TEMPS HIT 120F AS FIRE TORNADOES ENGULF OZ
BUSHFIRES raging across Australia are generating so much heat they are creating their own storms, with one suburb of Sydney declared the hottest place on Earth yesterday.
Fire tornadoes and dry lightning sparked more blazes yesterday, as temperatures soared to new highs – 48.9C (120F) in the Sydney suburb of Penrith and 44C (111F) in Canberra.
Firefighters warn that wind is causing some bigger blazes to merge as two people were found dead overnight in a car on Kangaroo Island, near Adelaide, in what authorities called “a virtually unstoppable bush fire”.
It brings the death toll to 26 with dozens more unaccounted for.
Penrith was believed to be the hottest place on Earth yesterday after recording the hottest temperature ever in greater Sydney.
Last night authorities battling to save lives and properties warned that worse conditions are to come.
By early evening yesterday, Victoria had 16 fires rated at emergency or evacuate warning levels and
New South Wales had
12 rated emergency, with more than 100 others burning across the states. New fires had started, and others had broken containment lines.
“We are in for a long night and are still to hit the worst of it,” NSW
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. “It’s a very volatile situation.” The Australian Capital Territory has declared a total fire ban again today and issued a “state of alert”.
New South Wales Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said: “There are a number of fires coming together – very strong, very large, intense fires that are creating some of these thunderstorms.”
Australian Prime Minister
Scott Morrison, who was criticised for his response, yesterday called up 3,000 Defence Force reservists.
The Australian Navy evacuated around 1,000 tourists and residents who had been trapped on a beach in the fire-ravaged Victorian town of Mallacoota since Monday.
Singer Pink has donated half a million US dollars to local fire services in Australia who are “battling so hard on the frontlines”.
Yesterdy the Queen sent her “thoughts and prayers to all Australians”. She said: “I have been deeply saddened to hear of the continued bushfires and their devastating impact across many parts of Australia.
“My thanks go out to the emergency services and those who put their own lives in danger.”
Britain is set for its warmest start to a year for a century due to the same phenomenon causing the Aussie bushfires. The Met Office says changes in Indian Ocean temperatures are causing warm westerly winds.