Weather Raises Australia’s Fire Danger

SYDNEY (AP) – Navy ships plucked hundreds of people from beaches and tens of thousands were urged to flee before hot, windy weather worsens Australia’s devastating wildfires. More than 200 fires are burning, and one fire official says the warnings of extreme danger to come means, “There are millions of sparks out there ready to go.” Hundreds of homes have been destroyed and 10 deaths have been confirmed from fires this week. The devastating early start to the summer wildfire season has made this Australia’s worst on record. One official noted the “fire fatigue” but told people not to wait to flee until it was too late.