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Wildfires destroy homes, golf course in Australia
Source: Agencies |
February 7, 2009, Saturday
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Online Edition
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RAGING wildfires destroyed at least three houses and a golf club in Australia today, as extreme conditions fueled fires and fear across the country's southeast and crews battled scores of blazes.
Tens of thousands of volunteer firefighters were mobilized or on alert across three states to try to contain fires that burned for the most part in forest parks and other unpopulated areas but that threatened about a half-dozen towns.
In southern Victoria state, at least three houses, some sheds and the local golf club were destroyed in a fire that seared 4,500 acres (1,800 hectares) near the sheep-farming town of Horsham, fire official John Haynes told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.
A fire truck was also lost to the blaze, with no injuries reported.
Country Fire Authority spokeswoman Adele Buhagiar said the exact number of houses ruined was not known.
No deaths or injuries have been reported in the dozens of fires burning across Australia's southeast corner, where scorching temperatures and strong winds cause what authorities described as conditions perfect for deadly firestorms.
Forecasters say a heat wave that has stewed millions of people in Victoria and South Australia in the past two weeks would extend into New South Wales state and peak at the weekend with temperatures of up to 117 F (47 C).
"It's just going to be, probably by a long way, the worst day ever in the history of the state in terms of temperatures and winds," Victoria Premier John Brumby said of today's conditions. "If you don't need to go out, don't go out. It's a seriously bad day."
Most of the fires burning today were being contained by thousands of volunteer firefighters manning hoses and building firebreaks at the edges. Tens of thousands more were standing by, along with water-bombing planes and helicopters, said New South Wales Rural Fire Service chief Shane Fitzsimmons.
At another fire in Victoria, in the Bunyip State Park near the main city of Melbourne, fire crews were pulled back because it was too dangerous. Only water-bombing aircraft would be used until conditions improved, state fire service official David Nugent said.
In Sydney, a pall of smoke hung over the city from three fires burning in the Hunter Valley region to the north, fire service spokeswoman Rebel Talbert said. Crews battled to keep several uncontrolled fires away from homes.
Wildfires are common during the Australian summer, as rising temperatures bake forest land tinder dry and blustering winds fan embers. Some 60,000 fires occur each year, and about half are deliberately lit or suspicious, government research says. Lightning strikes and human activity such as use of machinery near dry brush cause the others.
Backyard barbecues and using power tools was banned today in high-risk areas.
New South Wales' health department spokesman Dr. Jeremy McAnulty said officials were prepared for extra heat-related emergencies during the weekend.
"More people get seriously ill and death rates can increase, so it's really important that people remember ... keep cool, keep well-hydrated, look after your neighbors and rest up," McAnulty said.
Tens of thousands of volunteer firefighters were mobilized or on alert across three states to try to contain fires that burned for the most part in forest parks and other unpopulated areas but that threatened about a half-dozen towns.
In southern Victoria state, at least three houses, some sheds and the local golf club were destroyed in a fire that seared 4,500 acres (1,800 hectares) near the sheep-farming town of Horsham, fire official John Haynes told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.
A fire truck was also lost to the blaze, with no injuries reported.
Country Fire Authority spokeswoman Adele Buhagiar said the exact number of houses ruined was not known.
No deaths or injuries have been reported in the dozens of fires burning across Australia's southeast corner, where scorching temperatures and strong winds cause what authorities described as conditions perfect for deadly firestorms.
Forecasters say a heat wave that has stewed millions of people in Victoria and South Australia in the past two weeks would extend into New South Wales state and peak at the weekend with temperatures of up to 117 F (47 C).
"It's just going to be, probably by a long way, the worst day ever in the history of the state in terms of temperatures and winds," Victoria Premier John Brumby said of today's conditions. "If you don't need to go out, don't go out. It's a seriously bad day."
Most of the fires burning today were being contained by thousands of volunteer firefighters manning hoses and building firebreaks at the edges. Tens of thousands more were standing by, along with water-bombing planes and helicopters, said New South Wales Rural Fire Service chief Shane Fitzsimmons.
At another fire in Victoria, in the Bunyip State Park near the main city of Melbourne, fire crews were pulled back because it was too dangerous. Only water-bombing aircraft would be used until conditions improved, state fire service official David Nugent said.
In Sydney, a pall of smoke hung over the city from three fires burning in the Hunter Valley region to the north, fire service spokeswoman Rebel Talbert said. Crews battled to keep several uncontrolled fires away from homes.
Wildfires are common during the Australian summer, as rising temperatures bake forest land tinder dry and blustering winds fan embers. Some 60,000 fires occur each year, and about half are deliberately lit or suspicious, government research says. Lightning strikes and human activity such as use of machinery near dry brush cause the others.
Backyard barbecues and using power tools was banned today in high-risk areas.
New South Wales' health department spokesman Dr. Jeremy McAnulty said officials were prepared for extra heat-related emergencies during the weekend.
"More people get seriously ill and death rates can increase, so it's really important that people remember ... keep cool, keep well-hydrated, look after your neighbors and rest up," McAnulty said.
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