Parts of Australian capital evacuated due to bushfires
BY REBECCA KLAR - 01/22/20 

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Parts of Australia’s capital Canberra were reportedly briefly evacuated Wednesday due to the bushfires that have been devastating the country.

The suburbs near Canberra Airport were evacuated late Wednesday after a bushfire burned nearby, Reuters reported.

The fire was reported as “watch and act” around 4:50 p.m., local time; residents were warned to activate bushfire survival plans, and nearby roads were closed, according to the Canberra Times.

The fire was upgraded to an “emergency” level at 5:20 p.m. after crossing the Molonglo River and nearby residents were warned to leave immediately, according to the newspaper. It was reportedly later downgraded to “advice” level at 7:15 after it was brought under control.

There were no reports of damage or injuries, according to Reuters.

The wildfires across Australia have reportedly killed 29 people and about 1 billion animals, as well as burning 2,500 homes since Septembe