Fire Journal Entry
Fires Rage in Southern Australia (February 14, 2009)
Satellite image of smoke rising from wildfires raging in southeastern Australia. NASA.
Deadly brushfires continued blazing across parched southeastern Australia this week. The blazes killed at least 181 people, destroying two towns in Victoria and charring more than 1,000 square miles (2,500 sq. km) of farm and forest land. The blazes are taking a heavy toll on wildlife, including koalas and kangaroos. Fire officials say the disaster is the deadliest firestorm in the nation's history.
The fierce blazes were fueled by winds that peaked at over 60 mph (100 km/hr) and scorching temperatures as high as 117 degrees Fahrenheit (47 degrees Celsius). At one point, more than 400 fires raged out of control. Arson was the suspected cause of some of the blazes.
Southern Australia battles fires every summer. The combination of hot, dry weather and a huge supply of oil-rich eucalyptic trees raises the fire danger. Fires are easily triggered by lightning strikes or tiny sparks from farm equipment. This summer, the fire danger is especially high. The region remains in the grips of severe drought and has suffered through a brutal heatwave.
