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Australian bush fires set to worsen Australian bush fires set to worsen
(35 minutes later)
Australian firefighters battling destructive bush fires in New South Wales are preparing for worsening conditions in the next few days.Australian firefighters battling destructive bush fires in New South Wales are preparing for worsening conditions in the next few days.
The return of hot weather and strong winds is expected to fan the flames - the worst in the state for a decade.The return of hot weather and strong winds is expected to fan the flames - the worst in the state for a decade.
Around 200 homes have already been destroyed, and some fires are still raging out of control. Hundreds of people have been left homeless. About 200 homes have already been destroyed, and some fires are still raging out of control. Hundreds of people have been left homeless.
The Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, has been the worst-hit region.The Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, has been the worst-hit region.
One man has died - possibly of a heart attack - while trying to protect his home.
'New ball game''New ball game'
After several cooler days, forecasters are predicting the return of unseasonably hot weather - with temperatures reaching 30C (86F) and higher.After several cooler days, forecasters are predicting the return of unseasonably hot weather - with temperatures reaching 30C (86F) and higher.
"We are likely to see deteriorating conditions starting this afternoon (Sunday) as we've already been acutely aware of, but more so as we move into Monday and Tuesday," Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons was quoted as saying by Australian broadcaster ABC. "We are likely to see deteriorating conditions starting this afternoon (Sunday) as we've already been acutely aware of, but more so as we move into Monday and Tuesday," Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.
The worst of the weather would probably culminate on Wednesday, he added, but there would be little relief in the intervening period.The worst of the weather would probably culminate on Wednesday, he added, but there would be little relief in the intervening period.
"We've got what would be unparalleled in terms of risk and exposure to the Blue Mountains throughout this week."We've got what would be unparalleled in terms of risk and exposure to the Blue Mountains throughout this week.
"The reality is, however, these conditions that we're looking at are a whole new ball game and in a league of their own," the commissioner said."The reality is, however, these conditions that we're looking at are a whole new ball game and in a league of their own," the commissioner said.
State premier Barry O'Farrell said crews had carried out controlled burn operations overnight to strengthen buffer zones around the major fires.
An emergency warning was issued for the Blue Mountains village of Bell on Sunday morning.
Residents were urged to evacuate or to take shelter "in a solid structure when the fire front arrives".
Assistant police commissioner Alan Clarke said mandatory evacuation orders would be enforced in some areas, describing the risk as "far more extreme" than in past fires.
"At the end of the day we hope we have buildings standing, but if we don't have buildings standing we don't want bodies in them," he said.
More than 37,000 hectares (91,400 acres) have already been ravaged by fire in the state in the past several days.More than 37,000 hectares (91,400 acres) have already been ravaged by fire in the state in the past several days.
Officials say that 15 blazes remain out of control.Officials say that 15 blazes remain out of control.
Smoke and ash from the wildfires have blanketed the Sydney skyline.Smoke and ash from the wildfires have blanketed the Sydney skyline.
Australia's military is currently investigating whether a training exercise using explosives may have started one of the fires.Australia's military is currently investigating whether a training exercise using explosives may have started one of the fires.
The exercise took place at a base near the town of Lithgow in the Blue Mountains region on Wednesday.The exercise took place at a base near the town of Lithgow in the Blue Mountains region on Wednesday.
In the past, many such fires have turned out to have been started deliberately, and police say they are monitoring dozens of "firebugs" - people with a history of committing arson, the BBC's Jon Donnison reports from Sydney.In the past, many such fires have turned out to have been started deliberately, and police say they are monitoring dozens of "firebugs" - people with a history of committing arson, the BBC's Jon Donnison reports from Sydney.
Our correspondent says the blazes have come unusually early in the season and follow Australia's hottest year on record.Our correspondent says the blazes have come unusually early in the season and follow Australia's hottest year on record.
This has raised inevitable questions about the impact of climate change, he adds.This has raised inevitable questions about the impact of climate change, he adds.
Satellite image of fires around SydneySatellite image of fires around Sydney
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