Sydney police charge two over replica gun incident; fire expert warns of El Niño bushfire risk
Police in Sydney have charged two men after one allegedly brandished a replica gun in a busy entertainment area, while a former fire chief has warned that heavy fuel loads and a coming El Niño could lead to dangerous bushfires in 2027.
Charges after replica gun scare in Sydney
Police in New South Wales have arrested and charged two men following an incident at the Entertainment Quarter in Moore Park, a popular entertainment precinct in Sydney. On Monday afternoon, officers responded to reports of a man allegedly carrying a firearm. Social media footage showed a large police presence, including tactical officers, surrounding the individuals, with shoppers seen running from the area shortly before 5pm.
Upon arrival, police found two men, one of whom was allegedly wearing a bulletproof vest with a US flag and carrying a firearm. The men, aged 35 and 39, were arrested. A replica firearm, a vest, plastic handcuffs, and a badge were reportedly seized. At the police station, officers allegedly found an amount of prohibited drugs during a search of the older man.
The younger man faces charges of possessing an unregistered, unauthorised pistol in a public place and offensive behaviour. He was refused bail and is expected to appear in court. The older man was charged with possessing a prohibited drug and was granted conditional bail, with a court appearance scheduled for 20 August.
Fire chief warns of increased bushfire risk
Greg Mullins, a former commissioner of Fire and Rescue New South Wales, has expressed concern about the potential for bushfires in Australia in the coming years. He told the ABC that since 2020, wet weather and flooding in parts of New South Wales, including Lismore, have prevented firefighters from carrying out as many hazard reduction burns as planned. Conditions, he said, have swung from being too wet to suddenly too hot and dry, reducing the window for such burns from months to just weeks.
Mullins said he is less concerned about the current situation because many areas are not in drought. However, he warned that an incoming El Niño could bring hotter, drier conditions. He noted that the year following El Niño is often the hottest, suggesting 2027 could be a busy fire season, and the summer of 2027-28 could be particularly concerning.
