Australia: The Fires Still On

After a considerable relief over the weekend, bush fires in New South Wales intensified on Monday. New outbreaks threatened residential areas in metropolitan Sydney. While those fires have been successfully contained, new fires south of Sydney forced a mass scale evacuation. Weather conditions eased Tuesday afternoon and the firefighters report significant progress. Unfortunately, this year's bush fires in Australia appear to a man-made event. Twenty arsonists have been arrested so far, fourteen of the teenagers. Police recovered as well incendiary devices planted in forest areas. Arson carries a penalty of up to 14 years imprisonment in Australia.

Henry L. Marconi PRAVDA.Ru Sydney