State of emergency declared in Australian capital

Authorities in the Australian Capital Territory, between Sydney and Melbourne, have now announced a state of emergency as huge bushfires rage the southern part of Canberra. It’s the worst fire threat to the territory in almost two decades. The main blaze from the territory's south has already burned more than 18,500 hectares. Residents in suburbs of Canberra have been advised to remain alert for possible evacuations.