Bush fires create havoc

A kangaroo raising to save his life

The unpredicted bush fires had killed at least 19 people, destroyed at least 1,400 homes and prompted emergency declarations in two Australian states by Friday. In addition, almost 30 people are unaccounted for in Victoria.

Thousands of tourists were warned to leave the fire-ravaged coastal areas before Saturday, when another heatwave is expected to sweep across the country, with gusting winds and temperatures above 40C.

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service declared a “tourist leave zone” on Thursday stretching about 200km from the popular holiday spot of Bateman’s Bay along the picturesque coast to neighbouring Victoria State where people are also being urged to flee.

The army is doing a great job in evacuating people from the affected areas. A state of emergency was declared for New South Wales (NSW) yesterday ahead of dangerous fire weather conditions which could see wind gusts of up to 100km/h.

It has been forecasted that southerly winds are expected to move up the coast on Saturday after similar conditions that led to the destructive fires on the eve of the New Year.

Christmas and New Year celebrations were at a low level due to the unexpected disaster. According to the weather bureau over the weekend the winds could be even more dangerous and would allow temperatures to climb.

Authorities and witnesses have likened the damage and evacuation measures to a war zone as fires burn through areas larger than some small European countries.

People in Victoria’s east and on the NSW south coast have been urged evacuate from the area while it’s still safe to do so.

Amphibious army vessels are ferrying evacuees from the Victorian town of Mallacoota to HMAS Choules just offshore. It comes as fire crews in South Australia brace for extreme fire-weather conditions with temperatures expected to exceed 40C. The authorities say that Australia is facing one of the worst disasters in history with the devastating bushfires.

Media said that amid the heartbreak and devastation, one man has emerged as a steady, inspiring and competent leader – NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons.

The 50-year-old has been a constant and reassuring presence on the television screens and on the ground in the NSW disaster zones for weeks and months on end, keeping the public informed of the unfolding situation, providing clear warnings and advice and explaining the RFS’ fire fighting strategies.

It was reported that Fitzsimmons has also shown his deeply human and empathetic side on many occasions. On Tuesday this week, for example, he choked back tears during an emotional press conference as he confirmed the wife of a newlywed volunteer fireman who died after a “fire tornado” flipped his fire truck on 30 December, was due to give birth to the couple’s first child in May.

He was later pictured presenting the young son of 32-year-old volunteer firefighter Geoffrey Keaton, who died on 19 December when a tree hit his fire truck — with his dad’s posthumously awarded Commissioner’s Commendation for Bravery and Service at the funeral service.

The moving image of the leader pinning the award to the little boy’s chest broke the nation’s hearts and made global headlines — and further cemented Fitzsimmons as one of Australia’s most respected and best-loved leaders.