Three Thousand Troops Fighting Fires in Australia

Australian troops rescue victims of bush fire in Australia, as deadly wild fire intensify.

Kangaroo and other animals escape bush fire — Kangaroo and other animals escape as wild fire scorches Australia’s south-east coast.

More than 5.9 million hectares (14.7m acres) are affected in the forest fires in Australia and the Queen has sent a message of sympathy and support to the country as at least 24 people have died and more than 1,300 houses have been destroyed. Other countries assisting in fighting the fires includes the US, Canada and New Zealand. There are over 3,000 troops fighting the fires. Trees and bushland has been devoured by the fires and people believe not only that a climate change is an element but also the former Commissioner of NSW Fire and Rescue Department wrote to PM Scott Morrison last year regarding warnings of the impact of the Climate Crisis in Australia.

In 2009 the Black Saturday fires killed 173 people in Victoria and currently the country is declining with one of its worst ever droughts. The heat of the current fires led one man to describe them as “like standing in a pizza oven” at temperatures of 50 Celcius. Roads are hazardous and a dangerous gauntlet of fallen trees and raging fires play a part. However in Mollymook the temperature has now dropped as it was over 30 degrees in nearly 140 days.

Natural causes are partly to blame such as lightning strikes in drought conditions. In the past, Arson has also been a reason. Every Australian state is affected and New South Wales is the main area involved. In Sydney the air quality measured 11 times the “hazardous” level. People in the neighbouring country of New Zealand have seen the orange skies and have also been affected by the smoke. All at The Saturn Herald convey our support and hope for those involved in fighting and surviving these dangerous circumstances.

Penny Nair Price