Australian officials on Thursday declared a seven-day state of emergency amid ongoing bushfires that have not been staunched across the region. The announcement was made in New South Wales.
According to Channel News Asia, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian noted that the state of emergency was declared due to "catastrophic weather conditions" and the shocking hike in temperatures around the region.
An estimated 100 fires have been raging across the state over the past few weeks, causing increased fears among citizens and authorities alike. Sydney, the biggest Australian city, experienced a "mega-blaze," while around 50 fires being uncontained by local firemen.
Tuesday was Australia's hottest day yet on record. Temperatures hit 40.9 degrees Celsius as heat waves swarmed the eastern Australian suburbs. For Thursday, experts are expecting temperatures to peak at 41 degrees Celsius around central Sydney.
As for the western suburbs, experts are looking at 45 degrees Celsius and winds boasting up to 100 kilometers are expected to fan the bushfires further. Fears are up for the scenario to potentially bring bushfires closer to urban areas where it will be harder to contain them.
Aside from increasing fears about the fires touching other cities, medical experts have also raised concerns about the health implications of haze wrapping Sydney for weeks now.
Ever since air quality hit the lows on December 10, there has been a shocking spike in emergency room visits. Doctors and health groups have urged Australians to be more conscious of preventative measures to keep their health on track.
During Thursday's announcement, authorities warned citizens in southwest suburbs that the Greenwattle Creek fire resulted in some fiery areas being uncontainable. The said fire is burning across the Wollondilly Shire area.
The Tianjara fire in Shoalhaven is also another fire that led to the state of emergency announcement. On the other hand, most experts have their eyes set on the Greenwattle Creek Fire as it could merge with the Gospers Mountain fire.
The latter fire cluster is the "mega-blaze" that has been plaguing Sydney for a couple of weeks now. To date, Queensland has also been placed on high alert, but firefighters are bracing themselves for a bigger crisis in the coming days.
It is expected that fire danger warnings will also be announced within the coming weeks due to volatile winds coming around Australia. Forecasters warned that hot temperatures will ensue.
Australia's bushfire crisis has also raised debates on whether the government is doing enough to implement better climate policies. It remains to be seen whether the government will ask for international assistance in containing the fires should the crisis worsen.
