OVER 100 FIRES BURN IN NSW

Authorities warned on 10 December 2009 that more than 120 wildfires are burning in rural areas of New South Wales. Upward of 2,000 firefighters have been deployed to battle the blazes that are reportedly threatening many farms and towns. Residents have been advised that high temperatures and dry conditions will likely allow the fires to spread farther in the next few days. Although authorities have not yet issued a “Code Red" warning for New South Wales, which would force mass evacuation and mobilize thousands more firefighters, government officials are likely to make preparations for possible evacuations as the situation becomes more dangerous.