A seven-day state of emergency has been declared in Australia’s New South Wales as a heatwave threatened to exacerbate the state’s ongoing bushfire crisis.
Around 2,000 firefighters were battling about 100 blazes, half of which remain uncontrolled on Thursday, with the support of back up teams and the Australian defence force.
Some 7.4 million acres of land has burnt nationwide during a torrid past few months, with six people killed and more than 800 homes destroyed in the fires.
New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said authorities were concerned with the unpredictable conditions after the nation felt its hottest day on record early this week with an average maximum temperature of 40.9C.
Australia Wildfires & Heatwave: December 2019 - In pictures
"With extreme wind conditions, extreme hot temperatures, we have a good idea, a good sense, of where the most concerning areas are, but again when you've got those turbulent conditions, embers and spot fires can occur very unpredictably," she told reporters as she announced a seven-day state of emergency.
Hospitals have recorded a 10 per cent increase in visits from patients with respiratory conditions during the past week. The Australian Medical Association recommended people keep hydrated, cool and out of the sun.
Wildfires are also burning in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.
The unprecedented conditions have reignited debate on whether Australia's government has taken enough action on climate change. The nation is the world's largest exporter of coal and liquefied natural gas.
