Bushfires destroy Aussie homes and livestock

SYDNEY: High temperatures and strong winds have fuelled large grass and bushfires in Australia, officials said, reducing dozens of houses to ash and killing cattle.

Sixty-nine homes were destroyed in the picturesque seaside village of Tathra on the south coast of New South Wales when a fire tore through the area on Sunday.

Some 40,000ha were also scorched in southwestern regions of neighbouring Victoria as dozens of blazes swept through over the weekend, wiping out beef and dairy cattle.

Despite the damage, authorities said there were no reports of serious injuries or deaths.

“It was an absolutely awful set of

circumstances yesterday afternoon for the community of Tathra, dominated by this very hot, dry air and these very strong winds,” NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told Sky News Australia yesterday.

Tathra resident David Porter, who fled home with his family to the neighbouring town of Bega as the fire approached, described seeing thick smoke and flying embers.

“As the fire came close, you could actually hear the sound of the fire and see the enormity of it coming over the hill,” Porter told AFP.

“It was just an overwhelming sight to see something so big and strong that was unstoppable moving towards you. You really realise as a human how insignificant you are when you see such a sight.”

The fires flared up as southeastern Australia was hit by a bout of unseasonably warm weather, with gusting winds fanning the large blazes.

Experts said the infernos showed the bushfire season – which usually occurs in the summer months of December-February – was lengthening as climate change disrupts weather patterns.

In Tathra, over 1,000ha were burnt and more than 60 firefighters were continuing to battle the flames yesterday, supported by three water-bombing aircraft, NSW Rural Fire Service spokesman Greg Allan said.

In Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews said the “unprecedented” force of the fires had claimed at least 18 homes. — AFP

You really realise as a human how insignificant you are when youy see such a sight. David Porter