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Australia fires intensify as prime minister calls up army reservists to help contain crisis Australia fires intensify as prime minister calls up army reservists to help contain crisis
(about 5 hours later)
SANCTUARY POINT, Australia — Australia on Saturday began calling up 3,000 army reservists to conduct evacuations and help people in remote areas affected by the country's wildfire emergency, as extreme weather fueled blazes that imperiled homes and lives across a swath of the continent.SANCTUARY POINT, Australia — Australia on Saturday began calling up 3,000 army reservists to conduct evacuations and help people in remote areas affected by the country's wildfire emergency, as extreme weather fueled blazes that imperiled homes and lives across a swath of the continent.
Clouds of smoke blotted out the sun and stretched hundreds of miles across the country's southeast, where fires that began months ago have forced thousands of residents and summer vacationers to flee. Some 23 people have been killed, including 12 in the past week.Clouds of smoke blotted out the sun and stretched hundreds of miles across the country's southeast, where fires that began months ago have forced thousands of residents and summer vacationers to flee. Some 23 people have been killed, including 12 in the past week.
Horrendous conditions confronted firefighters. Temperatures on Saturday broke records, reaching 120 degrees Fahrenheit on the forest-fringed outskirts of Sydney and 111 degrees in the capital, Canberra, while strong winds fanned more than 200 wildfires. Horrendous conditions confronted firefighters. Temperatures on Saturday broke records, reaching 120 degrees on the forest-fringed outskirts of Sydney and 111 degrees in the capital, Canberra, while strong winds fanned more than 200 wildfires.
‘Houses were exploding’: In Australia’s fire horror, heartbreak and relief‘Houses were exploding’: In Australia’s fire horror, heartbreak and relief
In southern New South Wales state, people in a 70-mile coastal stretch were warned it was too late to leave the area and told to seek shelter, as an out-of-control blaze that had already consumed more than 1,000 square miles of forest and farmland — more than 40 times the size of Manhattan — burned toward the Pacific Ocean and threatened to cut off escape routes. In southern New South Wales, people in a 70-mile coastal stretch were warned it was too late to leave the area and told to seek shelter, as an out-of-control blaze that had already consumed more than 1,000 square miles of forest and farmland — more than 40 times the size of Manhattan — burned toward the Pacific Ocean and threatened to cut off escape routes.
At Sanctuary Point, a normally bustling vacation town, 13 of the 18 shops on the main street were closed Saturday. Shopkeepers said the staff or owners had either left town or were preparing to defend their houses. At Sanctuary Point, a normally bustling vacation town, 13 of the 18 shops on the main street were closed Saturday. Shopkeepers said the staff members and owners had either left town or were preparing to defend their houses.
Those who remained waited anxiously for a southerly change that could whip up the fire, and kept watch for embers, which fire officials have said can ignite trees, leaves and grass up to seven miles ahead of a fire front. Those who remained waited anxiously for a southerly change that could whip up the fire, and they kept watch for embers, which fire officials have said can ignite trees, leaves and grass up to seven miles ahead of a fire front.
Around midday, Helen Bowerman was pouring water into the guttering on her concrete-block and metal-roof house. With the air smelling of smoke, the 66-year-old said she was worried that tall trees on an adjacent property could catch fire and collapse. Around midday, Helen Bowerman was pouring water into the guttering on her concrete-block and metal-roof house. With the air filled with the smell of smoke, the 66-year-old said she was worried that tall trees on an adjacent property could catch fire and collapse.
Should the fire reach her, Bowerman said she planned to dive into a large estuary next to her house. A neighbor had kayaks ready to go. "We all look out for each other and help each other out," she said.Should the fire reach her, Bowerman said she planned to dive into a large estuary next to her house. A neighbor had kayaks ready to go. "We all look out for each other and help each other out," she said.
Farrugia Sammut, 82, said she had not been as scared since her childhood home in Malta was bombed during World War II. "We're surrounded" by wildfires, the former factory worker said. "I can't sleep at night for the worry."Farrugia Sammut, 82, said she had not been as scared since her childhood home in Malta was bombed during World War II. "We're surrounded" by wildfires, the former factory worker said. "I can't sleep at night for the worry."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who was snubbed and heckled by exhausted and angry firefighters and survivors in recent days, ordered what the government said was the first major use of military reserves to respond to this type of natural disaster. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who was snubbed and heckled by exhausted and angry firefighters and survivors in recent days, ordered what the government said was the first major use of military reserves to respond to this type of natural disaster.
Conditions beginning to deteriorate quickly on #NSW southern firegrounds. #Heat & #Wind are building which is increasing fire activity. People in southern regions & #ACT should urgently check latest update & continue to monitor https://t.co/UfWhZ6xbK3 @NSWRFS @nswpolice @ACT_ESA pic.twitter.com/cq4fr7jfsKConditions beginning to deteriorate quickly on #NSW southern firegrounds. #Heat & #Wind are building which is increasing fire activity. People in southern regions & #ACT should urgently check latest update & continue to monitor https://t.co/UfWhZ6xbK3 @NSWRFS @nswpolice @ACT_ESA pic.twitter.com/cq4fr7jfsK
The move followed criticism of Morrison's decision to vacation in Hawaii after the fires began, and a perception that state-based firefighting services have been overwhelmed by blazes that have destroyed more than 1,300 homes.The move followed criticism of Morrison's decision to vacation in Hawaii after the fires began, and a perception that state-based firefighting services have been overwhelmed by blazes that have destroyed more than 1,300 homes.
