Nation gears up for more bushfires
SYDNEY: Firefighters in eastern Australia yesterday rushed to prepare for “bad, if not worse” conditions expected in the coming days after ferocious bushfires devastated communities.
Catastrophic fires have killed three people and razed more than 150 homes since Friday, but cooler weather overnight provided a welcome reprieve for firefighters and residents.
Authorities were assessing the damage yesterday, with more than 100 fires still burning across New South Wales and Queensland, including several blazes that remained out of control.
Wider swathes of the states — including outer Sydney — are now bracing for “dangerous” conditions predicted for the coming days, as is Western Australia.
Five people reported missing have been found, but the unpredictable nature of the disaster means officials have not ruled out the possibility that others could still be missing, NSW Rural Fire Service spokesman Greg Allan said.
The mayor of the small town of Glen Innes, where two people died, said residents were traumatised and still coming to terms with their losses.
“The fire was as high as six metres and raging with 80 kilometre-an-hour winds,” Carol Sparks told national broadcaster ABC.
“It was absolutely horrific for the people that were impacted (by) it.”
In Old Bar, which was spared the worst when the wind changed direction, hectares of bushland had turned charcoal and small pockets of flames continued to smoulder.
Peter McKellar, 75, was clearing debris from his property as his neighbour’s home sat in ruins.
“The firies (firefighters) saved ours,” he said. “They are doing a wonderful job. They’re angels.”
High temperatures, low humidity and strong winds forecast from the middle of the week are predicted to fuel blazes that authorities have warned they will be unable to contain ahead of time.
“Under these conditions, these fires will spread quickly and will threaten homes and lives,” the NSW Rural Fire
Service said in a statement.
“These conditions will be as bad, if not worse, than those on Friday as they will be across a much broader area including large population centres.”
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said dozens of additional fire crews would be sent out today in an attempt to head off the potentially disastrous conditions.
In Queensland, more than 1,200 firefighters were battling over 50 fires yesterday, with 39 aircraft deployed to help.
“Queensland does not usually have a fire season like we’ve experienced this year and last year,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told reporters.
With thousands of people forced to flee from their homes, Australia’s government was offering immediate emergency assistance payments of up to A$1,000 (20,800 baht) to those affected and extended financial support for anyone unable to work as a result.