Tourists evacuated as Australian wild fires continue to rage

Monday, 30 Dec, 2019 0

Visitors to Australia are being urged to closely monitor local TV, radio and social media as scores of wild fires continue to rage across the country.

The most dangerous wildfires are currently in the state of Victoria, where fires are being worsened by scorching temperatures and strong winds.

Around 30,000 residents and holidaymakers have been urged to leave the popular tourist region of East Gippsland, east of Melbourne, but officials later deemed evacuations too dangerous as fires spread across major roads.

Officials warned that the Princes Highway, the only access road to many of the seaside suburbs, might be closed.

Emergency fire warnings have also been issued for South Australia, New South Wales (NSW) and Tasmania on Monday.

The Foreign Office advice says: "Australia continues to battle serious bushfires across multiple regions with authorities in some regions declaring a State of Emergency and ordering road closures and evacuations.

"If you are in or near an affected area or planning any travel, stay safe, monitor TV news, radio and social media channels for updates, and follow the instructions and advice of local authorities."

Bev

Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.

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