The state of emergency declaration falls under Section 33 of the State of Emergency and Rescue Management Act 1989 and was made on Monday in anticipation of "catastrophic" fire danger conditions expected in the Greater Sydney, Greater Hunter, Shoalhaven and Illawarra.

It allows powers to be transferred from the NSW government to the Rural Fire Service commissioner.

The declaration is valid for a period of seven days from Monday.

THESE POWERS INCLUDE:

- Direct any NSW government agency to conduct or refrain from conducting its functions

- Control and coordinate the allocation of government resources

- Evacuate people from property within the declared area

- Close roads and thoroughfares to traffic

- Pull down or shore up infrastructure at risk of collapse

- Order the shutdown of essential utilities in the declared area, including electricity, gas, oil and water

- Enter or take possession of property in the course of the emergency response.

Australian Associated Press