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Australia fires: Race to flee 'leave zone' as fresh threat looms Australia fires: NSW declares week-long state of emergency
(about 3 hours later)
Thousands of people are fleeing a vast "tourist leave zone" in Australia amid forecasts of ferocious bushfire conditions in coming days. The premier of New South Wales has declared a week-long state of emergency in response to the escalating bushfire threat.
Since September, Australia's bushfire crisis has killed 18 people and destroyed more than 1,200 homes. High temperatures and strong winds are forecast for the weekend, leading to "widespread extreme fire danger" in the eastern Australian state.
At least 17 people remain missing after fires tore through Victoria and New South Wales (NSW) this week. Since September, bushfires have killed 18 people and destroyed more than 1,200 homes across NSW and Victoria.
The latest evacuations on the NSW south coast have been called "the largest relocation out of the region ever". At least 17 people remain missing after fires this week alone.
On Thursday, long lines of cars clogged highways leading back to Sydney and Canberra. Many were filled those who had abruptly aborted holidays. Thousands of people are already fleeing a vast "tourist leave zone" in NSW, with supplies running low in some cut-off towns. It's been called "the largest relocation out of the region ever".
Local media reported hour-long queues for petrol in the town of Batemans Bay, while fuel was being trucked in to the region to offset dwindling supplies. 'What could be a horrible day'
The state of emergency will kick in at 08:00 on Friday morning and last for seven days, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on Thursday.
It will allow local authorities to carry out forced evacuations, road closures "and anything else we need to do as a state to keep our residents and to keep property safe", she said.
"We don't take these decisions lightly but we also want to make sure we're taking every single precaution to be prepared for what could be a horrible day on Saturday."
The state government has warned that conditions are likely to be "at least as bad" as New Year's Eve, when hundreds of homes were destroyed.
Earlier, fire officials told holidaymakers to urgently leave a 260km (160-mile) stretch of NSW coast before Saturday.
Long lines of cars have clogged highways leading back towards Sydney and Canberra.
Local media reported hour-long queues for petrol in the town of Batemans Bay, while fuel was being trucked in to the region as supplies dwindled.
Many roads remained closed due to continuing fires and other dangers, such as unstable or fallen trees.Many roads remained closed due to continuing fires and other dangers, such as unstable or fallen trees.
Though conditions have eased slightly, officials fear a dangerous forecast for Saturday will once again threaten lives and homes.
"If you are holidaying... you need to leave before this Saturday," the NSW Rural Fire Service said, referring to a 260km (160 miles) stretch of coast.
The state government warned that conditions were likely to be "at least as bad" as New Year's Eve, when hundreds of homes were destroyed.
Workers were clearing roads, restoring power, and conducting "backburning" operations to thin out bushland near fire fronts.Workers were clearing roads, restoring power, and conducting "backburning" operations to thin out bushland near fire fronts.
NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance urged people to drive slowly amid thick smoke. In an emotional interview with the ABC, he added that his own friends had lost homes.NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance urged people to drive slowly amid thick smoke. In an emotional interview with the ABC, he added that his own friends had lost homes.
This week's fires have destroyed at least 381 homes in NSW and 43 in Victoria, but officials say that number will grow.This week's fires have destroyed at least 381 homes in NSW and 43 in Victoria, but officials say that number will grow.
The seven deaths in NSW include:The seven deaths in NSW include:
Family members of Mick Roberts, a 67-year-old Victorian missing since Monday, confirmed that he had been found dead in his home in Buchan, East Gippsland.Family members of Mick Roberts, a 67-year-old Victorian missing since Monday, confirmed that he had been found dead in his home in Buchan, East Gippsland.
"Very sad day for us to (start) the year but we're a bloody tight family and we will never forget our mate and my beautiful Uncle Mick," his niece Leah Parson said on Facebook."Very sad day for us to (start) the year but we're a bloody tight family and we will never forget our mate and my beautiful Uncle Mick," his niece Leah Parson said on Facebook.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said there were "significant fears" for 17 people unaccounted for in his state.Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said there were "significant fears" for 17 people unaccounted for in his state.
What is happening elsewhere?What is happening elsewhere?
Two regions of Western Australia (WA) face catastrophic fire danger on Thursday, and parts of South Australia are expected to see extreme conditions on Friday.Two regions of Western Australia (WA) face catastrophic fire danger on Thursday, and parts of South Australia are expected to see extreme conditions on Friday.
The ABC reported that bushfires had forced the closure of a 330km stretch of a highway in WA, forcing traffic to bank up. The ABC reported that bushfires had forced the closure of a 330km stretch of a highway in WA, causing traffic jams.
Due to bushfire smoke, Canberra's air quality was rated worse than any major global city on Thursday, according to Swiss-based group AirVisual. Australia Post has suspended deliveries there "until further notice".Due to bushfire smoke, Canberra's air quality was rated worse than any major global city on Thursday, according to Swiss-based group AirVisual. Australia Post has suspended deliveries there "until further notice".
In Mallacoota, Victoria - where thousands fled to the beach on Tuesday - a navy boat was expected to begin evacuating people who have been cut off from roads.In Mallacoota, Victoria - where thousands fled to the beach on Tuesday - a navy boat was expected to begin evacuating people who have been cut off from roads.
On Wednesday, police boats arrived with 1.6 tonnes of water, food, a paramedic and medical supplies.On Wednesday, police boats arrived with 1.6 tonnes of water, food, a paramedic and medical supplies.
Fire services in Victoria and NSW warned they had been unable to reach some people in remote areas.Fire services in Victoria and NSW warned they had been unable to reach some people in remote areas.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison repeated his calls to people not to panic and to trust emergency workers.On Thursday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison repeated his calls to people not to panic and to trust emergency workers.
"I understand the fear that is there for many and the frustration, but this is a natural disaster, and natural disasters are best dealt with through the methodical, well-coordinated response that we are seeing today," he told a press conference."I understand the fear that is there for many and the frustration, but this is a natural disaster, and natural disasters are best dealt with through the methodical, well-coordinated response that we are seeing today," he told a press conference.
Amid criticism that he has "gone missing" during the crisis, Mr Morrison added that Cabinet would meet on Monday to consider a long-term bushfire response.Amid criticism that he has "gone missing" during the crisis, Mr Morrison added that Cabinet would meet on Monday to consider a long-term bushfire response.
Meteorologists say a climate system in the Indian Ocean, known as the dipole, is the main driver behind the extreme heat in Australia.Meteorologists say a climate system in the Indian Ocean, known as the dipole, is the main driver behind the extreme heat in Australia.
However many parts of Australia have been in drought conditions, some for years, which has made it easier for the fires to spread and grow.However many parts of Australia have been in drought conditions, some for years, which has made it easier for the fires to spread and grow.
The smoke from Wednesday's fires was visible from the South Island of New Zealand, more than 2,000km (1,200 miles) away, where the haze tinted the sky orange.The smoke from Wednesday's fires was visible from the South Island of New Zealand, more than 2,000km (1,200 miles) away, where the haze tinted the sky orange.
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