Smoke from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-24-die-in-australia-bushfires-prayforaustralia-trends-on-twitter-272293">bushfires</a> raging across Australia reached Brazil on Tuesday, an arm of the National Institute for Space Research said on Twitter.

Referring to satellite images, the agency's Department of Remote Sensing said the smoke had arrived in Brazil's southernmost state, Rio Grande do Sul.

Private meteorological company MetSul also tweeted about the arrival of a smoke cloud to Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, but emphasized that "the presence of smoke from Australia in the air is almost imperceptible, despite the satellite showing smoke in the atmosphere over the great Porto Alegre."

Chile's meteorological service said Monday that smoke from the fires was visible in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/strong-68-magnitude-earthquake-off-chile-coast-252706">Chile</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/messi-goal-gives-argentina-1-0-win-over-brazil-262481">Argentina</a>. 
 
Watch:&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/australian-bushfires-smoke-travels-through-south-america-272919/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">That means the hazy cloud of smoke, sitting at about 6,000 meters (20,000 feet) in the air, traveled more than 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles) to reach South America.</div>

But the drifting smoke won't negatively affect the health of the continent's inhabitants, the Chilean service said.

Fires ravaging Australia since September have left 24 people dead and destroyed some eight million hectares (80,000 square kilometers) of land&nbsp;an area the size of Ireland or the US state of South Carolina.

After a catastrophic weekend, Australian firefighters supported by US and Canadian forces welcomed rain and a drop in temperatures to boost their efforts early in the week before another heat wave is expected in the coming days. &nbsp;

Reserve troops have been deployed to help throughout the country, and the government has earmarked an initial Aus$2 billion ($1.4 billion) for a national recovery fund for devastated communities.

Smoke from bushfires raging across Australia reached Brazil on Tuesday, an arm of the National Institute for Space Research said on Twitter. Referring to satellite images, the agency's Department of Remote Sensing said the smoke had arrived in Brazil's southernmost state, Rio Grande do Sul.

Smoke from bushfires raging across Australia reached Brazil on Tuesday, an arm of the National Institute for Space Research said on Twitter. Referring to satellite images, the agency's Department of Remote Sensing said the smoke had arrived in Brazil's southernmost state, Rio Grande do Sul. Private meteorological company MetSul also tweeted about the arrival of a smoke cloud to Porto Alegre, the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, but emphasized that "the presence of smoke from Australia in the air is almost imperceptible, despite the satellite showing smoke in the atmosphere over the great Porto Alegre." Chile's meteorological service said Monday that smoke from the fires was visible in Chile and Argentina. Watch: That means the hazy cloud of smoke, sitting at about 6,000 meters (20,000 feet) in the air, traveled more than 12,000 kilometers (7,500 miles) to reach South America. But the drifting smoke won't negatively affect the health of the continent's inhabitants, the Chilean service said. Fires ravaging Australia since September have left 24 people dead and destroyed some eight million hectares (80,000 square kilometers) of land an area the size of Ireland or the US state of South Carolina. After a catastrophic weekend, Australian firefighters supported by US and Canadian forces welcomed rain and a drop in temperatures to boost their efforts early in the week before another heat wave is expected in the coming days. Reserve troops have been deployed to help throughout the country, and the government has earmarked an initial Aus$2 billion ($1.4 billion) for a national recovery fund for devastated communities.

Smoke from Australia bushfires reaches Brazil

The bushfires in Australia show no signs of abating. Satellite images taken on January 7 showed bushfires smoke drifting across Chile and Argentina, some 11,000 km away from Australia's east coast. #WION #Australia #AustraliaBushfires

Australian bushfires smoke travels through South America

As 24 people were killed in massive bushfires that caused great damage in Australia, Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Saturday announced the largest military call-up in living memory, deploying up to 3,000 reservists to assist volunteer firefighters. #WION #Australia #PrayForAustralia #AustraliaBushfires #Bushfires

Australia Bushfires: Scott Morrison announces new recovery agency

With the big blaze in the Australian state of Victoria destroying the flora and fauna of the area inch-by-inch, Bollywood divas including `Climate Warrior` Bhumi Pednekar are taking to social media platforms to share their concern over the major environmental degradation.

With the big blaze in the Australian state of Victoria destroying the flora and fauna of the area inch-by-inch, Bollywood divas including `Climate Warrior` Bhumi Pednekar are taking to social media platforms to share their concern over the major environmental degradation. Bhumi Pednekar, who recently launched her pan India campaign of 'Climate Warrior', reposted a post about the bushfires from climate activist Greta Thunberg and explained how it could be related to the current climate emergency in the world. View this post on Instagram #Repost @gretathunberg with @get_repost ・・・ Australia is on fire. And the summer there has only just begun. 2019 was a year of record heat and record drought. Today the temperature outside Sydney was 48,9°C. 500 million (!!) animals are estimated dead because of the bushfires. Over 20 people have died and thousands of homes have burned to ground. The fires have spewed 2/3 of the nations national annual CO2 emissions, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. The smoke has covered glaciers in distant New Zealand (!) making them warm and melt faster because of the albedo effect. And yet. All of this still has not resulted in any political action. Because we still fail to make the connection between the climate crisis and increased extreme weather events and nature disasters like the #AustraliaFires That has to change. And it has to change now. My thoughts are with the people of Australia and those affected by these devastating fires. A post shared by Bhumi✨ (@bhumipednekar) on Jan 4, 2020 at 9:18pm PST × Actor Dia Mirza, who has always been vocal about social issues, also shared a post about the devastating disaster on her account. The actor shared a picture of a seemingly helpless koala bear held by fire security officials and penned a long caption urging the people to act on the situation. View this post on Instagram This is also real. This is also happening. This must stop. We can stop this. Come together. Stay united. Act on climate. Invest in nature. Secure/protect forests. Grow indigenous trees. Empower organisations and individuals who make a difference. Learn the facts. Don’t be scared. Don’t run. Don’t hide. Face it. Feel it. Spend time with children. HEAR them. 🌏 #AustraliaBushFires #ForPeopleAndPlanet #SDGs #SundayVibes #NoteToSelf A post shared by Dia Mirza (@diamirzaofficial) on Jan 4, 2020 at 9:56pm PST × "This is also real. This is also happening. This must stop. We can stop this. Come together. Stay united. Act on climate. Invest in nature. Secure/protect forests. Grow indigenous trees. Empower organizations and individuals who make a difference. Learn the facts. Don't be scared. Don't run. Don't hide. Face it. Feel it. Spend time with children. HEAR them," reads Mirza's caption. Pataudi scion Soha Ali Khan shared a series of informative pictures about the growling forest fires and wrote: "It is hard to imagine that while we are on holiday in Sydney having such a wonderful time in the parks and farms, there are catastrophic fires blazing in many parts of Australia, not so far from us." View this post on Instagram It is hard to imagine that while we are on holiday in Sydney having such a wonderful time in the parks and farms there are catastrophic fires blazing in many parts of Australia not so far from us. People have lost their lives, their homes and millions of animals have been killed. In case you have only just started reading about the fires in Australia here is what you need to know about them and how you can help. A post shared by Soha (@sakpataudi) on Jan 4, 2020 at 4:51pm PST × "People have lost their lives, their homes and millions of animals have been killed. In case you have only just started reading about the fires in Australia, here is what you need to know about them and how you can help," further read her caption. View this post on Instagram These haunting images illustrate the state of a country i’ve called home for as long as I can remember! Today blood red skies loom over Australia in what is the most apocalyptic catastrophe this nation has faced! With temperatures soaring at 48 degrees C, the bush fires are raging and difficult to contain as they are far too big and are now creating their own weather patterns causing lightening strikes that start new fires. The smoke plumes are 14kms high & have reached New Zealand melting glaciers. Areas like the town of Eden and others have been evacuated as they can’t be saved. Roads are closed due to fallen trees & thick smoke. Fires in Victoria and NSW will most likely join and burn for 8 more weeks!!! 95 percent of koalas gone 😢😢500 million animals dead 💔an area the size of Belgium has been decimated ,that’s 5 million hectares of land gone and it shows no signs of slowing down in the peak of an Australian summer. To think of the devastation across this beautiful country is just heartbreaking.. this is tragic on a major scale! To the firefighters who have fought tirelessly and to their families who have stood by them selflessly .. nothing but respect and gratitude 🙏🏽 appreciate you and applaud your bravery! To those who would like to help there is a link in my bio of sites where you can donate.. my thoughts and prayers to everyone effected 💔🙏🏽 A post shared by Shibani Dandekar (@shibanidandekar) on Jan 4, 2020 at 11:42pm PST × Singer and model Shibani Dandekar, who has spent a considerable chunk of her life in Australia, also took to Instagram and shared a series of heartbreaking pictures from the bushfires and wrote a heartfelt post."These haunting images illustrate the state of a country I`ve called home for as long as I can remember! Today bloodred skies loom over Australia in what is the most apocalyptic catastrophe this nation has faced! With temperatures soaring at 48 degrees C, the bush fires are raging and difficult to contain as they are far too big and are now creating their own weather patterns causing lightning strikes that start new fires," read a part of her caption. Dandekar further urged her fans to donate for helping those affected by the bushfires. She shared the link to the donation in her bio and mentioned the same in her caption. The raging wildfire that has already destroyed around 12 million acres of land and 1500 homes is still far from coming under control. 23 people have given their lives to the crisis, reported news agency.

