Guest guest Posted December 30, 2005 Report Share Posted December 30, 2005 Friday, 30 December 2005, 11:59 GMT Australia braced for bush fires Firefighters in Australia have battled to control scores of bushfires in the south east of the country, and are bracing for more as conditions worsen. Strict rules on lighting fires are in place in the states of New South Wales, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, and most of Victoria. Swathes of land have already been burnt in South Australia and north of Sydney. More blazes are expected with temperatures of 40C (104F), tinder dry conditions and gusty winds forecast. The fire restrictions, which will stay in place until midnight on Sunday, includes a ban on barbecues, camp fires and the burning of domestic or garden waste. Severe conditions Phil Koperberg, New South Wales (NSW) Rural Fire Service Commissioner, has urged residents to obey the ban. " It is critical that new fires do not start over the next 48 hours in anticipation of severe fire weather conditions expected for Sunday, " he said in a statement. Fire officials have also said special permits will be needed for New Year fireworks displays. " It's going to be too hot, too windy and dry, and at the moment our firefighters are still out there working on fires across the state, and they don't need to be looking after any new fires that are started by fireworks, " Rebel Talbert, NSW Rural Fire Service spokeswoman told Sky News television. On Friday, firefighters contained around 20 fires in New South Wales. A major blaze in the Hunter Valley, just north of Sydney, burned 5,000 hectares (12,355 acres) of farm and grassland overnight, Ms Talbert added. In South Australia, aircraft dropped water on bushfires in the Eyre Peninsula, where 18,000 hectares (45,000 acres) of scrub land has already been scorched. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4568930.stm Dasha: Ke/Su/Ve/Ke/Ra satva Jorge Angelino Rua da Sociedade Filarmónica Perpétua Azeitonense, 29 2925-598 Azeitão Portugal jorge.angelino tel: mobile: 210813674 963916784 Add me to your address book... Want a signature like this? -- Version: 7.1.371 / Virus Database: 267.14.9/217 - Release 30.12.2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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