It looks like water restrictions in Sydney are the reason behind the bushfires raging in Australia. Basically, the Warragamba dam is running out of water supplies. #Australia #AustraliaBushfire #SydneyWaterRestrictions

Australia: Sydney faces toughest water restrictions in decades

Australian authorities said on Friday they are focused on protecting water plants, pumping stations, pipes and other infrastructure from intense <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/firefighters-in-australia-spend-christmas-day-containing-wildfires-270247">bushfires surrounding Sydney</a>, the country's largest city.

Firefighters battling the blazes for weeks received a reprieve of slightly cooler, damper conditions over Christmas, but the respite is not expected to last long.

Temperatures in New South Wales (NSW) state are forecast to head back towards 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) early next week, fuelling fires near Warragamba Dam, which provides water to about 80 per cent&nbsp;of Sydney's 5 million residents.

"In recent days up to the cool change, the fires had been a potential threat to supply and assets, particularly in Warragamba and in the Blue Mountains," a spokesman for the state's water authority, WaterNSW, told Reuters.

"With the coming very hot conditions the fire situation may escalate in both those fronts and possibly elsewhere."

Warragamba Dam is located 65km (40 miles) west of Sydney, catching water flowing from the mountains.

It is at 44.8 per cent&nbsp;capacity, down from almost being full less than three years ago, as a prolonged drought ravage the continent's east.

Despite the widespread destruction, the state's water infrastructure network has not been damaged, the spokesman said.

Also Watch:&nbsp;Australia: Sydney, Brisbane residents get rain respite amid wildfire

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There have been eight deaths, including two volunteer firefighters, linked to the blazes since they flared in spring.

With more than 40 dams across the state, WaterNSW supplies two-thirds of untreated water to the state's water utilities, which then treat and clean the resource to provide drinking water to cities and regional towns.

Large quantities of ash and burnt material could pose a threat to the quality of water in the dams if the fires are followed by heavy rain.

However, there is no significant rain forecast for NSW in the short-term and WaterNSW has put containment barriers to catch potential debris run-off, the water authority said.

Volunteer force

Australia's reliance on a large volunteer firefighting force has been tested during this fire season that still potentially has months to run through the southern hemisphere summer.

While conservative <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-prime-minister-under-pressure-as-bushfires-fuel-climate-debate-269899">Prime Minister Scott Morrison</a> previously said compensation for volunteers was not a priority, he said on Tuesday that government workers could receive additional paid leave for volunteering.

A senior government minister said on Friday the government was now looking into providing wider relief.

"The prime minister is looking at this issue further on how we can provide targeted support in these extreme circumstances so that our volunteers get the support they need to keep volunteering," Defence Minister Linda Reynolds told media in Perth.

While there are different rules across Australia's states, volunteers tend to negotiate time off directly with their employer.

Morrison has been under intense political pressure after it was revealed he was holidaying in Hawaii shortly before Christmas while the country grappled with an emergency and two volunteers near the fire frontlines had been killed.

Fires are travelling immense distances through bushland before hitting towns and containment lines where volunteer firefighters concentrate their resources.

The bushfires have destroyed more than 4 million hectares (9.9 million acres) across the country, dwarfing the terrain burnt by fierce <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/california-cave-fire-threatens-thousands-of-homes-and-triggers-evacuation-264757">fires in California</a> during 2019.

Australian authorities said on Friday they are focused on protecting water plants, pumping stations, pipes and other infrastructure from intense bushfires surrounding Sydney, the country's largest city.

Australian authorities said on Friday they are focused on protecting water plants, pumping stations, pipes and other infrastructure from intense bushfires surrounding Sydney, the country's largest city. Firefighters battling the blazes for weeks received a reprieve of slightly cooler, damper conditions over Christmas, but the respite is not expected to last long. Temperatures in New South Wales (NSW) state are forecast to head back towards 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) early next week, fuelling fires near Warragamba Dam, which provides water to about 80 per cent of Sydney's 5 million residents. "In recent days up to the cool change, the fires had been a potential threat to supply and assets, particularly in Warragamba and in the Blue Mountains," a spokesman for the state's water authority, WaterNSW, told Reuters. "With the coming very hot conditions the fire situation may escalate in both those fronts and possibly elsewhere." Warragamba Dam is located 65km (40 miles) west of Sydney, catching water flowing from the mountains. It is at 44.8 per cent capacity, down from almost being full less than three years ago, as a prolonged drought ravage the continent's east. Despite the widespread destruction, the state's water infrastructure network has not been damaged, the spokesman said. Also Watch: Australia: Sydney, Brisbane residents get rain respite amid wildfire × There have been eight deaths, including two volunteer firefighters, linked to the blazes since they flared in spring. With more than 40 dams across the state, WaterNSW supplies two-thirds of untreated water to the state's water utilities, which then treat and clean the resource to provide drinking water to cities and regional towns. Large quantities of ash and burnt material could pose a threat to the quality of water in the dams if the fires are followed by heavy rain. However, there is no significant rain forecast for NSW in the short-term and WaterNSW has put containment barriers to catch potential debris run-off, the water authority said. Volunteer force Australia's reliance on a large volunteer firefighting force has been tested during this fire season that still potentially has months to run through the southern hemisphere summer. While conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison previously said compensation for volunteers was not a priority, he said on Tuesday that government workers could receive additional paid leave for volunteering. A senior government minister said on Friday the government was now looking into providing wider relief. "The prime minister is looking at this issue further on how we can provide targeted support in these extreme circumstances so that our volunteers get the support they need to keep volunteering," Defence Minister Linda Reynolds told media in Perth. While there are different rules across Australia's states, volunteers tend to negotiate time off directly with their employer. Morrison has been under intense political pressure after it was revealed he was holidaying in Hawaii shortly before Christmas while the country grappled with an emergency and two volunteers near the fire frontlines had been killed. Fires are travelling immense distances through bushland before hitting towns and containment lines where volunteer firefighters concentrate their resources. The bushfires have destroyed more than 4 million hectares (9.9 million acres) across the country, dwarfing the terrain burnt by fierce fires in California during 2019.

Australian wildfires threaten Sydney water supplies

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WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - December 27, 2019

As parts of Australia continue to battle bushfires, residents in Sydney celebrated as the city received much-need rainfall on Christmas Eve.

Australia: Sydney, Brisbane residents get rain respite amid wildfire

Calls for Australian Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-pm-scott-morrison-hits-out-at-reckless-calls-to-cut-coal-industry-269654">Scott Morrison</a> to resign have littered social media platforms after it was revealed he was holidaying in Hawaii while the country battled a bushfire emergency and his return has failed to douse the criticism.

Voters have taken to social media calling for leadership at a time of crisis, and along with some of the country's political editors, have criticised Morrison's refusal to take tougher action on climate change.

Similar to the criticism of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-moved-to-freeze-ukraine-aid-90-minutes-after-trump-phone-call-report-269643">US&nbsp;President Donald</a> Trump by American comedians, Morrison has been ridiculed on social media, portrayed as a deformed creature sitting in a burnt out forest on Christmas Day patting a lump of coal he calls "precious" to a flying superhero called "Bullshit Man".

On Twitter on Tuesday, #NotMyPrimeMinister, #MorrisonMustGo and #ScoMoResign were the top trending topics in Australia after a viral video showed a volunteer firefighter, Jacqui, shaking hands with Morrison as she said "not my prime minister".

"Jacquie is all of us," Twitter user Yabba said. Another user @bugwannostra tweeted "she's only saying what more than 12 million think..."

The tweet prompted Morrison to issue a clarification on Tuesday. "Indeed, as Jacqui joked with me yesterday, I’m not her PM, because she's British, Boris Johnson is," he tweeted.

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Indeed, as Jacqui joked with me yesterday, I’m not her PM, because she’s British, Boris Johnson is. But with local MP Andrew Gee, we made a decent pitch for her to become an Aussie yesterday. She &amp; the other RFS volunteers have been doing an incredible job battling these blazes. <a href="https://t.co/28z3c4bTMG">pic.twitter.com/28z3c4bTMG</a>
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) <a href="https://twitter.com/ScottMorrisonMP/status/1209245828230959106?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 23, 2019</a></blockquote>
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<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bushfires-hit-emergency-level-on-sydneys-outskirts-one-dead-in-south-australia-269445">Devastating bushfires</a> have burnt more than 4 million hectares&nbsp;of land across five states and killed nine people since September.

Uncontrolled fires are still burning in South Australia, after ripping through the state's prominent wine region, and around the country's largest city Sydney.

Hazardous smoke blanketed Sydney for days this month, heightening public anger and raising political pressure on the government to do more to battle climate change.

Also watch:&nbsp;Bushfires hit emergency level on Sydney's outskirts; one dead in South Australia

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When it was revealed Morrison and his family had slipped away to Hawaii for a holiday voters became angry.

On his return Morrison further inflamed his political critics by saying there would be no change to climate policy and denied suggestions of a split within his government after his deputy agreed more action was needed.

He also ruled out holding a summit with the nation's fire chiefs and compensation for thousands of volunteer firefighters who have battled blazes for months.

A series of photo opportunities of Morrison with firefighters and animals affected by the fires was ridiculed on social media on Tuesday.

Morrison stunned the nation in May by winning an election, securing a parliamentary majority, but his political capital six months later is now being questioned.

"He has lost any personal link to that deep, crucial, reservoir of gravitas we confer, automatically, on our PMs simply because of their position," The Canberra Times newspaper columnist Nicholas Stuart wrote on Tuesday.

But some analysts say it is too early to write Morrison's political epitaph, but concede Australia's summer bushfires may eventually see a change in climate policy.

In Australia, the world's largest exporter of coal, climate and energy policy have infused politics for a decade, helping to bring down both liberal and conservative lawmakers.

Australia is one of the world's largest carbon emitters per capita due to coal-fired power plants. It has pledged to cut carbon emissions by 26% from 2005 levels by 2030, but critics say Morrison is paying lip service to the commitment.

"These bushfires could potentially lead to a shift in public opinion and public concern on climate change that we have not seen in Australia so far," said Haydon Manning, professor at the college of business, government and law at Flinders University.

Calls for Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison to resign have littered social media platforms after it was revealed he was holidaying in Hawaii while the country battled a bushfire emergency and his return has failed to douse the criticism.

