Yesterday the Blue Mountains Gazette released an article on the Australian bushfire to date.
The article is written by Finbar O’Mallon and Eamonn Tiernan. Australian Associated Press
“Australia’s bushfire crisis has killed 27 people and destroyed more than 2100 homes.
September 4
* 50 fires break out across Queensland.
September 6
* Bushfires start in Blue Mountains, NSW.
September 13
* Federal government activates disaster recovery payments.
September 29
* Fires ignite in Northern Territory and Western Australia.
October 10
* Police confirm first bushfire deaths; elderly NSW couple Bob Lindsey and Gwen Hyre.
October 30
* Fires break out in Tasmania and South Australia.
November 9
* 370,000 hectares scorched in NSW – more than entire area burnt the previous season.
November 24
* Every state is alight after 60 fires break out in Victoria.
* Labor calls for urgent meeting of federal, state and territory leaders.
December 2
* Death toll rises to seven after man helping fight Victorian fires dies in car crash.
December 7
* Smoke reaches New Zealand.
* US sends firefighters to Australia, joining Canadian and New Zealand counterparts.
December 8
* Fires break out on Kangaroo Island in South Australia.
December 11
* Prime Minister Scott Morrison commits $11 million to water bombers.
December 16
* Morrison leaves for a family holiday in Hawaii.
December 19
* Volunteer NSW firefighters Geoffrey Keaton and Andrew O’Dwyer die in truck rollover.
December 20
* Mr Morrison returns from holiday.
* Labor demands compensation for volunteer firefighters.
December 24
* Government gives public service volunteer firefighters an extra four weeks paid leave.
December 26
* Government commits up to $6000 for volunteer firefighters.
December 30
* Volunteer Sam McPaul dies after a “fire tornado” flips his truck on NSW-Victoria border.
December 31
* About 4000 people are trapped at Mallacoota on Victoria’s east coast and two navy ships are sent to their rescue.
* People flee to beaches on NSW south coast as smoke blocks daylight and skies turn red.
* Sydney’s New Years fireworks go ahead despite protests.
January 2
* Visitors on NSW south coast urged to leave as Mallacoota evacuations begin.
* Death toll reaches 18 and nearly six million hectares have burnt.
* Morrison heckled in fire-ravaged NSW town of Cobargo for being too slow to act.
January 4
* Government makes unprecedented call to deploy 3000 Army reservists.
* Morrison releases political advertisement spruiking response.
January 5
* Smoke forces Canberra government offices, child care centres and museums to shut.
January 6
* Government commits $2 billion to national bushfire recovery fund.
January 9
* Insurance claims surpass $700 million.
Original Article Link: https://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/story/6574563/australias-2019-20-bushfire-season/