Bhumi Pednekar to Dia Mirza, B-Town divas urge people to donate, act on Australia bushfires

Massive bushfires in Australia caused new concerns when the smoke reached neighbouring country New Zealand, forcing people to dial emergency numbers when they spotted orange skies.&nbsp;

The smokes have now moved North, which includes Auckland after covering much of the South Island.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-firefighters-get-brief-reprieve-as-death-toll-rises-272175">Australian firefighters get brief reprieve as death toll rises</a>

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Took these in Auckland city, New Zealand at 3pm today. The smoke from the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AustralianBushfire?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AustralianBushfire</a> shrouding everything in orange. <a href="https://t.co/tgoRx4I11v">pic.twitter.com/tgoRx4I11v</a>
— Gala Georgette (@GalaGeorgette) <a href="https://twitter.com/GalaGeorgette/status/1213657941850513408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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After the skies turned "scary", people in Auckland were urged by police not to dial the 111 emergency number to report the orange haze in the sky coming from Australia.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-firefighters-get-brief-reprieve-as-death-toll-rises-272175">ATP: Novak Djokovic concerned about smoke at Australian Open as bushfires continue to blaze</a>

"We are currently receiving high numbers of calls related to this," police said.

People in New Zealand shared images of orange skies seen across Auckland.

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Just took a couple of shots of the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Auckland?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Auckland</a> smoke from the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AustralianBushfire?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AustralianBushfire</a>. Looks absolutely insane. <a href="https://t.co/zCK8DFzxlM">pic.twitter.com/zCK8DFzxlM</a>
— Cinematic Captures (@CineCaptures) <a href="https://twitter.com/CineCaptures/status/1213641554738348033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Zimena Dormer-Didovich, a local, said that her 14-year-old asthmatic son was feeling the effects of the haze.

"It's very unsettling to see this. I can't imagine what the Australians just be experiencing." said Dormer-Didovich.&nbsp;

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Auckland skies in 4 unfiltered shots<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AustralianBushfire?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AustralianBushfire</a> <a href="https://t.co/nTPW38Nkzf">pic.twitter.com/nTPW38Nkzf</a>
— Keith Miller (@keith_miller_nz) <a href="https://twitter.com/keith_miller_nz/status/1213634729112522752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 5, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Experts say that the change in colour is caused by the smoke which reduces the visibility of blue light.&nbsp;

Forecaster Weatherwatch.co.nz said the appearance of the sky changed dramatically in the early afternoon.

"The gloomy weather is likely to continue for the rest of Sunday with this next main plume moving through and thickening over Sunday afternoon," WeatherWatch said.&nbsp;

At least 24 people have been killed in this season's bushfires in Australia. More than 5.25 million hectares (13 million acres) of land has been burnt in the fires.&nbsp;

(with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

 
&nbsp;

Massive bushfires in Australia caused new concerns when the smoke reached neighbouring country New Zealand, forcing people to dial emergency numbers when they spotted orange skies.

Massive bushfires in Australia caused new concerns when the smoke reached neighbouring country New Zealand, forcing people to dial emergency numbers when they spotted orange skies. The smokes have now moved North, which includes Auckland after covering much of the South Island. Also read: Australian firefighters get brief reprieve as death toll rises Took these in Auckland city, New Zealand at 3pm today. The smoke from the #AustralianBushfire shrouding everything in orange. pic.twitter.com/tgoRx4I11v — Gala Georgette (@GalaGeorgette) January 5, 2020 × After the skies turned "scary", people in Auckland were urged by police not to dial the 111 emergency number to report the orange haze in the sky coming from Australia. Also read: ATP: Novak Djokovic concerned about smoke at Australian Open as bushfires continue to blaze "We are currently receiving high numbers of calls related to this," police said. People in New Zealand shared images of orange skies seen across Auckland. Just took a couple of shots of the #Auckland smoke from the #AustralianBushfire. Looks absolutely insane. pic.twitter.com/zCK8DFzxlM — Cinematic Captures (@CineCaptures) January 5, 2020 × Zimena Dormer-Didovich, a local, said that her 14-year-old asthmatic son was feeling the effects of the haze. "It's very unsettling to see this. I can't imagine what the Australians just be experiencing." said Dormer-Didovich. Auckland skies in 4 unfiltered shots#AustralianBushfire pic.twitter.com/nTPW38Nkzf — Keith Miller (@keith_miller_nz) January 5, 2020 × Experts say that the change in colour is caused by the smoke which reduces the visibility of blue light. Forecaster Weatherwatch.co.nz said the appearance of the sky changed dramatically in the early afternoon. "The gloomy weather is likely to continue for the rest of Sunday with this next main plume moving through and thickening over Sunday afternoon," WeatherWatch said. At least 24 people have been killed in this season's bushfires in Australia. More than 5.25 million hectares (13 million acres) of land has been burnt in the fires. (with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

New Zealand: People call emergency services after skies turn orange due to bushfires

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Saturday that 3000 military reserves were called up, the largest in living memory, to tackle country's massive bushfires.&nbsp;

"Today's decision puts more boots on the ground, puts more planes in the sky, puts more ships at sea," said Morrison. &nbsp; &nbsp;
<img alt="Australia bushfires" data-align="center" data-caption="&lt;br /&gt;
Ember and thick smoke from bushfires reach Braemar Bay in New South Wales on January 4, 2020" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="44af4149-fb86-43ed-948e-05bc55228fc4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/IS6nURuL.jpg" />
Australian prime minister also said that defence force bases would provide temporary accommodation to the ones rescued and A$20 million ($14 million) would be spent to lease four fire-fighting planes to deal with the raging bushfires.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/australian-prime-minister-scott-morrison-defers-trip-to-india-japan-as-bushfire-crisis-looms-272011">Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison defers trip to India, Japan as bushfire crisis looms</a>

