Australians fear new wave of killer fires

Scores of people fled their homes in southern Australia today amid fears new wildfires were about to devastate the area again.

Tension was high in Victoria where more than 200 people were killed and 1,800 homes destroyed earlier this month.

Some of the blazes have been burning for weeks in the state, although all fires were being contained in unpopulated areas by firefighters hosing down the edges and building firebreaks.

Temperatures soared into the mid-30s Celsius today while gusting winds caused at least two fires to flare and threatened to carry glowing embers into new areas.

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

Fire officials said properties around Upwey on the eastern verge of the state capital of Melbourne and at Enoch Point, about 50 miles north-east, could be under threat.

Simon O'Callaghan, a member of the Yarra Ranges Shire council, said more than 100 people left their homes near Enoch Point early today.

"It's a precaution in terms of getting people out early," he said.

The conditions were far less severe than on 7 February, when record temperatures of around 47 C and 60mph winds created what has been dubbed "Black Saturday." The confirmed death toll stands at 209 and is expected to rise as more remains are identified from the ruins.

The Princess Royal toured the disaster zone today, a day after arriving in Australia to attend ceremonies marking a national day of mourning for the victims.

The Princess met firefighters and other emergency workers in the town of Wandong.

Some 7,500 people were displaced by the fires, and some entire towns lie in ruins. Some sites remain sealed off by police as they search for bodies and evidence of arson. One man has been charged with starting one of the deadly fires, and arson is suspected in at least one other.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Victoria Premier John Brumby announced that the state would pay all the clean-up costs of people affected by the fires.