Firefighters battle bushfires near Canberra amid immediate threat to lives

Residents in communities south of Canberra have been told to take shelter from two bushfires burning in dangerous conditions south of Australian capital.

New South Wales Rural Fire Service says re is an immediate threat to lives and properties around hamlets of Bredbo, Colinton and Michelago between 45 and 75 kilometres (25 and 46 miles) from Canberra.

Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft are waterbombing blazes and dropping fire retardant in an attempt to stop fires from spreing.

re are currently five bushfires at emergency level across NSW, with temperatures soaring to over 40 degrees Celsius.