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Will the forest fires impact the Australian Grand Prix?

Will the forest fires impact the Australian Grand Prix?

09-01-2020 08:37 Last update: 08:56

The wildfires in Australia are like no other natural disaster we have seen in recent times. Much of the country is in flames and the devastation has been huge. The Australian Grand Prix has hosted the opening Grand Prix of the season for the past few years but there is some worry about the weekend going ahead. 

At the moment the race is set to go ahead as hopes are that the fires will be extinguished by then. Andrew Westacott, the boss of the Australian Grand Prix Corporation has given some more information about the plans for the weekend. 

“Melbourne itself is not affected by the fires. They are much further to the east, at least 200 to 300 kilometers away," the organizer explains to PA Sport.

The danger is not just the fires though. The smoke from the burning has lowered the air quality in the Australian capital Canberra, 600 kilometers away from the forest fires. If the wind brings that towards Melbourne then there could be problems. 

“It depends on the changing winds that may or may not cause a significant decrease in air quality. But with the event two months away from now, we are just preparing the Grand Prix as usual."

It has been a tragic time for Australia and the world and we all hope that the country recovers as soon as possible from the terrible event.