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CNN SUNDAY MORNING
Firefighters and Residents Battle Fire in Sydney, Australia
Aired December 30, 2001 - 09:22 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED. MARTIN SAVIDGE, CNN ANCHOR: Australia's largest city, Sydney, has been blanketed in a haze of smoke for more than one -- or from more than 100 brush fires. Firefighters and residents have battled the flames non-stop since Christmas Day. Mark Simons reports. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE) MARK SIMONS, CHANNEL 7 CORRESPONDENT (voice over): (UNINTELLIGIBLE) had labeled this one of the most dangerous days in the state's history. In the Blue Mountains, a line of fire 30 kilometers long was close, with predictions a southerly wind change could send it straight towards communities. PHIL KOPERBERG, RURAL FIRE COMMISSIONER: The Blue Mountains operation continues to be a high risk and somewhat tenuous run. SIMONS: Back burning continued, much to the relief of locals. LOUISE HORIX, WARRIMOO RESIDENT: Apparently the winds are only about an hour away, so. But with this, now they've done these, we feel a lot safer. SIMONS: And with plenty of fuel, there was good reason to back them. GEORGE KERR, FIREFIGHTER: Well look how thick it is. You know, it's just a disaster waiting to happen here. SIMONS: But firefighters kept their sense of humor. GARY LIVINGSTONE, FIREFIGHTER: (UNINTELLIGIBLE), famous last words. SIMONS: Louis Horix lives right on the edge of the bush at Warimoo. Family members came to help, bringing their own pump. HORIX: Yes, really nervous and anxious. SIMONS: In Springwood, more community spirit, a friend arrived with a 5,000 liter water tanker. DEANNE EDWARDS, SPRINGWOOD RESIDENT: It's just spraying down everyone's houses, yes that's right. And I hope that we don't lose any more houses in the mountains and we'll be here to help any of them. SIMONS: Everywhere last minute preparations, pine trees cut away from beside this home. HARRY TUNTLER, SPRINGWOOD RESIDENT: I reckon it's coming from the south with the dust. We want to be ready for it. SIMONS: Firefighters went door-to-door warning people they were about to see that burning, not the fire front. PETER AITKEN, NEW FIRE BRIGADES: Well it sparks off, it's fine. There will just be a lot of sparks and stuff all around. If (inaudible) comes at the same time, it will get very interesting. SIMONS: He asked for some grass to be cut. It was done straightaway. For firefighters, a quick chance to refuel and wait. The horror weather conditions may not have arrived, but the heat and the rush to prepare took its toll. (END VIDEOTAPE) SAVIDGE: That was Channel 7 reporter Mark Simons in Blue Mountains, Australia. TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
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