Hundreds Flee After Lightning Starts Bushfire
Hundreds Flee After Lightning Starts Bushfire
02 January 2014
published by http://news.sky.com
Australia — Around 900 people have been evacuated from North Stradbroke Island near Brisbane, Australia, after a large bushfire sparked by a lightning strike burned out of control.
The fire burnt-out three campsites on the island as firefighters assisted by water-bombing helicopters worked to keep the blaze away from the town of Dunwich on Wednesday night.
The blaze is expected to burn for several more days according to local media, ahead of a forecast of scorching heat and high winds at the weekend.
The smoke is reported to be so thick that drivers on the island are being asked to turn their headlights on during the day.
Holiday campers have been asked to head to the Dunwich Community Hall and register before leaving the island and extra car ferries have been used to transport them back to the mainland.
Fire authorities say the blaze has been contained but is not yet under control.
Koalas fled the blaze on North Stradbroke Island
