Hot Winds Drive Dozens of Bushfires Across Eastern Australia, Homes Destroyed
Dozens of bushfires raged along Australia’s eastern seaboard on Saturday as blistering heat and hot, dry winds swept across the region, destroying several homes and triggering dangerous fire conditions.
In New South Wales, more than 50 bushfires were burning by Saturday afternoon, the Rural Fire Service (RFS) said, though most were listed as under control.
A blaze north of Sydney destroyed six houses, according to the ABC, while a handful of homes were also lost on the state’s mid-north coast.
One major fire tore through over 9,000 hectares (20,000 acres) in Goulburn River National Park, rapidly expanding under intense winds.
Forecasters Warn of ‘Dangerous Few Hours’
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Dean Narramore said temperatures across the state were pushing 40°C, with hot, gusty winds worsening fire behaviour.
“This is a dangerous few hours,” Narramore warned. “The combination of heat and hot, dry winds is driving these dangerous and extreme fire dangers.”
Regular Threat During Australian Summer
Bushfires are common during Australia’s summer months, with hot, windy days often sparking dozens of blazes across remote and sparsely populated areas. But authorities said Saturday’s conditions were particularly volatile due to the intensity of the heatwave and wind patterns.
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