Fires continued to ravage Australia and the latest and most threatening bushfire in the south of the Australian Capital Territory is estimated to be spread over an area of over 20000 hectares in the Orroral valley. Given the possibility of fires reaching the southern suburbs of Canberra, the residents were cautioned to be prepared for possible evacuations.
Declaring a state of emergency, ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr said that dealing with the bushfire is his government’s top priority.
Hot weather and dry conditions have left tens of fires still burning in New South Wales and Victoria. A heatwave is expected in western Australia over the weekend.
A series of fires in Australia since late last year has burned millions of hectares and killed 33 people, renewing a discussion on global warming in the country and across the world.