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Australian bush fires turn deadly | Australian bush fires turn deadly |
(about 4 hours later) | |
At least 25 people have been killed by wildfires in southern Australia, the deadliest in the country for decades. | |
The deaths occurred in areas across Victoria state, state police said. There are fears that as many as 40 may have perished. | |
Firefighters are battling dozens of fires in parks and bush land, amid a heatwave, with temperatures set to reach 47 C (117F) this weekend. | Firefighters are battling dozens of fires in parks and bush land, amid a heatwave, with temperatures set to reach 47 C (117F) this weekend. |
Aircraft are dropping water bombs and thousands of firemen are on standby. | Aircraft are dropping water bombs and thousands of firemen are on standby. |
More than 100 homes have been destroyed in nine major blazes in Victoria. | More than 100 homes have been destroyed in nine major blazes in Victoria. |
See a map of the fire-affected areas | See a map of the fire-affected areas |
Officials say they are battling against the worst fire conditions in the state's history. | Officials say they are battling against the worst fire conditions in the state's history. |
Six people have been killed in the township of Kinglake, four at Wandong, three at Strathewen and one at Clonbinane - all in Victoria state. | Six people have been killed in the township of Kinglake, four at Wandong, three at Strathewen and one at Clonbinane - all in Victoria state. |
In Kinglake, north-west of Melbourne, one resident said the whole township was pretty much ablaze and that the fire front came through in a matter of minutes. | In Kinglake, north-west of Melbourne, one resident said the whole township was pretty much ablaze and that the fire front came through in a matter of minutes. |
It's just going to be, probably by a long way, the worst day ever in the history of the state in terms of temperatures and winds John Brumby, Victoria premier In pictures: Australian fires | It's just going to be, probably by a long way, the worst day ever in the history of the state in terms of temperatures and winds John Brumby, Victoria premier In pictures: Australian fires |
He said that some 200 residents had taken refuge in a local pub and that no fire engines could get into the town. | He said that some 200 residents had taken refuge in a local pub and that no fire engines could get into the town. |
Tens of thousands of firefighters are trying to contain blazes in two further states - New South Wales and South Australia - but blazes there were largely contained or burning away from residential areas. | Tens of thousands of firefighters are trying to contain blazes in two further states - New South Wales and South Australia - but blazes there were largely contained or burning away from residential areas. |
However if winds pick up, the authorities fear that the fires could spread. | However if winds pick up, the authorities fear that the fires could spread. |
Fightback | Fightback |
The fire service is using water-bombing aircraft to contain fires. Thousands of volunteers are using water hoses. | The fire service is using water-bombing aircraft to contain fires. Thousands of volunteers are using water hoses. |
"It's just going to be, probably by a long way, the worst day ever in the history of the state in terms of temperatures and winds," Victoria Premier John Brumby said. | "It's just going to be, probably by a long way, the worst day ever in the history of the state in terms of temperatures and winds," Victoria Premier John Brumby said. |
"It is extremely dry. We do have some concern about the winds winds picking up and having an impact on the fire," a spokesman for Victoria state's Country Fire Authority told Reuters. | "It is extremely dry. We do have some concern about the winds winds picking up and having an impact on the fire," a spokesman for Victoria state's Country Fire Authority told Reuters. |
In 1983, a wildfire killed 75 people, on a day known as Ash Wednesday. | In 1983, a wildfire killed 75 people, on a day known as Ash Wednesday. |
Return | Return |
Are you in the area affected by the fires? Tell us your story using the form far below. | Are you in the area affected by the fires? Tell us your story using the form far below. |
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. |
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At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. |