Calls for Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison to resign have littered social media platforms after it was revealed he was holidaying in Hawaii while the country battled a bushfire emergency and his return has failed to douse the criticism. Voters have taken to social media calling for leadership at a time of crisis, and along with some of the country's political editors, have criticised Morrison's refusal to take tougher action on climate change. Similar to the criticism of US President Donald Trump by American comedians, Morrison has been ridiculed on social media, portrayed as a deformed creature sitting in a burnt out forest on Christmas Day patting a lump of coal he calls "precious" to a flying superhero called "Bullshit Man". On Twitter on Tuesday, #NotMyPrimeMinister, #MorrisonMustGo and #ScoMoResign were the top trending topics in Australia after a viral video showed a volunteer firefighter, Jacqui, shaking hands with Morrison as she said "not my prime minister". "Jacquie is all of us," Twitter user Yabba said. Another user @bugwannostra tweeted "she's only saying what more than 12 million think..." The tweet prompted Morrison to issue a clarification on Tuesday. "Indeed, as Jacqui joked with me yesterday, I’m not her PM, because she's British, Boris Johnson is," he tweeted. Indeed, as Jacqui joked with me yesterday, I’m not her PM, because she’s British, Boris Johnson is. But with local MP Andrew Gee, we made a decent pitch for her to become an Aussie yesterday. She & the other RFS volunteers have been doing an incredible job battling these blazes. pic.twitter.com/28z3c4bTMG — Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) December 23, 2019 × Devastating bushfires have burnt more than 4 million hectares of land across five states and killed nine people since September. Uncontrolled fires are still burning in South Australia, after ripping through the state's prominent wine region, and around the country's largest city Sydney. Hazardous smoke blanketed Sydney for days this month, heightening public anger and raising political pressure on the government to do more to battle climate change. Also watch: Bushfires hit emergency level on Sydney's outskirts; one dead in South Australia × When it was revealed Morrison and his family had slipped away to Hawaii for a holiday voters became angry. On his return Morrison further inflamed his political critics by saying there would be no change to climate policy and denied suggestions of a split within his government after his deputy agreed more action was needed. He also ruled out holding a summit with the nation's fire chiefs and compensation for thousands of volunteer firefighters who have battled blazes for months. A series of photo opportunities of Morrison with firefighters and animals affected by the fires was ridiculed on social media on Tuesday. Morrison stunned the nation in May by winning an election, securing a parliamentary majority, but his political capital six months later is now being questioned. "He has lost any personal link to that deep, crucial, reservoir of gravitas we confer, automatically, on our PMs simply because of their position," The Canberra Times newspaper columnist Nicholas Stuart wrote on Tuesday. But some analysts say it is too early to write Morrison's political epitaph, but concede Australia's summer bushfires may eventually see a change in climate policy. In Australia, the world's largest exporter of coal, climate and energy policy have infused politics for a decade, helping to bring down both liberal and conservative lawmakers. Australia is one of the world's largest carbon emitters per capita due to coal-fired power plants. It has pledged to cut carbon emissions by 26% from 2005 levels by 2030, but critics say Morrison is paying lip service to the commitment. "These bushfires could potentially lead to a shift in public opinion and public concern on climate change that we have not seen in Australia so far," said Haydon Manning, professor at the college of business, government and law at Flinders University.

Australian PM Scott Morrison slammed on social media over Hawaii visit

A frantic scramble for gift promotions left a dozen people injured in an Australian mall on Tuesday after hundreds of balloons with prizes inside were dropped on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/when-elephant-santa-arrives-with-christmas-presents-and-candies-269770">Christmas</a> shoppers gathered below.

Around 150 people jostled for prime position as two massive bags full of balloons hovered overhead in the shopping centre in Sydney's western suburbs.

When they were opened at midnight, cries went up as the crowd surged forwards, crushing people and knocking over a Christmas prop, which sent a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-canadian-military-tracker-norad-eyes-santa-christmas-gift-from-north-korea-269861">Santa</a> careening back several metres, footage of the event shows.

"People were screaming at each other, telling each other to get off them," said one witness.

Twelve people were treated for minor injuries, with five taken to hospital with a "mixture of leg and ankle injuries, chest pain and muscular skeletal injuries due to being stepped on," said <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-pm-scott-morrison-hits-out-at-reckless-calls-to-cut-coal-industry-269654">New South Wales</a> state ambulance.&nbsp;

"Once the ballons were released in the air, the crowd rushed towards the balloons, causing a number of people to be knocked over and injured," police said in a statement.

The shopping centre management told local media it was investigating the incident.

A frantic scramble for gift promotions left a dozen people injured in an Australian mall on Tuesday after hundreds of balloons with prizes inside were dropped on Christmas shoppers gathered below.

A frantic scramble for gift promotions left a dozen people injured in an Australian mall on Tuesday after hundreds of balloons with prizes inside were dropped on Christmas shoppers gathered below. Around 150 people jostled for prime position as two massive bags full of balloons hovered overhead in the shopping centre in Sydney's western suburbs. When they were opened at midnight, cries went up as the crowd surged forwards, crushing people and knocking over a Christmas prop, which sent a Santa careening back several metres, footage of the event shows. "People were screaming at each other, telling each other to get off them," said one witness. Twelve people were treated for minor injuries, with five taken to hospital with a "mixture of leg and ankle injuries, chest pain and muscular skeletal injuries due to being stepped on," said New South Wales state ambulance. "Once the ballons were released in the air, the crowd rushed towards the balloons, causing a number of people to be knocked over and injured," police said in a statement. The shopping centre management told local media it was investigating the incident.

Australia Christmas gift scramble leaves several injured

The small village of Balmoral, south-west of Sydney, has been all but wiped out by the Green Wattle Creek firestorm that roared through the area twice in three days. #WION #Balmoral #Australia #Australiafires

Australia catastrophic fires: 'Not much left' in Balmoral village

Australia's eastern coast has been hit by a record breaking heat wave. #Australia #Sydneyfire

Catastrophic fires sweep across Australia

Catastrophic conditions fuelled massive bushfires across <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/state-of-emergency-declared-in-australia-after-unprecedented-bushfires-269043">Australia's New South Wales </a>state on Saturday, with three blazes around Sydney burning at emergency level, while in South Australia one person was found dead in a fire zone.

Some major roads outside Sydney were closed and authorities asked people to delay travel, at the start of what is normally a busy Christmas holiday period, warning of the unpredictability of the fires as winds of up to 70 kph (44 mph) were set to fan the flames as temperatures soared above 40C (104F).

The heat and strong winds created "catastrophic fire conditions", the head of fire services in rural areas of NSW state told journalists.

"They are the very worst of conditions," said NSW Rural Fire Services Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons. "Given we have a landscape with so much active fire burning, you have a recipe for very serious concern and a very dangerous day."

Close to 100 fires were burning across NSW on Saturday afternoon - of which six were characterised as emergency level.

Just days out from Christmas, local police warned people to avoid travelling throughout the day as roads would likely close and temperatures would soar.

"Today is not the day to start your holiday," a NSW police spokeswomen said.

Close to 10,000 emergency personnel would be working across NSW on Saturday. The state's Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said it was probably the largest emergency deployment ever seen in NSW.

Wind change expected

A southerly wind change is expected late on Saturday afternoon. It is forecast to bring winds of up to 90 kph (56 mph), which Fitzsimmons said would initially worsen fire conditions before leading to a dramatic drop in temperatures.

The death of two firefighters on Thursday night when their fire truck was struck by a falling tree as it travelled through the front line of a fire brought the wildfires death toll in New South Wales to eight since the start of October.

Shortly after the two deaths were announced, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/deeply-regret-any-offence-caused-to-australians-pm-scott-morrison-apologises-for-hawaii-vacation-amid-bushfire-crisis-269362">Prime Minister Scott Morrison </a>issued a statement saying he would return as soon as possible from a family holiday in Hawaii, a trip that had drawn sharp criticism as the wildfires crisis deepened.

South Australia, Victoria fires

In South Australia, authorities said one person had been found dead, another was critically injured and 15 homes had been destroyed by a fire in the Adelaide Hills, just 40 kilometres (25 miles) east of the state capital of Adelaide.

The death followed another fatality in South Australia on Friday, the result of a car crash which sparked a fire.

Authorities said fires had burnt through some 40,000 hectares in the state and 23 firefighters suffered injuries on Friday.

In Victoria, authorities said 142 fires had started in the state since Friday, with two burning at an emergency level on Saturday afternoon.

Australia has been fighting wildfires for weeks, with blazes destroying more than 700 homes and nearly 3 million acres (1.2 million hectares) of bushland.

Catastrophic conditions fuelled massive bushfires across Australia's New South Wales state on Saturday, with three blazes around Sydney burning at emergency level, while in South Australia one person was found dead in a fire zone.

Catastrophic conditions fuelled massive bushfires across Australia's New South Wales state on Saturday, with three blazes around Sydney burning at emergency level, while in South Australia one person was found dead in a fire zone. Some major roads outside Sydney were closed and authorities asked people to delay travel, at the start of what is normally a busy Christmas holiday period, warning of the unpredictability of the fires as winds of up to 70 kph (44 mph) were set to fan the flames as temperatures soared above 40C (104F). The heat and strong winds created "catastrophic fire conditions", the head of fire services in rural areas of NSW state told journalists. "They are the very worst of conditions," said NSW Rural Fire Services Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons. "Given we have a landscape with so much active fire burning, you have a recipe for very serious concern and a very dangerous day." Close to 100 fires were burning across NSW on Saturday afternoon - of which six were characterised as emergency level. Just days out from Christmas, local police warned people to avoid travelling throughout the day as roads would likely close and temperatures would soar. "Today is not the day to start your holiday," a NSW police spokeswomen said. Close to 10,000 emergency personnel would be working across NSW on Saturday. The state's Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said it was probably the largest emergency deployment ever seen in NSW. Wind change expected A southerly wind change is expected late on Saturday afternoon. It is forecast to bring winds of up to 90 kph (56 mph), which Fitzsimmons said would initially worsen fire conditions before leading to a dramatic drop in temperatures. The death of two firefighters on Thursday night when their fire truck was struck by a falling tree as it travelled through the front line of a fire brought the wildfires death toll in New South Wales to eight since the start of October. Shortly after the two deaths were announced, Prime Minister Scott Morrison issued a statement saying he would return as soon as possible from a family holiday in Hawaii, a trip that had drawn sharp criticism as the wildfires crisis deepened. South Australia, Victoria fires In South Australia, authorities said one person had been found dead, another was critically injured and 15 homes had been destroyed by a fire in the Adelaide Hills, just 40 kilometres (25 miles) east of the state capital of Adelaide. The death followed another fatality in South Australia on Friday, the result of a car crash which sparked a fire. Authorities said fires had burnt through some 40,000 hectares in the state and 23 firefighters suffered injuries on Friday. In Victoria, authorities said 142 fires had started in the state since Friday, with two burning at an emergency level on Saturday afternoon. Australia has been fighting wildfires for weeks, with blazes destroying more than 700 homes and nearly 3 million acres (1.2 million hectares) of bushland.

Bushfires hit emergency level on Sydney's outskirts; one dead in South Australia

Australian Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/australian-pm-scott-morrison-to-visit-india-in-january-269023">Scott Morrison</a> issued a rare public apology as he cut short a Hawaiian vacation on Friday after two volunteer firefighters were killed battling blazes that are ravaging much of the country's east coast.

Australia has been <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/state-of-emergency-declared-in-australia-after-unprecedented-bushfires-269043">fighting wildfires</a> in the east for weeks, with blazes destroying more than 700 homes and nearly 3 million acres of bushland.

The death of the two firefighters overnight when their fire truck was struck by a falling tree as it travelled through the front line of fire brought the death toll since the start of October to eight.

