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Australia fire fighters back-burn to merge NSW fires Australia fire fighters back-burn to merge NSW fires
(about 2 hours later)
Fire fighters in Australia deliberately joined two large fires near the Blue Mountains as part of efforts to control bushfires across New South Wales. Fire fighters in Australia deliberately joined up two large fires near the Blue Mountains as part of efforts to control bushfires across New South Wales.
Extensive back-burning operations were being deployed in anticipation of worsening conditions on Wednesday, the NSW fire commissioner said.Extensive back-burning operations were being deployed in anticipation of worsening conditions on Wednesday, the NSW fire commissioner said.
On Tuesday morning more than 60 blazes were still alight, with 13 uncontained.On Tuesday morning more than 60 blazes were still alight, with 13 uncontained.
The region experienced light rain on Tuesday, but fire fighters say this will not be enough to quench the fires.The region experienced light rain on Tuesday, but fire fighters say this will not be enough to quench the fires.
NSW declared a state of emergency on Sunday, after being caught in some of the region's worst fires for decades. NSW declared a state of emergency on Sunday, after being caught in some of the region's worst fires in years.
NSW Rural Fire Services Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said that the fires at State Mine and Mount Victoria had "been deliberately and tactically joined" to try and prevent them from merging with a third fire at Springwood.NSW Rural Fire Services Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said that the fires at State Mine and Mount Victoria had "been deliberately and tactically joined" to try and prevent them from merging with a third fire at Springwood.
"We are seeing positive results of these very deliberate, very targeted, very decisive strategies being deployed particularly in relation to back-burning operations... particularly in light of [Wednesday's] weather conditions.""We are seeing positive results of these very deliberate, very targeted, very decisive strategies being deployed particularly in relation to back-burning operations... particularly in light of [Wednesday's] weather conditions."
'Difficult day''Difficult day'
The emergency fire at State Mine has been downgraded to "watch and act" after some light rain at the fire zone.The emergency fire at State Mine has been downgraded to "watch and act" after some light rain at the fire zone.
However, Mr Fitzsimmons added that "there's still a way to go" and that fire fighters would be braced for higher temperatures and stronger winds expected on Wednesday.However, Mr Fitzsimmons added that "there's still a way to go" and that fire fighters would be braced for higher temperatures and stronger winds expected on Wednesday.
"We have got now probably 24 hours before we see the worst of the weather starting to develop and build across all these fire ground areas," he said. The conditions on Wednesday would be "about as bad as it gets".
A "fairly active storm cell" was heading towards the back end of the Blue Mountains, which could bring on stronger winds and "erratic weather behaviour", he added.
NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell told the BBC: "Today will be a difficult day... but tomorrow Wednesday in Sydney is expected to be the critical day when weather conditions return to what they were like last Thursday when these fires first started."NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell told the BBC: "Today will be a difficult day... but tomorrow Wednesday in Sydney is expected to be the critical day when weather conditions return to what they were like last Thursday when these fires first started."
"Whilst we've lost more than 200 properties [and] another 100 or so damaged, many thousands have been saved by the efforts of our volunteer and other fire fighters who've done a tremendous job for almost a week.""Whilst we've lost more than 200 properties [and] another 100 or so damaged, many thousands have been saved by the efforts of our volunteer and other fire fighters who've done a tremendous job for almost a week."
Mr O'Farrell added that more than 1,500 fire fighters were tackling the blazes on Tuesday.Mr O'Farrell added that more than 1,500 fire fighters were tackling the blazes on Tuesday.
Many families have their bags packed and are watching anxiously in case they're forced to flee, the BBC's Jon Donnison in the Blue Mountains reports.Many families have their bags packed and are watching anxiously in case they're forced to flee, the BBC's Jon Donnison in the Blue Mountains reports.
In parts of Sydney which has been shrouded in a smoky haze for much of the week air quality levels are reported to have been up to 50 times worse than normal, our correspondent adds.In parts of Sydney which has been shrouded in a smoky haze for much of the week air quality levels are reported to have been up to 50 times worse than normal, our correspondent adds.
All schools in the Blue Mountains, and some schools in other affected areas, will be closed on Wednesday.
One man has died - possibly of a heart attack - while trying to protect his home. Hundreds of people have been left homeless by the bushfires.One man has died - possibly of a heart attack - while trying to protect his home. Hundreds of people have been left homeless by the bushfires.
On Monday, an 11-year-old boy in the Port Stephens area was charged with deliberately lighting two fires on 13 October. Another boy, 15, was also arrested over the fires, reports said.On Monday, an 11-year-old boy in the Port Stephens area was charged with deliberately lighting two fires on 13 October. Another boy, 15, was also arrested over the fires, reports said.
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