Conflagration II Nature, third prize stories 10/11/2002 During a quieter moment, an Erickson Air-Crane dumps water on a fire outside Sydney. After Australia's most prolonged drought on record, its bushland was at heightened risk of burning during the fire season. A combination of high temperatures and strong winds in the October to December summer months resulted in intense, fast-moving conflagrations. Some were started by arsonists. Huge fires on the land surrounding outer suburbs of Sydney, and later also the capital Canberra, destroyed property and homes. Rough terrain, thick bushland and eucalyptus forests often hampered fire-fighting operations. Commissioned by: The Sydney Morning Herald Photo Credit: Nick Moir Moir’s passion is capturing the dramatic environmental phenomena of Australia, from its ragged lightning and dust storms and blackening bushfires to the devastating effects of climate change. He received a World Press Photo award for coverage of the destructive 2002-03 bushfire season and Australian Press Photographer of the Year in 2002 for a series on Sydney’s severe weather.