user: Problem: UPDATE: Firefighters push back bushfire at Ballandean on NSW-QLD border

Firefighters have managed to beat back a large bushfire that was threatening homes near the Queensland-NSW border.

It is believed the fire began following a lightning strike in rough country near Ballandean, in Queensland’s Southern Downs region, yesterday.

Firefighters used water-dropping aircraft to force the blaze away from homes, eventually declaring the area safe about 5.30pm.

The small town of Ballandean on the QLD-NSW border is under threat from the fast-moving blaze. (9NEWS)

Several sheds and outlying buildings were destroyed.

There is no threat to homes at this time; however a smoke haze will continue to affect the local area," a Queensland Fire and Emergency Services spokesman said. "Residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed and keep medications close by for any respiratory conditions. Motorists are urged to drive to conditions."

Small spot fires have also sparked up in the surrounding areas.

Firefighters are using water-bombing equipment on the bushfire near Ballandean. (9NEWS)

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Summary: A large bushfire is threatening several homes near the Queensland-NSW border, with firefighters warning the fast-moving blaze could destroy several houses.


Problem: China earthquake death toll rises

Rescuers use a sniffer dog to search the rubble in Longtoushan town in China south-western province of Yunnan. Photograph: Xinhua/Rex Features

The death toll from the earthquake that hit China's south-western province of Yunnan rose to nearly 600 people on Wednesday.

Rescue efforts in the remote region, where the 6.1-magnitude quake struck on Sunday, were badly hampered by traffic and landslides blocking roads.

Residents said school dormitories had collapsed, echoing the 2008 disaster in Sichuan which resulted in the deaths of more than 80,000 people, thousands of them children who died as cheaply built schools crumbled.

About 150 blue tents have been set up to shelter survivors in Longtoushan township, where distraught mothers sought to comfort each other over the deaths of their children.

"I lost my seven-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son in the earthquake," said Yan Anqiao, 30. "I am not sure if I can ever have a real home again without my children."

Search efforts in Longtoushan were concentrated on a 600-metre area of hillside in the town centre.

At least 589 people were confirmed dead by Wednesday morning, China's ministry of civil affairs said on its website, marking a sharp increase in the toll.

The ministry said 2,401 people had been injured, 230,000 had been evacuated and more than 80,000 homes had fully or partially collapsed.

No explanation was given for the sudden increase from a toll of 410 given on Tuesday, but rescuers have steadily been pulling corpses from the wreckage.

"This has been terrible. I have lost colleagues, friends and witnessed so much tragedy," said doctor Shang Gangzheng.

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Summary: Officials put number of people killed in Sunday's 6.1-magnitude quake in south-western Yunnan province at nearly 600


Problem: New York City FC boosts fund to help NYPD cops' families

A Daily News fund supporting the families of murdered Officers Rafael Ramos and Wenjian Liu has gotten a major league assist from New York City’s pro soccer team.

New York City FC’s generous donation helped boost the fund to $326,088.

Donations pour in to Daily News fund to help slain cops' families — FIND OUT HOW TO CONTRIBUTE

“Our hearts and thoughts are with the families of the fallen of the New York City Police Department,” said Tim Pernetti, the team’s chief business officer.

Every dollar donated will go directly to the grieving families.

Donations also poured in Tuesday from more than 180 News readers, including a $100 check from Joe Fernandes, a New Yorker living in Europe.

“Your paper has done great in supporting the families of Ramos and Liu,” Fernandes wrote from Gaia, Portugal.

Harry Bajraktari, owner of Bajraktari Realty Management Corp. in the Bronx, was moved to donate $2,000 by the heartbreaking stories of the “two fallen heroes.”

Liu and Ramos were shot to death in a patrol car in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, on Dec. 20. Police Commissioner Bill Bratton posthumously promoted each of the cops to detective first grade.

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Summary:

assistant: A Daily News fund supporting the families of murdered Officers Ramos and Liu has gotten a major league boost.