The fires have created the biggest test of Morrison's leadership since his conservatives unexpectedly won a general election in May, and undermined his reputation as a man in touch with middle Australia. The fires have created the biggest test of Morrison's leadership since his conservatives unexpectedly won a general election in May, and the blazes have undermined his reputation as a man in touch with middle Australia.
"He deserves it," said Geoff Monkhouse, a 76-year-old retired electrical contractor who was drinking beer at a Sanctuary Point country club on Saturday. "He should not go smiling around people that are suffering.""He deserves it," said Geoff Monkhouse, a 76-year-old retired electrical contractor who was drinking beer at a Sanctuary Point country club on Saturday. "He should not go smiling around people that are suffering."
Australia’s prime minister visited families devastated by the wildfires. It did not go well.Australia’s prime minister visited families devastated by the wildfires. It did not go well.
As part of the measures announced Saturday, which Morrison touted in a promotional video, an Australian navy ship has been ordered to the border between New South Wales and Victoria states to help evacuate people. Some 1,000 residents and tourists left the Victorian town of Mallacoota, which had been cut off, earlier this week on a separate navy troop carrier.As part of the measures announced Saturday, which Morrison touted in a promotional video, an Australian navy ship has been ordered to the border between New South Wales and Victoria states to help evacuate people. Some 1,000 residents and tourists left the Victorian town of Mallacoota, which had been cut off, earlier this week on a separate navy troop carrier.
Away from the coast on Saturday, blazes burned out of control across eastern Victoria's mountainous interior.Away from the coast on Saturday, blazes burned out of control across eastern Victoria's mountainous interior.
Even on a dry continent accustomed to fatal wildfires, footage of hundreds of civilians being evacuated by sea triggered a sense among many Australians that climate change poses an immediate threat to the nation, one of the world's largest coal exporters. Three weeks ago, the country recorded its highest nationally averaged temperatures — twice in two days. This season's fires arrived earlier than usual and have burned through an area the size of West Virginia.Even on a dry continent accustomed to fatal wildfires, footage of hundreds of civilians being evacuated by sea triggered a sense among many Australians that climate change poses an immediate threat to the nation, one of the world's largest coal exporters. Three weeks ago, the country recorded its highest nationally averaged temperatures — twice in two days. This season's fires arrived earlier than usual and have burned through an area the size of West Virginia.
The devastation has fueled calls for Morrison — who once brandished a lump of coal in parliament to underline his support for mining — to take more concerted action on climate change. Australia's share of global carbon dioxide emissions from domestic use of fossil fuels is about 1.4 percent, according to Climate Analytics, but the country is one of the highest emitters per capita. The devastation has fueled calls for Morrison — who once brandished a lump of coal in parliament to underscore his support for mining — to take more concerted action on climate change. Australia's share of global carbon dioxide emissions from domestic use of fossil fuels is about 1.4 percent, according to Climate Analytics, but the country is one of the highest emitters per capita.
On land, Australia’s rising heat is ‘apocalyptic.’ In the ocean, it’s worse.On land, Australia’s rising heat is ‘apocalyptic.’ In the ocean, it’s worse.
"The best response I can provide to people who are feeling angry and isolated, people who are feeling afraid, is what I can do today," Morrison said at a news briefing in Canberra, flanked by the minister of defense and the chief of the defense forces. "We'll continue to take action on climate change.""The best response I can provide to people who are feeling angry and isolated, people who are feeling afraid, is what I can do today," Morrison said at a news briefing in Canberra, flanked by the minister of defense and the chief of the defense forces. "We'll continue to take action on climate change."
Australia's deadliest wildfire disaster was in February 2009, when 173 people were killed.Australia's deadliest wildfire disaster was in February 2009, when 173 people were killed.
On Saturday, Andrew Constance, a conservative lawmaker from southern New South Wales, compared the fires in his region to "an atomic bomb."On Saturday, Andrew Constance, a conservative lawmaker from southern New South Wales, compared the fires in his region to "an atomic bomb."
"It's indescribable the hell it's caused and the devastation it's caused," he told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio."It's indescribable the hell it's caused and the devastation it's caused," he told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio.
‘Houses were exploding’: In Australia’s fire horror, heartbreak and relief‘Houses were exploding’: In Australia’s fire horror, heartbreak and relief
Australia braces for bush fire crisis to escalate amid scorching heat, high windsAustralia braces for bush fire crisis to escalate amid scorching heat, high winds
Australia’s prime minister visited families devastated by the wildfires. It did not go well.Australia’s prime minister visited families devastated by the wildfires. It did not go well.
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