A staggering 80 wildfires have unleashed havoc across the northern state of Queensland, Australia, reducing more than 35 homes to ashes.
The fires, fanned by strong winds, escalated in intensity on Saturday.
According to reports, the rural town of Tara bore the brunt of the devastation, with fires consuming over 30,000 hectares.
The town’s residents were compelled to evacuate on Saturday, and the relentless blazes are currently being combated by approximately 20 units, including firefighting and mapping aircraft.
In a bid to safeguard the residents, authorities issued three emergency warnings to townships in the area on Saturday morning, urging immediate evacuation.
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Also, three other regions were placed under “watch and act” status to prepare for potential evacuation.
These fires ominously herald an early start to Australia’s summer.
Weather experts predict a multiyear phase of hot and dry conditions due to a new El Nino cycle, a worrying prospect given the recent memory of one of the worst bushfire seasons on record.
In response to the crisis, Australia’s Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt, announced an expansion of personal hardship assistance claims on Saturday for residents in six regions already affected. This support encompasses costs for essential items and income-tested grants for utility reconnection.