Bush fires blanket Australian capital

Heavy smoke from bush fires blanketed Australia’s capital today amid fears that ash from the blazes could pollute the city’s water supply.

About 250 firefighters were battling three fires in Namadgi National Park near Canberra. So far, the flames were not threatening any homes.

Chief fire control officer Peter Lucas-Smith warned that heavy rain could wash ash into rivers and then into the drinking water system.

And the fires could continue for another six weeks if there is no change in the weather, he added. Very hot, dry conditions were expected on Friday.

Bush fires were also burning in remote areas of southern Victoria state but were not threatening houses there either.

Such blazes regularly break out during the hot Southern Hemisphere summer in Australia. Many are started by arsonists, but the latest were sparked by lightning storms last week.