New South Wales fires scorch rural areas, but population centers avoid damage for now
CNNCNN — Firefighters across Australia spent Tuesday battling some of the fiercest bushfires the country has seen for decades – and the danger isn’t over yet. Authorities say there are reports of property damage and injuries throughout New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state, but have not confirmed the exact number. As of Tuesday evening Australia time, there were 85 fires burning across New South Wales, half of which are out of control. “We’ve still got many hours yet of these strong, dry winds.” The fires have killed three people, and destroyed more than 100 homes and two schools so far. The blazes have already destroyed three times more land in New South Wales than during the entire fire season last year – even before summer truly begins.