"This is an absolutely devastating event in what has already been an incredibly difficult day and fire season," the New South Wales (NSW) state Rural Fire Service said in a statement.

Shortly after the pair's deaths were announced, Morrison issued a statement saying he would return as soon as possible from a family holiday in Hawaii, a trip that has drawn sharp criticism in recent days as the wildfires crisis deepened.

Also Watch:&nbsp;A State Of Emergency Has Been Declared In NSW

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Morrison's conservative Liberal-National coalition government has been under sustained pressure to defend its climate change policies as it has downplayed links to the unprecedented early arrival and severity of this year's bushfire season.

"I deeply regret any offence caused to any of the many Australians affected by the terrible bushfires by my taking leave with family at this time," Morrison said in the statement.

Morrison later told 2GB radio that the trip had been planned as a surprise to his young daughters to replace leave originally scheduled for January that he had cancelled because of official trips to Japan and India.

Hundreds of protesters had gathered outside his Sydney residence on Thursday. One protestor, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, carried a sign reading, "ScoMo, where the bloody hell are you?" referencing the leader's nickname and a well-known international advertisement for Tourism Australia.

Australia is one of the world’s largest carbon emitters per capita because of its reliance on coal-fired power plants. It has pledged to cut carbon emissions by 26 per cent&nbsp;from 2005 levels by 2030, but critics accuse Morrison of paying lip service to that commitment.

In June, the government approved the construction of a new coal mine in Queensland state by India's Adani Enterprises that is expected to produce 8 million to 10 million tonnes of thermal coal a year.

As Morrison was apologising on the radio on Friday morning, opposition Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese was serving breakfast to firefighters near the front line of a fire in rural Bilpin.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/ring-of-fire-australian-declares-state-emergency-as-wildfires-approach-sydney-269117">In Pictures:&nbsp;Ring of fire: Australian state declares emergency as wildfires approach Sydney</a>

The RFS named the dead volunteer firefighters as Andrew O'Dwyer, 36, and Geoffrey Keaton, 32 - both fathers to 19-month- old children. Three other firefighters were injured in the truck crash.

Earlier on Thursday, two male firefighters were airlifted to hospital with burns to their faces, arms and legs, while a female colleague was taken by ambulance to hospital after they were engulfed by flames.

&nbsp;

Christmas travel warning&nbsp;

The fires have resulted in days of heavy pollution in Sydney, pushing air quality to unprecedented hazardous levels and resulting in viral images of heavy smoke haze over the usually sparkling harbour and landmarks like the Opera House.

The fires are being spurred this week, by record temperatures across the country which led New South Wales, the most populous state with 7 million people, to declare a seven-day state of emergency.

Thursday's declaration gave firefighters broad powers to control government resources, force evacuations, closed roads and shut down utilities.

Temperatures eased on Friday but were expected to return to near-record highs on Saturday, which firefighters fear will stoke some of them around 100 fires burning across the state.

Days out from Christmas, a time when many Australians head to the coast for the holidays, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian urged people to reconsider travel plans.

"What is most important for us is that everyone is safe and if that means changing your plans for Christmas, we ask you do to that," Berejiklian told reporters in Sydney.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison issued a rare public apology as he cut short a Hawaiian vacation on Friday after two volunteer firefighters were killed battling blazes that are ravaging much of the country's east coast.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison issued a rare public apology as he cut short a Hawaiian vacation on Friday after two volunteer firefighters were killed battling blazes that are ravaging much of the country's east coast. Australia has been fighting wildfires in the east for weeks, with blazes destroying more than 700 homes and nearly 3 million acres of bushland. The death of the two firefighters overnight when their fire truck was struck by a falling tree as it travelled through the front line of fire brought the death toll since the start of October to eight. "This is an absolutely devastating event in what has already been an incredibly difficult day and fire season," the New South Wales (NSW) state Rural Fire Service said in a statement. Shortly after the pair's deaths were announced, Morrison issued a statement saying he would return as soon as possible from a family holiday in Hawaii, a trip that has drawn sharp criticism in recent days as the wildfires crisis deepened. Also Watch: A State Of Emergency Has Been Declared In NSW × Morrison's conservative Liberal-National coalition government has been under sustained pressure to defend its climate change policies as it has downplayed links to the unprecedented early arrival and severity of this year's bushfire season. "I deeply regret any offence caused to any of the many Australians affected by the terrible bushfires by my taking leave with family at this time," Morrison said in the statement. Morrison later told 2GB radio that the trip had been planned as a surprise to his young daughters to replace leave originally scheduled for January that he had cancelled because of official trips to Japan and India. Hundreds of protesters had gathered outside his Sydney residence on Thursday. One protestor, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, carried a sign reading, "ScoMo, where the bloody hell are you?" referencing the leader's nickname and a well-known international advertisement for Tourism Australia. Australia is one of the world’s largest carbon emitters per capita because of its reliance on coal-fired power plants. It has pledged to cut carbon emissions by 26 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030, but critics accuse Morrison of paying lip service to that commitment. In June, the government approved the construction of a new coal mine in Queensland state by India's Adani Enterprises that is expected to produce 8 million to 10 million tonnes of thermal coal a year. As Morrison was apologising on the radio on Friday morning, opposition Labor Party leader Anthony Albanese was serving breakfast to firefighters near the front line of a fire in rural Bilpin. In Pictures: Ring of fire: Australian state declares emergency as wildfires approach Sydney The RFS named the dead volunteer firefighters as Andrew O'Dwyer, 36, and Geoffrey Keaton, 32 - both fathers to 19-month- old children. Three other firefighters were injured in the truck crash. Earlier on Thursday, two male firefighters were airlifted to hospital with burns to their faces, arms and legs, while a female colleague was taken by ambulance to hospital after they were engulfed by flames. Christmas travel warning The fires have resulted in days of heavy pollution in Sydney, pushing air quality to unprecedented hazardous levels and resulting in viral images of heavy smoke haze over the usually sparkling harbour and landmarks like the Opera House. The fires are being spurred this week, by record temperatures across the country which led New South Wales, the most populous state with 7 million people, to declare a seven-day state of emergency. Thursday's declaration gave firefighters broad powers to control government resources, force evacuations, closed roads and shut down utilities. Temperatures eased on Friday but were expected to return to near-record highs on Saturday, which firefighters fear will stoke some of them around 100 fires burning across the state. Days out from Christmas, a time when many Australians head to the coast for the holidays, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian urged people to reconsider travel plans. "What is most important for us is that everyone is safe and if that means changing your plans for Christmas, we ask you do to that," Berejiklian told reporters in Sydney.

Australian leader curtails holiday as firefighters killed in huge blazes

A backburning operation intended to contain a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/massive-wildfires-in-australia-threaten-urban-areas-8457">massive wildfire</a> in eastern&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;sparked out of control, damaging buildings and cutting off major roads, authorities said, as the country heads into another&nbsp;heatwave&nbsp;that may topple temperature records.

The accident occurred about 250 km (155 miles) northwest of Sydney, where&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/firefighters-contain-major-blaze-near-athens-242375">firefighters</a>&nbsp;were trying to stop a&nbsp;blaze&nbsp;of some 378,000 hectares (934,000 acres) reaching communities by employing pre-emptive controlled burning.

"We saw a dramatic shift in conditions, a flare-up of fire, some extraordinary behaviour of that fire, and that fire has&nbsp;spread," New South Wales state Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told the&nbsp;Australian Broadcasting Corp on Monday.

Dozens of buildings were destroyed in the area, Fitzsimmons added, although he did not give an exact figure. There were no new reports of casualties on Monday.

Wildfires have killed at least four people, destroyed more than 680 homes and burned nearly 3 million acres of bushland across eastern&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;since the start of November.

Bushfires are common in&nbsp;Australia's hot, dry summers, but the ferocity and early arrival of the fires in the southern spring is unprecedented. Experts have said climate change has left bushland tinder-dry.

Spot fires that would normally be contained on their own have been fanned by the wind, coming together into what authorities have called megafires to Sydney's north, west and south, prompting evacuations and sporadically shrouding the country's biggest city in smoke.

The Bureau of Meteorology warned of severe to extreme&nbsp;heatwave&nbsp;conditions in the inland parts of the country's south-east, with temperatures expected to approach or exceed a national average record of 40.3 degrees Celsius (105.4 degrees Fahrenheit).

"We saw significant heat build over <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hazardous-bushfire-smoke-blankets-sydney-residents-warned-to-stay-inside-263070">Western&nbsp;Australia</a>&nbsp;over the course of last week, and that heat is now pushing east over the continent, which is going to lead to several days of exceptional heat," bureau climatologist Blair Trewin said in a statement.

"We're closely monitoring the development and progression of this heat but based on current forecasts we could see that record broken this week."

The Rural Fire Service's Fitzsimmons said the heat would exacerbate fire danger, and "despite the very best efforts of everyone, we're not going to able to contain these fires that we're expecting later in the week."

A backburning operation intended to contain a massive wildfire in eastern Australia sparked out of control, damaging buildings and cutting off major roads, authorities said, as the country heads into another heatwave that may topple temperature records.

A backburning operation intended to contain a massive wildfire in eastern Australia sparked out of control, damaging buildings and cutting off major roads, authorities said, as the country heads into another heatwave that may topple temperature records. The accident occurred about 250 km (155 miles) northwest of Sydney, where firefighters were trying to stop a blaze of some 378,000 hectares (934,000 acres) reaching communities by employing pre-emptive controlled burning. "We saw a dramatic shift in conditions, a flare-up of fire, some extraordinary behaviour of that fire, and that fire has spread," New South Wales state Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told the Australian Broadcasting Corp on Monday. Dozens of buildings were destroyed in the area, Fitzsimmons added, although he did not give an exact figure. There were no new reports of casualties on Monday. Wildfires have killed at least four people, destroyed more than 680 homes and burned nearly 3 million acres of bushland across eastern Australia since the start of November. Bushfires are common in Australia's hot, dry summers, but the ferocity and early arrival of the fires in the southern spring is unprecedented. Experts have said climate change has left bushland tinder-dry. Spot fires that would normally be contained on their own have been fanned by the wind, coming together into what authorities have called megafires to Sydney's north, west and south, prompting evacuations and sporadically shrouding the country's biggest city in smoke. The Bureau of Meteorology warned of severe to extreme heatwave conditions in the inland parts of the country's south-east, with temperatures expected to approach or exceed a national average record of 40.3 degrees Celsius (105.4 degrees Fahrenheit). "We saw significant heat build over Western Australia over the course of last week, and that heat is now pushing east over the continent, which is going to lead to several days of exceptional heat," bureau climatologist Blair Trewin said in a statement. "We're closely monitoring the development and progression of this heat but based on current forecasts we could see that record broken this week." The Rural Fire Service's Fitzsimmons said the heat would exacerbate fire danger, and "despite the very best efforts of everyone, we're not going to able to contain these fires that we're expecting later in the week."

