Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Australians Flee as Soaring Temperature, Winds Threaten to Fan Fires

Reuters

   SYDNEY - Residents in parts of eastern Australia evacuated their homes
   on Tuesday as soaring temperatures and strong winds threatened to fan
   bushfires in a giant blaze north of Sydney, the country's biggest city.

   Air quality in parts of Sydney plunged as the city awoke to another
   thick blanket of smoke, disrupting transport services and prompting
   health warnings from authorities.

   More than 100 fires are ablaze in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria
   states in eastern Australia, many of which have been burning since
   November. The fires have killed at least four people, destroyed more
   than 680 homes and burned more than 2.5 million acres (1 million
   hectares) of bushland.

   After a brief respite over the weekend, conditions are set to worsen on
   Tuesday as temperatures top 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) and
   winds pick up, stoking fears that fires could spread to more populated
   areas.

   Such forecasts have heightened worries about a so-called megablaze
   burning north of Sydney.

   Stretching for more than 60 km (37.2 miles), the firefront in the
   Hawkesbury region, about 50 km north west of Sydney, could grow if the
   forecasted winds arrive, authorities have warned.

   While there is no official evacuation order, many locals have decided
   to leave their homes, Hawkesbury Mayor Barry Calvert told Reuters.

   "It is eerie, many people have decided to leave, and I'm going to do
   the same," said Calvert.

   "I've been through this before about 20 years ago when I stood outside
   my house looking at flames 50 feet high, I decided then that I would
   leave early if it happened again."

.