"The scale of the fires is stretching resources on the ground and there are clearly communities that need additional help," Morrison added.&nbsp;
<img alt="Australia bushfires" data-align="center" data-caption="Firefighters struggling against the strong wind in an effort to secure nearby houses from bushfires&amp;nbsp;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="88ff8593-46a7-432f-b90e-70e3dfe93aa7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/xMxsb6hq.jpg" />
In pics:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/fierce-wildfires-fuelled-by-searing-temperatures-new-blazes-and-high-winds-in-australia-271558">Fierce wildfires fuelled by searing temperatures, high winds in Australia continue to rage</a>

To oversee the military's actions on the bushfire-crisis, a two-star general has also been appointed. HMAS Adelaide, a helicopter carrier, has also been deployed to carry out evacuations near the border of the states of New South Wales and Victoria. &nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-navy-evacuates-people-trapped-in-mallacoota-as-bushfires-rage-271833">Australian navy evacuates people trapped in Mallacoota as bushfires rage</a>

Australia's military is providing aerial, search and rescue and logistics support for months to fight the months-long disaster. &nbsp;

Presently, 2000 military personnel have already been assisting to tackle the crisis.&nbsp;

"The Government has not taken this decision lightly," said minister of defence Marise Payne. "It is the first time that reserves have been called out in this way in living memory and, in fact, I believe for the first time in our nation's history."

A much smaller number of the reserved forces provided assistance last year too to deal with bushfire-hit Queensland.&nbsp;

At least 23 people are killed in this season's bushfires, which is fuelled by climate change and droughts. More than 5 million hectares (13 million acres) of land has been destroyed.&nbsp;

(with inputs from AFP and Reuters) 
&nbsp;

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Saturday that 3000 military reserves were called up, the largest in living memory, to tackle country's massive bushfires.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Saturday that 3000 military reserves were called up, the largest in living memory, to tackle country's massive bushfires. "Today's decision puts more boots on the ground, puts more planes in the sky, puts more ships at sea," said Morrison. Australian prime minister also said that defence force bases would provide temporary accommodation to the ones rescued and A$20 million ($14 million) would be spent to lease four fire-fighting planes to deal with the raging bushfires. Also read: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison defers trip to India, Japan as bushfire crisis looms "The scale of the fires is stretching resources on the ground and there are clearly communities that need additional help," Morrison added. In pics: Fierce wildfires fuelled by searing temperatures, high winds in Australia continue to rage To oversee the military's actions on the bushfire-crisis, a two-star general has also been appointed. HMAS Adelaide, a helicopter carrier, has also been deployed to carry out evacuations near the border of the states of New South Wales and Victoria. Also read: Australian navy evacuates people trapped in Mallacoota as bushfires rage Australia's military is providing aerial, search and rescue and logistics support for months to fight the months-long disaster. Presently, 2000 military personnel have already been assisting to tackle the crisis. "The Government has not taken this decision lightly," said minister of defence Marise Payne. "It is the first time that reserves have been called out in this way in living memory and, in fact, I believe for the first time in our nation's history." A much smaller number of the reserved forces provided assistance last year too to deal with bushfire-hit Queensland. At least 23 people are killed in this season's bushfires, which is fuelled by climate change and droughts. More than 5 million hectares (13 million acres) of land has been destroyed. (with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

Australia calls in reserve forces to tackle bushfire crisis

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-bushfires-wildlife-destroyed-by-intense-wildfires-could-take-decades-to-recover-271954">Bushfires</a> burned dangerously out of control on Australia's east coast on Saturday, fanned by high temperatures and strong winds that had firefighters battling to save lives and property, as a change in wind conditions merged several large fire fronts.

By late evening, Victoria had 14 fires rated at emergency or evacuate warning levels, and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/toddler-son-receives-posthumous-medal-for-killed-australian-firefighter-271622">New South Wales</a> had 11 rated emergency, with more than 150 others burning across the states. New fires had started, and others had broken containment lines.

"There are a number of fires that are coming together, very strong, very large, intense fires that are creating some of these fire-generated thunderstorms," New South Wales <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-navy-evacuates-people-trapped-in-mallacoota-as-bushfires-rage-271833">Rural Fire Service</a> (RFS) Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said at an evening briefing.

"And unfortunately we've still got many hours to go of these elevated and dangerous conditions."

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said conditions were deteriorating rapidly as a gusty southerly wind change pushed up the coast and smoke plumes from the fires triggered storms.

Authorities are worried the fires could turn out to be worse than New Year's Eve when they burnt massive tracts of bushland and forced thousands of residents and summer holidaymakers to seek refuge on beaches.

In Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews said while conditions were difficult, the job of firefighters had been made easier by tens of thousands of people following advice to evacuate.

It may be Sunday or later before damage assessments can be made. Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-scrambles-to-reach-thousands-stranded-by-bushfires-at-least-8-dead-271387">Scott Morrison</a> put the national death toll from the current fire season, which began in September, at 23. Twelve of those are from this week's fires alone.

In updates, the NSW RFS repeatedly delivered the same blunt advice to those who had not evacuated at-risk areas: "It is too late to leave. Seek shelter as the fire approaches."

Residents used social media to post photos of the sky turning black and red from the smoke and glare of the fires, including in the Victorian town of Mallacoota, where around 1,000 people were evacuated by sea on Friday.

The first of those evacuees arrived near Melbourne on Saturday morning after a 20-hour journey by boat and a second ship with about 1,000 people landed in the afternoon.

The federal government announced an unprecedented call up of army reservists to support firefighters as well other resources including a third navy ship equipped for disaster and humanitarian relief.

Andy Gillham, the incident controller in the Victorian town of Bairnsdale, said the area had avoided the worst of the fires on Saturday but stressed this was an exceptional fire season.

"In a normal year, we would start to see the fire season kick-off in a big way around early January and we're already up towards a million hectares of burnt country. This is a marathon event and we expect to be busy managing these fires for at least the next eight weeks," he said.

<img alt="The sky turns red" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="4b9e1139-b51c-418d-b02a-6bd8b6bc57bf" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202020-01-04T161928.829_2.jpg" /> 
[The sky turns red in New South Wales, Australia. (Courtesy: Reuters)]

Temperatures topped 45C (113F) in much of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-bushfires-wildlife-destroyed-by-intense-wildfires-could-take-decades-to-recover-271954">Sydney</a> metropolitan area, with Penrith recording a high of 48.9C (120F) according to the BOM. Canberra, the national capital, recorded a temperature of 44C just after 4 p.m., which the chief minister said was a record for the territory.

As the fires have flared, many towns have been isolated as major and minor roads are closed. Some fires are generating their own storm systems, which create the risk of lightning strikes generating new fires.

A late southerly wind change on Saturday dramatically lowered temperatures but also brought wind gusts of 70-80 km per hour (43-50 miles per hour) that caused some major fires near the border of Victoria and New South Wales states to merge and strengthen.

In South Australia, two people died on Kangaroo Island, a popular holiday spot not far off the coast. South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said more than 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) have burned there, about one-quarter of the total area.

Six people remain unaccounted for in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-calls-in-reserve-forces-to-tackle-bushfire-crisis-272029">Victoria</a>, Premier Andrews said on Saturday, down from 28 reported on Friday.

The focus on Saturday is preventing more loss of life, authorities said. National parks have been closed and people urged earlier this week to evacuate large parts of NSW's south coast and Victoria's northeastern regions, magnets for holidaymakers at the peak of Australia's summer school holidays.

