This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-35258692
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 9 | Version 10 |
---|---|
Australia Waroona fire threatens more towns after devastating Yarloop | Australia Waroona fire threatens more towns after devastating Yarloop |
(about 11 hours later) | |
A massive bushfire that devastated a small town is still burning out of control in Western Australia. | A massive bushfire that devastated a small town is still burning out of control in Western Australia. |
About 95 houses in Yarloop, south of Perth, have been destroyed and three people are reported to be missing. | About 95 houses in Yarloop, south of Perth, have been destroyed and three people are reported to be missing. |
Wind gusts of up to 60km/h (37mph) overnight fanned the blaze, dubbed the Waroona fire, to heights of 50m. | Wind gusts of up to 60km/h (37mph) overnight fanned the blaze, dubbed the Waroona fire, to heights of 50m. |
The fire area is now 58,000 hectares and emergency warnings remain in place for Waroona, Harvey and surrounding areas including Preston Beach. | The fire area is now 58,000 hectares and emergency warnings remain in place for Waroona, Harvey and surrounding areas including Preston Beach. |
A local politician told the BBC the fire "could well be the end" of Yarloop. | A local politician told the BBC the fire "could well be the end" of Yarloop. |
Firefighter's account of Australia Waroona fire | |
How events unfolded | How events unfolded |
Fighting Australia's bushfire threat | Fighting Australia's bushfire threat |
In pictures: Bushfire devastates swathes of Western Australia | In pictures: Bushfire devastates swathes of Western Australia |
Western Australia Fire Commissioner Wayne Gregson told a news conference that the fire in Yarloop was too intense to be tackled head-on. | Western Australia Fire Commissioner Wayne Gregson told a news conference that the fire in Yarloop was too intense to be tackled head-on. |
He said four firefighters were injured battling the blaze and one fire truck was destroyed. | He said four firefighters were injured battling the blaze and one fire truck was destroyed. |
'Could be the end' | 'Could be the end' |
A large thunderstorm hit the town of Pinjarra to the north of the fire zone at about 10:00 local time (02:00 GMT). | A large thunderstorm hit the town of Pinjarra to the north of the fire zone at about 10:00 local time (02:00 GMT). |
Reports said lightning struck an evacuation centre in the town, injuring a man in his 50s and cutting power. | Reports said lightning struck an evacuation centre in the town, injuring a man in his 50s and cutting power. |
The storm was understood to be heading towards the fire zone - a downpour of rain could ease conditions, but lightning strikes could also spark further fires. | The storm was understood to be heading towards the fire zone - a downpour of rain could ease conditions, but lightning strikes could also spark further fires. |
Local politician Murray Cowper told the BBC that the loss of property was "significant". | Local politician Murray Cowper told the BBC that the loss of property was "significant". |
He said firefighters told him the town's pub, bowling club and historic timber workshops had been destroyed. | He said firefighters told him the town's pub, bowling club and historic timber workshops had been destroyed. |
"You've got seasoned firefighters who've been around for many years saying they've never seen anything like it," Mr Cowper said. | "You've got seasoned firefighters who've been around for many years saying they've never seen anything like it," Mr Cowper said. |
"A big fireball came through and there was no way they were going to stop it. | "A big fireball came through and there was no way they were going to stop it. |
"This could well be the end of the town." | "This could well be the end of the town." |
Yarloop resident Alex Govanovich told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation the fire was "crazy - one fireball after another" with "devastating" winds. | Yarloop resident Alex Govanovich told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation the fire was "crazy - one fireball after another" with "devastating" winds. |
A Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) spokesman said conditions were "very tricky", with wind gusts of up to 60km/h expected again on Friday. | A Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) spokesman said conditions were "very tricky", with wind gusts of up to 60km/h expected again on Friday. |
Thunderstorms and sea breezes could add further unpredictability to the situation if they rapidly pushed the fire in new directions. | Thunderstorms and sea breezes could add further unpredictability to the situation if they rapidly pushed the fire in new directions. |
Thunderstorm systems could also be generated within the fire itself, the spokesman said. | Thunderstorm systems could also be generated within the fire itself, the spokesman said. |
Australia's severe bushfires | Australia's severe bushfires |
What causes the fires? | What causes the fires? |
Australia is particularly prone to bushfires as much of the country has both a hot, dry climate, and plenty of vegetation to burn. All it then takes to start a fire is ignition, and there can be as many as a thousand lightening strikes in a storm. | Australia is particularly prone to bushfires as much of the country has both a hot, dry climate, and plenty of vegetation to burn. All it then takes to start a fire is ignition, and there can be as many as a thousand lightening strikes in a storm. |
Is there any way to stop them happening? | Is there any way to stop them happening? |
Their impact can be reduced by preparation: authorities can clear vulnerable land in advance and build more fire-resistant settlements; individuals can prepare their own defences and escape plans. | Their impact can be reduced by preparation: authorities can clear vulnerable land in advance and build more fire-resistant settlements; individuals can prepare their own defences and escape plans. |
Once they start, can they be put out? | Once they start, can they be put out? |
Less fast-moving fires can be fought by "direct attack" - ground troops with hoses - but more dangerous situations have to be fought with strategic techniques like "back-burning" land ahead of an advancing fire, to starve it of fuel when it arrives. | Less fast-moving fires can be fought by "direct attack" - ground troops with hoses - but more dangerous situations have to be fought with strategic techniques like "back-burning" land ahead of an advancing fire, to starve it of fuel when it arrives. |