The 90-hectare bushfire burning south of Canberra airport on Wednesday afternoon triggered a call to take shelterFirefighters remained at the scene of a massive fire near Canberra airport that prompted a call for residents to take shelter in their homes on Wednesday. About 5.30pm, residents of three Canberra suburbs were told it was too late to evacuate as the out-of-control blaze approached Beard, Oaks Estate and West Queanbeyan. The 90-hectare fire burning out-of-control near Pialligo Redwood forest and south of Canberra airport was upgraded to emergency level about 5.30pm, but has since been reduced to a watch and act alert. There were 14 bushfires still burning in Victoria by Tuesday evening, but they weren’t posing risks to lives and homes. More than 60 fires continued to burn across the state as of Tuesday night with 16 yet to be contained.

Source: The Guardian January 22, 2020 03:29 UTC