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Frida and Ted, sixty, decided to sleep in their car, very equipped. M. Paradon / RFI

One of the most important lights in New South Wales is that of Nowra, 150 km west of Sydney. Part of the city has been evacuated. RFI was able to meet a couple in their sixties who left their house to take refuge in their car.

With our special correspondent in Nowra, Murielle Paradon

Frida and Ted, sixty, found refuge in a park on the heights of Nowra. They urgently left their house when the flames were approaching and decided to sleep in their very equipped car. It's my car, we have a fridge, a freezer, sleeping bags, pillows, we have food, and over there it's my husband's car. We took both. And we have stuff to snack on because we don't know how long we're going to stay here. "

Fires threaten. A huge column of smoke is visible in the distance and ashes regularly fall from the sky. Ted, Frida's husband, remains connected. In case of danger, you will have to leave quickly by car. " I listen to the radio, we manage to get information, and so far we still have telephone coverage. "

The couple did well to evacuate. A firefighters emergency message has just fallen: " If you are north of Nowra, find a refuge because the fire is coming ". The mobile phone is essential. Anyone in the area automatically receives firefighter alert sms in case of danger. A precious service that has undoubtedly saved lives.

Five times more fires than usual

Major bush fires continue to spread and the country's heat wave does not improve the situation. 5 million hectares have already burned, which places these fires among the largest in the history of Australia. The state of New South Wales even experiences fires five times higher than in an ordinary year.

Thanks to its satellites, NASA can detect the points where fires occur from infrared radiation and thermal anomalies caused by flames. The American space agency recorded nearly 65,000 fires for the year 2019, against 13,000 on average. In 2003, a year so far considered a record, the number of fires had been half that of the current episode.

Bush fires are common in Australia from December to June but are much more significant this year due to many factors. First of all, an exceptional dryness which lowers the water content of plants, making them more easily flammable. The heat also promotes the development of fire. 2019 was the warmest year on record in Australia. The temperature increase was 1.5 ° C compared to the average for 1961-1990.

The strong winds hitting the country also make the fires difficult to control for firefighters. The fires could continue to spread for many more weeks.

Wildfires are pictured surrounding Sydney, Australia, as the International Space Station orbited 269 miles above the Tasman Sea on Jan. 3, 2020. pic.twitter.com/XUTJLHZB8x

Intl. Space Station (@Space_Station) January 4, 2020