Australian state declares wildfire emergency

PERTH, Australia — Australia’s most populous state of New South Wales declared a seven-day state of emergency Thursday as oppressive conditions fanned some 100 wildfires.

Some 2,000 firefighters were battling the blazes, half of which are uncontrolled, with the support of U.S. and Canadian backup teams, and the Australian Defence Force.

The last state of emergency ran for seven days in mid-November amid “catastrophic” fire risk and was the first in New South Wales since 2013. Central Sydney reached a maximum temperature of 102 Fahrenheit on Thursday, while outer suburbs scorched at 108 F.

A statewide total fire ban announced Tuesday will remain in place until midnight on Saturday.

Around 7.4 million acres of land has burnt nationwide during the past few months, with six people killed and more than 800 homes destroyed.

The annual Australian fire season, which peaks during the Southern Hemisphere summer, started early after an unusually warm and dry winter.

New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said authorities were concerned with the unpredictable conditions as “… embers and spot fires can occur very unpredictably,” she told reporters.

Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said five 100-member “strike teams” were on standby to deploy to the most dangerous fires.

Sydney’s air pollution levels on Thursday ranged from poor to hazardous. Over the past month, hazardous smoke has often blanketed Australia’s most populous city and made its iconic skyline barely visible.

Hospitals have recorded a 10% increase in patients with respiratory conditions during the past week, and the Australian Medical Association has recommended people keep hydrated, cool and out of the sun.

Wildfires are also burning in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia.

The Bureau of Meteorology said Tuesday was the hottest day on record in Australia, with an average of 105.6 F nationwide.