Canberra: The Australian capital region declared a state of emergency on Friday because of an out- of- control forest fire burning erratically to its south.
Itu2019s the first fire emergency for the Australian capital territory area since 2003 when wildfires killed four and destroyed almost 500 homes in a single day.
The threat is posed by a blaze on Canberrau2019s southern fringe that has razed more than 21,500 hectares ( 53,000 acres) since it was sparked by heat from a military helicopter landing light on Monday, the emergency services agency said.
u201c The state of emergency sets a clear expectation for our community that we need you to be vigilant,u201d emergency services minister Mick Gentleman said.
The fire is burning at emergency level u2014 the highest on a three- tier scale of danger - and embers have created dangerous spot fires nearby, agency officials said.
Residents of southern Canberra and surrounding villages have been advised to prepare to either protect their homes or evacuate. Roads were blocked to the village of Tharwa late Friday because the fire posed too much danger for residents to evacuate or return to their homes. Agencies A wildfire near Clear Range in Canberra on Friday. PIC/ AFP 33 No. of lives lost since September 2019 in Australia due to fire State of emergency declared in Oz capital
