No Australians caught up in NZ hostel fire tragedy
The foreign affairs department says it has not been advised of any Australians affected by the fire at a New Zealand hostel that has claimed at least six lives.
fire
Recovery and search effort resumes after NZ hostel fire
Police say they'll gain entry to Wellington's Loafers Lodge hostel on Wednesday, when the recovery and identification of bodies can begin.
Bushfires a brutal blow for threatened Aussie frogs
A frog that makes a farting noise and another that keeps its tadpoles in "pockets" are amongst the Aussie amphibians hit hard by the Black Summer fires.
Firefighters mourn colleague as factory blaze probed
Firefighter Izabella Nash is being remembered as a happy and friendly crew member as police investigate the factory blaze that took her life.
Firefighter critical as crews rescue two of their own
Two firefighters have been rushed to hospital and a crime scene declared after crews worked to contain a large factory fire south of Brisbane.
Megabucks up for grabs for megafires solution
A cashed-up competition is underway to transform how fires are detected, managed and fought, and Aussie firefighters will help decide who wins.
Bushfire-fighting chemicals stunt, kill frogs: study
A Queensland study has sounded alarm bells about new-generation bushfire-fighting chemicals, with two found to stunt and kill frogs.
Fire kills 21 at hospital in China’s capital: report
A fire at Beijing's Changfeng Hospital in China's capital has killed 21 people, state media reports say.
Hunt for ‘unpredictable’ man after alleged crime spree
Queensland Police have appealed for an accused drug trafficker allegedly involved in three separate violent incidents in Brisbane on Thursday to surrender.
Apartment complex fire shuts down major Sydney road
It took more than 40 firefighters to control an apartment fire that sent thick black smoke into the sky in Darlinghurst, in inner Sydney.
Hunt for ‘dangerous’ armed gunman enters fourth day
Queensland Police are calling for the surrender of an accused drug trafficker allegedly involved in three separate violent incidents in Brisbane on Thursday.
At least 40 dead in Mexico migrant centre fire
A fire at a migrant centre in the Mexican northern border city of Ciudad Juarez has killed at least 40 people, officials say, many of whom were from Guatemala.
Experts back rules to snuff out e-bike, e-scooter fires
After a spate of house fires and injuries Australia urgently needs new rules governing electric bikes, scooters and skateboards, experts say.
Fire traps, kills farmer as Sydney prepares to swelter
As a family mourns a farmer killed in a hazard-reduction burn, parts of NSW and western Sydney are expected to swelter when temperatures reach the low 40s.
Fire pilot went to ‘go take a look’ on fatal last shift
An aerial firefighter who died flying his final shift told another pilot he would "go take a look" at a fire the operator of other plane refused to return to.
Black Summer fires sound alarm on ozone layer depletion
Scientists believe they now understand how megafires such as Australia's Black Summer blazes deplete the ozone layer that shields humanity from the sun.
Hotter than summer: Mercury soars in NSW heatwave
Sydney baked through its hottest day in two years while bushfires in NSW's west sparked emergency warnings for two communities.
NSW swelters through second scorcher as bushfires burn
Baking conditions have continued across Sydney and NSW as wind changes have intensified a large blaze in the state's central west, threatening homes.
New head appointed at disaster recovery agency
The Queensland government has appointed a familiar face to lead the state's disaster recovery agency following the departure of chief executive Brendan Moon.
Large, fast fire threatens properties in western Qld
Firefighters say a large, fast-moving bushfire burning in Queensland's Western Downs is threatening a number of rural properties near Weir River.
International delegates hear how Australia manages fire
Delegates from around the world have heard from Indigenous Australians on traditional fire management practices at a forum in Darwin.
Australia a ‘powder keg’ for grassfires after big wet
Every time Australia has had prolonged periods of wet weather, deadly fires have followed. Experts say the death of this La Nina will likely end the same way.
Lives, homes ‘still at risk’ as SA bushfire downgraded
Threats remains despite warnings being downgraded for a bushfire burning on the outskirts of Port Lincoln, on Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.
West Australian region could nudge 50 degrees
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a heatwave warning for large parts of the country as temperatures rise to more than 40 degrees Celsius.
Soaring temperatures put WA residents on high alert
Temperatures in the high 40s will be felt in northern parts of Western Australia as other areas of the country get a heatwave reprieve.
Race to contain Qld bushfires as heatwave looms
Emergency warnings are in place for residents to the north of the Queensland town of Miles as firefighters try to bring large bushfires under control.
Residents prepared to leave as Queensland fires rage
Firefighters have told about 220 residents near Miles, 300km northwest of Brisbane, to monitor conditions as they try to contain a major bushfire.
‘Leave immediately’: Bushfires rage across Queensland
Emergency warnings are in place across parts of Queensland as the state battles 50 bushfires, with challenging conditions expected to continue.
Multiple bushfires burning across Queensland
Numerous fires are burning across Queensland, as temperatures hit 40C in several parts of the state.
Lightning adds to threat as Queensland blazes rage
Residents in Queensland's Western Downs are bracing for the impact of multiple bushfires, with a number of buildings already destroyed.
Firefighters race to contain blazes in rural Queensland
Residents to the north of the Queensland town of Miles are on alert as firefighters try to bring a large bushfire under control.