Morwell Could Catch Fire

Our thanks to Kiery-Anne Clissold (Morwell, Australia) for the heads up!

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENTS
BUSHFIRES
TOXIC FUMES FROM BURNING COAL MINES
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Toxic fumes from burning open-pit coal mines threaten thousands in Latrobe Valley, Australia

Fires in the Hazelwood and Yallourn  coal mines have been burning for 13 days, sending thick, toxic fumes and ash over Latrobe Valley [pop: 130,000] in the Australian state of Victoria.

The blaze was ignited by bushfires earlier this month and is burning over a 2.5-km front close to the town of Morwell, 130km east of Melbourne.

“Morwell on Fire.” Apocalyptic fumes blanket the town of Morwell in Latrobe Valley, Victoria, Australia.  Screenshot from a news clip by abc.net.au

Australia’s  Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a high-level alert after the air pollution index topped 1,300 Friday afternoon.

The toxic smoke and ash from the fires forced ABC Australia to evacuate staff from its newsroom on Morwell’s main street, said the network.

Several schools and childcare centers in Morwell have been closed, and hundreds of students relocated to schools in neighboring towns, said ABC.

Kiery-Anne Clissold who lives in Morwell said:

We have had a recent normal spate of bushes…but the fire has gotten into the Open Cut Coal Mine. Into the Seam, which happens to have a town built on it. It has been burning for weeks with no sign of being controlled or put out. The locals are being poisoned by the pollutants in the Volcano like smoke that continually spews out of this disgusting hole in our beautiful planet. We need some help here. Thought your organisation should know.

Related Links

• Australian Disasters [links index page]
• More Australian Coal, Anyone? Posted on January 31, 2011