The NSW Rural Fire Service has confirmed today that five people missing missing in the Glen Innes area have been found safe and well.
There were grave fears for their safety, as Glen Innes has been one of the areas hardest hit by bushfires, with two of the three reported fatalities resulting from the Kangawalla fire.
Per Nine News reports, the three victims have been identified as Vivian Chaplain, aged 69, Julie Fletcher, aged 63, and George Nole.
Nole’s body was found in a car in Glen Innes, while Fletcher’s was found in a burned-out property in John’s River, north of Taree.
Chaplain was transported to Concord Hospital in Sydney after suffering severe burns at her property in Wytaliba, but she passed away yesterday.
As of 10.30 this morning, the Rural Fire Service said that there are more than 70 fires burning across the state, with half of these yet to be contained.
At 10:30am there are more than 70 fires, with half yet to be contained. While conditions have eased today, extensive fire activity will continue to challenge firefighters, ahead of worsening conditions on Tues. Monitor conditions & use the time now to get ready. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/dfYfCYNIVe
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) November 9, 2019
Conditions eased off overnight, but the RFS has warned that they are expected to worsen through the week, with Tuesday November 12 expected to be a dangerous day.
Tuesday 12 November will be a dangerous day.
Widespread areas of Severe and Extreme fire danger.
With so many fires already burning, homes and lives will be at risk.
If you are threatened by fire, you may not get help.
Start taking action now.https://t.co/RQyA5UiGJX #nswrfs pic.twitter.com/8fRpurJzrx
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) November 9, 2019
Fire fighters in Queensland say that they are facing “tinder box-like conditions” across much of the state.
A 14km long and 6km wide fire was burning west of Yeppoon overnight, with authorities saying that 16 buildings and 6000 hectares of grazing, agricultural and bushland burned.
A bushfire at Cooroibah near Noosa on the Sunshine Coast forced the evacuation of 6,000 people yesterday.
Residents have not yet been allowed to return home, with fears another evacuation may be necessary if the fires flare up again.
