Australian Lightning strikes start 80 Wildfires
Pastor Dale Morgan
*Australian Lightning strikes start 80 Wildfires*
February 16, 2007 01:13pm
Article from: AAP
AUSTRALIA - LIGHTNING strikes have started 80 new fires across Victoria
in the past two days, and more thunderstorms are expected today.
Most of the fires had been doused and only four were not yet under
control, according to Victoria's Departmentof Sustainability and
Environment.
The fires have burnt less than 40 hectares in the Upper Murray area east
of Wodonga, Murrindindi and Ovens districts.
Twenty DSE tankers have been deployed and about 100 fire fighters are
fighting the blazes.
DSE state duty officer Richard Alder said the new fires were started by
lightning activity across the state since Wednesday night, but fire
crews had moved rapidly to control them.
High temperatures are forecast for the weekend, with strong northerly
winds not expected until Sunday.
"The wind might get a little bit fresh on Sunday. It's still an awkward
situation," Mr Alder said.
The north east and alpine areas are at high risk of further fire threats
during the hot spell and residents have been told to stay alert.
Victorian firefighters are also assisting crews in NSW on a 2800-hectare
blaze burning out of control northwest of Walwa.