Australian village ready for 'The Beast' to burn on through

BURRAGATE, Australia (AP) — As the sky darkened and the smoke billowed through the village, it seemed to those hunkering at the fire station that "The Beast” would finally roar through. But the wildfire only crept closer, prodding forward a few tentative fingers before falling asleep again as the winds died.

The weary volunteer firefighters of Burragate returned to bed early Saturday after a week of worry and false alarms. Many have had enough. If the fire is going to burn through their southeast Australian town, they say, then they want it to get on with the job so they can start cleaning up.

“I'd prefer it not to come, but if it's going to come, stop teasing,” said resident Joe Seamons, who has taken to describing what's officially called the Border Fire as “The Beast.”

Resident Joe Alvaro put it more bluntly. “I just want to get it bloody over and done with,” he said.

Across Australia, wildfires have killed at least 27 people, including a firefighter on Saturday, and burned down more than 2,000 homes since September. They have focused international attention on climate change and caused political problems for Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has been criticized for his lackluster response.

The wildfires have lurked near Burragate for over a week, filling the sky with noxious smoke that is burning people's eyes and making them cough. The sun has turned red and distant hills have disappeared behind a shroud of haze.

The village in New South Wales is tiny, with about 100 residents, according to the latest census, although some locals say there are fewer than half that. With no shops or bars, the fire station has become the focal point for the community. Sometimes they hold movie nights there. On Friday, the station was filled with stacks of donated goods, more carrots and toothbrushes than people...