This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-50341207
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Australia bushfires: Record number of emergencies in New South Wales | Australia bushfires: Record number of emergencies in New South Wales |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Australian authorities say an "unprecedented" number of emergency-level bushfires have threatened the state of New South Wales (NSW). | Australian authorities say an "unprecedented" number of emergency-level bushfires have threatened the state of New South Wales (NSW). |
| More than 90 blazes were raging across the state on Friday. | More than 90 blazes were raging across the state on Friday. |
| The fires - many in drought-affected areas - were being exacerbated by gusty winds and up to 35C heat. | The fires - many in drought-affected areas - were being exacerbated by gusty winds and up to 35C heat. |
| There are reports of people trapped in their homes in several places, with crew unable to reach them due to the strength of the fires. | |
| "We are in uncharted territory," said Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, with at least 17 blazes at the highest threat level. | |
| "We have never seen this many fires concurrently at emergency warning level." | "We have never seen this many fires concurrently at emergency warning level." |
| Authorities warned some people to seek shelter from fires rather than flee, as it was now "too late to leave". | |
| Emergency warnings were also issued on Friday for bushfires burning in Queensland and Western Australia. | Emergency warnings were also issued on Friday for bushfires burning in Queensland and Western Australia. |
| In NSW, the worst-hit state, crews have fought hundreds of fires since September. Last month, two people died while trying to protect their home. | In NSW, the worst-hit state, crews have fought hundreds of fires since September. Last month, two people died while trying to protect their home. |
| Last week, one blaze burnt though 2,000 hectares of bush which contained a koala sanctuary. Hundreds of the animals were feared to have died. | Last week, one blaze burnt though 2,000 hectares of bush which contained a koala sanctuary. Hundreds of the animals were feared to have died. |
| The state is in the grip of a long-running drought and authorities warn that many fires will continue to burn unless there is rain. | The state is in the grip of a long-running drought and authorities warn that many fires will continue to burn unless there is rain. |
| "We just cannot overstate the profound impact that the drought is having on fire behaviour," Mr Fitzsimmons said. | "We just cannot overstate the profound impact that the drought is having on fire behaviour," Mr Fitzsimmons said. |
| Officials said spot fires - caused by embers travelling in the wind - were breaking out up to 12km (7.4 miles) from fire fronts. This was three times further than average, they added. | Officials said spot fires - caused by embers travelling in the wind - were breaking out up to 12km (7.4 miles) from fire fronts. This was three times further than average, they added. |
| Accessing water in dry areas to fight the fires was also proving challenging, with water-bombing aircraft often being forced to fly long distances. | Accessing water in dry areas to fight the fires was also proving challenging, with water-bombing aircraft often being forced to fly long distances. |
| In some cases bores were being drilled to keep up with demand, authorities said. | In some cases bores were being drilled to keep up with demand, authorities said. |
| "We've very mindful of the scarcity of water and how precious it is but the reality is we can't do firefighting without water," Mr Fitzsimmons said. | "We've very mindful of the scarcity of water and how precious it is but the reality is we can't do firefighting without water," Mr Fitzsimmons said. |
| Last week, Sydney was blanketed by smoke for days due to fires in Port Macquarie - a region 380km away. | Last week, Sydney was blanketed by smoke for days due to fires in Port Macquarie - a region 380km away. |
| The poor air quality prompted health warnings for those with asthma and other respiratory problems. | The poor air quality prompted health warnings for those with asthma and other respiratory problems. |
| Authorities said they were concerned about the severity of the fires ahead of its hottest months, a year after the nation experienced its warmest summer on record. | Authorities said they were concerned about the severity of the fires ahead of its hottest months, a year after the nation experienced its warmest summer on record. |
| Australia's fire season risks growing longer and more intense due to climate change, according to scientists. | Australia's fire season risks growing longer and more intense due to climate change, according to scientists. |
| All pictures subject to copyright. | All pictures subject to copyright. |