Australia – At least 30 houses were destroyed or seriously damaged in a bushfire in New South Wales.
Blazes burned across the state and neighboring Queensland on Tuesday as temperatures climbed as high as 40°C (104°F) in some areas.
Drought-affected parts of eastern Australia endured intense fires since September – the start of spring.
Bushfires were presently affecting over 100,000 hectares of land. In some areas, the blazes raged for more than five weeks.
The bushfires followed record high winter temperatures and sparse rainfall. Prior to that, Australia had its hottest summer on record.
Many areas are enduring a prolonged and severe drought, which scientists said was due to climate change.(BBC)
