VOA慢速英语2019 澳洲将"不惜一切代价"灭火

Australia to Pay ‘Whatever it Takes’ to Recover from Wildfires

Australia's government has promised to pay "whatever it takes" to help communities recover from ongoing¹ wildfires.

澳大利亚政府承诺将“不惜一切代价”帮助社区从持续的野火中恢复。

Prime² Minister Scott Morrison announced Monday an additional³ $1.4 billion in government aid for recovery⁴ efforts. Officials had already promised tens of millions of dollars to help rebuild from the fires.

澳大利亚总理斯科特·莫里森（Scott Morrison）周一宣布，政府将为灾后恢复工作新增14亿美元的援助。官员们已经承诺提供数千万美元帮助灾后重建。

About 200 wildfires have burned more than 6 million hectares of land in the southern Australian states of New South Wales and Victoria. At least 24 people have been killed. More than 2,000 homes have been destroyed by the fires.

澳大利亚南部新南威尔士州和维多利亚州约有200处野火烧毁了600多万公顷土地。造成至少24人死亡。2000多所房屋被大火烧毁。

"The fires are still burning. And they'll be burning for months to come," Prime Minister Morrison said, in announcing the new aid. He added, "If more is needed and the cost is higher, then more will be provided⁵."

莫里森总理在宣布新增援助时表示，“大火还在燃烧。在未来的几个月里，大火还会继续肆虐”。他补充说，“如果受灾面积越大，代价会更高，那么将会提供更多资金。”

The government assistance⁶ is to be used to help rebuild towns and repair infrastructure⁷ damaged by the fires. Morrison said the military was now attempting to get food, fuel and water to burned-out communities. Engineers were working to reopen roads and resupply evacuation centers.

政府援助将用于帮助重建城镇和修复被大火损坏的基础设施。莫里森表示，军方目前正试图向受灾的社区运提供食品、燃料和水。工程师们正在努力重新开放道路，为疏散中心提供物资补给。

Officials said dry conditions and strong winds were feeding more than 135 fires burning across New South Wales. The fires hit earlier than usual this year after a severe lack of rain led to Australia's hottest and driest year on record. Scientists partly blame global warming caused by human activity for creating a high fire danger.

官员表示，干旱气候和强风导致新南威尔士州发生135起火灾。由于严重缺雨，今年的火灾发生得比往年早，这也是澳大利亚有记录以来最热最干燥的一年。科学家认为人类活动导致的全球变暖是造成火灾高发风险的部分原因。

On Monday, rain and cooler temperatures provided a short break to some communities battling the wildfires. But the rain also made it more difficult for fire crews attempting to carry out controlled burning operations.

周一，降雨和较低的气温为一些与野火作斗争的社区提供了短暂的喘息时间。但这场雨也让消防人员更难进行受控燃烧行动。

The latest weather was welcomed in Victoria state. However, emergency officials there noted⁸ that at least 20 centimeters of rain would be needed to put out the fires. That is about 20 times the amount of rain that fell during the past day.

维多利亚州最近的天气状况喜人。然而，当地的紧急情况官员指出，至少需要20厘米的降雨量才能扑灭大火。这大约是过去一天降雨量的20倍。

Drier conditions and higher temperatures were expected to return to the area later this week.

本周晚些时候，该地区将重返干旱和高温天气。

"We've got big fire danger coming our way toward⁹ the end of this week," Victoria state Premier¹⁰ Daniel Andrews told reporters in Melbourne. "We are by no means out of this. And the next few days, and indeed the next few months, are going to be challenging."

维多利亚州州长丹尼尔·安德鲁斯(Daniel Andrews)在墨尔本对记者表示：“本周末，我们将面临严重的火灾风险。”“我们是绝对摆脱不了这一风险的。接下来的几天，甚至接下来的几个月，都将充满挑战。”

The wildfires led Australia's capital, Canberra, to experience the worst air quality of any major city in the world for most of Monday. Officials urged people in the city to remain indoors¹¹ to avoid the thick smoke covering the area.

野火导致澳洲首都堪培拉周一大部分时间的空气质量是世界上主要城市中最糟糕的。官员们敦促市民留在室内，避免出现在浓烟笼罩的地区。

Words in This Story

infrastructure – n. the basic equipment and structures (such as roads and bridges) needed for an area to operate

evacuation – n. the act of removing (a person or people) from a dangerous place

challenging – adj. difficult in a way that is usually interesting or enjoyable

1 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

2 prime   

adj.首要的，主要的；最好的，第一流的

参考例句：

• The prime minister spoke of the general insecurity in the country.总理谈到了全国普遍存在的不安全。
• He met with the Prime Minister of Japan for an hour.他和日本首相会见了一个小时。

3 additional   

adj.添加的，额外的，另外的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to set down these additional rules.有必要制定这些补充规则。
• I think we can fit in an additional room.我想我们可以再加建一间房子。

4 recovery   

n.恢复，痊愈；追回，寻回，收复

参考例句：

• The doctors said that his recovery was a miracle. 医生们说他的复原是件奇事。
• The quick recovery was truly in response to medication.这次迅速康复确实是对药物治疗的反应。

5 provided   

conj.假如，若是；adj.预备好的，由...供给的

参考例句：

• Provided it's fine we will have a pleasant holiday.如果天气良好，我们的假日将过得非常愉快。
• I will come provided that it's not raining tomorrow.如果明天不下雨，我就来。

6 assistance   

n.援助，帮助

参考例句：

• She called and called but no one came to her assistance.她叫了又叫，但没有人来帮。
• He will get the great possible assistance.他将获得尽可能大的帮助。

7 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

8 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

9 toward   

prep.对于，关于，接近，将近，向，朝

参考例句：

• Suddenly I saw a tall figure approaching toward the policeman.突然间我看到一个高大的身影朝警察靠近。
• Upon seeing her,I smiled and ran toward her. 看到她我笑了，并跑了过去。

10 premier   

adj.首要的；n.总理，首相

参考例句：

• The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
• He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。

11 indoors   

adv.(在)室内，(在)户内

参考例句：

• Because of the coldness of the weather we stayed indoors.我们因天气寒冷呆在家里。
• It is very cold outside,you'd better come indoors across the board.外面很冷，你们所有人最好都进屋。