Australia firefighters accidentally spread blaze ahead of heatwave

Facing angry street protests and mounting political pressure, Australia's prime minister on Thursday broke a long silence to acknowledge "troubling" bushfire smoke that has engulfed his native <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fears-grow-about-sydney-after-australia-fires-merge-into-giant-blaze-266607">Sydney </a>for more than a month.

"I've lived all my life, pretty much, in Sydney and the haze that has come from those fires, I know has been deeply troubling to Sydneysiders," he said, ending weeks of studied silence.

On Wednesday up to 20,000 people -- many wearing face masks -- <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-thousands-protest-against-climate-change-with-bushfire-in-focus-267674">marched in Sydney</a>, demanding Prime Minister Scott Morrison address directly the crisis that has caused health problems to spike and forced residents indoors.

Hours later the conservative leader insisted he understood the concerns of greater Sydney's five million residents, who have been coughing and spluttering through thick smoke off-and-on since October.

"I know how unusual it is to see that haze across my city. And I know how distressing that has been, particularly for young people, who wouldn't have seen that before," he said.

He also made a rare admission that climate change is one of the "factors" causing unprecedented bushfires that have destroyed millions of hectares of land, more than 700 homes and caused toxic smoke to bathe Australia's largest city.

"The dryness of the bush is the biggest factor," he said noting a long drought in some areas. "And we all know climate change, along with many other factors, contributes to what is occurring today."

Until now Morrison's public comments have focused almost exclusively on solidarity with sparsely populated rural communities hit by the fires directly.

A recent poll by Essential Research showed Morrison's disapproval rating had risen from 36 per cent in September -- when the bushfire crisis began in earnest -- to 43 per cent today.

Climate is a vexed political issue for Morrison's Liberal party.

While he once jokingly paraded on the floor of parliament with a lump of coal to show it was not harmful, former leader Malcolm Turnbull broke ranks to demand the party embrace renewable energy and show more leadership.

Any move to significantly reduce Australia's carbon emissions or curb coal exports could damage Morrison in conservative-voting mining communities, split his party and risk tipping a fragile economy into crisis.

Australia's lucrative mining industry accounted for more than 70 percent of exports and was worth a record Aus$264 billion ($180 billion) in the last financial year.

Facing angry street protests and mounting political pressure, Australia's prime minister on Thursday broke a long silence to acknowledge "troubling" bushfire smoke that has engulfed his native Sydney for more than a month.

Facing angry street protests and mounting political pressure, Australia's prime minister on Thursday broke a long silence to acknowledge "troubling" bushfire smoke that has engulfed his native Sydney for more than a month. "I've lived all my life, pretty much, in Sydney and the haze that has come from those fires, I know has been deeply troubling to Sydneysiders," he said, ending weeks of studied silence. On Wednesday up to 20,000 people -- many wearing face masks -- marched in Sydney, demanding Prime Minister Scott Morrison address directly the crisis that has caused health problems to spike and forced residents indoors. Hours later the conservative leader insisted he understood the concerns of greater Sydney's five million residents, who have been coughing and spluttering through thick smoke off-and-on since October. "I know how unusual it is to see that haze across my city. And I know how distressing that has been, particularly for young people, who wouldn't have seen that before," he said. He also made a rare admission that climate change is one of the "factors" causing unprecedented bushfires that have destroyed millions of hectares of land, more than 700 homes and caused toxic smoke to bathe Australia's largest city. "The dryness of the bush is the biggest factor," he said noting a long drought in some areas. "And we all know climate change, along with many other factors, contributes to what is occurring today." Until now Morrison's public comments have focused almost exclusively on solidarity with sparsely populated rural communities hit by the fires directly. A recent poll by Essential Research showed Morrison's disapproval rating had risen from 36 per cent in September -- when the bushfire crisis began in earnest -- to 43 per cent today. Climate is a vexed political issue for Morrison's Liberal party. While he once jokingly paraded on the floor of parliament with a lump of coal to show it was not harmful, former leader Malcolm Turnbull broke ranks to demand the party embrace renewable energy and show more leadership. Any move to significantly reduce Australia's carbon emissions or curb coal exports could damage Morrison in conservative-voting mining communities, split his party and risk tipping a fragile economy into crisis. Australia's lucrative mining industry accounted for more than 70 percent of exports and was worth a record Aus$264 billion ($180 billion) in the last financial year.

Aussie PM breaks silence on 'troubling' smoke crisis

Thousands were expected to rally in Sydney on Wednesday to demand urgent climate action from Australia's government, as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sydneysiders-urged-to-stay-indoors-as-australian-bushfire-smoke-blankets-city-263900">bushfire smoke</a> choking the city caused health problems to spike.

Smoke alarms rang out across Australia's biggest city Tuesday with thick haze from bushfires burning along the country's east coast forced buildings to be evacuated, school children to be kept indoors, and ferries to be cancelled.

Sydney has endured weeks bathed in<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/climate-protests-kick-off-in-smoke-covered-sydney-265149"> toxic smoke</a> as hundreds of blazes have raged across the countryside, with hospitals recording a 25 per cent increase in the number of people visiting emergency departments last week.

The devastating fires have focused attention on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/climate-change-takes-a-toll-on-sydney-264029">climate change</a>, with scientists saying the blazes have come earlier and with more intensity than usual due to global warming and a prolonged drought.

At least 5,000 people were expected at Wednesday's protest, according to organiser Chloe Rafferty, who said the bushfires and smoke haze had created anger at the conservative government's inaction on curbing emissions.

"I think the wider public can see that we are not expecting the climate crisis in the future but we are facing the climate crisis now," she told AFP.

"People are experiencing it in their day-to-day lives."

As well as a rise in people visiting hospitals with smoke-related health symptoms, the number of emergency calls for ambulances spiked 30 per cent last week.&nbsp;

"For most people, smoke causes mild symptoms like sore eyes, nose, and throat," top health department official Richard Broome said.

"However, people with conditions like asthma, emphysema, and angina are at greater risk because the smoke can trigger their symptoms."

Smoke from bushfires is one of the biggest contributors to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-bushfires-record-air-pollution-numbers-recorded-in-new-south-wales-sydney-chokes-263757">air pollution in Australia</a>, releasing fine particles that can lodge deep within people's lungs and cause "severe" health impacts over time, according to scientist Mick Meyer from government-funded scientific research agency CSIRO.

"The impact of smoke on people remote from the fires may, on occasion, substantially exceed the direct injury to people within the fire zone," he wrote in The Conversation.

"But we currently lack the operational tools to understand the extent of these impacts or to manage them."

Six people have been killed and more than 700 houses destroyed&nbsp;in bushfires this fire season.

Though the human toll has been far lower than the deadliest fire season in 2009 when almost 200 people died the scale of this year's devastation has been widely described as unprecedented.

Three million hectares (7.4 million acres) of land has been burnt the size of some small countries and vast swathes of koala habitat scorched.

Official data shows 2019 is on track to be one of the hottest and driest years on record in Australia.

Thousands were expected to rally in Sydney on Wednesday to demand urgent climate action from Australia's government, as bushfire smoke choking the city caused health problems to spike.

Thousands were expected to rally in Sydney on Wednesday to demand urgent climate action from Australia's government, as bushfire smoke choking the city caused health problems to spike. Smoke alarms rang out across Australia's biggest city Tuesday with thick haze from bushfires burning along the country's east coast forced buildings to be evacuated, school children to be kept indoors, and ferries to be cancelled. Sydney has endured weeks bathed in toxic smoke as hundreds of blazes have raged across the countryside, with hospitals recording a 25 per cent increase in the number of people visiting emergency departments last week. The devastating fires have focused attention on climate change, with scientists saying the blazes have come earlier and with more intensity than usual due to global warming and a prolonged drought. At least 5,000 people were expected at Wednesday's protest, according to organiser Chloe Rafferty, who said the bushfires and smoke haze had created anger at the conservative government's inaction on curbing emissions. "I think the wider public can see that we are not expecting the climate crisis in the future but we are facing the climate crisis now," she told AFP. "People are experiencing it in their day-to-day lives." As well as a rise in people visiting hospitals with smoke-related health symptoms, the number of emergency calls for ambulances spiked 30 per cent last week. "For most people, smoke causes mild symptoms like sore eyes, nose, and throat," top health department official Richard Broome said. "However, people with conditions like asthma, emphysema, and angina are at greater risk because the smoke can trigger their symptoms." Smoke from bushfires is one of the biggest contributors to air pollution in Australia, releasing fine particles that can lodge deep within people's lungs and cause "severe" health impacts over time, according to scientist Mick Meyer from government-funded scientific research agency CSIRO. "The impact of smoke on people remote from the fires may, on occasion, substantially exceed the direct injury to people within the fire zone," he wrote in The Conversation. "But we currently lack the operational tools to understand the extent of these impacts or to manage them." Six people have been killed and more than 700 houses destroyed in bushfires this fire season. Though the human toll has been far lower than the deadliest fire season in 2009 when almost 200 people died the scale of this year's devastation has been widely described as unprecedented. Three million hectares (7.4 million acres) of land has been burnt the size of some small countries and vast swathes of koala habitat scorched. Official data shows 2019 is on track to be one of the hottest and driest years on record in Australia.

Australians to protest as bushfire haze sparks health concerns

Australia's Mega Blaze inches closer to Sydney. More than 8 fires merged to form a mega blaze.

Australia's bushfire now a 'mega blaze'

Australia's sports federations have postponed&nbsp;youth&nbsp;matches in New South Wales as firefighters battled to contain nearly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sydney-smoke-crisis-longest-on-record-266355">150 fires burning</a> in the eastern state on Friday that have blanketed Sydney, the nation's biggest city, in hazardous smoke.

New South Wales Rugby League called off four junior representative trial matches scheduled over the weekend due to concerns over air quality resulting from the bushfires.

"The NSWRL has also recommended all clubs refrain from training outdoors until the air quality index has reduced to a safe level," the governing body said in a statement on Friday.

Australia's soccer association postponed a junior league match scheduled for Saturday in the Central Coast region between the Mariners and the Newcastle Jets due to poor air quality forecasts.

Matches in the top flight A-League and women's W-League in affected areas might also be cancelled if conditions deteriorate, Football Federation Australia said in a media release.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sydneysiders-urged-to-stay-indoors-as-australian-bushfire-smoke-blankets-city-263900">Bushfires in Australia</a> have killed at least four people and destroyed more than 680 homes since the start of November. Fires are still burning in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland states.

Winds have blown thick smoke over Sydney, the state capital where about 5 million live.

Players at the Australian Open golf tournament complained of stinging eyes after their rounds at course in Sydney.

Australia's sports federations have postponed youth matches in New South Wales as firefighters battled to contain nearly 150 fires burning in the eastern state on Friday that have blanketed Sydney, the nation's biggest city, in hazardous smoke.

