'Megablaze' that razed Australia is under control

SYDNEY (Jan 13): The fires that have razed over 2,000 homes, killed 26 people, wiped out an estimated billion mammals, birds and reptiles and scorched some 25 million acres are finally under control in some areas, say firefighters. 

The “megablaze” front at the vast Gospers Mountain on Sydney's northwestern outskirts has been somewhat subdued by wet weather, and New South Wales Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said there was a “small area of burning still to complete” but the “containment prognosis looks promising.”

AFP reports that the Bureau of Meteorology forecast some firegrounds may receive some 50 millimetres of rain in the next week, a relief after a prolonged drought.

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service was quoted as saying that if the forecast is accurate, “then this will be all of our Christmas, birthday, engagement, anniversary, wedding and graduation presents rolled into one. Fingers crossed.”

However, there are dozens of other fires that are yet to be controlled.

Climate-change-fuelled fires have resulted in a global outpouring of support to aid affected people and animals.