Vic: No Christmas respite for Big Desert firefighters
Victorian firefighters could still be battling bushfires burning in the Big DesertWilderness Park on Christmas day, despite an ease in conditions.
Victoria's worst fire in 20 years today claimed a vacant house on property south ofCowangie, in the state's northwest.
Country Fire Authority spokesman JOHN TINDALL says a shed and 300 hectares of wheatstubble on the property were also destroyed.
The fire has now swept through 180,000 hectares of bush and farmland, with firefightingefforts last night hampered by erratic winds and 15-metre high flames raging through theMallee scrub.
The state government says lighter southerly winds and cooler temperatures today havehelped firefighters on the edge of the fire.
About 300 firefighters are battling the blaze, using four firebombing aircraft andfive light reconnaissance planes.
Smoke and ash have blanketed communities to the north and northeast of the fire, includingPatchewollock and Underbool.
The fire was sparked by lightning strikes last Tuesday.
AAP RTV svm/art
KEYWORD: BUSHFIRE VIC (MELBOURNE)
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий