NSW Government poised to begin independent inquiry into bushfires

As parts of New South Wales brace for yet more severe fire conditions in the coming days, the State Government is poised to begin an independent inquiry into the recent disaster.

NSW deputy premier, John Barilaro.

The six-month inquiry will examine the causes of the fires, as well as how state authorities prepared for and responded to them.

It will also consider the role of climate change, human activity and other factors.

Listen to the Radio National interview with NSW deputy premier, John Barilaro and host, Hamish Macdonald - “NSW Government poised to begin independent inquiry into bushfires.”

Energy grid under threat as bushfires bear down on power lines

Australia's power grid operator warns bushfires could bring down vital transmission lines and raise the likelihood of further blackouts this weekend when fire conditions are forecast to intensify.

Heatwaves and bushfires are imperilling Victoria's power grid.

Just days after fires and winds damaged power lines and forced outages for tens of thousands of households in bushfire-affected towns in the nation's south-east, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) on Friday warned "severe and extreme bushfire conditions" could escalate on Saturday and threaten the grid again.

Read the story from The Age by Nick Toscano and Mike Foley - “Energy grid under threat as bushfires bear down on power lines.”

What makes a horror fire danger day?

Textbook fire conditions are forecast over the next few days as hot northerly winds bear down on south-eastern Australia and a cold front creeps across from the west.

Fire is a part of life in Australia, but some
conditions can signal catastrophic danger.

The danger has been rated as extreme today for the Mount Lofty Ranges and Lower South East of South Australia, with the worst of the threat expected to move into Victoria's Mallee and Northern Country forecast areas on Friday.

Very high to severe fire danger has been forecast for Tasmania as the front moves through. The state is already battling several major bushfires and a total fire ban is in effect for the entire state until Monday.

There is a classic set-up that signals disastrous fire danger in Australia, so when this pattern develops it's important to sit up and pay attention.

Read the ABC News story by Kate Doyle - “What makes a horror fire danger day?”

Queensland bushfires continue to burn as residents start returning home

Gracemere residents are returning home after fire conditions classed as catastrophic on Wednesday resulted in a rapid evacuation of the town, south of Rockhampton, while residents south of Mackay are describing their own fire emergency as like seeing "the door to hell".

Thousands of residents were forced to leave Gracemere on Wednesday.

About 50 residents at Campwin Beach, on the Queensland coast south of Mackay, were forced to leave their homes at 2:00am today to seek shelter on other parts of the beach as a blaze threatened their homes.

Sarina Beach resident Vicky Crichton said she was woken by authorities telling her to evacuate her home.

Read the ABC News story - “Queensland bushfires continue to burn as residents start returning home.”