Morrison confirmed that his visit to India and Japan scheduled for mid-January had been postponed due to the fires.

More than 5.25 million hectares (13 million acres) of land has been burnt this fire season.

Bushfires burned dangerously out of control on Australia's east coast on Saturday, fanned by high temperatures and strong winds that had firefighters battling to save lives and property, as a change in wind conditions merged several large fire fronts.

Bushfires burned dangerously out of control on Australia's east coast on Saturday, fanned by high temperatures and strong winds that had firefighters battling to save lives and property, as a change in wind conditions merged several large fire fronts. By late evening, Victoria had 14 fires rated at emergency or evacuate warning levels, and New South Wales had 11 rated emergency, with more than 150 others burning across the states. New fires had started, and others had broken containment lines. "There are a number of fires that are coming together, very strong, very large, intense fires that are creating some of these fire-generated thunderstorms," New South Wales Rural Fire Service (RFS) Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said at an evening briefing. "And unfortunately we've still got many hours to go of these elevated and dangerous conditions." The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) said conditions were deteriorating rapidly as a gusty southerly wind change pushed up the coast and smoke plumes from the fires triggered storms. Authorities are worried the fires could turn out to be worse than New Year's Eve when they burnt massive tracts of bushland and forced thousands of residents and summer holidaymakers to seek refuge on beaches. In Victoria, Premier Daniel Andrews said while conditions were difficult, the job of firefighters had been made easier by tens of thousands of people following advice to evacuate. It may be Sunday or later before damage assessments can be made. Prime Minister Scott Morrison put the national death toll from the current fire season, which began in September, at 23. Twelve of those are from this week's fires alone. In updates, the NSW RFS repeatedly delivered the same blunt advice to those who had not evacuated at-risk areas: "It is too late to leave. Seek shelter as the fire approaches." Residents used social media to post photos of the sky turning black and red from the smoke and glare of the fires, including in the Victorian town of Mallacoota, where around 1,000 people were evacuated by sea on Friday. The first of those evacuees arrived near Melbourne on Saturday morning after a 20-hour journey by boat and a second ship with about 1,000 people landed in the afternoon. The federal government announced an unprecedented call up of army reservists to support firefighters as well other resources including a third navy ship equipped for disaster and humanitarian relief. Andy Gillham, the incident controller in the Victorian town of Bairnsdale, said the area had avoided the worst of the fires on Saturday but stressed this was an exceptional fire season. "In a normal year, we would start to see the fire season kick-off in a big way around early January and we're already up towards a million hectares of burnt country. This is a marathon event and we expect to be busy managing these fires for at least the next eight weeks," he said. [The sky turns red in New South Wales, Australia. (Courtesy: Reuters)] Temperatures topped 45C (113F) in much of the Sydney metropolitan area, with Penrith recording a high of 48.9C (120F) according to the BOM. Canberra, the national capital, recorded a temperature of 44C just after 4 p.m., which the chief minister said was a record for the territory. As the fires have flared, many towns have been isolated as major and minor roads are closed. Some fires are generating their own storm systems, which create the risk of lightning strikes generating new fires. A late southerly wind change on Saturday dramatically lowered temperatures but also brought wind gusts of 70-80 km per hour (43-50 miles per hour) that caused some major fires near the border of Victoria and New South Wales states to merge and strengthen. In South Australia, two people died on Kangaroo Island, a popular holiday spot not far off the coast. South Australian Premier Steven Marshall said more than 100,000 hectares (247,000 acres) have burned there, about one-quarter of the total area. Six people remain unaccounted for in Victoria, Premier Andrews said on Saturday, down from 28 reported on Friday. The focus on Saturday is preventing more loss of life, authorities said. National parks have been closed and people urged earlier this week to evacuate large parts of NSW's south coast and Victoria's northeastern regions, magnets for holidaymakers at the peak of Australia's summer school holidays. Morrison confirmed that his visit to India and Japan scheduled for mid-January had been postponed due to the fires. More than 5.25 million hectares (13 million acres) of land has been burnt this fire season.

Fuelled by high temperatures and strong winds, Australian bushfires continues rage

Bushfires continued to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-flee-fires-in-australia-navy-helps-evacuate-the-stranded-271716">rage in Australia</a> on Friday showing no signs of abating leaving at least 18 people dead.&nbsp;

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.&nbsp;

The announcement comes after authorities ordered tourists from New South Wales south coast to Victoria's east Gippsland to leave the region within the next 24-hour period.

The navy evacuated hundreds from the Victorian coastal town of Mallacoota&nbsp;which has been cut off for days by wildfires, forcing as many as 4,000 residents and tourists to take shelter on beaches.

Watch Video:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/australian-military-brings-aid-to-fire-stricken-communities-in-victoria-state-271727/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Over 200 fires have been burning around Australia, and warnings of extreme danger has now been set in motion in one of the largest evacuations in Australian history.

The latest spate of fires, which raced towards the coast this week&nbsp;has already destroyed over 200 homes.

As the situation in Australia worsened, the government deployed military ships and helicopters to rescue thousands trapped in the blazes.

Navy ships brought water, food and fuel to Mallacoota town where supplies have been mostly depleted and roads cut off by the fires.

Meanwhile, the authorities have urged a mass exodus from several towns on Australia’s southeast coast, an area that is hugely popular in the &nbsp;holiday season with hundreds of &nbsp;holidaymakers seeking shelter on beaches&nbsp;while many stood in shallow water to escape the flames.

A tourist leave zone has also been generated along the south coast by the New South Wales rural fire service under widespread power and communications outages.

The fires in Australia continue to be fanned by soaring temperatures and winds as columns of fire and smoke have engulfed several towns.

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.

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. The announcement comes after authorities ordered tourists from New South Wales south coast to Victoria's east Gippsland to leave the region within the next 24-hour period. The navy evacuated hundreds from the Victorian coastal town of Mallacoota which has been cut off for days by wildfires, forcing as many as 4,000 residents and tourists to take shelter on beaches. Watch Video: Over 200 fires have been burning around Australia, and warnings of extreme danger has now been set in motion in one of the largest evacuations in Australian history. The latest spate of fires, which raced towards the coast this week has already destroyed over 200 homes. As the situation in Australia worsened, the government deployed military ships and helicopters to rescue thousands trapped in the blazes. Navy ships brought water, food and fuel to Mallacoota town where supplies have been mostly depleted and roads cut off by the fires. Meanwhile, the authorities have urged a mass exodus from several towns on Australia’s southeast coast, an area that is hugely popular in the holiday season with hundreds of holidaymakers seeking shelter on beaches while many stood in shallow water to escape the flames. A tourist leave zone has also been generated along the south coast by the New South Wales rural fire service under widespread power and communications outages. The fires in Australia continue to be fanned by soaring temperatures and winds as columns of fire and smoke have engulfed several towns.

Australian navy evacuates people trapped in Mallacoota as bushfires rage

On January 3, the Australian navy started evacuating some of the thousands trapped on the fire-ravaged country's east coast as a searing weather front was set to whip up more blazes across the states of Victoria and New South Wales (NSW). This has foced as many as 4000 residents and tourists to take shelter on the beaches. #WION #Australia #AustraliaBushfires #NSW #AustralianNavy

Navy comes to aid of thousands trapped in Australia bushfires

New South Wales police declared "tourist leave zone" ahead of dangerous fire conditions in the region as the death toll in the Australia bushfires rose to eighteen.

"Widespread extreme fire danger is forecast for the South Coast on Saturday," the advisory said, adding, "these will be dangerous conditions, the same or worse than New Year's Eve." The message exhorted tourists not to visit the south coast over the weekend as it wasn't safe, sternly warning: "do not be in this area on Saturday".

