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☆ Mumbai billboard collapses during rainstorm leaving four dead
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

At least four people are dead, 61 injured and more than 40 feared trapped after a massive billboard fell during a rainstorm in India’s financial capital of Mumbai on Monday, local officials said. The rainstorm was accompanied by gusty winds, causing the billboard, located next to a busy road in the eastern suburb of Ghatkopar, to collapse on some houses and a petrol pump. A rescue operation for the people remaining trapped under the billboard is ongoing. Firefighters stand next to vehicles crushed by the billboard, which fell during a rainstorm in Mumbai, India, on May 13, 2024. Mumbai, like several Indian cities, is prone to severe flooding and rain-related accidents during the monsoon season, which usually lasts from June until September every year.

Persons: Stringer Organizations: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, Firefighters, Reuters Locations: Mumbai, Ghatkopar, India

About 2,800 residents from the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality and about 450 residents from the Fort Nelson First Nation were asked to evacuate. Wildfire smoke has been linked to increases in certain cancers and heart-related issues, among other ailments. In 2023, 19 counties in 11 states had days with “very unhealthy” and “hazardous” air quality — given at least a “code purple” alert on the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index. Light rain showers were expected overnight Sunday with more rain forecast Monday, “which will help lower fire activity,” a Sunday update from Alberta Wildfire said. Fire restrictions will remain in effect in the area until conditions improve, according to Alberta Wildfire.

Persons: Parker, “, ” Ben Boghean, ” Cliff Chapman, Jaylene, Terry Cavaliere, ” Boghean, Paul, Crews Organizations: CNN, BC Wildfire Service, Northern Rockies Regional, Fort Nelson, Wildfire, Northern Rockies, Fort Nelson First Nation, Environment Canada, Canadian Interagency Fire Centre, Air, Environmental Protection Agency, US, Protection, British Columbia, Alberta, Reuters Residents, Estates, Lake Estates, Fort McMurray, Alberta Wildfire Locations: British Columbia, Fort Nelson, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Parker, Fort, Canada, Maryland, Alberta, Fort McMurray, Saskatchewan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Minneapolis, St, United States, British, Grande Prairie Forest, TeePee Creek , Alberta, Regional, Wood Buffalo, Lake

☆ Photos show Sahara dust turn Athens orange
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-24 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Athens and the south of Greece appeared to be coloured in orange and red after dust from the Sahara engulfed the area on Tuesday evening. Strong winds had carried the dust across hundreds of miles from Africa. The dust is expected to clear throughout Wednesday, when winds are set to ease, local media reported. The strong winds alongside hot temperatures also raised concerns about wildfires, with the Greek Fire Service saying 25 had broken out in the 24 hours to Tuesday evening, according to a Google translation.

Organizations: Greek Fire Service Locations: Athens, Greece, Sahara, Africa

☆ Hualien earthquake: Dozens rescued after major Taiwan quake but more than 100 still cut off
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Helen Regan | Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“But people are safe, so that’s fortunate.”Workers demolish a damaged building following the earthquake, in Hualien, Taiwan April 4, 2024. A rescue worker stands near the cordoned off site in the aftermath of an earthquake in Hualien, eastern Taiwan on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Wednesday’s quake is the strongest to hit Taiwan since 1999, according to the Central Weather Administration. That year, a 7.7 magnitude quake hit south of Taipei, killing 2,400 people and injuring 10,000 others. A magnitude 6.2 quake hit near the area in 2018, killing at least 17 people and injuring more than 300 others.

Persons: Hong Changyi, ”, Tyrone Siu, rockfall, Johnson Lai, “ They’ve, Taiwan —, Sam Yeh, Yu, Lin Chih, cheng Organizations: CNN — Rescue, Hong, CNN, Workers, National Fire Agency, SET, Central News Agency, Video, CNA, Reuters, Getty, Hualien Fire Bureau, Central Weather Administration, Taiwan’s Professional Civil Engineers Association Locations: Taiwan, Hualien County, Hualien, Taroko, AFP, ”, Zhonghe, Taipei, Hualien City, Lin, China

☆ Bangladesh inferno kills at least 43, injures dozens more
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

A massive fire raced through a six-storey building in Bangladesh’s capital Dhaka late on Thursday, killing at least 43 people and injuring dozens, the country’s health minister said. The fire originated in a restaurant and quickly spread to other floors, fire service officials said. At least 43 people have died and 22 others are being treated at hospitals with burn wounds, Health Minister Samanta Lal Sen told reporters after visiting the Dhaka Medical College Hospital. It was not immediately clear what caused the blaze, which was under control after two hours of frantic efforts by 13 firefighting units, the fire service officials said. Firefighters used a crane to rescue people from the charred building, the fire service officials said.

