SYDNEY : Australia scrambled its military to help thousands of people stranded in beach-side towns as deadly wildfires continue to sweep through the country’s southeast. Six people were killed by bushfires in New South Wales state over Tuesday and Wednesday, with two other people unaccounted for, police said. That takes the confirmed national death toll since the fires broke out several weeks ago to at least 16. With more than 150 fires in New South Wales and Victoria continuing to burn, authorities fear that tally may rise as they reach isolated communities left without power and communications. Almost 4 million hectares of forest and bushland -- an area almost twice the size of Wales -- have been destroyed in New South Wales alone.

Source: Mint January 01, 2020 05:15 UTC