State of emergency declared in Australia for bushfires

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - A state of emergency has been declared for the Australian state of Victoria on Thursday because of deadly bushfires burning across the country's south.

"Premier Daniel Andrews has declared a State of Disaster for six Local Government Areas and the Alpine Resorts, after considering advice from the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and the Emergency Management Commissioner," the Victorian government said in a statement.

The move comes after the examination of the fire condition in the region which is expected to deteriorate.

The government said fires continue to burn across the state which is a "significant challenge" that involves all levels of government.

Hospitals are crowded with patients suffering heart and lung damage in the south as "terrible" air quality is taking a toll on public health, especially in Sydney and Canberra, according to reports.

Bushfires in Australia, which started in last August and continue to rage in the summer months in the southern hemisphere, have exacerbated the situation.

Although bushfires are common in Australia, this year they started in the south, instead of the north, and have so far gutted 10 million acres.

It is the first time the Victorian government issued a "state of emergency" since they were included in the Emergency Management Act 1986 following bushfires in 2009.