Canberra firestorm and the demand to care

By Beverly Goldsmith

ON JANUARY 18, a Saturday afternoon, a firestorm swept through suburbs of Canberra, Australia's Federal capital city. Over 500 houses were destroyed. Four people died, many sustained burns, and thousands were left homeless.

The savage bush fire was caused by lighting strikes in nearby state forests and fueled by scorching temperatures, prolonged drought, tinderdry bush, and cyclonic hot winds. Flames swept into the city, raining sparks and turning day into night with thick smoke.

Under-resourced fire and police authorities had no time to prepare properly for the disaster. Vital infrastructure was damaged. The huge telescopes of Australia's historic Mount Stromlo Observatory, which have revealed significant secrets of deep space and contributed to the world's knowledge of the universe, were destroyed.

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