NUMBER@1 degrees fahrenheit -RRB- and wind speeds in excess of NUMBER@2 km/h , precipitated by an intense heat wave , fanned the fires over large distances and areas , creating several large firestorms and pyrocumulus systems , particularly north-east of LOCATION@1 , where a single firestorm accounted for NUMBER@3 of the NUMBER@4 deaths .

The wind blew the fires over large distances and areas , creating several large firestorms .