Persons: Samanta Lal Sen, Sen, Survivor Mohammad Altaf, “, ” Altaf, Firefighters, Main Uddin, Mohammad Ponir Hossain Organizations: Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Survivor, Bangladesh Fire Service, Civil Defence, Firefighters, Reuters Locations: Dhaka, Bangladesh

☆ Australia bushfires: Victoria orders 30,000 people to evacuate due to ‘catastrophic’ fire risk
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-28 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | Morayo Ogunbayo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Hot, dry and windy conditions have created “extreme to catastrophic fire dangers” in parts of Victoria and South Australia, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology. Around 30,000 people had been ordered to evacuate parts of Victoria before midday Wednesday, when authorities warned it would be too late to leave. Bushfires in Victoria, Australia have been burning since February 22, 2024. AAP Image/David Crosling/ReutersSix homes have already been destroyed and authorities fear windy and dry conditions may fan the flames close to high-density residential areas. More than 100 state forests have been closed, the Forest Fire Management of Victoria said on social platform X.

Persons: Jason Heffernan, we’re, David Crosling, Victoria Organizations: CNN — Firefighters, Meteorology, Fire Authority, CFA, Melbourne, ” Firefighters, Fire Management Locations: Australia, Victoria, South Australia, Casterdon, Hamilton, Kanagulk, ”, Bayindeen, Melbourne, Wimmera

☆ Three Firefighters Among Six Killed in Gas Truck Explosion in Mongolia - Officials
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-24 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

(Reuters) - At least six people were killed including three firefighters after a truck carrying 60 tons of liquefied natural gas exploded in the Mongolian capital of Ulaanbaatar on Tuesday, according to Mongolia's emergency officials. At least 11 people were injured in the fire near the Dunjingarav market, Mongolia's Emergency Management Office said in a post on Facebook. More than 600 firefighters 100 vehicles were involved in putting the fire out, which was eventually extinguished. According to local online news outlets, the fire quickly engulfed several nearby buildings, including a residential building. "Our thoughts are with the families of all those affected and we wish a fast recovery to those injured in this tragic event."

Persons: Fiona Blyth, Lidia Kelly, Michael Perry Organizations: Reuters, Emergency Management, Facebook, 63rd, Unit, National Fire Service Locations: Mongolian, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, Melbourne

GEORGETOWN, Guyana (AP) — A government commission in Guyana tasked with investigating a fire that killed 20 children at an Indigenous boarding school found multiple errors and systematic failures. The report also noted there was a lack of water supply and found “inadequacies” in the fire service and firefighting equipment. Nineteen students and the infant son of the dormitory manager died. At least 14 other students younger than 18 were rescued from the blazing, one-story building. Months after the fire, government officials said they would pay $25,000 to the parents of each of the children who died in the fire as part of a settlement.

Persons: Irfaan Ali, ”, Joseph Singh, Ali Organizations: ” Police Locations: GEORGETOWN, Guyana, Mahdia, Brazil, Brig

☆ Woman dies in apparent shark attack at Mexican beach resort
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Jack Guy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —A woman has been killed in an apparent shark attack at a beach resort on Mexico’s Pacific coast. The woman, who has not been officially named, was found dead by emergency services at the scene in Melaque Bay, Cihuatlán municipality, on Saturday, according to a statement from the local civil protection and fire service, posted on Facebook. One of the victim’s legs had been severed, according to the statement, which said the injury appeared to have been caused by a shark attack. The Cihuatlán municipal government also warned people to stay away from local beaches, in a statement posted on Facebook. The municipal government of nearby La Huerta also warned citizens about “the presence of a shark on the southern coast of Jalisco” in a statement on Facebook.

