Australia is expected to face up to AU$5 billion (US$3.5 billion) in losses as fires continue to rage across the continent, according to an Australian Westpac bank forecast. The natural disaster could also cut 0.2 to 0.5 percent of the country’s GDP, the bank said in its preliminary analysis released on Monday. The tourism and agricultural sectors have been hit hardest, while the most severely affected... 

Ongoing Australian bushfires have destroyed at least 1,200 homes and scorched at least 14 million acres of land since September, with authorities fearing lightning may spark fresh blazes across Victoria as hotter temperatures lash the state over the weekend. An ominous “devil face” image has been photographed amid the horrendous Australian bushfires as the raging flames have reportedly claimed... 

Australian firefighters are warning about an impending “mega blaze” as efforts to tackle over 100 bushfires have backfired spectacularly, while the country prepares for its possible hottest day on record. At least 20 houses have been razed and over 400,000 hectares burned as fire crews battle over 100 fires in New South Wales. Residents are bracing for even more extreme temperatures this... 

The Greek island of Samos has been “destabilized” following a fire at an asylum center which was already overflowing with migrants, a local mayor has warned. Hundreds of migrants are now sleeping in parks and public squares following a blaze at the Vathy migrant processing and reception center. The island has reached a “breaking point,” according to Greek outlet Ekathimerini. “The... 

An elderly couple have become the first victims of bushfires which have been ravaging drought-stricken areas of eastern Australia, police said Thursday. The bodies of the 77-year-old man and 68-year-old woman were found in the charred remains of their home in rural New South Wales state, a police spokesman said. Authorities said one man had suffered serious burns in a fire that was thought to have... 

Victoria state in Australia is suffering raging bushfires that have already claimed over 100 homes in one of the country’s famous tourist areas. Emergency authorities scrambled to fight the disaster and warn more fires will come by the New Year. Massive bushfires were fanned by winds and rapidly made advances across residential areas in the townships of Wye River and Separation Creek on Friday. Victoria... 

Over 100 bushfires are blazing in the state of Victoria, Australia, with over 200 homes at risk. Unusually high temperatures and strong winds have fueled the fires, which are threatening areas about 80 kilometers northwest of Melbourne. Firefighters are struggling to put out the blazes, with changing wind directions making their task even more difficult. Aerial water bombers have also been called... 

Australian authorities are on high-alert as two bushfires rage across the country’s South Australia state and temperatures soar above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). On Friday, at least four homes have been destroyed and several volunteer firefighters injured as separate fires burnt out of control in northeast of the state capital, Adelaide, and in the Lower South East region. “You are in... 

Massive fire is seen raging in the Whiteman Park area of the Australian city of Perth on December 14, 2014. Towering flames near Western Australian city of Perth have prompted evacuation of many homes as water-bombing helicopters and firefighters battle the blaze. The wildfire began in the Whiteman Park area of the major city, which has a population of 1.5 million, at 1:11 pm local time, threatening... 

Wildfires threaten the suburbs of Australia’s largest city, Sydney, as an investigation finds out the fires were ignited by a military exercise. A fire service spokesman said late Wednesday that more than 1,500 Australian firefighters continue to battle the fire to keep flames from reaching the western suburbs of Sydney. A combination of high winds and temperatures have fueled fears the bushfires...