Soaring temperatures and strong winds have combined to create a "catastrophic" fire threat across the southeast Australian state of New South Wales. On Tuesday afternoon, more than 130 fires were burning throughout NSW, with over 40 of those yet to be controlled. The Australian government announced that the state fire service would be granted access to Defence Force bases, fuel and personnel as part of the federal government disaster response plan. Earlier, Prime Minister Julia Gillard warned it was "dangerous" day and urged people to "stay focused." "The word catastrophic is being used for good reason," Gillard told CNN affiliate the Seven Network. "It is very important that people keep themselves safe, that they listen to local authorities and local warnings." Total fire bans were place in the states of NSW, Victoria and across the whole of Tasmania, the southern island state ravaged by fire in recent days. In some areas of New South Wales state, winds of more than 70 kilometers an hour (43 mph) were threatening to fan the flames of fires already burning. However, a change in wind direction had caused temperatures in certain parts of the state to fall, offering some relief. A "catastrophic" fire risk has been declared in four areas of NSW, although the risk across 90% of the state is "severe" or above. A "catastrophic" warning carries the risk of significant loss of life and the destruction of many homes, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS).
