Australia heatwave: Nation endures hottest day on record
Temperatures in Australia soared on Wednesday at an average high of 41.9C, breaking the record set just the day before as New South Wales declared a seven-day emergency state.
On Tuesday, the mercury hit 40.9C, beating the previous record of 40.3C which was set in 2013.
NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian declared a state of emergency as 2,000 firefighters battle through Australia’s most populous state with about 100 fires.
Half the blazes remain uncontrolled and firefighters are assisted by the Australian Defence Force’s U.S. and Canadian aid teams and personnel.
The wildfire crisis has seen around 3 million hectares (7.4 million acres) of land burned around the country, killing six people and destroying over 800 homes.
Ms Berejiklian told reporters: “With extreme wind conditions, extreme hot temperatures, we have a good idea… of where the most concerning areas are, but again when you’ve got those turbulent conditions, embers and spot fires can occur very unpredictably.”
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his family are currently on vacation in Hawaii, while energy minister Angus Taylor believes that he “has a very significant vacation right now.”
Mr Taylor told ABC: “I’ve been in touch with the prime minister and he’s pretty well-connected about what’s gone on and he’s sharing his concerns about what’s happening in these communities in Wollondilly.”
