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Australia fires: Race to flee 'leave zone' as fresh threat looms | Australia fires: Race to flee 'leave zone' as fresh threat looms |
(32 minutes later) | |
Thousands of people are fleeing a vast "tourist leave zone" in Australia amid forecasts of ferocious bushfire conditions in coming days. | Thousands of people are fleeing a vast "tourist leave zone" in Australia amid forecasts of ferocious bushfire conditions in coming days. |
Since September, Australia's bushfire crisis has killed at least 18 people and destroyed more than 1,200 homes. | Since September, Australia's bushfire crisis has killed at least 18 people and destroyed more than 1,200 homes. |
The crisis escalated again this week, as blazes tore through communities in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria. | The crisis escalated again this week, as blazes tore through communities in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria. |
The latest evacuations on the NSW south coast have been called "the largest relocation out of the region ever". | The latest evacuations on the NSW south coast have been called "the largest relocation out of the region ever". |
On Thursday, long lines of cars clogged highways leading back to Sydney and Canberra. Many were filled those who had abruptly aborted holidays. | On Thursday, long lines of cars clogged highways leading back to Sydney and Canberra. Many were filled those who had abruptly aborted holidays. |
Local media reported hour-long queues for petrol in the town of Batemans Bay, while fuel was being trucked in to the region to offset dwindling supplies. | Local media reported hour-long queues for petrol in the town of Batemans Bay, while fuel was being trucked in to the region to offset dwindling supplies. |
Many roads remained closed due to continuing fires and other dangers, such as unstable or fallen trees. | Many roads remained closed due to continuing fires and other dangers, such as unstable or fallen trees. |
Though conditions have eased slightly, officials fear a dangerous forecast for Saturday will once again threaten lives and homes. | Though conditions have eased slightly, officials fear a dangerous forecast for Saturday will once again threaten lives and homes. |
"If you are holidaying... you need to leave before this Saturday," the NSW Rural Fire Service said, referring to a 260km (160 miles) stretch of coast. | "If you are holidaying... you need to leave before this Saturday," the NSW Rural Fire Service said, referring to a 260km (160 miles) stretch of coast. |
The state government warned that conditions were likely to be "at least as bad" as New Year's Eve, when hundreds of homes were destroyed. | The state government warned that conditions were likely to be "at least as bad" as New Year's Eve, when hundreds of homes were destroyed. |
Workers were clearing roads, restoring power, and conducting "backburning" operations to thin out bushland near fire fronts. | Workers were clearing roads, restoring power, and conducting "backburning" operations to thin out bushland near fire fronts. |
NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance urged people to drive slowly amid thick smoke. In an emotional interview with the ABC, he added that his own friends had lost homes. | NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance urged people to drive slowly amid thick smoke. In an emotional interview with the ABC, he added that his own friends had lost homes. |
This week's fires have destroyed at least 381 homes in NSW and 43 in Victoria, but officials say that number will grow. | This week's fires have destroyed at least 381 homes in NSW and 43 in Victoria, but officials say that number will grow. |
The seven deaths in NSW include: | The seven deaths in NSW include: |
Family members of Mick Roberts, a 67-year-old Victorian missing since Monday, confirmed that he had been found dead in his home in Buchan, East Gippsland. | Family members of Mick Roberts, a 67-year-old Victorian missing since Monday, confirmed that he had been found dead in his home in Buchan, East Gippsland. |
"Very sad day for us to (start) the year but we're a bloody tight family and we will never forget our mate and my beautiful Uncle Mick," his niece Leah Parson said on Facebook. | "Very sad day for us to (start) the year but we're a bloody tight family and we will never forget our mate and my beautiful Uncle Mick," his niece Leah Parson said on Facebook. |
What is happening elsewhere? | What is happening elsewhere? |
Two regions of Western Australia (WA) face catastrophic fire danger on Thursday, and parts of South Australia are expected to see extreme conditions on Friday. | Two regions of Western Australia (WA) face catastrophic fire danger on Thursday, and parts of South Australia are expected to see extreme conditions on Friday. |
The ABC reported that bushfires had forced the closure of a 330km stretch of a highway in WA, forcing traffic to bank up. | The ABC reported that bushfires had forced the closure of a 330km stretch of a highway in WA, forcing traffic to bank up. |
Due to bushfire smoke, Canberra's air quality was rated worse than any major global city on Thursday, according to Swiss-based group AirVisual. Australia Post has suspended deliveries there "until further notice". | Due to bushfire smoke, Canberra's air quality was rated worse than any major global city on Thursday, according to Swiss-based group AirVisual. Australia Post has suspended deliveries there "until further notice". |
In Mallacoota, Victoria - where thousands fled to the beach on Tuesday - a navy boat was expected to begin evacuating people who have been cut off from roads. | In Mallacoota, Victoria - where thousands fled to the beach on Tuesday - a navy boat was expected to begin evacuating people who have been cut off from roads. |
On Wednesday, police boats arrived with 1.6 tonnes of water, food, a paramedic and medical supplies. | On Wednesday, police boats arrived with 1.6 tonnes of water, food, a paramedic and medical supplies. |
Fire services in Victoria and NSW warned they had been unable to reach some people in remote areas. | Fire services in Victoria and NSW warned they had been unable to reach some people in remote areas. |
On Thursday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison repeated his calls to people not to panic and to trust emergency workers. | |
"I understand the fear that is there for many and the frustration, but this is a natural disaster, and natural disasters are best dealt with through the methodical, well-coordinated response that we are seeing today," he told a press conference. | |
Meteorologists say a climate system in the Indian Ocean, known as the dipole, is the main driver behind the extreme heat in Australia. | Meteorologists say a climate system in the Indian Ocean, known as the dipole, is the main driver behind the extreme heat in Australia. |
However many parts of Australia have been in drought conditions, some for years, which has made it easier for the fires to spread and grow. | |
The smoke from Wednesday's fires was visible from the South Island of New Zealand, more than 2,000km (1,200 miles) away, where the haze tinted the sky orange. | The smoke from Wednesday's fires was visible from the South Island of New Zealand, more than 2,000km (1,200 miles) away, where the haze tinted the sky orange. |