According to Antti Lipponen, physicist and research scientist at the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the thick smoke observed on January 1 was "about 5,490, 000 km" which he said was "larger than the area of EU and more than 14 times the area of Japan."

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Huge <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/smoke?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#smoke</a> plume from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Australia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Australia</a> 🇦🇺 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/bushfires?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#bushfires</a> observed today (1 Jan 2020). The area of thick smoke is about 5 490 000 km² (≈2 119 700 sq. miles). For comparison, that is larger than the area of EU and more than 14 times the area of Japan! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NSWFires?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NSWFires</a> 
🎞: <a href="https://t.co/Ng6VBIiWXm">https://t.co/Ng6VBIiWXm</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZwmPbsIQCx">pic.twitter.com/ZwmPbsIQCx</a>
— Antti Lipponen (@anttilip) <a href="https://twitter.com/anttilip/status/1212379313498132480?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Tourists have been given 48 hours to evacuate as the government called in the military to help in rescue operations.

The Australian defence force said five military helicopters and two naval ships were on the way to the south coast to ensure supply of essentials materials.

The weather forecasters have warned the heatwave conditions would bring gusting winds with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius.

In Mallacoota in Victoria, at least &nbsp;4,000 people have been stranded on the beach even as massive fire rage with roads in and out of the town blocked leaving only the sea route as a way out for those stuck on the beachfront.

The police advised police not to make plans to holiday in the south coast, "particularly in the general area from Batemans Bay to the Victorian border."

"It is vital, critical," New South Wales transport minister Andrew Constance said, adding, "We need everybody to leave. We are going to face a worse day on Saturday than what we have been through."Huge bushfires have been burning for weeks across Australia, with new blazes sparked into life almost daily by extremely hot and windy conditions in bushland left tinder dry after a three-year drought."

New South Wales police declared "tourist leave zone" ahead of dangerous fire conditions in the region as the death toll in the Australia bushfires rose to eighteen.

New South Wales police declared "tourist leave zone" ahead of dangerous fire conditions in the region as the death toll in the Australia bushfires rose to eighteen. "Widespread extreme fire danger is forecast for the South Coast on Saturday," the advisory said, adding, "these will be dangerous conditions, the same or worse than New Year's Eve." The message exhorted tourists not to visit the south coast over the weekend as it wasn't safe, sternly warning: "do not be in this area on Saturday". According to Antti Lipponen, physicist and research scientist at the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the thick smoke observed on January 1 was "about 5,490, 000 km" which he said was "larger than the area of EU and more than 14 times the area of Japan." Huge #smoke plume from #Australia 🇦🇺 #bushfires observed today (1 Jan 2020). The area of thick smoke is about 5 490 000 km² (≈2 119 700 sq. miles). For comparison, that is larger than the area of EU and more than 14 times the area of Japan! #NSWFires 🎞: https://t.co/Ng6VBIiWXm pic.twitter.com/ZwmPbsIQCx — Antti Lipponen (@anttilip) January 1, 2020 × Tourists have been given 48 hours to evacuate as the government called in the military to help in rescue operations. The Australian defence force said five military helicopters and two naval ships were on the way to the south coast to ensure supply of essentials materials. The weather forecasters have warned the heatwave conditions would bring gusting winds with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius. In Mallacoota in Victoria, at least 4,000 people have been stranded on the beach even as massive fire rage with roads in and out of the town blocked leaving only the sea route as a way out for those stuck on the beachfront. The police advised police not to make plans to holiday in the south coast, "particularly in the general area from Batemans Bay to the Victorian border." "It is vital, critical," New South Wales transport minister Andrew Constance said, adding, "We need everybody to leave. We are going to face a worse day on Saturday than what we have been through."Huge bushfires have been burning for weeks across Australia, with new blazes sparked into life almost daily by extremely hot and windy conditions in bushland left tinder dry after a three-year drought."

Smoke in Australia bushfire 'larger than area of EU', says scientist

Australian military assisted fire emergency and rescue personnel on Thursday (January 2) in Australia's south-east state of Victoria, where 50 fires are currently burning.

Australian military brings aid to fire-stricken communities in Victoria state

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

New South Wales police declared "tourist leave zone" ahead of dangerous fire conditions in the region as the death toll in the Australia bushfires rose to eighteen. #WION #Australia #AustraliaBushfires

Your Story: Navy comes to aid of thousands trapped in Australia bushfires

Australian authorities on January 1, 2020, confirmed that a third person had died in devastating bushfires that engulfed the southeast coastal region this week and said a fourth person was missing and feared dead. #WION #AustraliaBushfires

What is causing bushfires in Australia?

A major operation to reach thousands of people stranded in fire-ravaged seaside towns was under way in Australia on Wednesday after <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-thousands-trapped-as-bushfires-encircles-coastal-town-271141">deadly bushfires</a> ripped through popular tourist spots and rural areas leaving at least eight people dead.

Navy ships and military aircraft were deployed alongside emergency crews to provide humanitarian relief and assess the damage from the deadliest spate of blazes yet in a months-long bushfire crisis.

Police said three more bodies were discovered Wednesday, bringing the confirmed death toll since late Monday to eight, including a volunteer firefighter killed when a "fire tornado" flipped his 10-tonne truck.

There were mounting fears for several others missing after the country's southeast was devastated by out-of-control blazes, which destroyed more than 200 homes and left some small towns in ruins.

Information was trickling out of coastal communities where thousands of holidaymakers and locals were thought to have seen in the New Year taking refuge from flames at surf clubs, as power outages and damage to telecommunications towers brought down phone lines and the internet.

New South Wales (NSW) Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said emergency services faced a "real challenge" trying to help injured people in isolated areas.

<img alt="Bushfires" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="76075a35-6f13-4d6f-af94-d2cfff3e5d86" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2843%29_3.jpg" />

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/australia-wildfires-trap-thousands-in-coastal-town-271185#forced-to-head-to-waterfront-271170">Also read: How tourists, residents battling wild fires in Australia</a>

"We haven't been able to get access via roads or via aircraft. It's been... too dangerous and we simply can't access, nor can the people in these areas get out," he said.

Fires were raging across the country and the defence force said it could take days for the military to reach people in some remote areas.

'Ember attacks'

There was relief in the town of Mallacoota -- where towering columns of smoke turned the sky pitch black and nearby fires caused waves of "ember attacks" -- after a change in the wind spared around 4,000 people who had huddled on the foreshore.

Survivors cheered firefighters who battled to protect them by creating a protective ring of fire trucks.

"I understand there was a standing ovation at the end of that for the firefighters," Victoria Emergency Management commissioner Andrew Crisp told public broadcaster ABC.

Authorities were preparing for the possibility that Mallacoota could be cut off for weeks: aircraft have begun dropping supplies into the town while a barge with two weeks' worth of supplies was due to arrive later Wednesday.&nbsp;

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Evacuation on the beach at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/batemansbay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#batemansbay</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/abcnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@abcnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/qZzOJcOKz1">pic.twitter.com/qZzOJcOKz1</a>
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Paramedics were reportedly assessing the injured and moving those requiring further treatment to a 25-bed floating medical centre off the coast.

Many people have returned to find their homes burned to the ground, with the task of rebuilding shattered communities expected to take years.

Gary Hinton escaped flames roaring through Cobargo early Tuesday and returned to the stricken town to find his father's house largely intact, but many other buildings reduced to cinders.

"It wasn't good. It's turned out pretty devastating for everyone," he told AFP.

