Australia bushfires: Record number of emergencies in New South Wales Published duration 8 November 2019

media caption 'Unprecedented' bushfires turn skies orange

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.

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.

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

What's the latest?

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

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

Emergency warnings were also issued on Friday for bushfires burning in Queensland and Western Australia.

In NSW, the worst-hit state, crews have fought hundreds of fires since September. Last month, two people died while trying to protect their home.

Last week, one blaze burned though 2,000 hectares of bush which contained a koala sanctuary. Hundreds of the animals were feared to have died

More than half the koalas living at another sanctuary may have also been killed by wildfires, according to charity Koala Conservation Australia.

image copyright AFP image caption The fires have affected both inland and coastal areas in the state's north-east

image copyright EPA image caption An aircraft drops fire retardant near the town of Forster

image copyright AFP image caption Wildlife rescuers were able to save some injured koalas from a deadly fire

What about the 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.

Water-bombing aircraft are often flying long distances because of the difficulty of accessing water in dry areas. In some cases authorities have drilled bores to keep up with demand.

"We've very mindful of the scarcity of water and how precious it is but the reality is we can't do firefighting without water," Mr Fitzsimmons said.

image copyright Getty Images image caption Strong northerly winds shrouded Sydney in smoke from the bushfires

image copyright AFP image caption The haze obscured the city's most famous landmarks

Last week, Sydney was blanketed by smoke for days due to fires in Port Macquarie - a region 380km away.

The poor air quality prompted health warnings for those with asthma and other respiratory problems.

Is this linked to climate change?

Australia's fire season risks growing longer and more intense due to climate change, according to scientists.

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.

media caption Why Australia bushfires are now 'hotter and more intense'

Officials have confirmed that 2018 and 2017 were Australia's third and fourth-hottest years on record respectively.