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Australia races to control fires as new heat wave looms Australia races to control fires as new heat wave looms
(about 7 hours later)
Fire crews in south-east Australia are racing to bring hundreds of bushfires under control before temperatures rise and winds pick up again. Fire crews in south-east Australia are racing to bring bushfires under control before temperatures rise and winds pick up again.
More than 120 blazes are still burning in New South Wales, razing at least 300,000 hectares of land and killing thousands of livestock. More than 100 separate blazes are still burning in New South Wales, razing at least 300,000 hectares of land and killing thousands of livestock.
Cooler weather has brought some reprieve but forecasters predict another hot spell at the weekend.Cooler weather has brought some reprieve but forecasters predict another hot spell at the weekend.
The fires have destroyed buildings in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.The fires have destroyed buildings in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.
On Wednesday, the heat wave moved up the east coast to Queensland, where a bushfire started on Bribie Island, north of the city of Brisbane.On Wednesday, the heat wave moved up the east coast to Queensland, where a bushfire started on Bribie Island, north of the city of Brisbane.
Temperatures will stay above 30C across the state and are expected to reach the high 40s in some parts on Thursday, forecasters say.Temperatures will stay above 30C across the state and are expected to reach the high 40s in some parts on Thursday, forecasters say.
Even though rain is predicted in parts of the state in the afternoon, a senior forecaster told ABC News that this would not be enough to eliminate the fire threat.
'Tornadoes of fire''Tornadoes of fire'
The Rural Fire Service (RFS) in New South Wales said crews have worked around the clock to take advantage of cooler conditions brought on by a southerly wind. In New South Wales, the Rural Fire Service (RFS) said crews have worked around the clock to take advantage of cooler conditions brought on by a southerly wind.
Across the Sydney area the mercury fell to below 30C on Wednesday, after passing 40C on Tuesday. "The cooler conditions have certainly assisted the fire fighters on the ground in being able to get in and get some containment lines established around these fires, and indeed back-burn around some of those containment lines," New South Wales RFS Superintendent Matt Inwood told ABC News.
"The cooler conditions have certainly assisted the fire fighters on the ground in being able to get in and get some containment lines established around these fires, and indeed back-burn around some of those containment lines," RFS Superintendent Matt Inwood told ABC News.
"We definitely will make the most of those conditions while we have them, but we're very mindful of the warmer conditions expected over the coming week.""We definitely will make the most of those conditions while we have them, but we're very mindful of the warmer conditions expected over the coming week."
Fifteen fires remain uncontained, with the worst blazes burning in the state's south near Yass, Sussex Inlet and Cooma. Seventeen fires remain uncontained in New South Wales, with the worst blazes burning in the state's south near Yass, Sussex Inlet and Cooma.
In Cooma, there are at least 80 firefighting aircraft, 360 fire trucks and more than 1,000 RFS volunteers trying to contain the fires in the area, local reports say.
All national parks, state forests and reserves have been closed to the public.All national parks, state forests and reserves have been closed to the public.
With scorching temperatures set to return at the weekend, even moderate breezes will prove "problematic and risky", RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons warned. With scorching temperatures set to return at the weekend, even moderate breezes will prove "problematic and risky", New South Wales RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons warned.
Bushfires also continue to cause concern in southern and northern Tasmania.Bushfires also continue to cause concern in southern and northern Tasmania.
A large blaze is still burning out of control by the Tasman peninsula, near areas already hit by major blazes over the weekend. More than 20,000 hectares of land and 120 homes have been destroyed. A large blaze is still burning out of control by the Tasman peninsula, near areas already hit by major blazes over the weekend. More than 20,000 hectares of land and 120 homes have been destroyed, but no deaths have been reported.
"We're expecting wind conditions to be slightly less than what we had yesterday. Temperatures are lower. Our fire danger rating today will be in the high range, but it's not going to cause us too much concern," Mike Brown, Tasmania chief fire officer, told the Associated Press news agency.
Photos of a Tasmanian family shown clinging to a jetty surrounded by "tornadoes of fire" have been widely shared by the international media.Photos of a Tasmanian family shown clinging to a jetty surrounded by "tornadoes of fire" have been widely shared by the international media.
Tim Holmes told ABC News that he, his wife and their five grandchildren sought shelter in the water under a jetty when the bushfire closed in on the town of Dunalley, 57km (35 miles) east of the state's capital, Hobart.Tim Holmes told ABC News that he, his wife and their five grandchildren sought shelter in the water under a jetty when the bushfire closed in on the town of Dunalley, 57km (35 miles) east of the state's capital, Hobart.
"We saw tornadoes of fire just coming across towards us and the next thing we knew everything was on fire, everywhere all around us," Mr Holmes said."We saw tornadoes of fire just coming across towards us and the next thing we knew everything was on fire, everywhere all around us," Mr Holmes said.
Teams have been searching through ravaged buildings and a number of people remain unaccounted for, but no deaths have been reported. Later on, he managed to make his way to shore and fetch a dinghy to transport his wife and the children, with ages ranging from two to 11.
Meanwhile fire fighters in south-west Victoria continue to battle a bushfire near Portland. The state government said it was considering offering emergency grants to people who have lost their homes. Meanwhile fire fighters in south-west Victoria continue to battle a bushfire near Portland. The state government said it was considering offering emergency grants to people who had lost their homes.
The fires follow days of searing heat. The national average maximum daily temperature exceeded 39C from 2-8 January, breaking a previous record of four consecutive days of such heat.The fires follow days of searing heat. The national average maximum daily temperature exceeded 39C from 2-8 January, breaking a previous record of four consecutive days of such heat.
Average national top temperatures on Monday of 40.33C set a new record.Average national top temperatures on Monday of 40.33C set a new record.
The bureau has added new colours to its forecast chart to indicate temperatures above the previous 50C-limit because of the heat wave.The bureau has added new colours to its forecast chart to indicate temperatures above the previous 50C-limit because of the heat wave.
It said extreme temperatures would continue in Australia for the next week.It said extreme temperatures would continue in Australia for the next week.
Are you in Australia? Have you been affected by the wildfires? You can send us your experiences using the form below.Are you in Australia? Have you been affected by the wildfires? You can send us your experiences using the form below.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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