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-asia-20937509

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
South-eastern Australia at risk of 'catastrophic' fires South-eastern Australia at risk of 'catastrophic' fires
(about 1 hour later)
Residents in south-eastern Australia have been warned of the risk of "catastrophic" fires fanned by high winds and record temperatures.Residents in south-eastern Australia have been warned of the risk of "catastrophic" fires fanned by high winds and record temperatures.
More than 100 fires have already been reported in New South Wales, where residents in areas prone to bushfires have been advised to leave their homes.More than 100 fires have already been reported in New South Wales, where residents in areas prone to bushfires have been advised to leave their homes.
Firefighters are tackling a big bush fire in neighbouring Victoria and concerns remain high in Tasmania, the area worst hit at the weekend.Firefighters are tackling a big bush fire in neighbouring Victoria and concerns remain high in Tasmania, the area worst hit at the weekend.
The area is likened to a tinderbox.The area is likened to a tinderbox.
In a statement, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology revealed that for each of the first six days of 2013, the "national area-average" had been in the top 20 hottest days on record. It was the first time in Australia that temperatures over 39C had been recorded on five consecutive days, the bureau said.In a statement, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology revealed that for each of the first six days of 2013, the "national area-average" had been in the top 20 hottest days on record. It was the first time in Australia that temperatures over 39C had been recorded on five consecutive days, the bureau said.
'Uncontained fires''Uncontained fires'
A total fire ban is in place in New South Wales, where temperatures are expected to climb to more than 43 degrees centigrade on Tuesday and winds of up 80kph (50mph) are expected.A total fire ban is in place in New South Wales, where temperatures are expected to climb to more than 43 degrees centigrade on Tuesday and winds of up 80kph (50mph) are expected.
The Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, said 21 of those fires were burning uncontained and these "could be influenced by the adverse weather and take a run."The Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner, Shane Fitzsimmons, said 21 of those fires were burning uncontained and these "could be influenced by the adverse weather and take a run."
"It's shaping up to be a very difficult day," Mr Fitzsimmons added."It's shaping up to be a very difficult day," Mr Fitzsimmons added.
A big blaze has already started in Yarrabin, 100km (60 miles) south of Canberra. The RFS say it is out of control and have advised residents to seek shelter, saying it is too late to leave.A big blaze has already started in Yarrabin, 100km (60 miles) south of Canberra. The RFS say it is out of control and have advised residents to seek shelter, saying it is too late to leave.
A fire was also reported in an electrical substation building at the Lucas Heights nuclear research facility in the south of Sydney.
The fire, believed to have been caused by an electrical failure, has been brought under control, local media report.
All national parks, state forests and reserves in New South Wales have been closed to the public and many tourists are reported to be leaving campsites.All national parks, state forests and reserves in New South Wales have been closed to the public and many tourists are reported to be leaving campsites.
Vegetation in many parts of the state is very dry after four months of higher than average temperatures. The heatwave has become particularly acute over the past two weeks, when many long-standing temperature records have been broken.Vegetation in many parts of the state is very dry after four months of higher than average temperatures. The heatwave has become particularly acute over the past two weeks, when many long-standing temperature records have been broken.
Meteorologists are talking about a "dome of heat" across Australia, though conditions in Sydney and New South Wales will become cooler from Wednesday.Meteorologists are talking about a "dome of heat" across Australia, though conditions in Sydney and New South Wales will become cooler from Wednesday.
In western Victoria, a fire in Kentbruck is burning out of control. More than 7,000 hectares (17,000 acres ) of pine plantation has been destroyed and the blaze is now threatening the community of Drik Drik.In western Victoria, a fire in Kentbruck is burning out of control. More than 7,000 hectares (17,000 acres ) of pine plantation has been destroyed and the blaze is now threatening the community of Drik Drik.
Hundreds of firefighters have been deployed to tackle the blaze, which has sent up a plume of smoke visible from miles away.Hundreds of firefighters have been deployed to tackle the blaze, which has sent up a plume of smoke visible from miles away.
Residents were advised to evacuate if they did not have a bushfire survival plan.Residents were advised to evacuate if they did not have a bushfire survival plan.
The Victoria Fire Services Commissioner, Craig Lapsley, said: "We will see the potential for fires to start early in the day and, without much time at all, they become uncontrolled fires, which is the major concern,''The Victoria Fire Services Commissioner, Craig Lapsley, said: "We will see the potential for fires to start early in the day and, without much time at all, they become uncontrolled fires, which is the major concern,''
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard visited the worst-hit areas of Tasmania on Monday, where she warned residents on the island and in other at-risk states to be vigilant.Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard visited the worst-hit areas of Tasmania on Monday, where she warned residents on the island and in other at-risk states to be vigilant.
Speaking in the state capital, Hobart, Ms Gillard said assistance would be provided for those in need.Speaking in the state capital, Hobart, Ms Gillard said assistance would be provided for those in need.
"I've come to Tasmania today for one purpose, and that's to say to the people of Tasmania that the nation is standing with them at this very, very difficult time," she said."I've come to Tasmania today for one purpose, and that's to say to the people of Tasmania that the nation is standing with them at this very, very difficult time," she said.
Emergency payments would be provided to give people immediate help and damage would be assessed to enable communities to be rebuilt.Emergency payments would be provided to give people immediate help and damage would be assessed to enable communities to be rebuilt.
Fires were still being fought, she emphasised, calling for residents in Tasmania and also in New South Wales to stay alert.Fires were still being fought, she emphasised, calling for residents in Tasmania and also in New South Wales to stay alert.
So far no lives have been lost in the fires.So far no lives have been lost in the fires.
Are you in Australia? Have you been affected by the wildfires? You can send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in Australia? Have you been affected by the wildfires? You can send us your experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
Read the terms and conditionsRead the terms and conditions