Australia readies as renewed bushfire threat looms and economic costs soar via Colpackham
SYDNEY - Australian firefighters used cool weather on Tuesday to try to strengthen containment lines around almost 200 wildfires burning in the country’s southeast, as Prime Minister Scott Morrison prepared to meet with insurance and bank executives to discuss the crisis.
The Insurance Council of Australia increased its estimate for damages claims from the fires to more than A$700 million on Tuesday, with claims expected to jump further when more fire-hit areas are accessible. On the ground, firefighters were working to get as much control over the huge blazes as possible before forecast high temperatures and winds return later in the week, threatening to ignite a fresh wave of fires.
* Morrison attends funeral for volunteer firefighter Andrew O’Dwyer who was killed along with colleague Geoffrey Keaton on Dec. 19 after a burnt tree fell in the path of their firetruck, causing it to roll. * Authorities said the number of people calling for urgent medical care in Victoria jumped 51% on Monday as hazardous smoke covered the state.
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