Bushfires across Australia's most populated state of New South Wales have killed six people and ravaged more than 250,000 acres of land.
States of emergency have been declared in Queensland and New South Wales as arid weather and strong winds continue to create catastrophic fire conditions, which according to New South Wales state emergency services minister David Elliott “could be the most dangerous bushfire week this nation has ever seen.”
These pictures capture the dramatic scenes.
A Country Fire Authority member works on controlled back burns along Putty Road in Sydney, Australia. Crews are working hard to gain the upper hand after devastating fires tore through areas near Colo Heights. Bushfires from the Gospers Mountain bushfire continue to burn. An estimated million hectares of land has been burned by bushfire following catastrophic fire conditions -- the highest possible level of bushfire danger. Photograph: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images
A bushfire is seen along Putty Road in Colo Heights, Australia. Photograph: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images
Fire crews are able to take a moments rest as conditions ease on a fire surrounding a property along Putty road. A state of emergency was declared by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian on November 11 and is still in effect. Photograph: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images
New South Wales Fire and Rescue crews light controlled back burns in St Albans, Australia. Most of NSW remains under severe or very high fire danger warnings as more than 50 fires continue to burn across the state. Photograph: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images
A CFA crew members maintain controlled back burns in St Albans, Australia. Six people have died and 577 homes have been lost since the start of the NSW bushfire season, with more than 420 homes destroyed in the past fortnight alone. Photograph: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images
Burnt cars on a vacant derelict property along Putty Road after devastating fires tore through areas near Colo Heights in Sydney, Australia. Photograph: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images
The smoke covered Sydney city Opera House and Harbour Bridge are seen as a man takes a picture at Mrs Macquarie's Chair on Sydney Harbour. NSW remains under severe or very high fire danger warnings. Photograph: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images
A women wears a face mask while traveling on a ferry as smoke haze shrouds Sydney Harbour. Photograph: Cassie Trotter/Getty Images
A sailboat passes South Head in Sydney, Australia. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
A burnt koala named Anwen, rescued from Lake Innes Nature Reserve, receives formula at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital ICU in Port Macquarie, Australia. Photograph: Stefica Nicol Bikes/Reuters
