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 the Australian capital.

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

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

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