In seaside communities along a 200km strip of coast, terrified crowds — wrapped in blankets and wearing makeshift facemasks — sought refuge from the inferno near the water. “We’ve got literally hundreds, thousands of people up and down the coast taking refuge on the beaches” and in surf clubs, New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said. “I understand there was a public cheer down at the jetty when that was announced,” Country Fire Authority Chief Cfficer Steve Warrington said. The situation was scarcely better in inland rural communities, where countless more people were displaced and forced into makeshift camps. Helicopters, aircraft and naval ships would be sent to the region, Australian Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds said.

Source: Taipei Times December 31, 2019 16:29 UTC