About 5 million hectares of land have burned nationwide over the past few months, with nine people killed and more than 950 homes destroyed
A fire burns in Birdwood, South Australia state, on Dec. 25. 2019, in this aerial image made from video.Areas of Australia that have been ravaged by deadly wildfires experienced temporary relief on Wednesday, but oppressive conditions are expected to return this weekend.
Parts of New South Wales, including Sydney, experienced cool and damp conditions on Christmas Day, but more than 70 fires continued to burn across the state. New South Wales has been in a seven-day state of emergency, which was to expire on Wednesday night.About 2,000 firefighters and 400 fire trucks battled the blazes in more favourable conditions, but high temperatures are set to return. Sydney is forecast to hit 31 degrees Celsius on Sunday, while the city’s western suburbs could reach 41 C .
In his annual Christmas message, Prime Minister Scott Morrison paid tribute to the families of the two firefighters – Geoffrey Keaton, 32, and Andrew O’Dwyer, 36 – who died last week battling blazes southwest of Sydney. “To Andrew and Geoffrey’s parents, we know this is going to be a tough Christmas for you, first one without both those two amazing men,” he said.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Cool weather keeps Australia wildfires at bayAreas of Australia that have been ravaged by deadly wildfires experienced temporary relief on Wednesday, but oppressive conditions are expected to return this weekend.
Read more »
Australia's PM defends climate stance amid wildfire disasterAustralia's embattled prime minister defended his government's climate policy on Monday, as authorities warned that the wildfires ravaging the country's most populous state could fester for months.
Read more »
69 Canadians giving up holidays to help with Australian wildfires | CBC NewsSixty-nine Canadians are giving up their holidays at home to join the battle for the first time against the deadly wildfires devastating vast tracts of several Australian states.
Read more »
Woman finds Zimbabwean student's lost passport just in time for Christmas trip homeA young man from Zimbabwe will be spending the holidays with his family in Africa after his urgent plea for the return of a lost passport worked.
Read more »
Australian PM under pressure as fires fuel climate debateScott Morrison criticized for holidaying in Hawaii
Read more »