Persons: La Huerta Organizations: CNN, Facebook Locations: Melaque Bay, Cihuatlán, Jalisco, Mexico, La

REUTERS/Loren Elliott/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Australia faces an increased risk of bushfires during the approaching summer, authorities warned on Thursday, with the El Nino weather pattern expected to generate hotter and drier conditions across large swathes of the country. Three years of incessant rain has increased vegetation, but the intense heatwaves common during Australia's December-February summer can quickly turn this into tinder-dry bushland, fuelling fires. Australia declared an El Nino weather pattern - which usually brings below-average rain and above-average daytime temperatures - was under way in September. The Bureau of Meteorology said it was not unusual to have wet weather during El Nino as it increases but does not guarantee drier conditions. Reporting by Renju Jose and Cordelia Hsu in Sydney; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Loren Elliott, Murray Watt, Simon Bradshaw, Renju Jose, Cordelia Hsu, William Mallard Organizations: New South, New South Wales Rural Fire Service, REUTERS, Rights, El, Emergency, Sydney, National Council for Fire, Emergency Services, Climate Council, Meteorology, El Nino, Thomson Locations: New, New South Wales, Arcadia, Sydney, Australia, Turkey, El Nino, Australia's, El

☆ Woman wearing hijab shot by police in Paris metro, condition critical
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Paris police shot and critically wounded a woman wearing a hijab in a metro station on Tuesday morning, after commuters reported her shouting Jihadist slogans and behaving in a threatening manner, the government said. The fully-veiled woman was shot at the Bibliotheque Nationale de France station. The fire service, which provided emergency care for the woman, said she was shot in the abdomen. The metro station, on the RER C line, was evacuated after the incident, police said. Two investigations were opened, one against the woman and a second into the use of weapons by police, the government spokesman said.

Persons: Olivier Veran, Veran, Tassilo Hummel, Dominique Vidalon, Michel Rose, John Stonestreet Organizations: Paris police, Bibliotheque Nationale de, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Israel, Gaza, Bibliotheque Nationale de France

☆ Woman Shouting 'You're All Going to Die' Shot by Police in Paris Metro
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS (Reuters) -Paris police shot and critically wounded a woman wearing a hijab who was behaving in a threatening manner and shouted "Allahu Akbar" and "You're all going to die" in a metro station on Tuesday morning, Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said. The fully-veiled woman was shot at the Bibliotheque François-Mitterrand station. "This person refused to comply with summons and police fired their weapons," Nunez said, adding the situation had been "extremely threatening." The woman turned out not be in possession of explosives at the time she was shot, Nunez said. The metro station, on the RER C line, was evacuated after the incident, police said.

Persons: Allahu Akbar, Laurent Nunez, Olivier Veran, Nunez, Le Parisien, Tassilo Hummel, Dominique Vidalon, Michel Rose, Sudip Kar, Ingrid Melander, John Stonestreet, Ed Osmond, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: PARIS, Paris police, Bibliotheque Locations: Paris, France, Israel, Gaza

☆ Woman shouting 'You're all going to die' shot by police in Paris metro
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Oct 31 (Reuters) - Paris police shot and critically wounded a woman wearing a hijab who was behaving in a threatening manner and shouted "Allahu Akbar" and "You're all going to die" in a metro station on Tuesday morning, Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said. [1/2]Police stand outside the Bibliotheque Francois Mitterand metro and regional train station, where officers shot and injured a woman wearing a hijab after she shouted "Allahu Akbar" and "You're all going to die", in Paris, France, October 31, 2023. "This person refused to comply with summons and police fired their weapons," Nunez said, adding the situation had been "extremely threatening." The woman turned out not be in possession of explosives at the time she was shot, Nunez said. The metro station, on the RER C line, was evacuated after the incident, police said.

