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CNN Live At Daybreak

Firefighters Continue the Fight Near Sydney

Aired January 04, 2002 - 06:37   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Things are getting a little too hot down under. Firefighters in Australia are trying everything they can to put out more than 100 brush fires. Correspondent Chris Reason (ph) has a look from the front lines.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS REASON (ph), CHANNEL 7 REPORTER, AUSTRALIAN TELEVISION: As the blaze worked its way south, firefighters tried their best to guide it past the urban fringe. The regular purpose of the Prince's Highway (ph) put on hold -- today it was a containment line. Here the only traffic allowed through went under escort.

Spot fires again causing havoc. This crew so stretched, Seven News reporter Morgan Auch (ph) called on to direct traffic. They were trying to protect the coastal towns of Bendelom (ph), Menauina (ph), Lake Congola (ph).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're really trying to avoid these fires spreading across the highway.

REASON (ph): In the air Navy helicopters flew surveillance runs, looking for more outbreaks, while on the ground, they lay protection lines. Bulldozers clearing fire hazards and keeping the power lines free.

PHIL GRANT, RURAL FIRE SERVICE: Once we lose power we might as well go fishing.

REASON (ph): Many here evacuated already, others are refusing. Firefighters have helped prepare, but the risk assessment is stark.

JOHN WHITMARSH, RESIDENT: If fire wants to attack the house, then fire is going to attack the house despite the best preparations that we can make.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It is intimidating. It's bigger than any of us. You know, and it has control.

REASON: As water bombing operations continued, complaints from local pilots that over rigid regulations are stopping them from doing more.

COLONEL ADAMS, PILOT: We've got a field full (ph) of airplanes and pilots sitting on the ground purely because they've got the -- you know, they're on the seventh day, they've got to have it off.

REASON (ph): No complaints here, though, with the regions' roads mostly shut or cut, at least one truck's been getting through.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

LIN: That was Chris Reason (ph) from Channel 7, Australian television, contributing on that report.

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