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Australia bushfire: Australian authorities on Thursday declared a state of emergency and forced evacuation of residents, tourists and closure of roads in the bushfire zones in the states of New South Wales and Victoria ahead of Saturday's forecast of "horrible" fire conditions due to the intensified heat wave. Catastrophic blazes ripped through the country's south-east on New Year's eve, killing at least eight people and stranding holidaymakers. Let us take a look at some of the images:
In this satellite image released by Copernicus Sentinel imagery, shows wildfires burning across Australia. (AP Photo) -
New South Wales government on Thursday declared state of emergency for a week starting Friday which would mean forced evacuations and road closures for people in bushfire zones ahead of Saturday's forecast "horrible" fire conditions. (AP Photo)
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"Carmelised" snow caused by dust from Australian bushfires is seen near Franz Josef glacier in the Westland Tai Poutini National Park, New Zealand. (Reuters Photo)
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Authorities have urged people to leave the impacted areas if they can as the Rural Fire Service department is expecting tough conditions over the weekend. (AP Photo)
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As of Thursday, NSW was struggling with 113 fires burning across the state with over four million hectares burnt. (AP Photo)
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian thanked the police for their efforts to ensure people's safety. (AP Photo) 
Smoke billows during bushfires in Buchan, Victoria, Australia, December 30, 2019 in this picture obtained from social media. (Reuters Photo) -
As the catastrophic blaze intensified, Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday said Australia's existing emissions reduction policies will do enough to protect the environment and seek to reduce bushfire risks.(AP Photo)
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Everytime you read about the devastation caused by Australia's unprecedented bushfire, it is simply too heart-wrenching! (Reuters)
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Morrison said the National Security Committee of the Cabinet would meet on Monday to consider bringing in more Defence Force ships and helicopters "as well as the longer-term response and some issues we have identified to consider amongst premiers after the fires". (Reuters Photo)
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The Rural Fire Service has now issued tourist "leave zone" declarations for four areas: Snowy Monaro, Shoalhaven, Batlow/Wodalga and the south coast. (Reuters Photo)
Property damaged by the East Gippsland fires in Sarsfield, Victoria, Australia. (Reuters Photo)
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