Persons: Allahu Akbar, Laurent Nunez, Olivier Veran, Lucien Libert, Nunez, Le Parisien, Tassilo Hummel, Dominique Vidalon, Michel Rose, Sudip Kar, Ingrid Melander, John Stonestreet, Ed Osmond, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Paris police, Bibliotheque, Police, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, Israel, Gaza

BHUBANESWAR, India, Oct 30 (Reuters) - The death toll from a train crash in India has risen to 13, with 39 injured, an official said on Monday, with investigators suspecting human error was the cause of the crash in the south-eastern state of Andhra Pradesh. [1/2]Rescue workers and police officials stand next to damaged coaches following a collision between two passenger trains in Vizianagaram district in the southern Andhra Pradesh state, India, October 30, 2023. REUTERS/R.Narendra Acquire Licensing RightsThe railway ministry said a preliminary investigation found that "human error" that led to "overshooting of signal" by the Visakhapatnam-Rayagada train. The accident came months after India's state-run railway system suffered its worst crash in two decades when 292 people were killed. Reporting by Jatindra Dash in Bhubaneswar, Rishika Sadam in Hyderabad; writing by Tanvi MehtaOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jatindra, Tanvi Mehta Organizations: Palasa Express, Reuters, REUTERS, Railways, Thomson Locations: BHUBANESWAR, India, Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram district, Bhubaneswar, Rishika Sadam, Hyderabad

☆ Residents in Rural Australia Urged to Evacuate as Bushfires Rage
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Authorities on Saturday urged thousands of people in Australia's Queensland state to evacuate as bushfires that have destroyed at least 30 homes continued to threaten rural towns. Australia faces a high-risk bushfire season after the onset of an El Nino weather event, associated with extreme events such as wildfires, cyclones and droughts. Australia's last two fire seasons have been quiet compared with the catastrophic 2019-2020 "Black Summer" of bushfires that destroyed an area the size of Turkey and killed 33 people. "There's a concerted effort being made by all to throw what we can at these fires," Queensland Rural Fire Service Assistant Commissioner Peter Hollier told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. The broadcaster reported more than 30 homes had been destroyed in the bushfires, sparked this week and fanned by hot, dry winds.

Persons: Tara, Peter Hollier, Hollier, Sam McKeith, William Mallard Organizations: SYDNEY, Brisbane, Queensland, Emergency Services, Queensland Rural Fire Service, Australian Broadcasting Corp Locations: Australia's Queensland, Queensland, Tara, Australia, El Nino, Turkey, Sydney

☆ Residents in rural Australia urged to evacuate as bushfires rage
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

SYDNEY, Oct 28 (Reuters) - Authorities on Saturday urged thousands of people in Australia's Queensland state to evacuate as bushfires that have destroyed at least 30 homes continued to threaten rural towns. Australia faces a high-risk bushfire season after the onset of an El Nino weather event, associated with extreme events such as wildfires, cyclones and droughts. Australia's last two fire seasons have been quiet compared with the catastrophic 2019-2020 "Black Summer" of bushfires that destroyed an area the size of Turkey and killed 33 people. "There's a concerted effort being made by all to throw what we can at these fires," Queensland Rural Fire Service Assistant Commissioner Peter Hollier told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. The broadcaster reported more than 30 homes had been destroyed in the bushfires, sparked this week and fanned by hot, dry winds.

Persons: Tara, Peter Hollier, Hollier, Sam McKeith, William Mallard Organizations: SYDNEY, Brisbane, Queensland, Emergency Services, Queensland Rural Fire Service, Australian Broadcasting Corp, Thomson Locations: Australia's Queensland, Queensland, Tara, Australia, El Nino, Turkey, Sydney

☆ Bangladesh trains collide, killing 17, wounding scores -police
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] A general view of derailed compartments of train after two trains collided in Bhairab, about 80 kilometres northeast of the capital Dhaka, Bangladesh, October 23, 2023. REUTERS/Piyas Biswas Acquire Licensing RightsDHAKA, Oct 23 (Reuters) - At least 17 people were killed and scores injured on Monday after two trains collided in eastern Bangladesh, police said. A passenger train crashed into a freight train in Bhairab, about 80 kilometres (50 miles) northeast of the capital Dhaka. The freight train smashed into the passenger train from behind, crumpling two coaches, he said. "Initial reports suggest the freight train broke the signal, leading to the tragedy," Hossain said.

