Skies turn orange over New South Wales from a record number of emergency-level bushfires, 8 November 2019. Photo: BBC News
Skies turn orange over New South Wales from a record number of emergency-level bushfires, 8 November 2019. Photo: BBC News

8 November 2019 (BBC News) – Australian authorities say an “unprecedented” number of emergency-level bushfires are threatening the state of New South Wales (NSW).

More than 80 blazes were raging across the state on Friday.

Gusty winds and up to 35C heat have exacerbated the fires, many of which are in drought-affected areas.

We just cannot overstate the profound impact that the drought is having on fire behaviour.

Shane Fitzsimmons, NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner

There are reports of people trapped in their homes in several places, with crew unable to reach them due to the strength of the fires.

“We are in uncharted territory,” said Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons. “We have never seen this many fires concurrently at emergency warning level.”

At one point, 17 emergency-level fires were burning simultaneously across NSW.

Firefighters drive through bushfires in New South Wales, 8 November 2019. Authorities in Australia say an “unprecedented” number of emergency-level bushfires are threatening the state of New South Wales (NSW). Video: NSWRFS / BBC

But fire authorities said that falling temperatures, increases in humidity and helicopter assistance were helping with efforts to tackle the blazes.

Authorities have deployed more than 1,000 firefighters and 70 aircraft to save “as many people as possible”, Mr Fitzsimmons said.

The Rural Fire Service tweeted on Friday that “due to the size and speed of the fires we couldn’t get to everyone, even by road or helicopter”. The blazes are spread across about 1,000 km (621 miles) of Australia’s coast, stretching the emergency response.

Some people were warned to seek shelter from fires rather than flee, as it was now too late to leave. […]

Satellite view of smoke from fires in New South Wales, Australia travelling over the Tasman sea, on 8 November 2019. Photo: BOM NSW
Satellite view of smoke from fires in New South Wales, Australia travelling over the Tasman sea, on 8 November 2019. Photo: BOM NSW

Rains lashed NSW earlier this week, providing much relief to farmers. But the storms were not nearly enough to end the long-running drought.

Authorities in the state warn that many fires will continue to burn unless there is more rain.

“We just cannot overstate the profound impact that the drought is having on fire behaviour,” Mr Fitzsimmons said. […]

Authorities said they were concerned about the severity of the fires ahead of its hottest months, a year after the nation experienced its warmest summer on record. [more]

Australia bushfires: Record number of emergencies in New South Wales