One-Tenth Of Australia Burned In 2002-2003 Bushfires

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Called 'worst environment disaster' in nation's history

CANBERRA, Australia, (Reuters) -- "Australia suffered its worst-recorded environmental disaster when brushfires fueled by a severe drought blackened almost 10 percent of the country during the summer of 2002-03, a parliamentary inquiry heard on Monday.

The smoke from the fires -- which often shrouded Melbourne and Sydney -- was equivalent to all Australian vehicle emissions for a 12-month period, said National Association of Forest Industries executive director Kate Carnell.

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IN a submission to the inquiry, the association said the brushfires which killed four people and destroyed more than 500 homes in the capital Canberra also destroyed more than three million hectares (7.4 million acres)."

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From CNN