CANBERRA—The eastern Australian state of New South Wales, which has seen dozens of devastating bush fires since last week, has declared a weeklong state of emergency starting from Monday.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said on Monday she declared the emergency due to “the catastrophic weather conditions predicted for this week, particularly Tuesday, with hot weather and strong winds.”
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“The catastrophic weather conditions mean that things can change very quickly,” she said in Sydney, warning people: “For heaven’s sake, stay away from bushland.”
A state of emergency gives the Rural Fire Service and its commander extensive power to mobilize all state resources, coordinate evacuations, shut down gas, electricity, oil and water services, as well as stop, start, or make use of any businesses, facilities, or premises.
New South Wales is the most populous state in Australia.
At least three people have died and some 100 people including 20 firefighters have been injured in bush fires in New South Wales that started last week. More than 150 homes have been damaged. Figures are expected to rise.
Almost one million hectares of land have burnt already, close to combined total for the last three fire seasons, fire authorities say.
Currently, there are 60 fires — 40 of which are out of control but not at emergency levels — still burning across the state, according to the Rural Fire Service.
Residents are facing what “could be the most dangerous bushfire week this nation has ever seen,” David Elliott, NSW emergency services minister, said Monday.
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