Australia ablaze

Science World, May 11, 2009 by Jacqueline Adams

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Last February, deadly bushfires raged across southern Australia. While many people and animals perished in the flames, one injured koala, now nicknamed "Sam," was saved, thanks to a brave firefighter. The fires started after the region dried out from drought and high temperatures, which peaked at 47[degrees]C (117[degrees]F) the day of the fires. That made it easy for fires to ignite and for strong winds to sweep them out of control. "Gaining an understanding of the factors that led to the tragic loss of life will be the first step in preventing future tragedies of this type," says Andrew Sullivan, a bushfire researcher at Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation.