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3 Killed as Air Tanker Crashes While Fighting Australia Fires 3 Firefighters From U.S. Are Killed as Air Tanker Crashes in Australia
(32 minutes later)
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. SYDNEY, Australia — Three firefighters from the United States were killed on Thursday as a large aircraft being used to battle bush fires crashed south of the Australian capital, Canberra, the Rural Fire Service in New South Wales said.
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 cause of the disaster was not immediately known. The plane went down on Thursday afternoon as blazes were threatening parts of New South Wales, ending a brief lull in the country’s summer of disastrous wildfires.
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 was a C-130 Hercules operated by Coulson Aviation, a Canadian company that helped battle last year’s California fires. The aircraft crashed in the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales, about 70 miles south of Canberra, according to the Rural Fire Service.
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. Fires were approaching the suburbs of the capital, forcing the closing of its airport to flights. As temperatures climbed and winds picked up, 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 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.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.