Australia PM pledges support as wildfires destroy homes
Bushfires have killed livestock, destroyed properties and forced more than 2,000 people to leave their homes
25 February 2024 - 20:16
bySam McKeith
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Smoke from a bushfire rises near the town of Beaufort, west of Ballarat in Victoria, February 22 2024. Picture: AAP IMAGE/REUTERS
Sydney — Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged on Sunday to provide whatever support was needed to assist Victoria state after a days-long wildfire emergency razed homes and damaged businesses.
Authorities warned extreme heat could fan the blazes this week.
"We will provide whatever support is requested from Victoria," Albanese said in the city of Frankston, Victoria, according to a transcript.
"It’s a reminder of the need for us to be vigilant for us to continue to work and act on the threat that is climate change."
The emergency has killed livestock, destroyed six homes and forced more than 2,000 people to leave western towns and head to the city of Ballarat, 95km west of the state capital, Melbourne.
Australia is in the grips of an El Nino weather pattern, which is typically associated with extreme phenomena such as wildfires, cyclones and droughts.
More than 15 bushfires were burning in Victoria on Sunday, with the most serious blaze, ranked at the second highest danger rating, near several remote towns, according to the state’s emergency authority.
State authorities have said there are concerns about the weather this week particularly from Wednesday into Thursday when extreme heat is forecast that could further fan the fires.
About 1,000 firefighters supported by more than 50 aircraft have battled the fires since they started.
The past two bushfire seasons in Australia have been subdued compared with the 2019/20 "Black Summer", when bushfires destroyed an area the size of Turkey, killing 33 people and an estimated 3-billion animals.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Australia PM pledges support as wildfires destroy homes
Bushfires have killed livestock, destroyed properties and forced more than 2,000 people to leave their homes
Sydney — Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged on Sunday to provide whatever support was needed to assist Victoria state after a days-long wildfire emergency razed homes and damaged businesses.
Authorities warned extreme heat could fan the blazes this week.
"We will provide whatever support is requested from Victoria," Albanese said in the city of Frankston, Victoria, according to a transcript.
"It’s a reminder of the need for us to be vigilant for us to continue to work and act on the threat that is climate change."
The emergency has killed livestock, destroyed six homes and forced more than 2,000 people to leave western towns and head to the city of Ballarat, 95km west of the state capital, Melbourne.
Australia is in the grips of an El Nino weather pattern, which is typically associated with extreme phenomena such as wildfires, cyclones and droughts.
More than 15 bushfires were burning in Victoria on Sunday, with the most serious blaze, ranked at the second highest danger rating, near several remote towns, according to the state’s emergency authority.
State authorities have said there are concerns about the weather this week particularly from Wednesday into Thursday when extreme heat is forecast that could further fan the fires.
About 1,000 firefighters supported by more than 50 aircraft have battled the fires since they started.
The past two bushfire seasons in Australia have been subdued compared with the 2019/20 "Black Summer", when bushfires destroyed an area the size of Turkey, killing 33 people and an estimated 3-billion animals.
Reuters
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