Australia's sports federations have postponed youth matches in New South Wales as firefighters battled to contain nearly 150 fires burning in the eastern state on Friday that have blanketed Sydney, the nation's biggest city, in hazardous smoke. New South Wales Rugby League called off four junior representative trial matches scheduled over the weekend due to concerns over air quality resulting from the bushfires. "The NSWRL has also recommended all clubs refrain from training outdoors until the air quality index has reduced to a safe level," the governing body said in a statement on Friday. Australia's soccer association postponed a junior league match scheduled for Saturday in the Central Coast region between the Mariners and the Newcastle Jets due to poor air quality forecasts. Matches in the top flight A-League and women's W-League in affected areas might also be cancelled if conditions deteriorate, Football Federation Australia said in a media release. Bushfires in Australia have killed at least four people and destroyed more than 680 homes since the start of November. Fires are still burning in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland states. Winds have blown thick smoke over Sydney, the state capital where about 5 million live. Players at the Australian Open golf tournament complained of stinging eyes after their rounds at course in Sydney.

Youth matches postponed in New South Wales as Australia bushfires rage

Bushfires fanned by winds combined into a single giant blaze north of Sydney late on Friday, blanketing Australia's biggest city in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sydney-smoke-crisis-longest-on-record-266355">hazardous smoke</a>, causing weekend sports games to be cancelled and prompting calls for outdoor workers to stay home.

Wildfire has killed at least four people and destroyed more than 680 homes across eastern Australia since the start of November, months earlier than the usual summer bushfire season, with the authorities blaming an extended drought, strong wind and suspected arson.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-bushfires-record-air-pollution-numbers-recorded-in-new-south-wales-sydney-chokes-263757">Smoke and flying ash</a> has lingered over Sydney for most of the past week, turning the daytime sky orange, obscuring visibility and prompting commuters to wear breathing masks. Satellite images spread on social media showed the smoke spreading across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand, 2,000 kilometres (1,240 miles) away.

"The massive #NSW fires are in some cases just too big to put out at the moment," wrote the Australian Bureau of Meteorology in a post on its official Twitter account.

Sydney is the capital city in New South Wales state.

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS) said in a tweet that "a number of fires in the Hawkesbury, Hunter and Central Coast areas have now joined". The tweet included a map showing 10 separate fires connecting about 50 kilometres north of metropolitan Sydney.

The total area burnt by those fires was around 335,000 hectares, or 830,000 acres, the RFS added.

RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said authorities were particularly concerned the fires may spread east.

"They have the potential or are expected to spread further east, which unfortunately is getting into more populated areas, villages, communities, isolated rural areas, and other farming practices and businesses throughout the region," Fitzsimmons told reporters in Sydney.

About 500 homes in coastal communities around 350 kilometres south of Sydney had lost electricity to fire and repair workers were unable to start restoring power until the area was declared safe, energy provider Endeavour Energy said in a tweet. "Affected customers should consider alternative accommodation until their power is back."

Sporting body Cricket NSW urged clubs to consider cancelling weekend games due to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/youth-matches-postponed-in-new-south-wales-as-australia-bushfires-rage-266564">poor air quality</a>.

"We appreciate this may mean some finals are not played and players may be disappointed, however the welfare of our cricket communities is our number one priority," Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germo said in a statement.

Australia's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-bushfires-record-air-pollution-numbers-recorded-in-new-south-wales-sydney-chokes-263757">worst bushfires</a> on record destroyed thousands of homes in Victoria state in February 2009, killing 173 people and injuring 414 more.

Bushfires fanned by winds combined into a single giant blaze north of Sydney late on Friday, blanketing Australia's biggest city in hazardous smoke, causing weekend sports games to be cancelled and prompting calls for outdoor workers to stay home.

Bushfires fanned by winds combined into a single giant blaze north of Sydney late on Friday, blanketing Australia's biggest city in hazardous smoke, causing weekend sports games to be cancelled and prompting calls for outdoor workers to stay home. Wildfire has killed at least four people and destroyed more than 680 homes across eastern Australia since the start of November, months earlier than the usual summer bushfire season, with the authorities blaming an extended drought, strong wind and suspected arson. Smoke and flying ash has lingered over Sydney for most of the past week, turning the daytime sky orange, obscuring visibility and prompting commuters to wear breathing masks. Satellite images spread on social media showed the smoke spreading across the Tasman Sea to New Zealand, 2,000 kilometres (1,240 miles) away. "The massive #NSW fires are in some cases just too big to put out at the moment," wrote the Australian Bureau of Meteorology in a post on its official Twitter account. Sydney is the capital city in New South Wales state. The New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS) said in a tweet that "a number of fires in the Hawkesbury, Hunter and Central Coast areas have now joined". The tweet included a map showing 10 separate fires connecting about 50 kilometres north of metropolitan Sydney. The total area burnt by those fires was around 335,000 hectares, or 830,000 acres, the RFS added. RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said authorities were particularly concerned the fires may spread east. "They have the potential or are expected to spread further east, which unfortunately is getting into more populated areas, villages, communities, isolated rural areas, and other farming practices and businesses throughout the region," Fitzsimmons told reporters in Sydney. About 500 homes in coastal communities around 350 kilometres south of Sydney had lost electricity to fire and repair workers were unable to start restoring power until the area was declared safe, energy provider Endeavour Energy said in a tweet. "Affected customers should consider alternative accommodation until their power is back." Sporting body Cricket NSW urged clubs to consider cancelling weekend games due to poor air quality. "We appreciate this may mean some finals are not played and players may be disappointed, however the welfare of our cricket communities is our number one priority," Cricket NSW CEO Lee Germo said in a statement. Australia's worst bushfires on record destroyed thousands of homes in Victoria state in February 2009, killing 173 people and injuring 414 more.

Fears grow about Sydney after Australia fires merge into giant blaze

Protesters in smoke-covered <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sydneysiders-urged-to-stay-indoors-as-australian-bushfire-smoke-blankets-city-263900">Sydney </a>kicked off a fresh round of global protests against climate change on Friday, with activists and schoolchildren picketing the headquarters of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-bushfires-record-air-pollution-numbers-recorded-in-new-south-wales-sydney-chokes-263757">bushfire-ravaged </a>Australia's ruling party.

Hundreds of people gathered at the conservative Liberal party's offices to heed the call to action from 16-year-old climate change campaigner Greta Thunberg.

The protests have taken on extra urgency in Australia -- the country's southeast has been devastated by hundreds of damaging bushfires in recent weeks.

The protestors -- brandishing placards that read "You're burning our future" and chanting "we will rise" -- turned out as Sydney was again enveloped in toxic smoke caused by the fires that has blanketed the city for much of the last month.

Six people have died and hundreds of homes have been destroyed in the crisis, which scientists say has been worsened by rising temperatures.

Drought and unseasonably hot, dry and windy conditions have fuelled the unprecedented blazes.

The target of the protesters' ire was Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has angrily denied any link between the fires and climate change while defending his support for fossil fuels.

"Our government's inaction on the climate crisis has supercharged bushfires," said school strike leader Shiann Broderick. "People are hurting. Communities like ours are being devastated. Summer hasn't even begun."

Australia, with a population of 25 million, has low carbon emissions compared with the planet's biggest polluters, but is one of the world's leading coal exporters.

"The suggestion that (in) any way shape or form that Australia, accountable for 1.3 per cent of the world's emissions, that the individual actions of Australia are impacting directly on specific fire events, whether it's here or anywhere else in the world, that doesn't bear up to credible scientific evidence," Morrison claimed earlier this month.

Missed targets&nbsp;

Protests are expected later in the day in Melbourne, Brisbane and in cities across the world.

Last month, millions of people took to the streets in nearly every major global city for a series of "climate strikes".

The latest demonstrations come as 200 nations prepare to gather in Madrid next week for a 12-day UN climate conference.

The meeting will focus largely on finalising the "rulebook" for the 2015 Paris climate treaty, which becomes operational in 2021.

Scientists have warned that efforts to cap warming to 1.5 Celsius are failing, and that carbon emissions - which are on the rise -- would need to fall 7.6 per cent a year to meet the target.

The UN has reported that greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere, the main driver of climate change, hit a record high last year.

The organisation has also warned that global temperatures are on pace to rise almost four Celsius by the end of the century -- an increase that could make some places virtually unhabitable.

Protesters in smoke-covered Sydney kicked off a fresh round of global protests against climate change on Friday, with activists and schoolchildren picketing the headquarters of bushfire-ravaged Australia's ruling party.

Protesters in smoke-covered Sydney kicked off a fresh round of global protests against climate change on Friday, with activists and schoolchildren picketing the headquarters of bushfire-ravaged Australia's ruling party. Hundreds of people gathered at the conservative Liberal party's offices to heed the call to action from 16-year-old climate change campaigner Greta Thunberg. The protests have taken on extra urgency in Australia -- the country's southeast has been devastated by hundreds of damaging bushfires in recent weeks. The protestors -- brandishing placards that read "You're burning our future" and chanting "we will rise" -- turned out as Sydney was again enveloped in toxic smoke caused by the fires that has blanketed the city for much of the last month. Six people have died and hundreds of homes have been destroyed in the crisis, which scientists say has been worsened by rising temperatures. Drought and unseasonably hot, dry and windy conditions have fuelled the unprecedented blazes. The target of the protesters' ire was Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has angrily denied any link between the fires and climate change while defending his support for fossil fuels. "Our government's inaction on the climate crisis has supercharged bushfires," said school strike leader Shiann Broderick. "People are hurting. Communities like ours are being devastated. Summer hasn't even begun." Australia, with a population of 25 million, has low carbon emissions compared with the planet's biggest polluters, but is one of the world's leading coal exporters. "The suggestion that (in) any way shape or form that Australia, accountable for 1.3 per cent of the world's emissions, that the individual actions of Australia are impacting directly on specific fire events, whether it's here or anywhere else in the world, that doesn't bear up to credible scientific evidence," Morrison claimed earlier this month. Missed targets Protests are expected later in the day in Melbourne, Brisbane and in cities across the world. Last month, millions of people took to the streets in nearly every major global city for a series of "climate strikes". The latest demonstrations come as 200 nations prepare to gather in Madrid next week for a 12-day UN climate conference. The meeting will focus largely on finalising the "rulebook" for the 2015 Paris climate treaty, which becomes operational in 2021. Scientists have warned that efforts to cap warming to 1.5 Celsius are failing, and that carbon emissions - which are on the rise -- would need to fall 7.6 per cent a year to meet the target. The UN has reported that greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere, the main driver of climate change, hit a record high last year. The organisation has also warned that global temperatures are on pace to rise almost four Celsius by the end of the century -- an increase that could make some places virtually unhabitable.

Climate protests kick off in smoke-covered Sydney

Sydney: Haze envelops '3rd-most liveable city'. Watch video to know more.

Sydney: Haze envelops 'third-most liveable city'

Bushfires continue to rage in NSW, Victoria, Queensland

Climate change takes a toll on Sydney

Air Quality Index In Sydney Worsens Drastically, Crosses The Four-Figure Mark.

Gravitas: Sydney Gasps For Breath

Sky of Australia's Midura city goes orange, Sydney's hat-trick of hazy skies. Watch this video to find out more in details.