'Long and dangerous fight'

Cooler temperatures and easing winds provided a window of opportunity for relief efforts Wednesday, but there were concerns over new fires sparked by lightning in alpine regions.

"There's a lot of people holidaying, again, up in those areas," Crisp said. "We'll be prioritising those (fires) and hitting them as hard as we can. We don't need any new fires."

Firefighters were racing to take advantage of the milder weather in the country's southeast to contain dozens of blazes, as authorities warned the fire danger would spike on Saturday as temperatures soar again.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/australian-wildlife-battles-to-survive-as-bushfires-rage-271041">Also read: The struggles of Australian wildlife to survive as bushfires rage</a>

"At the very least, weather conditions will be at least as bad as what they were yesterday," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said.

"That makes this a long and dangerous and complex fight, a long and dangerous process to support everyone who's been impacted by it," Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews added.

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Locals and tourists holding tight on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mallacoota?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mallacoota</a> wharf as the bushfire passes through the popular seaside summer holiday spot <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AustraliaBurns?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AustraliaBurns</a> (📷 from ‘travelling_aus_family’ on Instagram). <a href="https://t.co/NfQxlwObxv">pic.twitter.com/NfQxlwObxv</a>
— Siobhan Heanue (@siobhanheanue) <a href="https://twitter.com/siobhanheanue/status/1211824397452922880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2019</a></blockquote>
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This season's blazes have killed at least 17 people, destroyed more than 1,000 homes and scorched about 5.5 million hectares (13.5 million acres) -- an area bigger than Denmark or the Netherlands.

For weeks, major Australian cities have been choked by toxic bushfire smoke, and on Wednesday air quality reached hazardous levels in Canberra as visibility in the capital plummeted.

Satellite images showed smoke from the latest fires had blown across the Tasman Sea to reach New Zealand.

<img alt="Bushfire" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="796bb238-1537-42f0-b742-40a19945edec" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2842%29_1.jpg" />

The unprecedented crisis has sparked street protests calling on the government to immediately act on climate change, which scientists say is creating a longer and more intense bushfire season.

Conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison has come under increasing pressure for his response, which has included holidaying in Hawaii as the disaster unfolded and reiterating his steadfast support for Australia's lucrative -- but heavily polluting -- coal mining industry.

Officials in Sydney have also been criticised for ignoring calls to cancel the harbour city's famed New Year's Eve fireworks display.

&nbsp;

A major operation to reach thousands of people stranded in fire-ravaged seaside towns was under way in Australia on Wednesday after deadly bushfires ripped through popular tourist spots and rural areas leaving at least eight people dead.

A major operation to reach thousands of people stranded in fire-ravaged seaside towns was under way in Australia on Wednesday after deadly bushfires ripped through popular tourist spots and rural areas leaving at least eight people dead. Navy ships and military aircraft were deployed alongside emergency crews to provide humanitarian relief and assess the damage from the deadliest spate of blazes yet in a months-long bushfire crisis. Police said three more bodies were discovered Wednesday, bringing the confirmed death toll since late Monday to eight, including a volunteer firefighter killed when a "fire tornado" flipped his 10-tonne truck. There were mounting fears for several others missing after the country's southeast was devastated by out-of-control blazes, which destroyed more than 200 homes and left some small towns in ruins. Information was trickling out of coastal communities where thousands of holidaymakers and locals were thought to have seen in the New Year taking refuge from flames at surf clubs, as power outages and damage to telecommunications towers brought down phone lines and the internet. New South Wales (NSW) Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said emergency services faced a "real challenge" trying to help injured people in isolated areas. Also read: How tourists, residents battling wild fires in Australia "We haven't been able to get access via roads or via aircraft. It's been... too dangerous and we simply can't access, nor can the people in these areas get out," he said. Fires were raging across the country and the defence force said it could take days for the military to reach people in some remote areas. 'Ember attacks' There was relief in the town of Mallacoota -- where towering columns of smoke turned the sky pitch black and nearby fires caused waves of "ember attacks" -- after a change in the wind spared around 4,000 people who had huddled on the foreshore. Survivors cheered firefighters who battled to protect them by creating a protective ring of fire trucks. "I understand there was a standing ovation at the end of that for the firefighters," Victoria Emergency Management commissioner Andrew Crisp told public broadcaster ABC. Authorities were preparing for the possibility that Mallacoota could be cut off for weeks: aircraft have begun dropping supplies into the town while a barge with two weeks' worth of supplies was due to arrive later Wednesday. Evacuation on the beach at #batemansbay @abcnews pic.twitter.com/qZzOJcOKz1 — Alastair Prior (@alastairprior) December 31, 2019 × Paramedics were reportedly assessing the injured and moving those requiring further treatment to a 25-bed floating medical centre off the coast. Many people have returned to find their homes burned to the ground, with the task of rebuilding shattered communities expected to take years. Gary Hinton escaped flames roaring through Cobargo early Tuesday and returned to the stricken town to find his father's house largely intact, but many other buildings reduced to cinders. "It wasn't good. It's turned out pretty devastating for everyone," he told AFP. 'Long and dangerous fight' Cooler temperatures and easing winds provided a window of opportunity for relief efforts Wednesday, but there were concerns over new fires sparked by lightning in alpine regions. "There's a lot of people holidaying, again, up in those areas," Crisp said. "We'll be prioritising those (fires) and hitting them as hard as we can. We don't need any new fires." Firefighters were racing to take advantage of the milder weather in the country's southeast to contain dozens of blazes, as authorities warned the fire danger would spike on Saturday as temperatures soar again. Also read: The struggles of Australian wildlife to survive as bushfires rage "At the very least, weather conditions will be at least as bad as what they were yesterday," NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said. "That makes this a long and dangerous and complex fight, a long and dangerous process to support everyone who's been impacted by it," Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews added. Locals and tourists holding tight on the #Mallacoota wharf as the bushfire passes through the popular seaside summer holiday spot #AustraliaBurns (📷 from ‘travelling_aus_family’ on Instagram). pic.twitter.com/NfQxlwObxv — Siobhan Heanue (@siobhanheanue) December 31, 2019 × This season's blazes have killed at least 17 people, destroyed more than 1,000 homes and scorched about 5.5 million hectares (13.5 million acres) -- an area bigger than Denmark or the Netherlands. For weeks, major Australian cities have been choked by toxic bushfire smoke, and on Wednesday air quality reached hazardous levels in Canberra as visibility in the capital plummeted. Satellite images showed smoke from the latest fires had blown across the Tasman Sea to reach New Zealand. The unprecedented crisis has sparked street protests calling on the government to immediately act on climate change, which scientists say is creating a longer and more intense bushfire season. Conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison has come under increasing pressure for his response, which has included holidaying in Hawaii as the disaster unfolded and reiterating his steadfast support for Australia's lucrative -- but heavily polluting -- coal mining industry. Officials in Sydney have also been criticised for ignoring calls to cancel the harbour city's famed New Year's Eve fireworks display.

At least 8 dead as Australia scrambles to reach thousands stranded by bushfires

Australian authorities on January 1, 2020, confirmed that a third person had died in devastating bushfires that engulfed the southeast coastal region this week and said a fourth person was missing and feared dead.

