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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.
High temperatures and strong winds are forecast for the weekend, leading to "widespread extreme fire danger". PM Scott Morrison had to cut short a visit to one fire-hit town after being heckled by angry residents.
Troops are also preparing to evacuate some of the 4,000 people trapped by fires in neighbouring Victoria state. 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.
Since September, bushfires have killed 18 people and destroyed more than 1,200 homes across NSW and Victoria. Locals told Mr Morrison he wasn't welcome, and wouldn't get their votes.
At least 17 people remain missing after fires this week alone. 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".
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". Meanwhile troops are preparing to evacuate some of the 4,000 people trapped by fires in neighbouring Victoria state.
In Victoria, a naval vessel has arrived off the coastal town of Mallacoota, near the NSW border. 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 will kick in at 08:00 on Friday (21:00 GMT on Thursday) and last for seven days. 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 does a state of emergency mean?
Under the NSW 1994 State Emergency and Rescue Management Act, the premier can issue a state of emergency when there is considered to be "a significant and widespread danger to life or property".
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.
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