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Air Tanker Is Feared to Have Crashed While Fighting Australia Fires 3 Killed as Air Tanker Crashes While Fighting Australia Fires
(32 minutes later)
SYDNEY, Australia — A large aircraft being used to fight bush fires south of the Australian capital, Canberra, was believed to have crashed on Thursday afternoon, as a brief lull in the country’s summer of disastrous blazes came to an alarming end. SYDNEY, Australia — A large aircraft being used to fight bush fires south of the Australian capital, Canberra, crashed on Thursday afternoon, killing all three people on board, as a brief lull in the country’s summer of disastrous blazes came to an alarming end.
Three people were on board the plane, according to local news reports. Their fate was not immediately known. The plane was a C-130 Hercules operated by Coulson Aviation, a Canadian company that helped battle last year’s California wildfires. The aircraft crashed in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, about 70 miles south of Canberra, according to the Rural Fire Service.
The plane was believed to be a C-130 Hercules, though officials would not immediately confirm that. Coulson Aviation, a Canadian company that helped battle last year’s California wildfires, is operating C-130s in Australia.
Helicopters were dispatched to the area where the plane was believed to have crashed, about 70 miles south of Canberra, in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, according to the Rural Fire Service.
The plane had been sent into action as bush fires were threatening parts of New South Wales, including the suburbs of the capital, forcing the closing of its airport to flights.The plane had been sent into action as bush fires were threatening parts of New South Wales, including the suburbs of the capital, forcing the closing of its airport to flights.
As temperatures climbed and winds picked up on Thursday, residents in the affected areas around Canberra were told that driving could be deadly and that they should seek immediate shelter.As temperatures climbed and winds picked up on Thursday, residents in the affected areas around Canberra were told that driving could be deadly and that they should seek immediate shelter.
Rain in recent days — a torrent in some areas, a few drops in others — had offered a small reprieve. But on Thursday, with temperatures soaring over 100 degrees in previously fire-stricken states like New South Wales, fire officials once again issued emergency warnings.Rain in recent days — a torrent in some areas, a few drops in others — had offered a small reprieve. But on Thursday, with temperatures soaring over 100 degrees in previously fire-stricken states like New South Wales, fire officials once again issued emergency warnings.
By midday, more than 70 fires were burning, some out of control, in the state’s south, including the Snowy Mountains, the Rural Fire Service said on Twitter. “We’re in for a long afternoon and night,” it said. By midday, more than 80 fires were burning, some out of control, in the state’s south, including the Snowy Mountains, the Rural Fire Service said. “We’re in for a long afternoon and night,” it said.
In other parts of the country, which has been gripped by drought and has just ended its hottest and driest year on record, dust storms covered towns.In other parts of the country, which has been gripped by drought and has just ended its hottest and driest year on record, dust storms covered towns.