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Australia’s most populous state declares wildfire emergency | Australia’s most populous state declares wildfire emergency |
(about 11 hours later) | |
PERTH, Australia — Australia’s most populous state of New South Wales declared a seven-day state of emergency Thursday as oppressive conditions fanned around 100 wildfires. | PERTH, Australia — Australia’s most populous state of New South Wales declared a seven-day state of emergency Thursday as oppressive conditions fanned around 100 wildfires. |
Around 2,000 firefighters were battling the blazes, half of which remain uncontrolled, with the support of U.S. and Canadian backup teams and personnel from the Australian Defence Force. | Around 2,000 firefighters were battling the blazes, half of which remain uncontrolled, with the support of U.S. and Canadian backup teams and personnel from the Australian Defence Force. |
The last state of emergency ran for seven days in mid-November amid “catastrophic” fire risk and was the first implemented in New South Wales since 2013. Central Sydney reached a maximum of 39 degrees Celsius (102 Fahrenheit) on Thursday, while outer suburbs scorched at 42 Celsius (108 F). | The last state of emergency ran for seven days in mid-November amid “catastrophic” fire risk and was the first implemented in New South Wales since 2013. Central Sydney reached a maximum of 39 degrees Celsius (102 Fahrenheit) on Thursday, while outer suburbs scorched at 42 Celsius (108 F). |
A statewide total fire ban announced on Tuesday will remain in place until midnight on Saturday. | A statewide total fire ban announced on Tuesday will remain in place until midnight on Saturday. |
Around 3 million hectares (7.4 million acres) of land has burnt nationwide during a torrid past few months, with six people killed and more than 800 homes destroyed. | Around 3 million hectares (7.4 million acres) of land has burnt nationwide during a torrid past few months, with six people killed and more than 800 homes destroyed. |
The annual Australian fire season, which peaks during the Southern Hemisphere summer, started early after an unusually warm and dry winter. | The annual Australian fire season, which peaks during the Southern Hemisphere summer, started early after an unusually warm and dry winter. |
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said authorities were concerned with the unpredictable conditions. | New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said authorities were concerned with the unpredictable conditions. |
“With extreme wind conditions, extreme hot temperatures, we have a good idea, a good sense, of where the most concerning areas are, but again when you’ve got those turbulent conditions, embers and spot fires can occur very unpredictably,” she told reporters. | “With extreme wind conditions, extreme hot temperatures, we have a good idea, a good sense, of where the most concerning areas are, but again when you’ve got those turbulent conditions, embers and spot fires can occur very unpredictably,” she told reporters. |
Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said five 100-member “strike teams” were on standby to deploy to the most dangerous fires. | |
Sydney’s air pollution levels on Thursday ranged from poor to hazardous. During the past month, hazardous smoke has often blanketed Australia’s most populous city and made its iconic skyline barely visible. | Sydney’s air pollution levels on Thursday ranged from poor to hazardous. During the past month, hazardous smoke has often blanketed Australia’s most populous city and made its iconic skyline barely visible. |
Hospitals have recorded a 10% increase in visits from patients with respiratory conditions during the past week. | Hospitals have recorded a 10% increase in visits from patients with respiratory conditions during the past week. |
The Australian Medical Association has recommended people keep hydrated, cool and out of the sun. | The Australian Medical Association has recommended people keep hydrated, cool and out of the sun. |
Wildfires are also burning in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. | Wildfires are also burning in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. |
The Bureau of Meteorology said Tuesday was the hottest day on record in Australia with an average of 40.9 Celsius (105.6 F) nationwide. | The Bureau of Meteorology said Tuesday was the hottest day on record in Australia with an average of 40.9 Celsius (105.6 F) nationwide. |
Perth, the capital on the west coast, is experiencing its hottest December with average temperatures for the month at 36 Celsius (97 F) and seven degrees above the mean. | Perth, the capital on the west coast, is experiencing its hottest December with average temperatures for the month at 36 Celsius (97 F) and seven degrees above the mean. |
Adelaide, in the southeast, is currently experiencing a four-day heatwave culminating in a sizzling 45 Celsius (113 F) on Thursday. | Adelaide, in the southeast, is currently experiencing a four-day heatwave culminating in a sizzling 45 Celsius (113 F) on Thursday. |
The unprecedented conditions has reignited debate on whether Australia’s conservative government has taken enough action on climate change. Australia is the world’s largest exporter of coal and liquefied natural gas. | The unprecedented conditions has reignited debate on whether Australia’s conservative government has taken enough action on climate change. Australia is the world’s largest exporter of coal and liquefied natural gas. |
Protesters on Thursday camped outside Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Sydney residence demanding urgent action on climate change. | Protesters on Thursday camped outside Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s Sydney residence demanding urgent action on climate change. |
Morrison, who is currently on holidays, conceded last week that “climate change along with many other factors” contributed to the wildfires. | Morrison, who is currently on holidays, conceded last week that “climate change along with many other factors” contributed to the wildfires. |
Cooler temperatures are forecast on Friday before conditions worsen Saturday. | |
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. | Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
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