At least one person has died and around 300 buildings have been destroyed as massive bushfires tear through south east Australia. The fires are raging across dozens of locations, mainly in Victoria and parts of New South Wales, burning an area almost twice the size of Greater London. A state of emergency has been declared as thousands of firefighters and more than 70 aircraft battle extreme heat, dry winds and fast moving flames.


Australia Bushfires Kill 1, Destroy 300 Homes as Emergency Declared | WION

Less than 24 hours since residents in parts of&nbsp;Australia's Victoria state fled bush fires, authorities warned on Wednesday of flooding as heavy rain douses flames and swells rivers in the southeastern state.

Flash flooding is expected through Wednesday afternoon in northeastern Victoria, according to the&nbsp;Australian Bureau of Meteorology, as rain drenched parts of the state where as recently as Tuesday about 17,000 hectares were ablaze.

First responders overnight rescued a farmer in the area who got trapped after driving through floodwaters, according to chief officer operations Tim Wiebusch at Victoria state emergency service.

Parts of the state had received up to 150 mm of rain, almost eight times the state's average in September, with more expected on Wednesday, he said.

"Fortunately we have seen some rainfall across those two fires," said Wiebusch.

"But over these next 24, 48 hours flash flooding, riverine flooding, is really the key risk. We can't emphasise enough, people need to be alert to their conditions."

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The rain comes during an unseasonably dry&nbsp;Australian spring, which began in September. Last month was the driest September on record, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, with rainfall 71% below the 1961-1990 average.

Firefights are working to contain bush fires in two parts of Victoria state but authorities said there was no immediate threat to residents.

Across the border in New South Wales state, a 5,200 hectare bush fire was out of control near the town of Bermagui, roughly 300 km (186 miles) southwest of Sydney.

"I just feel anxious and a bit on edge because we don’t really know yet what's next," Sheena Boughen, a resident of a nearby town, told state broadcaster ABC.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on a visit to the area that the severity of the fires would likely bring back memories of the catastrophic fire season in the summer of 2019-2020.

"This must be an incredibly traumatic experience," he said.

"We're standing here, we can smell, we can see the impact that these fires are having."

State fire authorities said conditions eased overnight although several properties were lost and firefighters were working to contain the blaze.

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Less than 24 hours since residents in parts of Australia's Victoria state fled bush fires, authorities warned on Wednesday of flooding as heavy rain douses flames and swells rivers in the southeastern state.

Less than 24 hours since residents in parts of Australia's Victoria state fled bush fires, authorities warned on Wednesday of flooding as heavy rain douses flames and swells rivers in the southeastern state. Flash flooding is expected through Wednesday afternoon in northeastern Victoria, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology, as rain drenched parts of the state where as recently as Tuesday about 17,000 hectares were ablaze. First responders overnight rescued a farmer in the area who got trapped after driving through floodwaters, according to chief officer operations Tim Wiebusch at Victoria state emergency service. Parts of the state had received up to 150 mm of rain, almost eight times the state's average in September, with more expected on Wednesday, he said. "Fortunately we have seen some rainfall across those two fires," said Wiebusch. "But over these next 24, 48 hours flash flooding, riverine flooding, is really the key risk. We can't emphasise enough, people need to be alert to their conditions." Also read | WION Spotlight | Bogus applicants trigger Australia ban on Indian students The rain comes during an unseasonably dry Australian spring, which began in September. Last month was the driest September on record, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, with rainfall 71% below the 1961-1990 average. Firefights are working to contain bush fires in two parts of Victoria state but authorities said there was no immediate threat to residents. Across the border in New South Wales state, a 5,200 hectare bush fire was out of control near the town of Bermagui, roughly 300 km (186 miles) southwest of Sydney. "I just feel anxious and a bit on edge because we don’t really know yet what's next," Sheena Boughen, a resident of a nearby town, told state broadcaster ABC. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on a visit to the area that the severity of the fires would likely bring back memories of the catastrophic fire season in the summer of 2019-2020. "This must be an incredibly traumatic experience," he said. "We're standing here, we can smell, we can see the impact that these fires are having." State fire authorities said conditions eased overnight although several properties were lost and firefighters were working to contain the blaze. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Australia state swings from bush fires to flash floods in 24 hours

Residents and tourists along the New South Wales south coast started evacuations on Thursday (January 2) with authorities declaring a "tourist leave zone" for hundred's of kilometres of the coast.

Thousands evacuate New South Wales south coast ahead of bushfire threat

The toddler son of a volunteer firefighter killed battling <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-orders-mass-evacuation-over-bushfire-danger-military-moves-in-to-help-271499">wildfires in Australia</a> received one of the service's highest honours on behalf of his father during an emotional funeral on Thursday.

Nineteen-month-old Harvey Keaton stood quietly, sucking on a pacifier, as the fire service commissioner pinned a posthumous commendation for bravery and service to his neatly pressed, oversized Rural Fire Services (RFS) shirt.

Watch: Australia bushfires: Over 4,000 people trapped in Mallacoota beaches

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Harvey's father, 32-year-old <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-leader-curtails-holiday-as-firefighters-killed-in-huge-blazes-269260">Geoffrey Keaton</a>, was one of three volunteer firefighters killed in recent weeks. Keaton and a colleague died last month when a burnt tree fell in the path of their fire truck, causing it to roll. The third firefighter died this week in what was described by authorities as a "fire tornado".

Dozens of firefighters saluted and formed a guard of honour as Keaton's hearse drove into a Sydney cemetery, according to pictures of the funeral posted online by the fire service.

A mug placed on the coffin had a picture of father and son stick figures and the inscription: "Daddy I love you to the moon and back!"

