Canberra under threat from bush fires

More than 50 bush fires are raging around the state of New South Wales today, including one only miles from Parliament House in Canberra.

Tinder dry conditions, sweltering summer heat approaching 40C in some regions and strong winds have led to extreme danger from fires throughout Australia’s most populous state.

Homes were evacuated in the Canberra suburb of Curtin, while firefighters were stationed around Government House, the residence of Governor-General Peter Hollingworth.

Senior Sergeant Greg Amos from the Australian Federal Police said main roads linking the capital’s southern suburbs with the city had also been closed.

‘‘All we know at this stage is that (evacuations) have begun,’’ Amos said.

NSW Rural Fire Services Commissioner Phil Koperberg said that at least 10 new blazes had erupted in the few hours since midday.

Those included about five fires in the Blue Mountains approximately 50 miles west of Sydney, another three around Sydney’s western fringe suburbs, two in the Hawkesbury river district north of Sydney and one in the central west part of the state.

The greatest threat to property was in the state’s far north where about six fires were burning out of control, Koperberg said.

‘‘There are no less than half a dozen fires which are impacting on property.’’

Koperberg said properties in the Blue Mountains were not under immediate threat although residents in the area were warned to begin taking precautions to protect property.