More than 1,000 firefighters tackle 'unprecedented' bushfires in Australia's New South Wales
A series of"unprecedented" bushfires are raging through Australia's southeastern state of New South Wales, with more than 1,000 firefighters battling 17 emergency-level blazes and strong winds expected into the night.
Images posted to social media show ominous bright orange skies and thick smoke wafting across roads and towns throughout the region. As of 5:30 p.m. local time Friday there were 96 fires across the state, with 57 burning out of control, according to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service . "If you are near these fires, your life is at risk and you need to take action to protect your life," the NSW RFS said in a Twitter post.
— NSW RFS November 8, 2019 The areas most affected by the fires include Tenterfield, Armidale, Clarence Valley, Port Macquarie, Nambucca and Kempsey, according to CNN affiliate Nine News. Read MoreThe fire service said in a Twitter post that a number of blazes"are becoming more intense" and"more dangerous."It warned that some blazes were creating their own weather conditions and that fire clouds -- which can produce lightning without rain -- were developing.
— Marc Dodd November 8, 2019 The blazes are so fierce that major roads and highways have been closed and motorists in affected areas have been advised to delay non-essential travel, Nine News reported. At least five schools have closed due to the fires."To have 17 fires concurrently burning at emergency alert level is without precedent in the state of New South Wales," NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said in a briefing Friday.
— Rob Rogers November 8, 2019 Winds are set to be"relentless" throughout the evening, Fitzsimmons added.In a tweet Friday, Rob Rogers, Executive Director Operations at the NSW Rural Fire Service described the fires as"unprecedented" and asked residents to"avoid fire affected areas."About 50 bushfires are also blazing in the neighboring state of Queensland.
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