"MELBOURNE - Australian firefighters battled more than 100 bushfires across two eastern states on Sunday as authorities warned that parts of the country could expected a severe bushfire season this summer.

“We’ve never seen this before in recorded history, fire weather has never been as severe this early in spring,” said Andrew Sturgess, an inspector with the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES).

The fires in the states of Queensland and New South Wales, many out of control, have destroyed at least 20 properties, with authorities saying that number is likely to increase once damaged areas can be inspected. "

Will Ziebell reports for Reuters September 8, 2019. [2]