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Australian Prime Minister Says Bushfires Could Burn For Months

Australian Prime Minister Says Bushfires Could Burn For Months

This weekend represented two of the worst days since the fires started

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers

The Australian Prime Minister has warned that the bushfires could burn for months to come.

Scott Morrison has been criticised for the government's perceived slow reaction to the devastating wave of fires that have swept across parts of the country over the past few months. He was recently confronted by residents during a visit to the ravaged town of Cobargo, in New South Wales.

This weekend represented two of the worst days since the fires started, with hundreds of properties destroyed and the air quality in the capital Canberra rated the worst in the world.

The 51-year-old has now warned that the fires that have claimed the lives of 24 people and almost half-a-billion animals, could continue for "many, many months" to come.

Speaking to the press, he said: "Unlike a flood, where the water will recede, in a fire like this, it goes on and it will continue to go on as those in the agencies have advised us, until we can get some decent rain that can deal with some of the fires that have been burning for many, many months."

The Australian Prime Minister has been criticised for appearing not to have acted as soon as he should.
PA

This deeply worrying admission comes as Mr Morrison announced a recovery agency to help those who have lost homes and businesses in the fires.

On Saturday, he also announced the largest military call-up in the country's recent history, with up to 3,000 reservists being mobilised to assist volunteers who have been fighting the fires.

Earlier today, horrendous images emerged showing the charred and burned corpses of animals including sheep, kangaroos and koalas line the main road in and out of Batlow in New South Wales.

The air is still thick with smoke from the blazes, but the people have started to return to the town and are realising the extent of the damage done.

Some of the photographs shared show the carcasses of livestock piled up by the edges of fields that they'd tried to escape from as the fires came closer.

The sheep may have tried to escape from the fields in order to save themselves.

The air quality in Canberra was rated the worst in the world this weekend.
PA

ABC cameraman Matt Roberts tweeted: "Absolutely gut wrenching driving into Batlow this morning, never seen anything like it.

"Sorry to have to share these images... it's completely heartbreaking. Worst thing I've seen. Story must be told."

It is thought that many of the homes on the outskirts of the town have been destroyed by the fires, and a 47-year-old man has also died following a heart attack suffered whilst defending his friend's home.

David Harrison travelled to the town of Batlow from Goulburn to try to assist his friend Geoff, who was battling to save his property.

Mr Harrison's brother told 9 News that his brother would 'do anything for anyone' and will be remembered as a hero.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: World News, Bushfires, Interesting, Australia