Wildfires

Wildfires - Australia

More than 250 firefighters are battling a large bushfire that's burning out of control in Victoria's Gippsland. The blaze is burning in bushland east of Cann River and had spread to almost 10,000 hectares on Monday, forcing some road closures. It currently poses no threat to homes but with hot weather forecast for coming days, authorities are telling locals to be alert.

Wildfires - California

The army of firefighters, heavy equipment and aircraft battling the Thomas Fire which has become the third-largest wildfire in California history faced a forecast of extreme fire danger caused by high winds and dry conditions over the weekend.

The Thomas Fire has burned more than 400 square miles northwest of Los Angeles and is only 35 percent contained. Forecasters expect strong Santa Ana winds to whip the flames with gusts up to 40 mph. No rain is forecast, and the National Weather Service reported the area is enduring its second-driest water season on record.

As of Sunday morning, the Thomas Fire had burned 259,000 acres, with the potential to become the biggest single fire in California history. The current record is held by the 2003 Cedar Fire, which killed 15 people and burned just over 273,000 acres in San Diego. The fire has burned more than 1,000 buildings, including well over 750 homes, authorities said.

As of Sunday morning, about 8,300 firefighters, 29 helicopters and 77 bulldozers were working the fire. Two people have been killed in the blaze.