Australia wildfires: Navy evacuates hundreds trapped on beaches as increasing temperatures threaten further destruction
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Mark Jones, chief officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service, said weather conditions were a cause for concern because some fires were still burning or smouldering. open image in gallery Wildfire rage under plumes of smoke in Bairnsdale, Australia State Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers urged people not to delay leaving, noting four people in the state died in their cars as they made late attempts to flee. The prime minister cut short Thursday’s visit when locals yelled at him, called him an “idiot” and criticised him for the lack of equipment to deal with fires in the village. Sydney University ecologist Chris Dickman told the Sydney Morning Herald nearly 500 million birds, reptiles and mammals are likely to have perished in New South Wales alone.