Bushfires halts Rally  Australia

Organizers on Tuesday cancelled this week’s Rally Australia, the final round of the 2019 FIA World Rally Championship, because of bushfires raging near the Coffs Harbour venue in New South Wales.

The event had been scheduled to begin Thursday and had already been scaled back as Australia struggles to control the blazes that have killed three people.

“Considering the best interests and safety of everyone involved in the rally, and of course the wider community, it is not appropriate to conduct the rally,” event chairman Andrew Papadopoulos said in a statement.

“Our thoughts are with the NSW community, especially the people who have lost loved ones, livelihoods and homes.” – AFP