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Officials warned on Tuesday that the fires that devastated the south this month in Australia could ignite again when strong winds and high temperatures sweep the region later this week, and it updated the death toll from the fires to 210.

The Security Council of Australia, meanwhile, reported thousands of claims for payment for a total exceeding $ 500 million and damage by fire of February 7 that burned the state of Victoria.


Still continue to burn in the four major fires, and officials warned that it is expected to considerably increase the temperature on Friday, accompanied by strong winds.

"It's important that people understand that the events of Saturday were unable to complete black," said Commissioner of Emergency Services of the State of Victoria Bruce Esplin, referring to the conflagrations of February 7. "The devastating fire season continues," he said.


Hundreds of fires swept through a wide area of Victoria where record temperatures near 47 degrees Celsius (117 degrees Fahrenheit), winds of 100 kph (60 mph) and Dry Forests by years of drought combined to create an inferno. The number of confirmed dead rose to 210 on Tuesday and is expected to increase further as more remains are identified in the rubble.

Firefighters continued to fight fires as they prepare for the expected changes in conditions.


"We must do our best to manage fatigue among our squad and work strong enough to contain these fires and prepare for Friday," said the head of the County Fire Authority Russell Rees.