Sydney power under threat as fires destroy substations

Bushfire smoke shrouding the skyline of Australia's largest city Sydney, on Saturday (Jan 4). Australia braced for one of the worst days in its wildfire crisis, with strong winds and high temperatures forecast to bring flames to more populated areas, including the suburbs of Sydney. - AP

SYDNEY: Electricity supplies in Australia's most populous state, including its largest city Sydney, were under threat on Saturday (Jan 4) after bushfires took out two substations with authorities warning of rolling blackouts if conditions worsen.

The blazes have raged across New South Wales, and they brought down transmission lines in the state's south connecting with neighbouring Victoria, state energy minister Matt Kean tweeted.