Thousands flee their homes as worst wildfires in 30 years rage across southern Australia
Six homes destroyed by fire in South Australia and Victoria states as high temperatures and strong winds prompt mass evacuations
Thousands of Australians fled their homes as wildfires raged across the nation’s south on Saturday, with firefighters struggling to contain the blazes fanned by strong winds.
Six homes were destroyed by the fires in South Australia and Victoria states, officials said, though no serious injuries had been reported.
Dry conditions and temperatures in the upper 30s Celsius were causing headaches for firefighters battling the blazes. Officials said it would take days to get the fires under control.
The worst of the fires were in the Adelaide Hills in South Australia, where the flames had destroyed five homes and put hundreds of others at risk, state Country Fire Service spokesman Daniel Hamilton said. Residents of 19 communities had been asked to evacuate as a predicted shift in the winds later on Saturday prompted fears the flames could worsen.
“There should be no sense of relief because the temperatures are somewhat lower, or that there are spots of rain about.”
The weather forecast was also calling for increased humidity, which could slow the fire’s progress on Saturday night, Hamilton said.
