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Australian wildfires rage despite fall in temperature Australian wildfires rage despite fall in temperature
(35 minutes later)
Temperatures across southern Australia have dropped from record levels, reducing the danger from scores of bushfires but likely to bring only a brief reprieve from the summer's extreme heat. Temperatures across southern Australia have dropped from record levels, reducing the danger from scores of bushfires but likely to bring only a brief respite from the summer's extreme heat.
No deaths have been reported from the bushfires in the south-east of the country, although about 100 people have not been accounted for since last week when a fire destroyed around 90 homes in the Tasmanian town of Dunalley, east of the state capital Hobart.No deaths have been reported from the bushfires in the south-east of the country, although about 100 people have not been accounted for since last week when a fire destroyed around 90 homes in the Tasmanian town of Dunalley, east of the state capital Hobart.
On Wednesday, police spokeswoman Lisa Stingel said it was likely most of those unaccounted for simply have not checked in with officials.On Wednesday, police spokeswoman Lisa Stingel said it was likely most of those unaccounted for simply have not checked in with officials.
"There are no reports of missing persons in circumstances that cause us to have grave fears for their safety at this time," Tasmania police Acting Commissioner Scott Tilyard said. "There are no reports of missing persons in circumstances that cause us to have grave fears for their safety at this time," Tasmania police acting commissioner Scott Tilyard said.
Thousands of cattle and sheep are suspected to have been killed, as well as a great deal of wildlife.Thousands of cattle and sheep are suspected to have been killed, as well as a great deal of wildlife.
In Victoria state, north of Tasmania, a fire injured six people, destroyed four homes and caused the evacuation of the farming community of Carngham, Country Fire Authority operations officer Ian Morley said.In Victoria state, north of Tasmania, a fire injured six people, destroyed four homes and caused the evacuation of the farming community of Carngham, Country Fire Authority operations officer Ian Morley said.
Cooler conditions on Wednesday had brought relief to firefighters who had been working through the day to build earth breaks to contain the fire ahead of warmer temperatures forecast for Friday, he said. "We have had very mild, cool conditions overnight which is a great help to the fire suppression effort," he added. Cooler conditions on Wednesday brought relief to firefighters who had been working through the day to build earth breaks to contain the fire ahead of warmer temperatures forecast for Friday, he said. "We have had very mild, cool conditions overnight, which is a great help to the fire suppression effort," he added.
North of Victoria in New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, firefighters were battling 141 fires, including 31 that had not yet been contained.North of Victoria in New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, firefighters were battling 141 fires, including 31 that had not yet been contained.
Fires have burnt through more than 131,000 hectares (324,000 acres) of forest and farmland since Tuesday.Fires have burnt through more than 131,000 hectares (324,000 acres) of forest and farmland since Tuesday.
Fires burning out of control near the towns of Cooma, Yass and Shoalhaven were causing the most concern in that state.Fires burning out of control near the towns of Cooma, Yass and Shoalhaven were causing the most concern in that state.
Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers of the Rural Fire Service said the reprieve was expected to be short-lived, with temperatures forecast to climb again by the end of the week. "We don't need new fires today," he said.Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers of the Rural Fire Service said the reprieve was expected to be short-lived, with temperatures forecast to climb again by the end of the week. "We don't need new fires today," he said.
The fires have been most devastating in Tasmania, where at least 128 homes have been destroyed since Friday. Hundreds of people remain at two evacuation centres in the south of the state.The fires have been most devastating in Tasmania, where at least 128 homes have been destroyed since Friday. Hundreds of people remain at two evacuation centres in the south of the state.
"People have lost everything. We can't comprehend that devastation unless we are in their shoes," said the Tasmanian premier, Lara Giddings."People have lost everything. We can't comprehend that devastation unless we are in their shoes," said the Tasmanian premier, Lara Giddings.
The fires have consumed over 80,000 hectares (198,000 acres) in Tasmania since last week.The fires have consumed over 80,000 hectares (198,000 acres) in Tasmania since last week.
Wildfires are common during the Australian summer. Fires in February 2009 killed 173 people and destroyed more than 2,000 homes in Victoria.Wildfires are common during the Australian summer. Fires in February 2009 killed 173 people and destroyed more than 2,000 homes in Victoria.
Australia had its hottest day on record on Monday and the country's weather bureau has forecast above average temperatures for the remainder of summer, compounding the fire danger created by a lack of rain across central and southern Australia over the past six months. Australia had its hottest day on record on Monday and the country's weather bureau has forecast above average temperatures for the remainder of the summer, compounding the fire risk created by a lack of rain across central and southern Australia over the past six months.