Australia faces new blaze threat

A new blaze threat is looming over Australia, amid fears that hot, dry outback winds could whip up new infernos.

There is already growing outrage over the handling of the wildfires that killed four people, with the government ordering an inquiry into the crisis,

Peter Lucas-Smith, chief fire controller for the Australian Capital Territory, said: "We are still facing some very high to extreme fire dangers."

He said fires are still burning, and some areas scorched black on Saturday are also still alight. A pall of grey smoke haze is hanging over Canberra.

Thousands were evacuated and hospitals treated about 250 people for burns and smoke inhalation after Saturday's blazes.