A state of emergency has been declared in New South Wales as bushfires continue to devastate Australia.
New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian said the state of emergency will last for seven days, and three emergency warning alerts have already been issued for fire, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Berejiklian added that New South Wales is entering a period of grim uncertainty as a heatwave and high winds threaten to ramp up bushfires.
"The biggest concern over the next few days is the unpredictability, with extreme wind conditions [and] extremely hot temperatures," she said during a press conference on Thursday.
It is the second state of emergency to be declared in the state since the start of the bushfire season.
Residents still in Currowan, Green Wattle Creek and Tianjara are advised by local police to remain in place because it is "too late to leave".
"Seek shelter as the fire approaches. Protect yourself from the heat of the fire," the New South Wales Police Force said on Facebook.
There are currently up to 100 fires burning across New South Wales.
The Rural Fire Service (RFS) issued extreme fire danger warnings for Illawarra, Greater Sydney and Shoalhaven and Southern Ranges, according to its website.
According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the state of emergency gives the RFS power to evacuate properties, close roads, pull down infrastructure at risk of collapse and order the shutdown of electricity, gas, oil and water.
The powers also include the RFS being able to direct any government agency to conduct or refrain from carrying out its functions.
