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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.

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