Relief as rain falls over Australian bushfires

Heavy rain fell across parts of fire-ravaged eastern Australia yesterday and more wet weather was forecast, giving some relief following months of catastrophic blazes fuelled by climate change. The fires, unprecedented for Australia in terms of duration and intensity, have claimed 28 lives and killed an estimated billion animals. Sustained hot weather and rare periods of light rain in the affected areas have deepened the crisis.

Downpours on Thursday in the state of New South Wales, where many of the worst fires have burnt, offered hope that dozens of blazes could be brought under control.

“Relief is here for a number of firefighters working across NSW,” the state’s Rural Fire Service said in a social media post accompanying footage of rain falling in a burning forest. “Although this rain won’t extinguish all fires, it will certainly go a long way towards containment.”

Before the rains, there were 30 blazes burning out of control in New South Wales. Along the south coast of the state, locals who witnessed towns and forests being destroyed in recent weeks expressed cautious hope. “We’re thrilled and so relieved to have some dampness in the air because it makes things safe for a little while,” Virginia Connor told AFP near the town of Nowra. “But we need more, we need lots more.”

Smoke from bushfires choked the southern city of Melbourne from Monday to Wednesday, disrupting the build-up to next week’s Australian Open tennis tournament.

 

Relief as rain falls over Australian bushfires

Heavy rain fell across parts of fire-ravaged eastern Australia yesterday and more wet weather was forecast, giving some relief following months of catastrophic blazes fuelled by climate change. The fires, unprecedented for Australia in terms of duration and intensity, have claimed 28 lives and killed an estimated billion animals. Sustained hot weather and rare periods of light rain in the affected areas have deepened the crisis. Downpours on Thursday in the state of New South Wales, where many of the worst fires have burnt, offered hope that dozens of blazes could be brought under control. Relief is here for a number of firefighters working across NSW, the states Rural Fire Service said in a social media post accompanying footage of rain falling in a burning forest. Although this rain wont extinguish all fires, it will certainly go a long way towards containment. Before the rains, there were 30 blazes burning out of control in New South Wales. Along the south coast of the state, locals who witnessed towns and forests being destroyed in recent weeks expressed cautious hope. Were thrilled and so relieved to have some dampness in the air because it makes things safe for a little while, Virginia Connor told AFP near the town of Nowra. But we need more, we need lots more. Smoke from bushfires choked the southern city of Melbourne from Monday to Wednesday, disrupting the build-up to next weeks Australian Open tennis tournament.