国际英语资讯:Feature: New year in Australian capital starts with worst air quality_时事

国际英语资讯:Feature: New year in Australian capital starts with worst air quality

They went to the south coast for Christmas, where they were stranded and power was cut on the New Year's day. They managed to escape on Wednesday, but some people are still there.

In fact thousands of holidaymakers have been forced to take shelter on beaches in southern NSW and Victoria as catastrophic fires ripped through coastal towns.

Bushfires in five Australian states have escalated, with the death toll for the fire season rising to at least 17.

A State of Alert has been declared for the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) on Thursday afternoon as the community is told to be prepared ahead of more extreme weather conditions in the coming days for bushfire risk.

Before the New Year, on Dec. 31 2019, ACT Emergency Services Agency Commissioner Georgeina Whelan declared a Total Fire Ban for the whole of the ACT for the duration of Jan. 1, 2020.

Australia's capital city had canceled its planned New Year's Eve fireworks displays on account of bushfire risk.

According to the Canberra Times, Australia Post has suspended all deliveries in and out of Canberra due to the hazardous smoke conditions. Six post offices in Canberra were closed.

The National Science and Technology Center is closed on Thursday as well.

"Due to poor air quality from smoke, the center is closed until further notice," said a statement on its website. "We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and assure visitors this decision was not made lightly. The safety of staff and visitors is our priority."