Australia bushfires show no signs of abating

Three people caught in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-as-bushfires-continue-to-rage-one-more-firefighter-dies-2-others-injured-271059">bushfires </a>in Australia's southeast are feared dead, officials said on Tuesday as thousands of tourists, residents remain stranded because of fires encircling&nbsp;the region.&nbsp;

On Monday, a volunteer firefighter died while combating bushfires that have destroyed 3 million hectares of land in Australia.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/australia-wildfires-trap-thousands-in-coastal-town-271185#forced-to-head-to-waterfront-271170">How tourists, residents battling wild fires in Australia</a>

Preliminary reports claimed three potential fatalities in small towns in the state of New South Wales, said New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons. He also said that police were unable to reach the locations due to the ongoing threat from massive blazes.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Thousands of residents and tourists are trapped on a beach in southeast Australia as massive bushfires ringed the area making the escape from the land difficult.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/australian-wildlife-battles-to-survive-as-bushfires-rage-271041">The struggles of Australian wildlife to survive as bushfires rage</a>

<img alt="Bushfires " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6bb5cc52-697d-485f-8e49-16ec0de6c781" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2823%29_3.jpg" />

&nbsp;

At least 4,000 people are trapped in the coastal town of Mallacoota because of the bushfires that cut off main in and out road of the town. Residents and holiday makers were forced to head to the gymnasium or waterfront.

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This photo needs to be the front page of every paper in Australia for the first day of the new decade. Welcome to the 20’s, Australia. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mallacoota?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#mallacoota</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/australiaburns?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#australiaburns</a> <a href="https://t.co/6bcswM3yeU">pic.twitter.com/6bcswM3yeU</a>
— Dan (@danbakes) <a href="https://twitter.com/danbakes/status/1211850190132367360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2019</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The authorities said that nearby fires were causing extreme thunderstorms and "ember attacks".&nbsp;

"We've got a fire that looks like it's about to impact on Mallacoota," &nbsp;Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp told public broadcaster ABC. He also said firefighters have been deployed to rescue the stranded people.&nbsp;

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Locals and tourists holding tight on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mallacoota?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mallacoota</a> wharf as the bushfire passes through the popular seaside summer holiday spot <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/AustraliaBurns?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AustraliaBurns</a> (📷 from ‘travelling_aus_family’ on Instagram). <a href="https://t.co/NfQxlwObxv">pic.twitter.com/NfQxlwObxv</a>
— Siobhan Heanue (@siobhanheanue) <a href="https://twitter.com/siobhanheanue/status/1211824397452922880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"We've got three strike teams in Mallacoota that will be looking after 4,000 people down on the beach there," Crisp said. "We're naturally very concerned about communities that have become isolated."

Reportedly, preparations are also underway for a sea or airborne rescue if required.&nbsp;

<img alt="Bushfires" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="86e577f6-64fe-4e65-9c14-90113408efc9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2822%29_1.jpg" />

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Many residents said on social media said that they were wearing life jackets if they needed to seek refuge in the water to escape fires. Some social media posts also showed blood-red, smoke-filled skies.&nbsp;

Bushfire-affected areas can reach a temperature of up to 100 degrees, killing anybody within that region even before the flames reach them.&nbsp;

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Evacuation on the beach at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/batemansbay?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#batemansbay</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/abcnews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@abcnews</a> <a href="https://t.co/qZzOJcOKz1">pic.twitter.com/qZzOJcOKz1</a>
— Alastair Prior (@alastairprior) <a href="https://twitter.com/alastairprior/status/1211818382007267328?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 31, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The ocean is the "last resort option" as per Victoria's emergency management agency.

In New South Wales coast too, similar warnings were made that many "dangerous" fires are spreading rapidly and people in the region should take shelter on beaches if necessary.&nbsp;

"These fires moved quickly this morning. They pose a serious threat to life. Do not be in their path. Avoid bushland areas. If the path is clear, move to larger towns or beaches to take shelter," New South Wales Rural Fire Service said.

(with inputs from Reuters and AFP) 
&nbsp;

Three people caught in bushfires in Australia's southeast are feared dead, officials said on Tuesday as thousands of tourists, residents remain stranded because of fires encircling the region.

Three people caught in bushfires in Australia's southeast are feared dead, officials said on Tuesday as thousands of tourists, residents remain stranded because of fires encircling the region. On Monday, a volunteer firefighter died while combating bushfires that have destroyed 3 million hectares of land in Australia. Also read: How tourists, residents battling wild fires in Australia Preliminary reports claimed three potential fatalities in small towns in the state of New South Wales, said New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons. He also said that police were unable to reach the locations due to the ongoing threat from massive blazes. Thousands of residents and tourists are trapped on a beach in southeast Australia as massive bushfires ringed the area making the escape from the land difficult. Also read: The struggles of Australian wildlife to survive as bushfires rage At least 4,000 people are trapped in the coastal town of Mallacoota because of the bushfires that cut off main in and out road of the town. Residents and holiday makers were forced to head to the gymnasium or waterfront. This photo needs to be the front page of every paper in Australia for the first day of the new decade. Welcome to the 20’s, Australia. #mallacoota #australiaburns pic.twitter.com/6bcswM3yeU — Dan (@danbakes) December 31, 2019 × The authorities said that nearby fires were causing extreme thunderstorms and "ember attacks". "We've got a fire that looks like it's about to impact on Mallacoota," Victoria's Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp told public broadcaster ABC. He also said firefighters have been deployed to rescue the stranded people. Locals and tourists holding tight on the #Mallacoota wharf as the bushfire passes through the popular seaside summer holiday spot #AustraliaBurns (📷 from ‘travelling_aus_family’ on Instagram). pic.twitter.com/NfQxlwObxv — Siobhan Heanue (@siobhanheanue) December 31, 2019 × "We've got three strike teams in Mallacoota that will be looking after 4,000 people down on the beach there," Crisp said. "We're naturally very concerned about communities that have become isolated." Reportedly, preparations are also underway for a sea or airborne rescue if required. Many residents said on social media said that they were wearing life jackets if they needed to seek refuge in the water to escape fires. Some social media posts also showed blood-red, smoke-filled skies. Bushfire-affected areas can reach a temperature of up to 100 degrees, killing anybody within that region even before the flames reach them. Evacuation on the beach at #batemansbay @abcnews pic.twitter.com/qZzOJcOKz1 — Alastair Prior (@alastairprior) December 31, 2019 × The ocean is the "last resort option" as per Victoria's emergency management agency. In New South Wales coast too, similar warnings were made that many "dangerous" fires are spreading rapidly and people in the region should take shelter on beaches if necessary. "These fires moved quickly this morning. They pose a serious threat to life. Do not be in their path. Avoid bushland areas. If the path is clear, move to larger towns or beaches to take shelter," New South Wales Rural Fire Service said. (with inputs from Reuters and AFP)

Australia bushfires: Three feared dead as thousands trapped on burning beach

The struggles of Australian wildlife to survive as bushfires rage

How tourists, residents battling wild fires in Australia

So far, the wildfires have ravaged about 12.35 million acres of land, killing nine people and destroying over 1,000 homes

Australia bushfires: Koalas & Kangaroos undergo partial burns

Thousands of tourists risked being stranded in Australia's southeast Monday, as a new heatwave left <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/christmas-presents-for-australian-firefighters-royal-baking-session-on-christmas-270174">firefighters</a> across the country bracing for another round of potentially catastrophic bushfire.

Hundreds of blazes&nbsp;are burning across Australia, which is experiencing a devastating summer bushfire season fuelled by a prolonged drought and climate change.

More than 30,000 people were told to evacuate&nbsp;Victoria state's popular East Gippsland region Sunday amid fears soaring temperatures and gusting winds would stoke three large blazes, cutting off the last major road still open.

Victoria Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said residents and holidaymakers still in the area faced being stranded as it was now "too late to leave", with his agency warning it was "not possible" to provide aid to all visitors in the area.

