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Australia fires: New South Wales declares week-long emergency | Australia fires: New South Wales declares week-long emergency |
(32 minutes later) | |
The leader of Australia's eastern New South Wales state has declared a week-long state of emergency in response to the escalating bushfire threat. | The leader of Australia's eastern New South Wales state has declared a week-long state of emergency in response to the escalating bushfire threat. |
PM Scott Morrison had to cut short a visit to one fire-hit town after being heckled by angry residents. | |
He was accused of doing little to help Cobargo in New South Wales (NSW), where two people died this week and many others lost their homes. | |
Locals told Mr Morrison he wasn't welcome, and wouldn't get their votes. | |
Thousands of people are 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". | |
Meanwhile troops are preparing to evacuate some of the 4,000 people trapped by fires in neighbouring Victoria state. | |
A naval vessel has arrived off the coastal town of Mallacoota, near the NSW border. | |
Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said the ship would take up to 800 people early on Friday. He said it could do "multiple trips". | Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews said the ship would take up to 800 people early on Friday. He said it could do "multiple trips". |
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds tweeted that the HMAS Choules was in position. | Defence Minister Linda Reynolds tweeted that the HMAS Choules was in position. |
Since September, bushfires have killed 18 people and destroyed more than 1,200 homes across NSW and Victoria. | |
At least 17 people are missing after fires this week alone. | |
'What could be a horrible day' | 'What could be a horrible day' |
The state of emergency in NSW will kick in at 08:00 on Friday (21:00 GMT on Thursday) and last for seven days. | |
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", NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said 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", NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Thursday. |
"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." |
High temperatures and strong winds are forecast for the weekend, leading to "widespread extreme fire danger". | |
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. | NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance urged people to drive slowly amid thick smoke. |
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. |
Mr Andrews said there were "significant fears" for 17 people unaccounted for in his state. | Mr Andrews said there were "significant fears" for 17 people unaccounted for in his state. |
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. |
In the capital Canberra - an administrative region surrounded by NSW - bushfire smoke meant air quality there was rated worse than any major global city on Thursday, according to Swiss-based group AirVisual. | In the capital Canberra - an administrative region surrounded by NSW - bushfire smoke meant air quality there was rated worse than any major global city on Thursday, according to Swiss-based group AirVisual. |
An elderly woman died after being exposed to the smoke as she exited a plane at Canberra airport, local reports say. Australia Post has suspended deliveries in the city "until further notice". | An elderly woman died after being exposed to the smoke as she exited a plane at Canberra airport, local reports say. Australia Post has suspended deliveries in the city "until further notice". |
What is happening elsewhere? | What is happening elsewhere? |
Two regions of Western Australia (WA) were also facing catastrophic fire danger on Thursday, and parts of South Australia were expected to see extreme conditions on Friday. | Two regions of Western Australia (WA) were also facing catastrophic fire danger on Thursday, and parts of South Australia were 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. |
Emergency supplies including water and toilet paper were flown in to a remote guesthouse located about 1,000km (620 miles) east of Perth which has been cut off from the city by bushfires. | Emergency supplies including water and toilet paper were flown in to a remote guesthouse located about 1,000km (620 miles) east of Perth which has been cut off from the city by bushfires. |
About 120 people were on the Caiguna Roadhouse site, where temperatures were forecast to reach 48 degrees. | About 120 people were on the Caiguna Roadhouse site, where temperatures were forecast to reach 48 degrees. |
In Tasmania a fire burning on the outskirts of the state capital Hobart was downgraded from emergency to watch and act status. | |
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-co-ordinated 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-co-ordinated 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. | 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. |
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 |