Post by Andrei Tchentchik on Mar 4, 2020 15:37:19 GMT 2
(.#A.058).- Twice the area of Belgium burned in Australia, Jan 4 2020.
Twice the area of Belgium burned in Australia, Jan 4 2020.
The country is preparing for catastrophic new forest fires for the weekend.
NOWRA (AFP) Australia is preparing for yet another worsening forest fire disaster this weekend after yesterday's naval evacuation of around 1,000 people surrounded by fire in a south-eastern city.
From the town of Mallacoota, residents and tourists, some of them refugees on the seafront since New Year's Eve to protect themselves from the fire, were brought aboard a landing craft, with their pets and some personal effects, up to military ships.
A thousand of them had been evacuated last night and the ships were due to descend the coast to a safer area.
The scale of the fires in Australia shocked the country and the world. At least 20 people have died, dozens more are missing and more than 1,300 homes have been reduced to ashes since the start of the fire season in September.
An area equivalent to twice Belgium burned.
However, temperatures must rise to exceed 40 degrees Celsius today and the authorities have declared a state of emergency in the south-east of the country.
EVACUATION
Evacuation orders have been issued to more than 100,000 people in three states, officials said. "There is still a window to leave," said New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian. ‘’ If you don't need to be in the area, go! The window will close. ''
Thousands of tourists and residents have left the most exposed areas over an area of about 300 kilometers along the East Coast, causing huge traffic congestion on the roads to Sydney and Canberra.
Military planes have dropped supplies and equipment in remote areas.
Victoria's Prime Minister Dan Andrews said satellite phones had been dropped, as well as supplies of water and emergency equipment.
UNDER THE HOOTS
As for the Prime Minister of the country, Scott Morrison, who had been stranded for a family vacation in Hawaii in December when his country was burning and is regularly attacked on its poor climate record. He was again criticized, this time for his handling of the crisis.
In the town of Cobargo hard hit by the flames, Mr. Morrison was heckled, in particular by a crying young mother and a volunteer firefighter who refused to shake his hand, before falling back in his convoy under a volley insults.
Forest fires, particularly virulent this year, also have an impact on major Australian cities. Melbourne and Sydney were still breathing the smoke of the surrounding fire yesterday.
480 million animals perished in flames
SYDNEY (AFP) Australian wildlife, famous for its koalas and kangaroos, will take decades to recover from the forest fires that are currently devastating the vast island continent.
Since the start of these devastating fires in September 2019, at least 20 people have died. These fires have also been deadly for wildlife. According to a recent study, they are responsible for the disappearance of almost half a million animals in a single state and it will take decades for wildlife to recover.
Shocking images of thirsty koalas drinking water from bottles held by firefighters or kangaroos completely panicked in the midst of the flames have been around the world.
A study from the University of Sydney estimates that in New South Wales alone, the most affected by the fires, 480 million animals have been killed since September 2019.
BILLIONS ?
In order to arrive at this figure, the researchers cross-checked the estimates of the population density of these mammals in this state with the area of vegetation devastated. This number includes mammals, birds and reptiles, but not insects, bats and frogs. The number of animals that have disappeared is likely to be much higher.
Professor Andrew Beattie of Macquarie University said that the number of animal deaths nationwide could therefore be in the billions.
F I N.
Twice the area of Belgium burned in Australia, Jan 4 2020.
The country is preparing for catastrophic new forest fires for the weekend.
NOWRA (AFP) Australia is preparing for yet another worsening forest fire disaster this weekend after yesterday's naval evacuation of around 1,000 people surrounded by fire in a south-eastern city.
From the town of Mallacoota, residents and tourists, some of them refugees on the seafront since New Year's Eve to protect themselves from the fire, were brought aboard a landing craft, with their pets and some personal effects, up to military ships.
A thousand of them had been evacuated last night and the ships were due to descend the coast to a safer area.
The scale of the fires in Australia shocked the country and the world. At least 20 people have died, dozens more are missing and more than 1,300 homes have been reduced to ashes since the start of the fire season in September.
An area equivalent to twice Belgium burned.
However, temperatures must rise to exceed 40 degrees Celsius today and the authorities have declared a state of emergency in the south-east of the country.
EVACUATION
Evacuation orders have been issued to more than 100,000 people in three states, officials said. "There is still a window to leave," said New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian. ‘’ If you don't need to be in the area, go! The window will close. ''
Thousands of tourists and residents have left the most exposed areas over an area of about 300 kilometers along the East Coast, causing huge traffic congestion on the roads to Sydney and Canberra.
Military planes have dropped supplies and equipment in remote areas.
Victoria's Prime Minister Dan Andrews said satellite phones had been dropped, as well as supplies of water and emergency equipment.
UNDER THE HOOTS
As for the Prime Minister of the country, Scott Morrison, who had been stranded for a family vacation in Hawaii in December when his country was burning and is regularly attacked on its poor climate record. He was again criticized, this time for his handling of the crisis.
In the town of Cobargo hard hit by the flames, Mr. Morrison was heckled, in particular by a crying young mother and a volunteer firefighter who refused to shake his hand, before falling back in his convoy under a volley insults.
Forest fires, particularly virulent this year, also have an impact on major Australian cities. Melbourne and Sydney were still breathing the smoke of the surrounding fire yesterday.
480 million animals perished in flames
SYDNEY (AFP) Australian wildlife, famous for its koalas and kangaroos, will take decades to recover from the forest fires that are currently devastating the vast island continent.
Since the start of these devastating fires in September 2019, at least 20 people have died. These fires have also been deadly for wildlife. According to a recent study, they are responsible for the disappearance of almost half a million animals in a single state and it will take decades for wildlife to recover.
Shocking images of thirsty koalas drinking water from bottles held by firefighters or kangaroos completely panicked in the midst of the flames have been around the world.
A study from the University of Sydney estimates that in New South Wales alone, the most affected by the fires, 480 million animals have been killed since September 2019.
BILLIONS ?
In order to arrive at this figure, the researchers cross-checked the estimates of the population density of these mammals in this state with the area of vegetation devastated. This number includes mammals, birds and reptiles, but not insects, bats and frogs. The number of animals that have disappeared is likely to be much higher.
Professor Andrew Beattie of Macquarie University said that the number of animal deaths nationwide could therefore be in the billions.
F I N.