Persons: Piyas Biswas, Anowar Hossain, Hossain, ” Mohammad Masud, Ruma Paul, Bernadette Baum, Chris Reese Organizations: REUTERS, Piyas, Rights, Dhaka Railway Police, Authorities, Thomson Locations: Bhairab, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Rights DHAKA

CNN —Italian authorities were on Wednesday investigating the cause of a horrific bus crash near Venice that killed at least 21 people including two children. Claudia Greco/ReutersLocal police work at the site of the bus crash on Wednesday. A representative for the prosecutor’s office told CNN the head prosecutor for the Venice municipality, Bruno Cherchi, is leading the investigation into the incident in Mestre. The bus was traveling from Venice to nearby Marghera and was “full of people returning home from work,” Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro told state media RAI. Emergency crew members work at the scene after a bus accident near Venice.

Persons: ”, Alberto Rizzotto, Claudia Greco, Mauro Lungo, Bruno Cherchi, Luigi Brugnaro, Stefano Mazzola, sevices, Brugnaro, Massimo Fiorese, Italy’s, “, Giorgia Meloni, Emmanuel Macron, I’m, Charles Michel Organizations: CNN, ” RAI, Reuters Local, Sky TG24, RAI, Emergency, Facebook, della Sera, Reuters, Italian Senate, European Council Locations: Venice, Mestre, Italy, Marghera, ” Venice, Italian

☆ As EV sales surge and cars get heavier, parking garages will have to change
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Anmar Frangoul | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Parking garages (known as multistory car parks in the U.K.) are one area where the proliferation of EVs and bigger vehicles is expected to have a major impact. In a statement, it said the reason behind the weight increase was "due to electric and hybrid batteries and the size of cars increasing." The cumulative load of these vehicles in parking garages could present some challenges in certain circumstances. "Because what we want is the public to maintain confidence in our car parks and structural engineers." The statement also said the "rise of e-mobility … helps us mitigate climate change and brings new questions, including weight and the impact on car parks."

Persons: Peter Titmuss, Chris Whapples, Whapples, you've, it's, Dana Kenedy Organizations: Getty, Engineers, CNBC, EV, European Commission, European Association for Electromobility, Istock Locations: England, London, Brussels

☆ Nightclub fire kills at least 13 in Murcia in Spain
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Firefighters work to control flames inside a nightclub in Murcia, Spain, October 1, 2023, in this screen grab obtained from a handout video. The emergency services gave the death toll, which has risen steadily throughout the day, as 13. Earlier, Murcia's Mayor Jose Ballesta told reporters seven bodies had been found in the same area of the first floor, where the fire broke out. A spokesperson for the Teatre nightclub, Maria Dolores Albellan, told reporters the fire originated in the neighbouring club, La Fonda, before spreading to the two adjoining clubs. Footage released by Murcia's fire service showed firefighters working to control flames inside the nightclub.

Persons: Diego Seral, Jose Ballesta, Maria Dolores Albellan, La Fonda, Ballesta, Jessica Jones, Hugh Lawson, Alison Williams Organizations: Murcia Firefighters, REUTERS, Rights, Spain's National Police, Fonda, Murcia's, Thomson Locations: Murcia, Spain, Rights MADRID, Atalayas, Murcia's

CNN —Storm Elias dumped several months-worth of rain in less than a day as it swept across Greece on Wednesday, just weeks after Storm Daniel killed 17 people in the southern European nation. The flooded city of Volos after storm Elias hit on September 27. The port city of Volos in Thessaly is among those to have been hit hard by both storms. Floods in the city of Volos, Greece, after storm Elias hit on September 27. The floods caused by Storm Daniel, which followed devastating wildfires in the country, “have the fingerprints of climate change,” Greek environment minister Theodoros Skylakakis told CNN on September 12.

Persons: Storm Elias, Storm Daniel, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Elias, Louisa Gouliamaki, Daniel, ESWD, Istiaia, Theodoros Skylakakis, “, ” Organizations: CNN, World Meteorological Organization, ERT Locations: Greece, European, Thessaly, Volos, Evia

☆ How California is using AI to snuff out wildfires before they explode
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-23 | by ( Stephanie Elam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says it has a new tool to battle wildfires before they explode – artificial intelligence. “I think it is a game changer … It has enhanced our abilities to validate situational awareness and then respond in a quick fashion,” Phillip SeLegue, Cal Fire’s staff chief for fire intelligence, told CNN. Cal Fire, in partnership with the University of California at San Diego’s Alert California program and its network of more than 1,000 cameras across the state, is using the technology to spot fires early. Stephanie Elam/CNNCal Fire staff chief for fire intelligence Phillip SeLegue stands on a lookout tower in San Diego County. At Boucher Hill lookout tower in San Diego County, volunteer Bill Angel of the Forest Fire Lookout Association is in his second season of keeping an eye out for wildfires.

