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Australia bushfires: New South Wales braces for 'catastrophic' day Australia bushfires: New South Wales braces for 'catastrophic' day
(about 2 hours later)
A vast area of Australia's east coast - including Sydney - is bracing itself for one the nation's worst ever bushfire threats.A vast area of Australia's east coast - including Sydney - is bracing itself for one the nation's worst ever bushfire threats.
More than 60 blazes were burning across the state of New South Wales (NSW) ahead of predicted "catastrophic" conditions on Tuesday. More than 60 blazes are burning across the state of New South Wales (NSW) ahead of predicted "catastrophic" conditions on Tuesday.
Authorities warned that fires would spread quickly amid forecasts of hot temperatures and strong winds. Authorities warn that fires will spread quickly amid forecasts of hot temperatures and strong winds.
About six million people live in the region.About six million people live in the region.
People in vulnerable communities have been urged to stay away from bushland, and to flee their homes before the fires escalate. More than 600 schools are closed across the state.People in vulnerable communities have been urged to stay away from bushland, and to flee their homes before the fires escalate. More than 600 schools are closed across the state.
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who has declared a seven-day state of emergency, said Tuesday would be "about protecting life, protecting property and ensuring everybody is safe as possible". State Premier Gladys Berejiklian, who has declared a seven-day state of emergency, said Tuesday would be "about protecting life, protecting property and ensuring everybody is safe as possible".
How bad are the fires?How bad are the fires?
Fire chiefs have warned of "extreme, severe and catastrophic" conditions in NSW on Tuesday, with temperatures soaring up to 37C. Three people have died and almost 200 properties have been destroyed since the fire emergency intensified in NSW and Queensland on Friday.
Firefighters have been battling hundreds of bushfires since last Friday in the state and Queensland to its north. Both eastern states have both declared states of emergency. Authorities said they were facing what could be "the most dangerous bushfire week this nation has ever seen".
Three people are confirmed to have died in the fires, while close to 200 properties have been destroyed. Experts have compared the conditions to the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria, when 173 people died.
On Monday, more than 120 bushfires were recorded across the two states. It's the first time that a "catastrophic" level fire warning is in place across the greater Sydney area and in the regions to the city's north and south. The highest level rating was brought in after the 2009 disaster.
However, there are fears Tuesday's high temperatures and strong winds could be set to make it the most dangerous yet in NSW. A NSW Rural Fire Service spokesman said embers could travel as far as 30km (19 miles) in these conditions, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. What is happening on Tuesday?
"Under these conditions, these fires will spread quickly and threaten homes and lives," NSW Rural Fire Service said in a statement. Authorities have warned of "extreme, severe and catastrophic" conditions in NSW, with temperatures set to soar to 37C.
A "catastrophic" warning is in place across the greater Sydney area and regions to the city's north and south. This is the first time such a severe warning has been put in place since 2009, when the fire danger ratings were introduced. Fire chiefs say they are already battling a front spanning 1,000km (620 miles) along the north coast of NSW, with several blazes "exceeding 100,000 hectares alone".
Rural Fire Service deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said the situation was unprecedented in his 40 year career, adding that he was unable to "guarantee to get a fire truck to every spot". A predicted pick-up in wind speeds could cast embers up to 30km from the main front and cause spot fires, they add.
Thousands of firefighters, boosted by crews from New Zealand, have been drafted in to help battle the fires on Tuesday. "Under catastrophic conditions, fires that start and take hold will grow and develop extremely quickly and become large fires very, very easily," NSW Rural Fire Services Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.
The danger is currently less severe in Queensland, but officials there say conditions could deteriorate later in the week. He said 3,000 firefighters were on the front lines, boosted by crews from other states and New Zealand. The Australian Defence Force is also on alert to assist.
The fire danger is currently less severe in Queensland, but conditions are forecast to deteriorate later in the week. South Australia is also facing a dozen bushfires on Tuesday.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said authorities were as prepared as they could be.
Sense of foreboding
Shaimaa Khalil, BBC News Australia correspondent
We woke up to a morning haze here in Sydney as smoke moved in from affected areas - you could smell it in the air. One local, Natasha Davo, tweeted there was a "foreboding feeling" in her neighbourhood.
It's already a hot morning on a day promising to be even hotter with dry conditions and strong winds.
People are watching updates closely and bracing themselves for what this catastrophic danger will mean for them.
Is this linked to climate change?Is this linked to climate change?
Australia's fire season risks growing longer and more intense due to climate change, according to scientists. Scientists and experts warn that Australia's fire season has grown longer and more intense due to climate change.
Officials have confirmed that 2018 and 2017 were Australia's third and fourth-hottest years on record respectively, and last year the nation experienced its warmest summer on record.Officials have confirmed that 2018 and 2017 were Australia's third and fourth-hottest years on record respectively, and last year the nation experienced its warmest summer on record.
The Bureau of Meteorology's State of the Climate 2018 report said climate change had led to an increase in extreme heat events and raised the severity of other natural disasters, such as drought.The Bureau of Meteorology's State of the Climate 2018 report said climate change had led to an increase in extreme heat events and raised the severity of other natural disasters, such as drought.
Even if global temperatures are contained to a 2C rise above pre-industrial levels - a limit set out in the landmark Paris accord, agreed by 188 nations in 2015 - scientists believe the country is facing a dangerous new normal.Even if global temperatures are contained to a 2C rise above pre-industrial levels - a limit set out in the landmark Paris accord, agreed by 188 nations in 2015 - scientists believe the country is facing a dangerous new normal.
Last year, a UN report said Australia was falling short in efforts to cut its CO2 emissions.Last year, a UN report said Australia was falling short in efforts to cut its CO2 emissions.
Have you been affected by the bushfires? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the bushfires? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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