Steve Bellchambers is digging pits to bury the carcasses of livestock killed by bushfires which swept through his farm in Batlow, New South Wales. Bellchambers lost his home and many of his animals — some he was forced to shoot to end their suffering from burns. The fires are another blow for farmers already reeling from a crippling drought that has turned agricultural land bone dry. Bellchambers, a 45-year-old father-of-four, said the 1,000-strong local community in Batlow had vowed to pull together. Batlow — a gateway town to the Australian Alps — is known for its fruit orchards and soaring pine plantations.

Source: Egypt Independent January 09, 2020 09:11 UTC