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Bushfires continue to engulf Australia - 15th January 2020
Australia is still fighting these wildfires, which have been burning since September. So far, 17 people have been killed and the blazes have devastated some small towns. An area bigger than Denmark has been destroyed.
Bushfires can be caused by lightning, but often they start due to man-made events. Common causes include campfires, cigarettes, sparks from machinery, overhead power lines and controlled burning on agricultural land.
Reports also indicate that climate change is increasing the strength of the fires. There have been hotter and drier conditions and record low rainfall over several years. Together with unusually strong winds, this has meant the fires have spread quickly.
The fire crews are mostly volunteers. They’re risking their lives daily to help fight the fires. One of the crews filmed this footage.
Fortunately, the firefighters escaped without injury.
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