Sky of Australia's Midura city goes orange, Sydney's hat-trick of hazy skies

Strong winds stoked more than 100 fires across Australia's east coast on Tuesday, blanketing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-bushfires-record-air-pollution-numbers-recorded-in-new-south-wales-sydney-chokes-263757">Sydney </a>in hazardous smoke and prompting health warnings for the country's most populous city.

Australia is prone to bushfires in its dry, hot summers, but fierce blazes have been sparked early, in the southern spring, by a long drought and soaring temperatures.

Wildfires have so far this month claimed at least four lives, burnt about 2.5 million acres (1 million hectares) of farmland and bush and destroyed more than 300 homes.

Powerful winds fanned around 130 fires that have been burning across New South Wales and Queensland states for several days and pushed smoke south to form a thick haze over Sydney, home to around 5 million people.

Officials said the air quality above parts of the harbour city was measured at 10 times hazardous levels on Tuesday and advised people to stay indoors as much as possible as the smoke lingers over coming days.

"We know that heatwaves cause severe illness, hospital admission and even deaths, and that people are more sensitive to heatwaves early in the season," Richard Broom, director of environmental health at NSW Health said In an emailed statement.

"The combination of heat and poor air quality adds to the risk."

In NSW, firefighters were scrambling to strengthen fire containment lines ahead of forecast higher temperatures for much of the rest of the week.

"More than 1,300 firefighters are working on these fires, undertaking backburning operations and strengthening containment lines ahead of forecast hot, dry and windy weather, with seven areas under a total fire ban," the NSW Rural Fire Service said in a statement.

The current bushfire crisis has mostly been contained to the east coast of NSW and Queensland states, but officials in South Australia warned on Tuesday that forecast near-record temperatures raises the risks in that state.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said temperatures in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, will hit 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, which coupled with strong winds will create "catastrophic" fire danger conditions.

Strong winds stoked more than 100 fires across Australia's east coast on Tuesday, blanketing Sydney in hazardous smoke and prompting health warnings for the country's most populous city.

Strong winds stoked more than 100 fires across Australia's east coast on Tuesday, blanketing Sydney in hazardous smoke and prompting health warnings for the country's most populous city. Australia is prone to bushfires in its dry, hot summers, but fierce blazes have been sparked early, in the southern spring, by a long drought and soaring temperatures. Wildfires have so far this month claimed at least four lives, burnt about 2.5 million acres (1 million hectares) of farmland and bush and destroyed more than 300 homes. Powerful winds fanned around 130 fires that have been burning across New South Wales and Queensland states for several days and pushed smoke south to form a thick haze over Sydney, home to around 5 million people. Officials said the air quality above parts of the harbour city was measured at 10 times hazardous levels on Tuesday and advised people to stay indoors as much as possible as the smoke lingers over coming days. "We know that heatwaves cause severe illness, hospital admission and even deaths, and that people are more sensitive to heatwaves early in the season," Richard Broom, director of environmental health at NSW Health said In an emailed statement. "The combination of heat and poor air quality adds to the risk." In NSW, firefighters were scrambling to strengthen fire containment lines ahead of forecast higher temperatures for much of the rest of the week. "More than 1,300 firefighters are working on these fires, undertaking backburning operations and strengthening containment lines ahead of forecast hot, dry and windy weather, with seven areas under a total fire ban," the NSW Rural Fire Service said in a statement. The current bushfire crisis has mostly been contained to the east coast of NSW and Queensland states, but officials in South Australia warned on Tuesday that forecast near-record temperatures raises the risks in that state. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said temperatures in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, will hit 42 degrees Celsius (107.6 degrees Fahrenheit) on Wednesday, which coupled with strong winds will create "catastrophic" fire danger conditions.

Sydneysiders urged to stay indoors as Australian bushfire smoke blankets city

Australia's Prime Minister on Thursday denied his climate policies had caused <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bushfire-threat-spreads-wreaks-havoc-in-australia-as-sydney-chokes-263481">unprecedented bushfires</a> ravaging the country and insisted his government was doing enough to tackle global warming.

As dozens of new blazes scorched the countryside and the country's largest city was cloaked in hazardous smoke, conservative leader Scott Morrison defended his climate record, saying Australia was "doing our bit".

His comments came after weeks spent refusing to speak about the link between climate change and deadly fires described by the emergency services as unprecedented in number and scale for the early bushfire season.

As more people in the southeast of the country were told to evacuate their homes and schoolchildren in Sydney were again forced to play indoors, Morrison dismissed mounting calls for action.

"The suggestion that any way shape or form that Australia, accounting for 1.3 per cent of the world's emissions... are impacting directly on specific fire events, whether it is here or anywhere else in the world, that doesn't bear up to credible scientific evidence," he told ABC radio.

Scientists, former fire chiefs and residents touched by bushfires have all drawn the link between this season's more intense fires and climate change.

Drought, unseasonably hot, dry and windy conditions have fuelled the unprecedented blazes. Scientists believe many of those factors are made worse by rising global temperatures.

On Thursday bushfires burned across every region of Australia with residents in Victoria warned to leave high-risk areas and officials in New South Wales reporting more than 600 homes have been destroyed in recent weeks.

Morrison is facing calls to cut greenhouse gas emissions and rapidly transition to renewable energy -- a sensitive debate in light of Australia's lucrative mining industry.

Australia has committed to globally agreed climate targets to help limit warming, but its emissions continue to rise and targets are only being met with the use of some creative carbon accounting,&nbsp;using credits gained in past decades.

While Australia's burning of fossil fuels accounts for only a fraction of global emissions, coal dug up Down Under and burned around the world makes the country a major emissions exporter.

Watch: Hazardous layer of bushfire smoke covers Sydney

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/australia-hazardous-thick-layer-of-bushfire-smoke-covered-sydney-263107/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

'Code red'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/search?q=Sydney%3A+People+asked+to+stay+indoors+as+hazardous+smog+from+bushfires+eclipses+city">Devastating fires along the country's</a> east coast have claimed six lives since mid-October.

Now the fire danger has moved into states further south, with more than 60 fires breaking out in Victoria on Thursday,&nbsp;including five at "emergency" level,&nbsp;after a so-called "Code Red" fire danger was declared for the first time in a decade.

Victoria Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville said firefighters were batting "some of the worst conditions that you'd expect to see, often in February or March, and we're seeing them in November".

"It is incredibly dry, it will continue to get drier as the months go on over this summer, so the conditions we see today are likely conditions that we'll confront over this summer," she said.

The Bureau of Meteorology said "large areas" of central and eastern Victoria broke maximum temperature records for November,&nbsp;including in Melbourne where the mercury reached 40.9 Celsius, while a dramatic dust storm swept through the town of Mildura, turning the sky a vivid orange.

Country Fire Authority chief Steve Warrington earlier told people living in high-risk rural areas to leave for the safety of cities.

"We are saying, 'do not be there, do not be there when a fire occurs, because you will not survive if you are there'," he said.

The fire danger was also elevated to "extreme" in the island state of Tasmania off mainland Australia's southeastern coast, one of several areas where a total fire ban was declared.

For the second time in three days, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-braces-for-heavy-winds-lightning-as-bushfire-threat-lingers-262193">smoke from bushfires blanketed Sydney</a>, Australia's biggest city and an area that is home to more than five million people, sending air quality plummeting to hazardous levels.

In South Australia, the state capital Adelaide was also shrouded in bushfire smoke and residents were being told to stay indoors for health reasons.

More than 110 fires are still burning in worst-hit New South Wales and neighbouring Queensland, while in South Australia&nbsp;more than 40 fires broke out during catastrophic fire conditions Wednesday.&nbsp;

The country is bracing for challenging fire conditions to continue throughout the Southern Hemisphere summer.

Australia's Prime Minister on Thursday denied his climate policies had caused unprecedented bushfires ravaging the country and insisted his government was doing enough to tackle global warming.

Australia's Prime Minister on Thursday denied his climate policies had caused unprecedented bushfires ravaging the country and insisted his government was doing enough to tackle global warming. As dozens of new blazes scorched the countryside and the country's largest city was cloaked in hazardous smoke, conservative leader Scott Morrison defended his climate record, saying Australia was "doing our bit". His comments came after weeks spent refusing to speak about the link between climate change and deadly fires described by the emergency services as unprecedented in number and scale for the early bushfire season. As more people in the southeast of the country were told to evacuate their homes and schoolchildren in Sydney were again forced to play indoors, Morrison dismissed mounting calls for action. "The suggestion that any way shape or form that Australia, accounting for 1.3 per cent of the world's emissions... are impacting directly on specific fire events, whether it is here or anywhere else in the world, that doesn't bear up to credible scientific evidence," he told ABC radio. Scientists, former fire chiefs and residents touched by bushfires have all drawn the link between this season's more intense fires and climate change. Drought, unseasonably hot, dry and windy conditions have fuelled the unprecedented blazes. Scientists believe many of those factors are made worse by rising global temperatures. On Thursday bushfires burned across every region of Australia with residents in Victoria warned to leave high-risk areas and officials in New South Wales reporting more than 600 homes have been destroyed in recent weeks. Morrison is facing calls to cut greenhouse gas emissions and rapidly transition to renewable energy -- a sensitive debate in light of Australia's lucrative mining industry. Australia has committed to globally agreed climate targets to help limit warming, but its emissions continue to rise and targets are only being met with the use of some creative carbon accounting, using credits gained in past decades. While Australia's burning of fossil fuels accounts for only a fraction of global emissions, coal dug up Down Under and burned around the world makes the country a major emissions exporter. Watch: Hazardous layer of bushfire smoke covers Sydney 'Code red' Devastating fires along the country's east coast have claimed six lives since mid-October. Now the fire danger has moved into states further south, with more than 60 fires breaking out in Victoria on Thursday, including five at "emergency" level, after a so-called "Code Red" fire danger was declared for the first time in a decade. Victoria Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville said firefighters were batting "some of the worst conditions that you'd expect to see, often in February or March, and we're seeing them in November". "It is incredibly dry, it will continue to get drier as the months go on over this summer, so the conditions we see today are likely conditions that we'll confront over this summer," she said. The Bureau of Meteorology said "large areas" of central and eastern Victoria broke maximum temperature records for November, including in Melbourne where the mercury reached 40.9 Celsius, while a dramatic dust storm swept through the town of Mildura, turning the sky a vivid orange. Country Fire Authority chief Steve Warrington earlier told people living in high-risk rural areas to leave for the safety of cities. "We are saying, 'do not be there, do not be there when a fire occurs, because you will not survive if you are there'," he said. The fire danger was also elevated to "extreme" in the island state of Tasmania off mainland Australia's southeastern coast, one of several areas where a total fire ban was declared. For the second time in three days, smoke from bushfires blanketed Sydney, Australia's biggest city and an area that is home to more than five million people, sending air quality plummeting to hazardous levels. In South Australia, the state capital Adelaide was also shrouded in bushfire smoke and residents were being told to stay indoors for health reasons. More than 110 fires are still burning in worst-hit New South Wales and neighbouring Queensland, while in South Australia more than 40 fires broke out during catastrophic fire conditions Wednesday. The country is bracing for challenging fire conditions to continue throughout the Southern Hemisphere summer.

