Fire threat to Australia's Blue Mountains 'averted'

Australia battles fire. BBC photo.

Australian fire officials say the threat to the Blue Mountains west of Sydney "has been averted" for the day, but warn the crisis is far from over.

Residents should be able to return to their homes later on Wednesday, New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.

But Mr Fitzsimmons warned that fresh challenges lay ahead in the coming days amid unfavourable conditions.

In total, 73 fires are burning across the state, 29 of which are uncontained.

Meanwhile, a fire service investigation has concluded the largest of the fires in the Blue Mountains - State Mine near Lithgow - was caused by explosives training at an army range at Marrangaroo.

"The investigation has concluded the fire started as a result of exploding ordinances," a Rural Fire Service spokesman said.

Commenting on the revelations, New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell said he did not want it to detract from the army's efforts "made over the past week in assisting the state's emergency services battle these fires."

Fire officials had warned that Wednesday's combination of high temperatures, low humidity and strong winds could lead to more devastation.

Hundreds of homes have already been destroyed as more than 3,000 firefighters battle to contain the bushfires in Australia's most populous state.

BBC