Wildfires Rage in Australia

Australia’s wildfire season has been exacerbated by intense heat and
abnormally dry conditions

Credit: eyeweed/flickr

Massive wildfires have threatened thousands of acres of Australian brushland and hundreds of homes as winds and dry conditions fan the flames forward. In one seaside city, thousands of residents and tourists took refuge on the beach or even on boats as wildfires approached the city. At least 12 so far have died in this year’s wildfire season.

This year has been the driest on record for the continent, with high, gusty winds and sweltering summer heat exacerbating the problem.

Most of the country is under a firework ban this New Year’s, though the city of Sydney has been exempted to allow for its massive firework display along the shore.