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-50969088
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Australia fires: NSW declares week-long state of emergency | Australia fires: NSW declares week-long state of emergency |
(30 minutes later) | |
The premier of the Australian state of New South Wales has declared a week-long state of emergency in response to the escalating bushfire threat. | The premier of the Australian state of New South Wales has declared a week-long state of emergency in response to the escalating bushfire threat. |
High temperatures and strong winds are forecast for the weekend, leading to "widespread extreme fire danger" in the eastern Australian state. | High temperatures and strong winds are forecast for the weekend, leading to "widespread extreme fire danger" in the eastern Australian state. |
Since September, bushfires have killed 18 people and destroyed more than 1,200 homes across NSW and Victoria. | Since September, bushfires have killed 18 people and destroyed more than 1,200 homes across NSW and Victoria. |
At least 17 people remain missing after fires this week alone. | At least 17 people remain missing after fires this week alone. |
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". | 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". |
'What could be a horrible day' | 'What could be a horrible day' |
The state of emergency will kick in at 08:00 on Friday morning (21:00 GMT on Thursday) and last for seven days, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced on Thursday. | The state of emergency will kick in at 08:00 on Friday morning (21:00 GMT on Thursday) 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. | 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." | "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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
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, causing traffic jams. | 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 had "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. |
Have you been told to evacuate? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk if it is safe for you to do so. | Have you been told to evacuate? You can get in touch by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk if it is safe for you to do so. |
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
Or use the form below | Or use the form below |