NSW declares state of emergency

The Australian state of New South Wales has declared a state of emergency and could begin forced evacuations from fire-stricken areas, as emergency crews battle deadly blazes and brace for a dangerous weekend ahead.

State Premier Gladys Berejiklian yesterday said that the emergency declaration would come into effect today morning as weather conditions are expected to deteriorate significantly tomorrow, raising the fire danger even further.

This is the third time NSW has declared a state of emergency in as many months -- the last two times, in November and December, were also for seven days, and granted extraordinary powers to the Rural Fire Service.

Berejiklian said residents could also be subject to forced evacuations, road closures and any other means necessary to keep people safe.

Thousands of people were already fleeing the state’s south coast yesterday, with the Rural Fire Service setting up a “tourist leave zone” from the town of Batemans Bay down to the Victoria border. All visitors were urged to evacuate before tomorrow, when temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit), dry conditions and ferocious winds are expected to heighten the risk of further blazes.

“These will be dangerous conditions,” the fire service warned. “Do not be in this area on Saturday.”

Similar hot, windy weather on Tuesday led to massive fires spreading out of control.

Seven people died from the fires within 24 hours. Tens of thousands of people are estimated to be in the south coast region, home to seaside towns that swell in population during summer.

Residents yesterday were heeding the warning. Hundreds if not thousands of cars were backed up in small towns south of Nowra, on the southern coast, according to police. Roads away from the tourist area were packed with long lines of cars waiting to leave.

Experts say climate change has worsened the scale and impact of the fires, and many have accused the Prime Minister Scott Morrison administration of doing little to address the climate crisis.

Morrison faced heat from those living in the middle of the bushfire danger zone yesterday on what was supposed to be a visit with victims.

One woman said she would only shake his hand in order to get more money for the Rural Fire Service while another group yelled out “you’re an idiot” and “piss off” as he walked away from them while on a stop in the town of Cobargo.

The Australian fires have been burning for months now, and aren’t likely to stop anytime soon -- Australia is still in the early months of summer, and temperatures typically peak in January and February.

A total of 17 people have died across the country so far, with the most damage concentrated in NSW. Across the state, nearly 1,300 homes have been destroyed and another 442 damaged, according to the Rural Fire Service. Fires have consumed entire towns and ripped through bushland; the strong winds frequently change directions, which fan the flames and carry embers far distances.

Photo: AFP, Reuters, New York Times