Australian Beach Towns Ablaze as Wildfire Crisis Intensifies
- Thousands take shelter on beaches along southeast coast
- Crisis has triggered an emotive debate on global warming
This article is for subscribers only.
Australia’s wildfire crisis intensified on Tuesday as coastal towns across the southeast caught ablaze, forcing thousands of stranded tourists and locals to seek refuge on beaches.
Thick black smoke billowing from infernos in Victoria and New South Wales states turned the morning sky pitch black or choked the coastline in a haunting red haze. Two people were killed as a fire ripped through the small community of Cobargo, taking the death toll since the devastating fire season began several weeks ago to 12. Five others are missing.