MEGABLAZE HELL
Heroes hurt as bushfires merge into giant inferno
A WEARY volunteer trudges away from a battleground where five mates were injured – as a huge “megablaze” gathers force.
One firefighter suffered serious burns trying to protect his own home from the inferno in Australia and had to be airlifted to hospital.
Four others were injured but bravely returned to confront the blaze in Tumbarumba, New South Wales.
The threat intensified as dozens of fires in the area began to link up with others in the neighbouring state of Victoria, putting a region the size of Greater London at risk.
The stunning Snowy Mountains, a favourite summer playground and winter ski destination, were in peril.
Volunteers from the Rural Fire Service are hoping to take advantage of cooler, rainy weather in coming days.
But there are still weeks of the Aussie bush fire season, which has already killed 27 people and destroyed 2,000 properties, ahead.
Hundreds of outbreaks are raging all over the country, with most concentrated near the east and south coasts.
The Royal Australasian College of Physicians is warning the huge clouds of toxic smoke produced by the flames could be “disastrous” for the long-term health of people breathing it in.
Dramatic photographs and satellite images from Kangaroo Island, South Australia, showed massive plumes belching high into the sky and drifting far out to sea.
In many areas the fires have been so intense they have created their own weather systems, making it difficult to tell where they will erupt next.
The Bureau of Meteorology expects temperatures to rise towards the end of the week but forecasts that thunderstorms will also bring some relief.
Meanwhile images of the heroic firefighters – nicknamed “firies” – were beamed across Sydney’s iconic Opera House in recognition of their efforts.
One image showed a woman hugging a volunteer firefighter while another was of a sign reading, “Thank you firies”.
Andy.lines@mirror.co.uk