Firefighters fear for lives, homes as conditions worsen in Australia's Tasmania

Source: Xinhua| 2019-01-30 10:59:49|Editor: WX
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SYDNEY, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- Fire conditions have worsened in Australian State of Tasmania on Wednesday, with authorities warning residents that many more properties are still under threat.

Firefighters broke the news on Tuesday that three homes had been destroyed in the state's south, while 30 degree temperatures and strong winds hampered crews' efforts to protect property.

Nearby tourist attraction, the Tahune Airwalk was left blackened and charred when fires moved through the Huon River area.

Residents have been warned that the fire may still jump the river and they should be prepared to watch out for spot fires which can be started by floating embers, if they haven't already evacuated.

There are currently 12 emergency warnings in place across the state urging residents to take immediate action.

"With the fire weather conditions that are predicted, it's unlikely any fire will be controllable and those fires are likely to take a run," Andrew McGuinness from the Tasmania Fire Service (TFS) told the ABC.

"Crews are stretched and conditions can change very quickly," he said.

State capital Hobart was shrouded in smoke on Tuesday evening, with the TFS placing a smoke warning on the area.

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