Australian Fires Go Wild
There are more than 70 wildfires that sweep across Blue Mountains, Australia. More than 200 homes are destroyed from all of the wildfires in the area.
The tragic event took place on October 13th, and the fires still haven’t ceased to this day. Two young boys, age 11 and 15, started this bush fire that vaguely spread throughout the area. The 11-year-old has been charged with two counts of purposely causing fires and being reckless as it was continuously spreading. The 15-year-old is expected to be charged, as he was with the 11-year-old when the fires were occurring. One of the fires that they are guilty of starting burned more than 12,000 acres in the surrounding area.
At least one death has been reported. Walter Lidner, a 63-year-old man, died of a suspected heart attack while protecting his home against the blaze of the fires.
Local officials fear that the three large fires spreading throughout the Blue Mountains could merge to form one huge inferno. Already more than 1,000 firefighters are fighting the blazes that have burned about 287,000 acres, which is almost the size of the city Los Angeles, California. The vast fires have stretched along a nearly 1,000-mile line in New South Wales, from the far north of the state south Brisbane to east of Canberra, which is the country’s federal capital. There is also a chance the fires could spread to Sydney, as the city now has a thick smog covering the skies.
Strong winds that have been occurring throughout the area have knocked down power lines causing two more fires adding to the dozen of bush fires in New South Wales. Also a total fire ban is in place for the non-effected region over by Sydney until further notice, meaning no fire may be lit out in the open and all fire-permits are suspended as well.
The fires are still going on today, no one knows when all of the fires will be gone, over and done with. Hopefully soon before any more trouble occurs. Prayers go out for everyone in the area, hoping no more people get injured or killed.