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Australia's East Coast Girds for 'Catastrophic' Fires

Reuters

   SYDNEY - Firefighters across Australia's east coast were bracing for
   "catastrophic" fire conditions as temperatures across the country's
   most populous state were set to soar.

   Authorities in Australia's Queensland and New South Wales states
   declared a state of emergency Monday, urging residents in areas deemed
   at most risk of fires to evacuate.

   Sydney has been designated at "catastrophic fire danger" for Tuesday,
   when temperatures are expected to hit a high of 37 degrees Celsius
   (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit), combining with powerful winds for
   potentially deadly conditions.

   It is the first time the harbor city, which was shrouded in smoke on
   Tuesday morning, has been rated at that level since new fire danger
   ratings were introduced in 2009.

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