Hundreds of Firefighters Battle Wildfires in Australia

Hundreds of firefighters are struggling to contain a bushfire that has gone out of control near Perth, the capital of Western Australia, prompting authorities to urge residents in the fire's path to evacuate. Fire authorities reported that over 25 bushfires are currently burning across the vast state, with residents in rural areas of Jinginin and Chittering, located about 60 kilometers north of Perth, at risk from the rapidly spreading fire. Australia is facing a highly dangerous bushfire season, following the onset of the El Niño weather phenomenon, which is associated with extreme events such as bushfires, hurricanes, and droughts. A spokesperson for the state’s fire and emergency services stated that 240 firefighters are combating the blaze, which has reached an emergency level, the highest danger classification. The department posted a message on its website advising residents, “If the way is clear, leave now for a safer place.” The fire broke out on Saturday and has consumed 417 hectares of bushland. The country's meteorological agency issued a warning today of "extreme fire danger" in certain parts of Western Australia, while the heatwave warning from yesterday remains in effect. The maximum temperature in Perth is expected to reach 35 degrees Celsius, which is three degrees higher than the average maximum for January, according to data from the agency.