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Teresa O’Sullivan says 2019-20 fire season ‘unprecedented in scale and intensity’ when delivering findings regarding 25 deathsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastNew rules for the use of firefighting aircraft, better alert systems and remodelling risk classifications are among the recommendations from a coronial inquiry into the black summer bushfires...

Residents across state’s west told to take action while bushfire continues to burn near BallaratTrack fire warnings with Vic EmergencyFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastAuthorities were on high alert for bushfires as temperatures rose across Victoria on Wednesday afternoon, with the state’s control centre warning the state was not...

Temperatures tipped to climb above 40C in parts of the state on Wednesday with extreme fire conditions forecast in six weather districtsFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastOfficials are rushing to set up a long-term base camp for hundreds of firefighters with more than half of Victoria on high alert...

This blog is now closedEducation minister hints at relief on student Hecs debt and university course fee changesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastReport says HECS needs to be ‘simpler and fairer’: ClareClare says the report includes recommendations about student allowances and proposals around indexation and how to reduce HECS payments He says it makes clear that “HECS...

Firefighters continue to battle blazes as they brace for temperatures to exceed 40C in western parts of the state this weekFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastSix homes have been destroyed by bushfires in Victoria, as authorities issue a warning of “grave concern” for fire danger in the state on...

Hazard reduction burns increase risk of severe bushfires (forest fires), report finds. Traditional fire management strategies such as hazard reduction burns, logging, and the thinning of undergrowth have increased the flammability of forests, new research has found.

This blog is now closedTaylor Swift Melbourne concert live updates: Eras tour hits AustraliaGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastAbout 400 requests for assistance remaining in Victoria, SES saysThe Victorian state emergency service says there are about 400 active requests for assistance remaining, after the extreme weather earlier this week.We’re making good progress restoring services following the severe...

Dairy farmer dead after wild weather in South Gippsland, while ongoing power outages affect more than 134,000 customersGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastA dairy farmer is dead, homes have been lost and nearly 135,000 customers remain without power after bushfires and storms ravaged Victoria.The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, confirmed a 50-year-old man died when storms hit the...

Learning lessons from Black Summer, these Gippsland locals are planting fire-wise gardens. East Gippsland communities hit by the Black Summer bushfires are planting trees with low flammability to reduce the risk of radiant heat and embers destroying homes and other assets.

Fire breaks out at RAAF base as firefighters battle four significant blazes in the Wanneroo and Chittering areasGet our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcastA potentially dangerous fire has broken out at an RAAF base as soaring temperatures and windy conditions cause havoc for firefighters north of Perth.The blaze broke out on Saturday afternoon near the entrance to RAAF...

Cultural burns are small, slow and controlled, and they're in high demand on private properties. Four years after the devastating Black Summer bushfires, Aboriginal fire practitioners say they're struggling to keep up with demand for cultural burns from private landholders, and they want more support.

Authorities say blaze south of the city is under control after homes were lost around KeysbrookA blaze that destroyed two homes south of Perth has been brought under control, but firefighters are urging people to remain vigilant for bushfire threats.Seven emergency-level bushfires have engulfed homes and torn through bushland, rural properties and suburbs on Perth’s fringes in the past three days. Continue reading...

How prepared do you need to be for a bushfire – and is it possible to prepare communities? In the third season of ‘Debunks’, the new podcast series from the Cosmos newsroom team and Nine Podcasts, science journalist Imma Perfetto worked right through all the science on bushfires, from ignition to the future of fire. One […]

The weather bureau has issued an extreme fire danger warning for the Burrup district on SaturdayFirefighters on Saturday continued to battle multiple blazes across Western Australia as authorities warn of more “difficult” days ahead.Seven emergency-level blazes have destroyed homes and torn through bushland, rural properties and suburbs on Perth’s fringes in the past three days. Continue reading...