Fires in Australia
Fires in Australia
13 February 2009
The threat of new fires in Victoria remains high, despite the mild conditions and light winds that continue to assist fire fighters.
About 4200 firefighters tackled deadly bushfires around Victoria today, which have so far killed at least 181 people.
The bushfires have burned through 413,000 hectares and destroyed at least 1,834 homes since Saturday.
Six main fires are still burning uncontrolled, including blazes at Kinglake, Yea-Murrindindi, Maroondah-Yarra, Bunyip, Churchill and Beechworth-Murmungee.
Overview maps on fire locations:
AQUA satellite image of 13 February 2009
Source: MODIS
State Summary Overview of 13 February 2009, 0500 hrs
Source: http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/
Overview of fires burning in Australia on 13 February 2009.
Source: Geoscience Australia “Sentinel” (http://sentinel.ga.gov.au/)
The current situation in Australia is covered by a number of detailed reports (see GFMC Media web page):
- Australia Fires Spark Calls For Climate Action (published by planetark.org, 13 February 2009)
- Rudd Pledges Early Warning System as Bushfires Burn (published by www.bloomberg.com, 13 February 2009)
- One-fifth of Victoria bushfire victims lack cover (published by www.theaustralian.news.com.au, 13 February 2009)
- Forest fire carbon footprint really big, researcher says (published by www.monstersandcritics.com, 13 February 2009)
- Resurgent wildfire threatens Australian town (published by www.google.com, 12 February 2009)
- Australia government limited Google’s bushfire map (published by news.cnet.com, 12 February 2009)
- Bush fires: Australia’s bare-chested national hero (published by www.telegraph.co.uk, 12 February 2009)
- Australia declares national day of mourning for wildfire victims (published by www.ynetnews.com, 12 February 2009)
- 25 Northwest firefighters to help with Australian wildfires (published by www.nwcn.com, 12 February 2009)
- Kidman donates to bushfire appeal (published by news.bbc.co.uk, 12 February 2009)
- Why Global Warming May Be Fueling Australia’s Fires (published by www.enn.com, 12 February 2009)
- Koala Love Story Wins Hearts After Deadly Aussie Fires (published by planetark.org, 12 February 2009)
- Mass Deaths Feared In Sealed-Off Australia Town (published by planetark.org, 12 February 2009)
- Canberra bushfire group backs PM’s insurer stance (published by www.canberratimes.com.au, 12 February 2009)
- Indonesia commits bushfire aid (published by www.abc.net.au, 12 February 2009)
- Dogs join NZ bushfire team (published by www.stuff.co.nz, 12 February 2009)
- Red tape held up national bushfire warnings (published by www.abc.net.au, 12 February 2009)
- Rudd criticised over bush fire compensation (published by www.irishtimes.com, 12 February 2009)
Further Information on the Fire Situation in Australia:
SA Country Fire Service http://www.cfs.org.au/ NSW Rural Fire Service http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/ Near-Real Time Wildland Fire Monitoring https://gfmc.online/current/au_ciro.htm Current weather situation, forecasts, fireweather http://www.bom.gov.au/weather/tas/ Further Information Australian and New Zealand links Background information Recent Media Highlights on Fire, Policies, and Politics
