Australia announces cause of forest fires

The New South Wales Fire Service announced today (October 24) that an investigation found that explosives training by the Australian military was the cause of the serious bushfire in Mine State in the Blue Mountains region.

“We are working with the NSW Police and the military to investigate the cause of the bushfire,” said Shane Fitzsimmons, head of the NSW Fire and Rescue Service. “After surveying the burnt area, investigators have determined the cause and origin of the bushfire: it was the result of a direct explosion.”

Extinguishing forest fires in Australia. Photo: CNN

Speaking on Australian National Radio on October 23, the leader of the Blue Mountains region, Mr. Mark Greenhill, said that the bushfire caused great damage to residents here.

Mr Greenhill asked the Australian military to explain conducting explosives training on a windy and hot day that is prone to bushfires.

Fires have been raging in the Blue Mountains since October 17, after which New South Wales was declared a state of emergency. Local authorities said the fire was fierce and spreading very quickly. Hundreds of firefighters were deployed to the Blue Mountains to supplement the 1,000 others sent earlier, making this the largest firefighting operation in the history of New South Wales.

The fires have destroyed more than 200 homes in New South Wales and thousands of hectares of bushland. One person has died after suffering a heart attack while trying to evacuate his belongings.

According to VOV - HQ