Another photograph from the funeral showed Harvey being held by his mother, Keaton's fiance Jess Hayes, as they looked at a portrait of the firefighter atop his coffin.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-scrambles-to-reach-thousands-stranded-by-bushfires-at-least-8-dead-271387">NSW state Royal Fire Services</a> Commissioner Craig Fitzsimmons, who has been giving daily briefings on the crisis, knelt down to pin the medal on Harvey's shirt.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has faced some criticism for his response to the fires, also attended.

The NSW RFS said on Twitter it had "farewelled one of our own".

Eight people have been killed by wildfires in the eastern states of New South Wales and Victoria since Monday, and 18 are still missing.

Fierce fires have flared around Australia for several weeks, prompting mass evacuations, devastating towns and destroying homes. They have also raised questions about Australia's readiness to deal with climate change.

The toddler son of a volunteer firefighter killed battling wildfires in Australia received one of the service's highest honours on behalf of his father during an emotional funeral on Thursday.

The toddler son of a volunteer firefighter killed battling wildfires in Australia received one of the service's highest honours on behalf of his father during an emotional funeral on Thursday. Nineteen-month-old Harvey Keaton stood quietly, sucking on a pacifier, as the fire service commissioner pinned a posthumous commendation for bravery and service to his neatly pressed, oversized Rural Fire Services (RFS) shirt. Watch: Australia bushfires: Over 4,000 people trapped in Mallacoota beaches × Harvey's father, 32-year-old Geoffrey Keaton, was one of three volunteer firefighters killed in recent weeks. Keaton and a colleague died last month when a burnt tree fell in the path of their fire truck, causing it to roll. The third firefighter died this week in what was described by authorities as a "fire tornado". Dozens of firefighters saluted and formed a guard of honour as Keaton's hearse drove into a Sydney cemetery, according to pictures of the funeral posted online by the fire service. A mug placed on the coffin had a picture of father and son stick figures and the inscription: "Daddy I love you to the moon and back!" Another photograph from the funeral showed Harvey being held by his mother, Keaton's fiance Jess Hayes, as they looked at a portrait of the firefighter atop his coffin. NSW state Royal Fire Services Commissioner Craig Fitzsimmons, who has been giving daily briefings on the crisis, knelt down to pin the medal on Harvey's shirt. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has faced some criticism for his response to the fires, also attended. The NSW RFS said on Twitter it had "farewelled one of our own". Eight people have been killed by wildfires in the eastern states of New South Wales and Victoria since Monday, and 18 are still missing. Fierce fires have flared around Australia for several weeks, prompting mass evacuations, devastating towns and destroying homes. They have also raised questions about Australia's readiness to deal with climate change.

Toddler son receives posthumous medal for killed Australian firefighter

France has mobilised 1500 firefighters to deal with wildfires in countryside North of Marseille that have gutted buildings and forced more than 1000 people to flee their homes. 
 
Whipped up by strong winds, the blaze took hold around 3:30 pm (local time) and has spread over 2260 hectares (5600 acres) of scrubland, grass and some wooded areas, according to firefighters. 
 
&quot;We haven&#39;t seen a situation like this for a very long time,&quot; the fire service said, first calling the wildfires &quot;out of control&quot; but later describing more favourable conditions in the night. 
 
Homes were destroyed in the town of Vitrolles, some 30 kilometres (20 miles) North of Marseille, with more than 1,000 people forced to seek shelter in local sports centres. 
 
Dramatic images showed a helicopter battling to douse a blazing hillside with water just metres from a motorway close to Vitrolles, while one person was seriously injured in nearby Rognac. 
 
The blaze, which comes after low rainfall in winter and spring left southeast France extremely dry, sent a huge pall of smoke into the sky over the port city of Marseille. 
 
&quot;The fire seems to be less intense than before but is not yet under control,&quot; Marseille mayor Jean-Claude Gaudin said in a tweet. 
Further west in Herault, four firefighters were injured battling another blaze when their vehicle was surrounded by the flames. 
 
Hundreds of extra firefighters have been drafted in from elsewhere in France to tackle the blaze. 
 
Road and air transport were badly affected by the fire yesterday evening, with two motorways closed and some flights cancelled at Marseille airport.&nbsp; 
 
(PTI)

Hundreds of extra firefighters have been drafted in from elsewhere in France to tackle the blaze

France has mobilised 1500 firefighters to deal with wildfires in countryside North of Marseille that have gutted buildings and forced more than 1000 people to flee their homes. Whipped up by strong winds, the blaze took hold around 3:30 pm (local time) and has spread over 2260 hectares (5600 acres) of scrubland, grass and some wooded areas, according to firefighters. "We haven't seen a situation like this for a very long time," the fire service said, first calling the wildfires "out of control" but later describing more favourable conditions in the night. Homes were destroyed in the town of Vitrolles, some 30 kilometres (20 miles) North of Marseille, with more than 1,000 people forced to seek shelter in local sports centres. Dramatic images showed a helicopter battling to douse a blazing hillside with water just metres from a motorway close to Vitrolles, while one person was seriously injured in nearby Rognac. The blaze, which comes after low rainfall in winter and spring left southeast France extremely dry, sent a huge pall of smoke into the sky over the port city of Marseille. "The fire seems to be less intense than before but is not yet under control," Marseille mayor Jean-Claude Gaudin said in a tweet. Further west in Herault, four firefighters were injured battling another blaze when their vehicle was surrounded by the flames. Hundreds of extra firefighters have been drafted in from elsewhere in France to tackle the blaze. Road and air transport were badly affected by the fire yesterday evening, with two motorways closed and some flights cancelled at Marseille airport. (PTI)

Southern France battles bush fires, more than 1,000 evacuated

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