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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Homes hit by Australia bush fires | Homes hit by Australia bush fires |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Thousands of firefighters in four states in Australia are tackling bushfires which have destroyed homes and thousands of acres of land. | Thousands of firefighters in four states in Australia are tackling bushfires which have destroyed homes and thousands of acres of land. |
| The worst blazes are centred on the southern island of Tasmania and in Victoria, where one fire front now stretches for some 250km (155 miles). | The worst blazes are centred on the southern island of Tasmania and in Victoria, where one fire front now stretches for some 250km (155 miles). |
| Towns are at risk in Tasmania, where at least 20 homes have now been destroyed. | Towns are at risk in Tasmania, where at least 20 homes have now been destroyed. |
| Fires are also burning in New South Wales and in Western Australia. | Fires are also burning in New South Wales and in Western Australia. |
| Bush fires are common in Australia's summer, but firefighters say a long-standing drought has made a dangerous time of year even more hazardous. | Bush fires are common in Australia's summer, but firefighters say a long-standing drought has made a dangerous time of year even more hazardous. |
| Few injuries have so far been reported, but officials warn that the danger remains critical. | Few injuries have so far been reported, but officials warn that the danger remains critical. |
| Rising temperatures | Rising temperatures |
| The Tasmanian town of Scamander has been worst hit, with some 23 homes destroyed. | The Tasmanian town of Scamander has been worst hit, with some 23 homes destroyed. |
| "You could hear houses exploding and trees going down. You could see the flames roaring up over the hill," Scamander resident, Sue Brown, told local media. | "You could hear houses exploding and trees going down. You could see the flames roaring up over the hill," Scamander resident, Sue Brown, told local media. |
| Tasmanian Fire Service spokesman Danny Reid said that more than 100 firefighters were battling the blazes, but were struggling against 120kph (74mph) wind gusts. | Tasmanian Fire Service spokesman Danny Reid said that more than 100 firefighters were battling the blazes, but were struggling against 120kph (74mph) wind gusts. |
| A change in the wind direction means the fire is now bearing down on the small town of St Marys. | A change in the wind direction means the fire is now bearing down on the small town of St Marys. |
| Many of the town's 600 residents were reported to have decided to stay and fight the fire. | Many of the town's 600 residents were reported to have decided to stay and fight the fire. |
| Meanwhile, firefighters in Victoria continue to try to contain a series of wildfires that have already destroyed 250,000 hectares (617,750 acres) of bush. | |
| The blaze claimed a popular ski lodge at the Mt Buffalo resort on Tuesday. | The blaze claimed a popular ski lodge at the Mt Buffalo resort on Tuesday. |
| Two of the largest fires are now believed to have linked to form a 250km front. | Two of the largest fires are now believed to have linked to form a 250km front. |
| Cooler weather has brought some relief for the 2,000 firefighters, who have been using bulldozers and water-bombing aircraft to try to build containment lines around the blazes. | Cooler weather has brought some relief for the 2,000 firefighters, who have been using bulldozers and water-bombing aircraft to try to build containment lines around the blazes. |
| But forecasters warn that temperatures will rise again later in the week. | But forecasters warn that temperatures will rise again later in the week. |
| The fires in south-eastern Australia have now blackened an area the size of Luxembourg, officials say. | The fires in south-eastern Australia have now blackened an area the size of Luxembourg, officials say. |
| Firefighters in New South Wales are struggling to contain smaller outbreaks near Sydney, while crews in Western Australia have been fighting a blaze that threatened homes near Perth. | Firefighters in New South Wales are struggling to contain smaller outbreaks near Sydney, while crews in Western Australia have been fighting a blaze that threatened homes near Perth. |