Scott Morrison says Australia’s Defence Forces are embedded within all bushfire operation centres and are “ready to go” if needed.

20,000 firefighters could be deployed across the state, depending on how today’s ‘catastrophic’ conditions pan-out.

The army isn’t trained to fight bushfires but is on standby to help with evacuations, transport and emergency accommodation.

Everything that can be done is being done to prepare for today’s incredibly dangerous fire conditions in NSW & Qld. The @DeptDefence is ready to go to assist the states and to respond locally with whatever they need. Just spoke to @2GB873 to give an update on preparations.

— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) November 11, 2019

The Prime Minister tells Ray Hadley, “They got their commands from the Chief of Defence Force yesterday to be ready to go when called upon.”

Local commanders are able to help “at a moment’s notice” but the PM says “any broader deployment is at the invitation of the NSW government”.

“You don’t want people tripping over each other in these circumstances. It’s got to be well coordinated, well planned.”

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Image: Getty/Peter Parks