Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, January 10, 1994                   TAG: 9401100065
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA                                LENGTH: Medium

WINDS FAN FIRES IN AUSTRALIA

The winds abated and light rain fell early today, dissipating a thick haze that had blanketed Sydney. The rain wasn't enough, however, to extinguish the fires that have raged across southeast Australia for more than a week.

Four people, including two firefighters, have been killed and more than 60 hospitalized since the fires began. Thousands have been evacuated and others left stranded after major highways and railroads were blocked by smoke and flames. There are 136 fires burning today along a 600-mile section of coast.

Huge fires Saturday came to within five miles of downtown Sydney, Australia's largest city, with 3.6 million people. Firefighters cut off the progress of the fires.

On Sunday, shifting winds whipped up huge blazes in national parks on opposite sides of Sydney. Witnesses said flames were up to three stories tall in some spots. Huge smoke plumes towered in the air.

At one point, flames came perilously close to Sydney's main international satellite communication facility.

Helicopters scooped water from nearby lakes and dumped it on the flames. Fire crews burned forest litter and vegetation to slow the advance of the fires, which have destroyed about 185 homes and other buildings.

As the wind abated early today, firefighters said the northern fire was safely contained in Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, while the progress of the other through the Royal National Park to the south had slowed.

The Department of Bushfire Services warned that without rain, the fires burning across 1.2 million acres of forest and grassland - 1 1/2 times the size of Rhode Island - in New South Wales state might rage on for many days.

"What we need is a good heavy downpour to put them out," said spokesman Kevin O'Donoghue.

Meteorologists said substantial rain should arrive by Wednesday or Thursday, but also warned that such summer storms could also produce fire-starting lightning.

Huge fires also burned in tinder-dry forest in the Blue Mountains, 50 miles west of Sydney.

Across southeast Australia, thousands of people who spent Saturday night in makeshift evacuation shelters returned Sunday to undamaged houses, but some came back to ashes and rubble.

Police say many fires were started by arsonists. They have arrested 11 people for lighting fires and have been inundated with alleged sightings of arsonists by the public.