3 LDS homes burn in Australia

Three homes of Church members are among the more than 800 homes destroyed by the deadliest wildfires in Australia's history this February, according to a Church Welfare report.

No members or missionaries were injured in the fires, which claimed the lives of more than 180 people, left 5,000 people homeless, and burned 1,100 square miles (2,850 square kilometers) of land — the majority of which is located in Australia's southeastern state of Victoria. However, numerous member families were evacuated by the fires, which did not damage any Church property.

Blazes had been burning for weeks in the area, but turned deadly Feb. 7 when scorching temperatures and high winds created a fire storm that swept across the region. Experts predict the death toll will rise to near 300 as authorities are able to search devastated areas.