Australia alert to mega-fires as summer nears | World News - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Australia alert to mega-fires as summer nears

Reuters | By, Canberra
Aug 31, 2009 05:06 PM IST

An Australian state introduced a "mega-fire" alert level that will warn people to flee approaching wildfires and leave homes undefended as unseasonal winter bushfires point to a searing summer ahead.

An Australian state introduced on Monday a "mega-fire" alert level that will warn people to flee approaching wildfires and leave homes undefended as unseasonal winter bushfires point to a searing summer ahead.

HT Image
HT Image

Fearing a repeat of "Black Saturday" infernos in February, which killed 173 people and destroyed thousands of homes, authorities in Victoria state said they would introduce a new system of alerts warning of huge uncontrollable blazes.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

"Black Saturday re-wrote the book on fire fighting and planning, and it is crucial that we learn the lessons from the worst natural disaster in our nation's history," Victoria state Premier John Brumby told reporters.

Mega-fires form when several fires join up in a huge front, creating their own weather systems with hurricane strength winds driving storms of burning embers and walls of flame.

Similar firestorms raged in Greece this month, forcing thousands of Athens residents to evacuate, while wildfires in California are theatening 10,000 homes close to Los Angeles.

Huge fires blackened large parts of Portugal, Spain and France in 2003, and also struck Canada and the United States as well as Australia, which is the world's most fire-prone country.

The mega-fire alert was recommended in the wake of Victoria's February fires, with a judicial inquiry finding victims had been confused by "stay-or-go" advice which gave them the option of trying to defend homes as intense firestorms approached.

Rare winter bushfires were burning uncontrolled close to homes in 60 areas of Australia's east coast on Monday, with authorities warning of a grim summer season ahead because of hot, dry weather and parched forests.

"People at the Fire Control Centre have told me that they have not seen this type of fire behaviour at this time of year before," New South Wales state Minister for Emergency Services Steve Whan said.

Forecasters see an El Nino weather effect developing in the Pacific close to Australia, bringing higher temperatures and worsening drought conditions.

"It is quite an interesting end to winter. With fire behaviour like this in August, there might be extreme fires in summer," Rural Fire Service Assistant Commissioner Rob Rogers told The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.

Unlock a world of Benefits with HT! From insightful newsletters to real-time news alerts and a personalized news feed – it's all here, just a click away! - Login Now!

Get Latest World News along with Latest News from India at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On