For the first time since 2003: The Australian capital declared an emergency due to the fires
A fire that broke out in the Canberra area has prompted authorities to declare a first emergency in 17 years, then four people perished and destroyed 500 homes on a new day. Residents in the southern region are preparing to be evacuated from their homes. Minister for Emergency Services: "The situation emphasizes to the community that it is required to be vigilant"
For the first time since 2003: The Australian capital declared an emergency due to the fires
Photo: Reuters, edited by Asaf DruryAustralian capital Canberra declared a state of emergency on Friday following a forest fire out of control and heading south. It's the first time the capital has declared an emergency This is the first state of emergency declared in the Australian capital since 2003, when the fire that broke out then took the lives of four people and destroyed nearly 500 homes in one day.
State emergency services said the threat began as a result of a fire that broke out in a helicopter landing in the city's southern suburbs and has so far covered more than 35,000 acres. Australia's Emergency Services Minister Mike Gentleman said: "The emergency sets a clear expectation for our community that we need to be vigilant. This is the worst 'bonfires' season since 2003."
Emergency department officials explained that the fire was burning at an emergency level - the highest in the three levels - and coals that flew from it ignited flames in additional locations. Residents in the southern suburbs of Canberra and surrounding villages received recommendations from authorities to prepare for their homes or evacuate. The roads to Kfar Treva were blocked due to a huge fire that endangered the residents.
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The unprecedented fires raging in South Australia since September have taken the lives of at least 33 people, demolished more than 3,000 homes and erased more than 10.6 million acres. As temperatures rise over the weekend, the danger of fires is expected to escalate across the Australian capital and in the states of New South Wales and Victoria.
The state of emergency gives the Canberra local government additional powers to block roads, direct civilian movements, control property and carry out firefighting work on private land.
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A wave of fires hit Australia's east coast on December 30, 2019 (Photo: AP)
