Bushfires flare again in Oz

SCORES of Australians fled their homes today after strong winds fanned still-burning wildfires.

The flames triggered fears of a new wave of destruction after the blazes that killed more than 200 people this month.

The fires today followed an emotional televised ceremony in Melbourne yesterday as part of a national day of mourning.

At least two new fires also ignited in Victoria, where fires swept a vast area of the state on February 7 – destroying more than 1,800 homes in the country’s worst fire disaster.

Some of the blazes have been burning for weeks in the state and had mostly been contained by firefighters hosing down the edges and building firebreaks.

But after several days of temperatures in the low 80s F (high 20s C), temperatures went up into the mid-80s F (mid-30s C) today.

Gusting winds caused one big fire to flare and at least two new ones were started.

At least one house was destroyed in the suburb of Belgrave South as a fire lapped at the forested fringes of Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, the Country Fire Authority said.

Two firefighters suffered minor injuries fighting the blaze, said Kevin Monk, a state environment department spokesman.

Residents were warned to either leave their homes early or prepare themselves to fight the fires.

Many said the carnage of the fires earlier this month made the decision to stay or go an easy one.

“I’m no hero - take the house,” one unnamed woman told Australian news channels as she prepared to leave the town of Warburton.

Homes there were threatened by a resurgent fire that has burned for weeks.

Relief centers in nearby towns filled with people who had loaded their cars with photos, clothes and other personal belongings and left their houses to wait out the emergency.

Thousands gathered for the memorial and they were joined by Princess Anne, representing the Queen.

She praised the “ingenuity, courage and selflessness” of those struck by the blazes across the state of Victoria.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the government was committed to rebuilding devastated communities.

He told mourners: “Know this: You are not alone.”