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CNN Sunday Morning
Firefighters and Residents Battle Fire in Sydney, Australia
Aired December 30, 2001 - 09:22 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.
MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Australia's largest city, Sydney, has been blanketed in a haze of smoke for more than one -- or from more than 100 brush fires. Firefighters and residents have battled the flames non-stop since Christmas Day. Mark Simons reports.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MARK SIMONS, CHANNEL 7 CORRESPONDENT (voice over): (UNINTELLIGIBLE) had labeled this one of the most dangerous days in the state's history. In the Blue Mountains, a line of fire 30 kilometers long was close, with predictions a southerly wind change could send it straight towards communities.
PHIL KOPERBERG, RURAL FIRE COMMISSIONER: The Blue Mountains operation continues to be a high risk and somewhat tenuous run.
SIMONS: Back burning continued, much to the relief of locals.
LOUISE HORIX, WARRIMOO RESIDENT: Apparently the winds are only about an hour away, so. But with this, now they've done these, we feel a lot safer.
SIMONS: And with plenty of fuel, there was good reason to back them.
GEORGE KERR, FIREFIGHTER: Well look how thick it is. You know, it's just a disaster waiting to happen here.
SIMONS: But firefighters kept their sense of humor.
GARY LIVINGSTONE, FIREFIGHTER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), famous last words.
SIMONS: Louis Horix lives right on the edge of the bush at Warimoo. Family members came to help, bringing their own pump.
HORIX: Yes, really nervous and anxious.
SIMONS: In Springwood, more community spirit, a friend arrived with a 5,000 liter water tanker.
DEANNE EDWARDS, SPRINGWOOD RESIDENT: It's just spraying down everyone's houses, yes that's right. And I hope that we don't lose any more houses in the mountains and we'll be here to help any of them.
SIMONS: Everywhere last minute preparations, pine trees cut away from beside this home.
HARRY TUNTLER, SPRINGWOOD RESIDENT: I reckon it's coming from the south with the dust. We want to be ready for it.
SIMONS: Firefighters went door-to-door warning people they were about to see that burning, not the fire front.
PETER AITKEN, NEW FIRE BRIGADES: Well it sparks off, it's fine. There will just be a lot of sparks and stuff all around. If (inaudible) comes at the same time, it will get very interesting.
SIMONS: He asked for some grass to be cut. It was done straightaway. For firefighters, a quick chance to refuel and wait. The horror weather conditions may not have arrived, but the heat and the rush to prepare took its toll.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SAVIDGE: That was Channel 7 reporter Mark Simons in Blue Mountains, Australia.
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