Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Australias worst heat wave and wild fires rage on


Five of Australia's six states combat fires after the worst heatwave in more than 80 years

Authorities evacuated national parks and warned that the temperatures and high winds had led to "catastrophic" conditions.

No deaths had been reported, although officials in Tasmania were still looking for about 100 residents who have been missing since a the wild fires hit the town of Dunalley, destroying around 90 homes.

"We are shaping up for one of the worst fire danger days on record," the New South Wales Rural Fire Service commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, said. "You don't get conditions worse than this. We are at the catastrophic level and clearly in those areas leaving early is your safest option."

Catastrophic threat level is the highest rating possible.

Wildfires have destroyed 20,000 hectares or 50,000 acres of forests and farmland across southern Tasmania since Friday. In New South Wales, fires have burned through more than 26,000 hectares or 64,000 acres of land.

In Sydney the temperature hit 41.8C (107F)

The abnormal heat also caused a fire at a nuclear research facility in southern Sydney when cables overheated in a nearby electricity substation. Thousands of homes experienced power outages due to soaring demand.

In Broken Hill, the temp hit 45.1C (113F), and the biggest highway between Sydney and Melbourne was closed by the fires.

The record heatwave has made the Australian Bureau of Meteorology extend its extreme temperature limit, by adding a new pink and purple color to maps to allow for temperatures of above 54C (129F)

Photo: guardian.co.uk


5 comments:

  1. Peace and well wishes to everyone in Australia. This is horrible news and I can't wish you enough luck and support in getting the fires under control soon, hopefully sparing many lives and destruction to your beautiful country. Please stay safe.

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  2. Thank you for that (Above) I have dual residence with the USA and even a friend from NJ contaccted me out of concern, it hit 42 in sydney I havent seen it that hot in my 24 yrs here. prayers we can get these fires out and that the days will get cooler

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  3. Praying for relief for everyone and hoping the Fires can be contained and stopped before any loss of Human and Animal life, this is such a beautiful country and we are Praying for all in the path of this monster. Please take care and cover, hoping the Heat Wave brakes really soon and you all are blessed with some much needed RAIN!!!! Take care, with much Love and Hope for you all.

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  4. I have also written up about our ongoing bushfires. http://robbiebago.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/australian-bushfires-are-devasating.html

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  5. Sending prayers to all of Australia

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