Firefighters in Australian state of New South Wales are battling what is being called worst fire ever seen in the region. Eight different bushfires have combined north of city of Sydney to form what people have dubbed "mega-fire". The gigantic blaze is just hour's drive from Sydney. Tens of thousands of homes, businesses and other properties are in its path. giant inferno is burning across swath of land covering over 300,000 hectares. front of mega-fire is roughly 60km wide. Authorities say it is burning out of control and is too vast to contain. Fire Service Deputy Commissioner Rob Rogers said: "We cannot stop these fires. They will just keep burning until conditions ease."
ease with which over 100 separate fires are spreading across state has been exacerbated by prolonged drought. This is concerning authorities who say it is very early in season for the ground to be so dry. A spokesman said: "There's tough couple of months ahead and we've already seen horrific consequences of fire so far this season." People in Sydney are suffering from hazardous and toxic smoke from fire. The city is shrouded in choking smoke. Residents have received advisories about exercising outside. Locals say it is "worst ever" fire and is "unprecedented". official said: "People's emotions are very, very tested and frail at moment."
