Winds, Smoke Impede Firefighting Efforts
From Times Wire Reports
Hot winds and dense smoke hampered firefighting efforts in parts of Australia as more than 60 fires raged, 20 of them out of control. Police said they were hunting for arsonists.
Smoke from blazes in the southern state of Victoria was so thick that helicopters could no longer fly over to dump water on the flames, officials said.
Fires on the southern island state of Tasmania were threatening some homes near the capital, Hobart, but no evacuations were immediately ordered.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
