Coming to the close of 2019 there is no let-up for Australian firefighters. In truth, things are getting more dangerous as the fires spread across all Australian states. The New South Wales fire is now as large as the UK and still growing, 40C temperatures and strong wind gusts are making the task of protecting townships almost impossible.
In Victoria, folk festivals have been cancelled and the summer population of 3,000 tourists have been advised to return home as the Gippsland fires are fanned by 43C temperatures and strong winds. Tasmania is having unheard-of 40C temperatures and bracing itself for strong winds.
South Australia is bracing for a catastrophic day (the highest fire category) not only are there fires in a number of locations, including close to the capital, Adelaide, but it is also expecting dry thunderstorms with associated lighting. With the weather the way it is, it will result in many more uncontrollable fires starting.
In the west, the story is the same, out of control wildfires with horrendous weather to come.
Australia’s firefighting capacity is being stretched to the limit, even with assistance from the USA, Canada and New Zealand, with no relief in sight.
