Canberra evacuates as bush fires rage By James Lewis 19 January 2003 A state of emergency was declared around the Australian capital, Canberra, yesterday as the country's worst bush fires in half a century raged out of control on the outskirts of the city, killing at least one person, destroying dozens of homes and forcing thousands of people to evacuate. Up to 100 homes were burnt out as hot, dry weather and powerful winds fanned blazes in mountains on three sides of the capital. Canberra's streets were almost deserted, and local radio stations broadcast warnings to more than 30 suburbs...