Tens of thousands of residents were asked to evacuate as firefighters in Australia continued to battle a massive bushfire amid an intense heatwave that authorities said could further spread the blaze in Victoria as it faces the worst fire conditions seen in recent years.

Australia: More than 30,000 people urged to evacuate amid fire risk, ‘catastrophic’ conditions

As a result of bushfires, land-clearing, drought and disease, Australia officially classified koalas as "endangered" across a vast expanse of its eastern coast on Friday.

Toppled off of 'knife edge': Australia's famous Koala is now an 'endangered' animal

Bushfires continued to rage in Australia on Friday showing no signs of abating leaving at least 18 people dead. The authorities have declared a state of emergency in New South Wales with the wildfires raging even as Navy ships rescued hundreds of people from beaches in Australia.

Australian navy evacuates people trapped in Mallacoota as bushfires rage

Residents and tourists along the New South Wales south coast started evacuations on Thursday (January 2) with authorities declaring a "tourist leave zone" for hundred's of kilometres of the coast.

Thousands evacuate New South Wales south coast ahead of bushfire threat

As wildfires continue to rage in parts of Australia at least three people are feared dead in a small town in the state of New South wales. A huge fire engulfed the area causing widespread devastation and thousands fled to the beaches to escape the flame. #BushFires #AustraliaushFires #Australia

Bushfires ravage Australia, At least 100 fires still not contained

According to a NASA report, the intensity of this years bush fires in Australia has been so devastating that it has crippled forest's ability to reabsorb carbon dioxide. Watch report:

WION Dispatch: 3 million hectares of land burned due to bush fires in Australia

From Amazon fires to Venice floods: Climate change triggers a series of calamities worldwide

Bushfire Smoke Blankets Sydney, Hundreds Of Koalas Have Been Killed In Fire While California Battles Numerous Wildfires.

Gravitas: Australia, US battle raging wildfires