Australian military's explosives exercise may have sparked bush fire
Explosives training probed as cause of one of the fires ravaging parts of New South Wales
The Australian military said yesterday that it was investigating whether a major bush fire was linked to an explosives training exercise, as firefighters battled blazes that have destroyed or damaged at least 300 homes.
Firefighters were bracing for worsening conditions, with higher temperatures and winds expected to intensify the danger in the coming days.
The Rural Fire Service said around 80 fires were burning across New South Wales state, with about 20 of them uncontained despite yesterday's cooler weather conditions.
One of the major fires was between the towns of Lithgow and Bilpin, about 80 kilometres northwest of Sydney, which intensified after burning through 30,000 hectares and reportedly destroying some properties.
"This fire is by no means contained," said Rob Rogers, New South Wales Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner. "It's got absolutely kilometres and kilometres of fire front."
The Australian Defence Force said it was investigating the circumstances of the fire near Lithgow, which began on its land.
"The fire started on October 16, the same day that Defence personnel were conducting an explosive-ordnance training activity," it said in a statement.