Unprecedented number of emergency-level bushfires threatening NSW in Australia

Australian authorities say an "unprecedented" number of emergency-level bushfires are threatening the state of New South Wales.

More than 80 blazes were raging across the state yesterday.

At this stage, it appears at least 100 homes have been destroyed in yesterday's bush fires. Three people are unaccounted for. More than 30 people have been injured. At 6:30am there are 77 bush or grass fires with 42 uncontained. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/WtB9O671bU

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) November 8, 2019

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

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

This shows the dangerous conditions that have confronted firefighters and residents today. This is the crew from Warringah HQ at the Hillville fire near Taree. #nswrfs #nswfires pic.twitter.com/lIhnF8P1Qf

— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) November 8, 2019

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

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

Source: BBC