Australia bushfires burning out of control; blaze near Adelaide declared ‘major emergency’

Bushfires across Australia are burning out of control with South Australia the worst affected state, according to officials.

South Australian Police on Friday declared the bushfires northeast of Adelaide a major emergency, giving authorities powers to forcibly evacuate people or block them from entering the area.

“I need to impress on those South Australians who are living around the Southern Mount Lofty Ranges that we are dealing with an incredibly dangerous fire. Your life is at risk and we’re asking you to implement your bush fire survival plan,” Premier of South Australia Jay Weatherill said in a news conference shown on live television.

At least five homes have been destroyed and hundreds more are under threat in the state.

Meanwhile fire crews in Victoria and Tasmania are on high alert after hundreds of blazes broke out across both states.

Resources from the state of New South Wales have been sent to contain a large fire at Moyston in the west of Victoria.

The fire has already destroyed one house and there are fears from emergency personnel more damage could be done if the wind changes on Saturday afternoon.