As bushfires rage and choke Sydney, Australian PM denies link to climate policies

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hazardous-bushfire-smoke-blankets-sydney-residents-warned-to-stay-inside-263070">fire danger</a> was elevated across wider swathes of southern Australia on Thursday, with residents warned to avoid at-risk areas as smoke from bushfires choked Sydney and other major cities.

Devastating fires along the country's east coast have claimed six lives and destroyed more than 500 homes since mid-October, with climate change and unseasonably hot, dry conditions fuelling the unprecedented blazes.

Now the fire danger has moved into states further south, with a so-called "Code Red",&nbsp;the highest possible fire risk in Victoria,&nbsp;being declared in the state's northwest for the first time in a decade.

"What that means is that if we see fires in those areas they will be fast-moving, they will be unpredictable, they will be uncontrollable," emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp told reporters.

Country Fire Authority chief Steve Warrington told people living in rural areas to leave for the safety of cities.

"We are saying, 'do not be there, do not be there when a fire occurs, because you will not survive if you are there'," he said.

"There is a good chance if a fire occurs that your home will be destroyed."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-braces-for-heavy-winds-lightning-as-bushfire-threat-lingers-262193">The fire danger was also elevated</a> to "severe" in the island state of Tasmania off mainland Australia's southeastern coast, &nbsp;where a total fire ban was declared.

Two bushfires in the state's northeast did not pose an immediate threat to residents, the Tasmania Fire Service said.

For the second time in two days, smoke from bushfires blanketed Sydney, Australia's biggest city and home to more than five million people, sending air quality plummeting to hazardous levels.

Watch: Hazardous thick layer of bushfire smoke covers Sydney

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/australia-hazardous-thick-layer-of-bushfire-smoke-covered-sydney-263107/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

More than 110 fires are still burning in worst-hit New South Wales and neighbouring Queensland, while in South Australia&nbsp;more than 40 fires broke out during catastrophic fire conditions Wednesday.&nbsp;

A South Australia Country Fire Service spokeswoman said all of those blazes had been brought under control or extinguished by Thursday, with the exception of a major fire on the Yorke Peninsula that had come perilously close to a small town.

Conditions were expected to ease in the coming days in South Australia, where the state capital Adelaide was also shrouded in bushfire smoke and residents were being told to stay indoors for health reasons.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lack-of-forecast-rains-to-prolong-australian-bushfires-threat-261992">Bushfire-prone Australia</a> has experienced a horror start to its fire season, which scientists say is beginning earlier and becoming more extreme as climate change pushes temperatures higher and saps moisture from the environment after months of severe drought.

Growing calls to curb fossil fuels and drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions are being ignored by the country's conservative government, which is eager to protect its lucrative mining industry.

The country is bracing for challenging fire conditions to continue throughout the Southern Hemisphere summer.

The fire danger was elevated across wider swathes of southern Australia on Thursday, with residents warned to avoid at-risk areas as smoke from bushfires choked Sydney and other major cities.

The fire danger was elevated across wider swathes of southern Australia on Thursday, with residents warned to avoid at-risk areas as smoke from bushfires choked Sydney and other major cities. Devastating fires along the country's east coast have claimed six lives and destroyed more than 500 homes since mid-October, with climate change and unseasonably hot, dry conditions fuelling the unprecedented blazes. Now the fire danger has moved into states further south, with a so-called "Code Red", the highest possible fire risk in Victoria, being declared in the state's northwest for the first time in a decade. "What that means is that if we see fires in those areas they will be fast-moving, they will be unpredictable, they will be uncontrollable," emergency management commissioner Andrew Crisp told reporters. Country Fire Authority chief Steve Warrington told people living in rural areas to leave for the safety of cities. "We are saying, 'do not be there, do not be there when a fire occurs, because you will not survive if you are there'," he said. "There is a good chance if a fire occurs that your home will be destroyed." The fire danger was also elevated to "severe" in the island state of Tasmania off mainland Australia's southeastern coast, where a total fire ban was declared. Two bushfires in the state's northeast did not pose an immediate threat to residents, the Tasmania Fire Service said. For the second time in two days, smoke from bushfires blanketed Sydney, Australia's biggest city and home to more than five million people, sending air quality plummeting to hazardous levels. Watch: Hazardous thick layer of bushfire smoke covers Sydney More than 110 fires are still burning in worst-hit New South Wales and neighbouring Queensland, while in South Australia more than 40 fires broke out during catastrophic fire conditions Wednesday. A South Australia Country Fire Service spokeswoman said all of those blazes had been brought under control or extinguished by Thursday, with the exception of a major fire on the Yorke Peninsula that had come perilously close to a small town. Conditions were expected to ease in the coming days in South Australia, where the state capital Adelaide was also shrouded in bushfire smoke and residents were being told to stay indoors for health reasons. Bushfire-prone Australia has experienced a horror start to its fire season, which scientists say is beginning earlier and becoming more extreme as climate change pushes temperatures higher and saps moisture from the environment after months of severe drought. Growing calls to curb fossil fuels and drastically cut greenhouse gas emissions are being ignored by the country's conservative government, which is eager to protect its lucrative mining industry. The country is bracing for challenging fire conditions to continue throughout the Southern Hemisphere summer.

Bushfire threat spreads, wreaks havoc in Australia as Sydney chokes

Strong winds stoked more than 100 fires across Australia's east coast on Tuesday, blanketing Sydney in hazardous smoke and prompting health warnings for the country's most populous city.

Australia is prone to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lack-of-forecast-rains-to-prolong-australian-bushfires-threat-261992">bushfires</a> in its dry, hot summers, but fierce blazes have been sparked early, in the southern spring, by a long drought and soaring temperatures.

Wildfires have so far this month claimed at least four lives, burnt about 2.5 million acres&nbsp;of farmland and bush and destroyed more than 300 homes.

Powerful winds fanned around 130 fires that have been burning across New South Wales and Queensland states for several days and pushed smoke south to form a thick haze over Sydney, home to around 5 million people.

Officials said the air quality above parts of the harbour city was measured at 10 times hazardous levels on Tuesday and advised people to stay indoors as much as possible as the smoke lingers over coming days.

"We know that heatwaves cause severe illness, hospital admission and even deaths and that people are more sensitive to heatwaves early in the season," Richard Broom, director of environmental health at NSW Health said In an emailed statement.&nbsp;"The combination of heat and poor air quality adds to the risk."

Watch: Massive bushfires in Australia

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/massive-bushfires-in-australia-bushfires-continue-to-pose-a-major-threat-261880/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">In NSW, firefighters were scrambling to strengthen <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lack-of-forecast-rains-to-prolong-australian-bushfires-threat-261992">fire containment</a> lines ahead of forecast higher temperatures for much of the rest of the week.</div>

"More than 1,300 firefighters are working on these fires, undertaking backburning operations and strengthening containment lines ahead of forecast hot, dry and windy weather, with seven areas under a total fire ban," the NSW Rural Fire Service said in a statement.

The current bushfire crisis has mostly been contained to the east coast of NSW and Queensland states, but officials in South Australia warned on Tuesday that forecast near-record temperatures raises the risks in that state.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said temperatures in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, will hit 42 degrees Celsius&nbsp;on Wednesday, which coupled with strong winds will create "catastrophic" fire danger conditions.

Strong winds stoked more than 100 fires across Australia's east coast on Tuesday, blanketing Sydney in hazardous smoke and prompting health warnings for the country's most populous city. Australia is prone to bushfires in its dry, hot summers, but fierce blazes have been sparked early, in the southern spring, by a long drought and soaring temperatures. Wildfires have so far this month claimed at least four lives, burnt about 2.5 million acres of farmland and bush and destroyed more than 300 homes. Powerful winds fanned around 130 fires that have been burning across New South Wales and Queensland states for several days and pushed smoke south to form a thick haze over Sydney, home to around 5 million people. Officials said the air quality above parts of the harbour city was measured at 10 times hazardous levels on Tuesday and advised people to stay indoors as much as possible as the smoke lingers over coming days. "We know that heatwaves cause severe illness, hospital admission and even deaths and that people are more sensitive to heatwaves early in the season," Richard Broom, director of environmental health at NSW Health said In an emailed statement. "The combination of heat and poor air quality adds to the risk." Watch: Massive bushfires in Australia In NSW, firefighters were scrambling to strengthen fire containment lines ahead of forecast higher temperatures for much of the rest of the week. "More than 1,300 firefighters are working on these fires, undertaking backburning operations and strengthening containment lines ahead of forecast hot, dry and windy weather, with seven areas under a total fire ban," the NSW Rural Fire Service said in a statement. The current bushfire crisis has mostly been contained to the east coast of NSW and Queensland states, but officials in South Australia warned on Tuesday that forecast near-record temperatures raises the risks in that state. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology said temperatures in Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, will hit 42 degrees Celsius on Wednesday, which coupled with strong winds will create "catastrophic" fire danger conditions.

Sydney: People asked to stay indoors as hazardous smog from bushfires eclipses city

Official weather forecasts for Australia out on Thursday showed no substantial rains for at least three months, providing grim news as firefighters battle to get more than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australians-shelter-and-flee-as-firefighters-battle-150-bushfires-261748">100 bushfires</a> raging across the east coast under control.

Wildfires in New South Wales and Queensland states have <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/deadly-australian-bushfires-haze-sydney-261641">killed four people</a>, destroyed hundreds of homes and wiped out 2.5 million acres (1 million hectares) of farmland and bush over the past week.

The fires have been fuelled by tinder-dry conditions after three years of drought that experts say has been exacerbated by climate change, a factor that has sparked a sharp political debate in recent days.

Firefighters have said the blazes will burn for weeks without significant rainfall.

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said there is just a 25 per cent&nbsp;chance that the country's east coast will receive average rainfall between December&nbsp;1 and February&nbsp;28.

Stoking the threat, BOM said there is more than 80 per cent&nbsp;chance that temperatures will exceed average levels over the next three months.

More immediately, Rural Fire Service NSW deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said fatigued firefighters face another challenging few days.

"Conditions are starting to warm up tomorrow, into the weekend and then heating up early next week, a return to more gusty conditions. We’re in for the long haul,” Rogers told Australia's Channel 7.

The death toll from the fires rose to four on Thursday after police reported the body of a man was discovered in NSW bushland that had been ravaged by fire.

Bushfires are common in Australia's hot, dry summers, but the ferocity and early arrival of the fires in the southern spring this year has caught many by surprise and stoked an increasingly acrimonious political debate about climate change.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has repeatedly batted away questions on that issue during the current crisis, drawing criticism from climate activists and opposition lawmakers.

A group of former fire chiefs on Thursday said the government's refusal to discuss climate change issues were impeding preparations for large-scale fires.

