippsland (Victoria). In some places historic landmarks have burnt down and telephone towers have fallen.

In New South Wales (north of Victoria), fires have continued to wreak havoc burning over 6 million ha! A father and son tragically died defending their home as fire tore through the NSW coastal town of Cobargo, and another man is missing. Bushfires are surrounding the holiday town of Batemans Bay.

It was revealed today that the NSW volunteer firefighter who died in a “fire tornado” on Monday was a 28-year-old man whose wife was expecting their first child.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison addressed the nation in his New Year’s speech, and said the father-to-be’s death was a “heartbreaking loss”.

“This is a national emergency,” said the head of Australia’s opposition party, adding that the fires “don’t respect state borders” as the fires continue to burn around the border between NSW and Victoria.

There are still around 100 fires raging across New South Wales, eight at an emergency high level with 2,200 personnel fighting the fires. (In Victoria there are also eight fires at an emergency level.)

The latest area to receive an emergency alert with houses and lives at risk is the Central Coast’s Bega Valley.

SAPeople heard from one Queensland holidaymaker who is in the area, near Candelo in Bega Valley. She told us Tuesday afternoon: “There are fires almost surrounding the entire town; new ones breaking out all over the place; the wind is about 25kph gusting to 40… smoke so thick it’s stinging my eyes and I’ve got black soot specks all over me…”

She said last night their cars were packed, ready to evacuate. Today that moment came.

Just before evacuating, she managed to take these photos: “I stood on the corner and watched the fire race up the hill and thought ‘this house is gonna go’ but when the smoke cleared it was still standing… couldn’t believe it.

nsw fire australia
The Queensland holiday maker watched the fire race up the hill…

nsw fire australia nsw fire australia

nsw fire australia
And miraculously the house was still standing after the fire swept through.

The witness said she had parked her car up at the evacuation centre “and before too long the fire raced up behind the community hall, blazed under the fire truck and headed straight for my car, got within 10 metres… couldn’t get in it quick enough and get outta there.”

Despite the terrifying experience, she managed to add, with typical Aussie humour, “and damn, something’s happened to my hairstyle!”

The good humour and camaraderie amongst survivors of the fires has reportedly been amazing, with people bandying together to help, offering what little they have left and sharing beers on the beach.

Officials say they are preparing themselves for a difficult late afternoon and evening. Higher temperatures are expected this weekend.

The prime minister said: “The fires in NSW and Victoria are continuing to rage and we expect further difficult news out of both of those states.”

Ecologists have estimated that over 480 million animals have so far perished in Australia’s wild fires… including around 8,000 koalas. 

Eight civilians and three firefighters have lost their lives in the NSW bushfires. Firefighters say this is shaping up to be the worst firefighting season on record.

Victoria has called on military help which will include air force helicopters to assist in evacuating people, and in firefighting efforts.

Australians in the affected areas have been asked to remain calm.

Meanwhile thousands are gathering to watch the famous Sydney Bridge fireworks which will still go ahead. (In South Africa, Plettenberg Bay has announced it will have a laser light show rather than fireworks.)

https://twitter.com/BradleyWDeacon/status/1211785772379959297

https://twitter.com/bluesfestblues/status/1211794441842774016

Last night: