This archive report was first published on 22 December 2019.
On a visit to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service headquarters, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison apologized for his decision to take a family holiday overseas during the bushfire crisis.
"If I had our time over again, and with the benefit of hindsight, we would've made different decisions," Morrison said.
His holiday sparked widespread criticism and protests, with many Australians using the hashtag #WhereTheBloodyHellAreYa? on social media.
"I apologise," Morrison said. "There have been lessons learned this week," adding that he believed it was time to move on from the controversy.
Despite acknowledging a link between climate change and the devastating fires, Morrison indicated no change in pro-coal policies.
Experts say global warming has intensified climatic conditions that allow the fires to thrive, with Australia enduring bushfires every year.
Frontlines ¶
Volunteer firefighters have been strained by the intensity and length of this year's fire season, with conditions easing on Sunday.
"We've seen widespread damage and destruction being reported across a number of these fire grounds," said New South Wales Rural Fire Services' boss Shane Fitzsimmons.
Officials warned of a heavy toll, with estimates that property loss could be in the dozens of buildings.
The fires have torched at least three million hectares of land, with at least 10 people killed and more than 800 homes destroyed.
'Health emergency' ¶
Leading doctors have warned of a "public health emergency" given the unprecedented toxic smoke choking Sydney.
"It is pretty much the whole New South Wales population being exposed to prolonged smoke and because we have never experienced this before, we don't know what the eventual outcome will be," doctor Kim Loo told AFP.
