Thousands of Sydney commuters stranded by wildfires

SYDNEY – Thousands of Sydney commuters were stranded for hours yesterday as firefighters battled a large wildfire on the city’s outskirts that closed two major highways and a train line.

Around 250 firefighters and several water-bombing aircraft were battling to contain a wildfire that started late Sunday in the Kuringai Chase National Park, which borders several northern Sydney suburbs. New South Wales state police supplied water to thousands of motorists stranded for five hours on two major highways that were closed due to heavy smoke and firefighting activity.The wildfire also forced the temporary closure of Sydney’s northern commuter rail line.Both roads and the rail line were later reopened.Rural Fire Service spokesman Rob Rogers said he was confident that no homes would be damaged in the blaze.”We’ve got a lot of airpower on this fire,” he said.”It’s a huge focus of effort so I’m quite comfortable with the fact that we’ll protect property under these conditions.”Nampa-APNew South Wales state police supplied water to thousands of motorists stranded for five hours on two major highways that were closed due to heavy smoke and firefighting activity.The wildfire also forced the temporary closure of Sydney’s northern commuter rail line.Both roads and the rail line were later reopened.Rural Fire Service spokesman Rob Rogers said he was confident that no homes would be damaged in the blaze.”We’ve got a lot of airpower on this fire,” he said.”It’s a huge focus of effort so I’m quite comfortable with the fact that we’ll protect property under these conditions.”Nampa-AP