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'Millions of Sparks': Weather Raises Australia's Fire Danger

Associated Press

   SYDNEY - Navy ships plucked hundreds of people from beaches and tens of
   thousands were urged to flee Friday before hot weather and strong winds
   in the forecast worsen Australia's already-devastating wildfires.

   More than 200 fires were burning, and warnings of extreme danger to
   come Saturday set in motion one of the largest evacuations in
   Australian history. Thousands have already fled at-risk coastal areas,
   creating traffic gridlock in places, and firefighters escorted convoys
   of evacuees as fires threatened to close roads.

   Victoria Premier Daniel Andrew declared a disaster across much of the
   eastern part of the state, allowing the government to order evacuations
   in an area with as many as 140,000 permanent residents and tens of
   thousands more vacationers.

   "If you can leave, you must leave," Andrews said.

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