Searing heat fuels Australia forest fires

Firefighters battled scores of fires raging across southeast Australia with officials evacuating national parks and warning that blistering temperatures and high winds had led to “catastrophic” fire conditions in some areas.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard warned the nation to keep safe as temperatures soared to more than 45C.

“This is a very dangerous day,” Gillard said. “It is very important that people keep themselves safe, that they listen to local authorities and local warnings.”

Thousands of firefighters were on standby across the nation’s most populous state of New South Wales, where fire authorities said conditions were at catastrophic threat levels – the most severe rating available – in parts of the state.

Hundreds of people were forced to evacuate homes as fires raged, according to Reuters.

Al Jazeera’s Andrew Thomas, reporting from Sydney, said three different areas of the state are now at that “catastrophic” level of danger.

“I have just spoken to someone in one of the most at risk areas and he tells me that authorities have just given them an hour to get out,” he said.

All state forests and national parks were closed as a precaution and total fire bans were in place.

More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia-pacif…59129.html