Greg Mullins, a former Fire and Rescue NSW commissioner, said he and 23 other fire and emergency chiefs had been trying to have a meeting with Morrison since April because they "knew that a bushfire crisis was coming."

Instead, he said current fire chiefs had been locked out of discussions and were "not allowed" to mention climate change.

"This government fundamentally doesn’t like talking about climate change," Mullins told reporters in Sydney.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said earlier in the week that linking the fires to the government's support of the coal industry was "the ravings of some pure, enlightened and woke capital city greenies".

Official weather forecasts for Australia out on Thursday showed no substantial rains for at least three months, providing grim news as firefighters battle to get more than 100 bushfires raging across the east coast under control.

Official weather forecasts for Australia out on Thursday showed no substantial rains for at least three months, providing grim news as firefighters battle to get more than 100 bushfires raging across the east coast under control. Wildfires in New South Wales and Queensland states have killed four people, destroyed hundreds of homes and wiped out 2.5 million acres (1 million hectares) of farmland and bush over the past week. The fires have been fuelled by tinder-dry conditions after three years of drought that experts say has been exacerbated by climate change, a factor that has sparked a sharp political debate in recent days. Firefighters have said the blazes will burn for weeks without significant rainfall. Australia's Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said there is just a 25 per cent chance that the country's east coast will receive average rainfall between December 1 and February 28. Stoking the threat, BOM said there is more than 80 per cent chance that temperatures will exceed average levels over the next three months. More immediately, Rural Fire Service NSW deputy commissioner Rob Rogers said fatigued firefighters face another challenging few days. "Conditions are starting to warm up tomorrow, into the weekend and then heating up early next week, a return to more gusty conditions. We’re in for the long haul,” Rogers told Australia's Channel 7. The death toll from the fires rose to four on Thursday after police reported the body of a man was discovered in NSW bushland that had been ravaged by fire. Bushfires are common in Australia's hot, dry summers, but the ferocity and early arrival of the fires in the southern spring this year has caught many by surprise and stoked an increasingly acrimonious political debate about climate change. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has repeatedly batted away questions on that issue during the current crisis, drawing criticism from climate activists and opposition lawmakers. A group of former fire chiefs on Thursday said the government's refusal to discuss climate change issues were impeding preparations for large-scale fires. Greg Mullins, a former Fire and Rescue NSW commissioner, said he and 23 other fire and emergency chiefs had been trying to have a meeting with Morrison since April because they "knew that a bushfire crisis was coming." Instead, he said current fire chiefs had been locked out of discussions and were "not allowed" to mention climate change. "This government fundamentally doesn’t like talking about climate change," Mullins told reporters in Sydney. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said earlier in the week that linking the fires to the government's support of the coal industry was "the ravings of some pure, enlightened and woke capital city greenies".

Lack of forecast rains to prolong Australian bushfires threat

Australian officials ordered people in several communities, including a major tourist destination, to evacuate immediately on Wednesday as firefighters struggled to contain more than <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stay-alert-millions-of-australians-brace-for-catastrophic-bushfires-261487">150 bushfires</a> raging across the east coast.

While cooler weather overnight brought some relief for firefighters in New South Wales (NSW) state, attention shifted to its northern neighbour, Queensland, where hot, dry and windy conditions brought severe fire danger.

Authorities issued a "leave immediately" warning, the highest level, for several areas including Noosa, a beachside holiday destination 150 km (93 miles) north of Brisbane, the state capital of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-authorities-urge-evacuations-ahead-of-catastrophic-fire-threat-261254">Queensland</a>.

"Conditions are now very dangerous and firefighters may soon be unable to prevent the fire advancing," Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) said.

"The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path."

Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington told Reuters many of the residents in the affected north, accessible only by ferry or via the beach, had got out this week.

But he added that winds were picking up, making things particularly tricky.

"There are plenty of crews battling the fire, including two helicopters," he said.

The blaze in Noosa is one of more than 80 fires across Queensland, leaving firefighters stretched.

QFES said one its water-bombing helicopters crashed while battling a fire in Pechey, west of Brisbane, though the pilot escaped with minor injuries.

Bushfires are common in Australia's hot, dry summers, but the ferocity and early arrival of the fires in the southern spring this year has caught many by surprise.

The blazes have claimed three lives and destroyed about 2.5 million acres (1 million hectares) of farmland and bush, fuelled by extremely dry conditions after three years of drought, which experts say has been exacerbated by climate change.

The hot and windy conditions are set to spike again next week.

"We will not have all these fires contained before then," NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told reporters in Sydney. "We will not have all these fires contained and locked up for many, many weeks."

"Unfortunately, what we need is rain ... and there is certainly nothing in the forecast for the foreseeable future that's going to make any discernible difference to the conditions."

Some 300 homes have been destroyed in NSW in recent days, Fitzsimmons said, as flames stretched from the state's north coast to within metres of homes in Greater Sydney.

No deaths were reported on Tuesday as warning systems and evacuation plans appeared to save lives in the face of what officials said was the greatest threat in at least a decade.

"It was just chewing up everything," Karen Weston told Australian Broadcasting Corp from an evacuation centre of a fire near Taree on the mid-north coast. "I've survived two other bushfires before this but never anything like this."

Academy award winning actor Russell Crowe tweeted photos and video footage on Wednesday of firefighters using helicopters to waterbomb his property near Nana Glen, an rural community some 580 km (360 miles) north of Sydney.

Crowe said the property had "lost a couple of buildings", some fires were still burning and "we are out of water".

The fires have sparked increasingly acrimonious debate over climate and fire-prevention policies, with the ruling conservative Liberal Party and the minor opposition Australian Greens exchanging barbs.

Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce was among those who have suggested that climate activists were at least partly responsible for the fires by lobbying to reduce so-called back burns, fires deliberately lit to clear dry undergrowth.

Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, meanwhile, said linking the fires to the government's support of the coal industry was "the ravings of some pure, enlightened and woke capital city greenies".

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has declined to comment on climate change during the crisis, has called for moderation in the debate.

Australian officials ordered people in several communities, including a major tourist destination, to evacuate immediately on Wednesday as firefighters struggled to contain more than 150 bushfires raging across the east coast.

Australian officials ordered people in several communities, including a major tourist destination, to evacuate immediately on Wednesday as firefighters struggled to contain more than 150 bushfires raging across the east coast. While cooler weather overnight brought some relief for firefighters in New South Wales (NSW) state, attention shifted to its northern neighbour, Queensland, where hot, dry and windy conditions brought severe fire danger. Authorities issued a "leave immediately" warning, the highest level, for several areas including Noosa, a beachside holiday destination 150 km (93 miles) north of Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland. "Conditions are now very dangerous and firefighters may soon be unable to prevent the fire advancing," Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) said. "The fire may pose a threat to all lives directly in its path." Noosa Mayor Tony Wellington told Reuters many of the residents in the affected north, accessible only by ferry or via the beach, had got out this week. But he added that winds were picking up, making things particularly tricky. "There are plenty of crews battling the fire, including two helicopters," he said. The blaze in Noosa is one of more than 80 fires across Queensland, leaving firefighters stretched. QFES said one its water-bombing helicopters crashed while battling a fire in Pechey, west of Brisbane, though the pilot escaped with minor injuries. Bushfires are common in Australia's hot, dry summers, but the ferocity and early arrival of the fires in the southern spring this year has caught many by surprise. The blazes have claimed three lives and destroyed about 2.5 million acres (1 million hectares) of farmland and bush, fuelled by extremely dry conditions after three years of drought, which experts say has been exacerbated by climate change. The hot and windy conditions are set to spike again next week. "We will not have all these fires contained before then," NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons told reporters in Sydney. "We will not have all these fires contained and locked up for many, many weeks." "Unfortunately, what we need is rain ... and there is certainly nothing in the forecast for the foreseeable future that's going to make any discernible difference to the conditions." Some 300 homes have been destroyed in NSW in recent days, Fitzsimmons said, as flames stretched from the state's north coast to within metres of homes in Greater Sydney. No deaths were reported on Tuesday as warning systems and evacuation plans appeared to save lives in the face of what officials said was the greatest threat in at least a decade. "It was just chewing up everything," Karen Weston told Australian Broadcasting Corp from an evacuation centre of a fire near Taree on the mid-north coast. "I've survived two other bushfires before this but never anything like this." Academy award winning actor Russell Crowe tweeted photos and video footage on Wednesday of firefighters using helicopters to waterbomb his property near Nana Glen, an rural community some 580 km (360 miles) north of Sydney. Crowe said the property had "lost a couple of buildings", some fires were still burning and "we are out of water". The fires have sparked increasingly acrimonious debate over climate and fire-prevention policies, with the ruling conservative Liberal Party and the minor opposition Australian Greens exchanging barbs. Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce was among those who have suggested that climate activists were at least partly responsible for the fires by lobbying to reduce so-called back burns, fires deliberately lit to clear dry undergrowth. Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, meanwhile, said linking the fires to the government's support of the coal industry was "the ravings of some pure, enlightened and woke capital city greenies". Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has declined to comment on climate change during the crisis, has called for moderation in the debate.

Australians ordered to evacuate as firefighters struggled to contain bushfires

Emergency Declared In New South Wales, Queensland As Australia Battles Wildfires.

Gravitas: Australia Bush Fires: Sydney On High Alert

Australia catastrophic fire: Sydney, New South Wales on high-alert. Watch video to know more.

Australia catastrophic fire: Sydney, New South Wales on high-alert

Deadly Australian bushfires haze Sydney

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stay-alert-millions-of-australians-brace-for-catastrophic-bushfires-261487">Bushfires&nbsp;reached</a> within kilometres (miles) of&nbsp;Sydney's city centre Tuesday prompting firefighting planes to spray red retardant over trees and houses in a northern suburb.

Authorities said they had one fire in the&nbsp;suburbs&nbsp;of&nbsp;Sydney,&nbsp;Australia's biggest city, under control though another one was out of control.

Aerial footage showed flames burning through a eucalypt forest in Turramurra on&nbsp;Sydney's north shore, around 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the centre of the city.

Firefighters were deployed in the area to protect houses.

"The fire is spreading quickly," New South Wales Rural Fire Service warned residents. "Properties are under threat."

There were no immediate reports of properties in the area being burnt.

Bushfires reached within kilometres (miles) of Sydney's city centre Tuesday prompting firefighting planes to spray red retardant over trees and houses in a northern suburb.

Bushfires reached within kilometres (miles) of Sydney's city centre Tuesday prompting firefighting planes to spray red retardant over trees and houses in a northern suburb. Authorities said they had one fire in the suburbs of Sydney, Australia's biggest city, under control though another one was out of control. Aerial footage showed flames burning through a eucalypt forest in Turramurra on Sydney's north shore, around 15 kilometres (nine miles) from the centre of the city. Firefighters were deployed in the area to protect houses. "The fire is spreading quickly," New South Wales Rural Fire Service warned residents. "Properties are under threat." There were no immediate reports of properties in the area being burnt.

Australia bushfires hit Sydney suburbs

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