Australian State sizzles in Heat Wave as bushfires rage

[Pastor Dale Morgan]

*Perilous Times and Global Warming

Australian State sizzles in Heat Wave as bushfires rage*

* From: AAP
* December 09, 2009 7:09PM

QUEENSLAND is sweltering, with hot winds and low humidity sparking a
number of fires across the state.

Firefighters on the Atherton Tablelands in north Queensland are hopeful
of containing a blaze which threatened houses, destroyed a shed and
burnt a mango plantation this afternoon.

Meanwhile, a large grass fire continues to burn near homes at Hillview,
in the Gold Coast hinterland, with seven fire crews in place and a water
bombing aircraft at work.

The blazes are two of dozens burning across the state today, with many
towns enduring temperatures in the 40s.

Longreach, in the state's central west, recorded the highest temperature
at 42.9 degrees Celsius.

Mount Isa and Blackall were also above 40 degrees.

Brian Rolstone from the Bureau of Meteorology told AAP temperatures were
about six degrees above average in the interior west region and are
forecast to reach above 40 again tomorrow.

"The northwesterly wind flow is bringing down the heat from the Gulf of
Carpentaria ... flowing down into the interior west, southeast and
central Queensland," Mr Rolstone said.

Meanwhile, BoM issued a fire weather warning for tomorrow for the
Darling Downs, Granite Belt, Maranoa and Warrego districts in the southeast.

The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service said fires will be uncontrollable
and fast-moving.

Temperatures are expected to ease on Saturday morning, with a southerly
change forecast to bring cool temperatures and thunderstorms to the
southeast.