No significant rain in sight as 'catastrophic' fire danger persists in Australia
By
Adam Douty, AccuWeather senior meteorologist &
Courtney Travis, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Nov 12, 2019 3:41 PM EDT
As dry, hot and windy weather continues, a number of wildfires are rapidly spreading uncontrolled across eastern Australia.
The government of New South Wales said the fire danger was at catastrophic levels on Tuesday, the highest threat fire danger rating the government issues. This catastrophic fire danger warning was in effect for portions of eastern New South Wales, including in and around Sydney.
Catastrophic fire danger was issued across eastern New South Wales on Tuesday. (Image/New South Wales Rural Fire Service)
A total fire ban will remain in place for the entire state on Wednesday, with the exception being the Australian Capitol District.
After peaking on Tuesday evening, local time, at a total of 74 fires, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service announced on Wednesday evening that the number was down to 69 fires, with 14 that were still threatening properties.
Several of these fires reached or exceeded 70,000 hectares (173,000 acres). As of Wednesday evening, the two largest fires were the Liberation Trail Fire which has burned 148,000 hectares (365,700 acres) and the Carrai Creek Fire which has burned 150,300 hectares (371,000 acres)
On Tuesday alone, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service stated that at least a dozen homes have been damaged or destroyed.
The BBC reports that three people have been killed and a total of 150 properties destroyed since the fire emergency began on Friday.
In addition to the toll on human life and property, fires are destroying koala habitat. It is feared that fires have killed hundreds, putting their already small population under pressure.
Smoke from wildfires can be seen spreading to the east, off the coast of New South Wales on Tuesday. (Image/NASA)
While not as severe as Tuesday, Wednesday was another day of high fire danger across much of eastern New South Wales. A drop in wind and temperatures helped the firefighter efforts.
Fires across the region were dropped a level to "Watch and Act" alerts on Wednesday.
There is no significant rainfall in the forecast across eastern New South Wales. As a result, very high fire conditions will likely remain for the foreseeable future.
A front may help to produce a few showers and thunderstorms over the weekend, though this will not produce enough rain to put an end to the fire threat. Lightning strikes may ignite new fires, and winds associated with the front may assist any blaze that starts to spread quickly.
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News / Weather News
No significant rain in sight as 'catastrophic' fire danger persists in Australia
By Adam Douty, AccuWeather senior meteorologist & Courtney Travis, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Nov 12, 2019 3:41 PM EDT
As dry, hot and windy weather continues, a number of wildfires are rapidly spreading uncontrolled across eastern Australia.
The government of New South Wales said the fire danger was at catastrophic levels on Tuesday, the highest threat fire danger rating the government issues. This catastrophic fire danger warning was in effect for portions of eastern New South Wales, including in and around Sydney.
Catastrophic fire danger was issued across eastern New South Wales on Tuesday. (Image/New South Wales Rural Fire Service)
A total fire ban will remain in place for the entire state on Wednesday, with the exception being the Australian Capitol District.
After peaking on Tuesday evening, local time, at a total of 74 fires, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service announced on Wednesday evening that the number was down to 69 fires, with 14 that were still threatening properties.
Several of these fires reached or exceeded 70,000 hectares (173,000 acres). As of Wednesday evening, the two largest fires were the Liberation Trail Fire which has burned 148,000 hectares (365,700 acres) and the Carrai Creek Fire which has burned 150,300 hectares (371,000 acres)
On Tuesday alone, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service stated that at least a dozen homes have been damaged or destroyed.
The BBC reports that three people have been killed and a total of 150 properties destroyed since the fire emergency began on Friday.
In addition to the toll on human life and property, fires are destroying koala habitat. It is feared that fires have killed hundreds, putting their already small population under pressure.
Smoke from wildfires can be seen spreading to the east, off the coast of New South Wales on Tuesday. (Image/NASA)
While not as severe as Tuesday, Wednesday was another day of high fire danger across much of eastern New South Wales. A drop in wind and temperatures helped the firefighter efforts.
Fires across the region were dropped a level to "Watch and Act" alerts on Wednesday.
There is no significant rainfall in the forecast across eastern New South Wales. As a result, very high fire conditions will likely remain for the foreseeable future.
A front may help to produce a few showers and thunderstorms over the weekend, though this will not produce enough rain to put an end to the fire threat. Lightning strikes may ignite new fires, and winds associated with the front may assist any blaze that starts to spread quickly.
Report a Typo