Persons: ” Phillip SeLegue, Cal Fire’s, ”, Scott Slumpff, ” Slumpff, “, SeLegue, Dean Veik, Cal Fire, Stephanie Elam, Phillip SeLegue, Brian Norton, ” Norton, Bill Angel, Boucher, ” SeLegue Organizations: CNN — Firefighters, California Department of Forestry, Cal, CNN, Cleveland National Forest, intel, Cal Fire, University of California, Alert, UC San Diego Alert, CNN Cal Fire, Lookout Association, Association Locations: California, San Diego County, Alert California, Boucher

☆ Australia braces for severe bushfires as Sydney swelters under record September heat
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Tara Subramaniam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The threat of intense bushfires looms over New South Wales as record spring temperatures and high winds fan the flames of more than 60 blazes already burning in Australia’s most populous state, authorities have warned. Several cities along the east coast saw record spring temperatures Tuesday, according to Australia’s Bureau of Meterology (BOM). Sydney, the NSW capital, was expected to record its hottest September day ever Wednesday, with BOM forecasting a high of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit). “The climate influences driving increased risk of bushfire this season are widespread,” said AFAC CEO Rob Webb. On Tuesday, BOM declared an El Niño weather event was underway, which typically results in a warmer, drier spring and summer and an increased risk for bushfires.

Persons: Miriam Bradbury, “, we’ve, ”, Rob Rogers, Rob Webb, climatologist Zhi, Weng Chua, BOM, Karl Braganza Organizations: CNN, Bureau, NSW, Fire Service, Facebook, ABC, Australasian Fire Authorities Council, ”, 9News Locations: New South Wales, Australia’s, Sydney, NSW, Queensland, Tasmania, Australia, Tennant, Northern Territory, New Zealand, ” Australia, El, BOM

☆ Strong winds fan bushfires as Australia battles spring heatwave
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( Renju Jose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

SYDNEY, Sept 20 (Reuters) - Strong winds and a rare, intense heatwave in early spring fanned dozens of bushfires across Australia's southeast, prompting extreme fire danger warnings on Wednesday for the greater Sydney region, home to more than 5 million people. Parts of Australia are sweltering in an unusual five-day burst of spring heat, forecast to last until Wednesday, pushing temperatures well above the September average. After three years of heavy rains and frequent flooding, Australia is bracing for a warm and dry southern hemisphere spring and summer in 2023. On Tuesday, Australia's Bureau of Meteorology declared an El Nino weather pattern, typically associated with wildfires and droughts, was underway. Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Sonali PaulOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Renju Jose, Sonali Paul Organizations: NSW Rural Fire Services, Greater, Sydney, Meteorology, El, Fire, Thomson Locations: Australia's, Sydney, New South Wales, NSW, Greater Sydney Region, Australia, Tasmania, El Nino, Sydney's, Turkey

☆ Sydney issues total fire bans as spring heatwave grips Australia
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( Renju Jose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Parts of Australia are sweltering in a five-day burst of uncommon spring heat, forecast to last until Wednesday, pushing temperatures up by as much as 16 degrees Celsius (60 Fahrenheit) above the September average. More than 500 firefighters and emergency personnel are trying to tame 61 fires across New South Wales state as of Tuesday morning, with 13 not yet contained, authorities said. Twenty-one schools in New South Wales, mostly in the state's south, have been closed. "Due to hot, dry and windy conditions forecast throughout the day and overnight, several parts of (New South Wales) will experience high fire danger," fire services said on Facebook. Temperatures could reach 34 degrees Celsius (93.2 F) in Sydney on Tuesday, just shy of the September record of 34.6 degrees Celsius (94.28 F) in 1965.

Persons: Renju Jose, Michael Perry Organizations: Sydney, Facebook, Meteorology, Thomson Locations: Australia's, Australia, New South Wales, Sydney, El Nino

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