Canberra fire downgraded as heatwave eases

A fire that threatened Canberra’s southern suburbs was downgraded early yesterday, allowing firefighters to strengthen containment lines and protect residents. A state of emergency declared on Thursday was the first in the Australian Capital Territory, which includes Canberra and some surrounding townships, since 2003, when fires destroyed almost 500 homes. More than 80 fires are still burning across the New South Wales and Victoria. Storms are forecast to follow the heatwave, bringing rain that could help dampen fires but also carry the potential for wild weather, including flash flooding. At least 33 people have died and vast swaths of the country have been burned since September.