Australia braces for severe bushfire season
By Rob Taylor
CANBERRA (Reuters) – Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd warned the nation Wednesday to brace for a severe bushfire season as fire crews battled intense blazes stoking memories of infernos earlier this year which killed 173 people. … “I would urge all Australians to make sure they are fully prepared for the challenges which will be alive during this bushfire season,” Rudd told parliament. Authorities have warned the current fire season could rival “Black Saturday” blazes in February which scorched through southern Victoria state, destroying more than 2,000 homes and leaving behind a A$1.12 billion ($1.04 billion) insurance bill. Those fires, fanned by a heat wave and winds topping 100 km per hour, caused the highest ever loss of life from bushfire in the world’s most fire-prone country. But with drought, climate change and dry forest undergrowth combining to create perfect fire conditions across much of the country, authorities say the December-February summer months could bring the highest fire risk Australia has ever faced. …
