World News Blog

Sunday, February 08, 2009

Australian inferno burns out of control

Wildfires have killed 96 people in Australia and threaten to burn for days as winds continue to push the flames through the bush country.

To compound problems, northern Australia has suffered severe flooding that has brought with it dangers from crocodiles One boy is believed to have been snatched by a crocodile in Queensland.

About 700 home have been described by wildfires that is burning 3000 sq. kilometers. A century-high heatwave and high winds are driving the flames, which are burning out of control.

Australia’s Deadly ‘Hell on Earth’ Bushfires May Burn for Days
Bloomberg - 55 minutes ago
By Robert Fenner Feb. 9 (Bloomberg) -- Australia’s worst bushfires on record left at least 84 people dead and may burn for days as winds fan flames across southern Victoria state.
Your reaction: Australian fires BBC News
Australian wildfires kill 96 as floods bring crocs to town AFP

Labels: australia, crocodiles, floods, wildfires

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

California Gov. declares fire emergency

Three wildfires in the Southern California region around Los Angeles killed two people and burned down dozens of homes by Tuesday morning.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared an emergency in the area as strong, dry Santa Ana winds are expected to continue driving the flames until Wednesday evening. Some 10,000 acres have burned and 1,200 people were forced to flee their homes.

California battered by wind-whipped wildfires
The Associated Press - 1 hour ago
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Powerful winds stoked three major wildfires on Tuesday morning after destroying dozens of homes, forcing thousands to flee and leaving two people dead.
Schwarzenegger Declares Emergency After Los Angeles Area Fires Bloomberg
Heavy winds could help grow wildfires, US officials warn Trend News Agency

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a wildfire emergency as another surge of Santa Ana winds are stoking three major wildfires that have already charred more than 11,000 acres. (Oct. 14)

Play
Calif. Gov. Declares wildfire emergency
AP via Yahoo! News - Oct 14 3:41 AM

Play
Fires threaten California
BBC via Yahoo! News - 2 hours, 4 minutes ago

Labels: arnold schwarzenegger, santa ana winds, southern california, wildfires

Thursday, July 03, 2008

California fires could burn throughout summer

It's a scary thought for California residents, but if the 1000 plus fires now burning throughout the state are not brought under control soon, they could end up burning all summer long.

The months of September and October are usually the worse of California's fire season after vegetation has dried out over the summer. July and August are traditionally hot and dry months, but the forecast is for this year's drought to continue through the summer making things even more precarious.

California has suffered drought for several years so vegetation is already tinder-dry, and with each passing week more moisture is sucked from trees and brush. July 4 is the celebration of American independence when many people buy and ignite firework displays. These often include illegal explosive fireworks.

With hot and windy conditions forecast, the problem could get worse if more fires are sparked by the fireworks.

A firefighting air tanker drops fire retardant south of Isabella ...

Thu Jul 3, 12:00 AM ET

A firefighting air tanker drops fire retardant south of Isabella Lake, California. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday ordered the evacuation of about 200 homes in the fire-threatened coastal resort of Big Sur as 1,400 wildfires raged out of control across parts of the state.

(AFP/Getty Images/David Mcnew)

Labels: california fires, drought, fireworks, wildfires