Read the following passage and mark the letter A, B, C, or D on your answer sheet to choose the word or phrase that best fits each of the numbered blanks from 26 to 30.

In the past, summer fires were common in Australia. Now, because of climate change, there's an even higher number than there used to be. And they're larger, too. Recently, one fire grew so (26) ________ that it created a tornado nearly 500 metres wide. It destroyed (27) ________ homes in the capital city, Canberra. These unlucky houses were situated less than 100 metres from a large area of pine trees on the edge of the city.
Several individual fires started burning and, (28) ________ it was difficult for firefighters to reach them, they continued to burn. When the wind speed suddenly increased a few days later, the fires joined together. Scientists now (29) ________ this Australia's first 'fire tornado'. This was an extremely rare event in Australia's history and was produced by storms (30) ________ accompanied the fire.
(Adapted from Prepare)