Neighbouring South Australia is experiencing "catastrophic" fire conditions in some areas as temperatures reach above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and storms bring damaging winds.

The Country Fire Service's Brenton Eden&nbsp;said it would be a "very dangerous" day for people in the state, with lightning already sparking a number of blazes.

"Winds are gusting and unfortunately this is a dry lightning front that is going to move rapidly across South Australia," he told national broadcaster ABC.

Conditions are also expected to deteriorate over the next two days in worst-hit New South Wales, where 100 fires were burning&nbsp;Monday morning including more than 40 uncontained.

This season's bushfires have killed 10 people, destroyed more than 1,000 homes and scorched more than three million hectares (7.4 million acres)&nbsp;an area bigger than Belgium.

Sydney and other major cities have been shrouded in toxic bushfire smoke haze for weeks,&nbsp;forcing children to play indoors and causing professional sporting events to be canceled.

The crisis has focused attention on climate change which scientists say is creating a longer and more intense <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bushfire-threat-spreads-wreaks-havoc-in-australia-as-sydney-chokes-263481">bushfire</a> season and sparked street protests calling for immediate action to tackle global warming.

While conservative Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/australian-pm-scott-morrison-to-visit-india-in-january-269023">Scott Morrison</a> belatedly acknowledged a link between the fires and climate change, he has continued his staunch support of Australia's lucrative coal mining industry and ruled out further action to reduce emissions.

A petition to cancel Sydney's famous New Year's Eve fireworks and use the money to fight bushfires ringing the city has topped 270,000 signatures, but officials say the show will go on.

Sydney has spent Aus$6.5 million ($4.5 million) on this year's fireworks display funds that the Change.org petition argues would be better spent on supporting volunteer firefighters and farmers suffering through a brutal drought.

Thousands of tourists risked being stranded in Australia's southeast Monday, as a new heatwave left firefighters across the country bracing for another round of potentially catastrophic bushfire.

Thousands of tourists risked being stranded in Australia's southeast Monday, as a new heatwave left firefighters across the country bracing for another round of potentially catastrophic bushfire. Hundreds of blazes are burning across Australia, which is experiencing a devastating summer bushfire season fuelled by a prolonged drought and climate change. More than 30,000 people were told to evacuate Victoria state's popular East Gippsland region Sunday amid fears soaring temperatures and gusting winds would stoke three large blazes, cutting off the last major road still open. Victoria Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said residents and holidaymakers still in the area faced being stranded as it was now "too late to leave", with his agency warning it was "not possible" to provide aid to all visitors in the area. Neighbouring South Australia is experiencing "catastrophic" fire conditions in some areas as temperatures reach above 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) and storms bring damaging winds. The Country Fire Service's Brenton Eden said it would be a "very dangerous" day for people in the state, with lightning already sparking a number of blazes. "Winds are gusting and unfortunately this is a dry lightning front that is going to move rapidly across South Australia," he told national broadcaster ABC. Conditions are also expected to deteriorate over the next two days in worst-hit New South Wales, where 100 fires were burning Monday morning including more than 40 uncontained. This season's bushfires have killed 10 people, destroyed more than 1,000 homes and scorched more than three million hectares (7.4 million acres) an area bigger than Belgium. Sydney and other major cities have been shrouded in toxic bushfire smoke haze for weeks, forcing children to play indoors and causing professional sporting events to be canceled. The crisis has focused attention on climate change which scientists say is creating a longer and more intense bushfire season and sparked street protests calling for immediate action to tackle global warming. While conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison belatedly acknowledged a link between the fires and climate change, he has continued his staunch support of Australia's lucrative coal mining industry and ruled out further action to reduce emissions. A petition to cancel Sydney's famous New Year's Eve fireworks and use the money to fight bushfires ringing the city has topped 270,000 signatures, but officials say the show will go on. Sydney has spent Aus$6.5 million ($4.5 million) on this year's fireworks display funds that the Change.org petition argues would be better spent on supporting volunteer firefighters and farmers suffering through a brutal drought.

Tourists at risk as heatwave fuels Australia bushfires

More than 250,000 people have signed a petition calling for the Sydney fireworks to be scrapped, with funding redirected to drought and bushfire relief. #AustraliaBushfire #Australia #Sydney #WION

Australia Bushfires: Over 50,000 Sq Km of land consumed by fire

Australian officials have refused to back petition signed by 270,000 people that seeks to cancel Sydney's famous fireworks on New Year's Eve.&nbsp;

Change.org petition said that Sydney is spending Aus$6.5 million ($4.5 million) on fireworks and claimed that the money could be better used to support <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-thousands-of-tourists-at-risk-as-massive-bushfires-continue-270914">volunteer firefighters </a>and farmers suffering through a brutal drought.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/australia-bushfires-nsw-imposes-ban-over-fireworks-for-new-years-eve-270943/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It added that fireworks display on Sydney Harbour "may traumatise some people" as enough smoke is already present in the air.&nbsp;

We appreciate the concerns of the opposition to the fireworks due to bushfires but cancelling the celebration would have "little practical benefit for affected communities", a City of Sydney spokesperson said in a statement.&nbsp;

"We began preparations and planning for the NYE celebrations 15 months ago. This means most of the budget, largely used for crowd safety and cleaning measures, has already been spent," the spokesman said.

"Cancelling the event would seriously hurt Sydney businesses. It would also ruin plans for tens of thousands of people from across the country and overseas who have booked flights, hotels and restaurants for New Year's Eve."

"All states should say NO to FIREWORKS," the petition said.&nbsp;

Sydney and other major Australian cities are covered in toxic smoke due to bushfires for weeks.&nbsp;

At least 10 people have been killed from this year's season massive bushfires, which have been fuelled by droughts and climate change.&nbsp;

Thousands of tourists, residents of Australian state Victoria are risked of being stranded after the officials asked them to evacuate as state's seven districts have a forecast of extreme fire danger.&nbsp;

The bushfires have destroyed over 1,000 homes and scorched more than three million hectares (7.4 million acres) -- an area bigger than Belgium.

Australian officials have refused to back petition signed by 270,000 people that seeks to cancel Sydney's famous fireworks on New Year's Eve. Change.org petition said that Sydney is spending Aus$6.

Australian officials have refused to back petition signed by 270,000 people that seeks to cancel Sydney's famous fireworks on New Year's Eve. Change.org petition said that Sydney is spending Aus$6.5 million ($4.5 million) on fireworks and claimed that the money could be better used to support volunteer firefighters and farmers suffering through a brutal drought. Watch: It added that fireworks display on Sydney Harbour "may traumatise some people" as enough smoke is already present in the air. We appreciate the concerns of the opposition to the fireworks due to bushfires but cancelling the celebration would have "little practical benefit for affected communities", a City of Sydney spokesperson said in a statement. "We began preparations and planning for the NYE celebrations 15 months ago. This means most of the budget, largely used for crowd safety and cleaning measures, has already been spent," the spokesman said. "Cancelling the event would seriously hurt Sydney businesses. It would also ruin plans for tens of thousands of people from across the country and overseas who have booked flights, hotels and restaurants for New Year's Eve." "All states should say NO to FIREWORKS," the petition said. Sydney and other major Australian cities are covered in toxic smoke due to bushfires for weeks. At least 10 people have been killed from this year's season massive bushfires, which have been fuelled by droughts and climate change. Thousands of tourists, residents of Australian state Victoria are risked of being stranded after the officials asked them to evacuate as state's seven districts have a forecast of extreme fire danger. The bushfires have destroyed over 1,000 homes and scorched more than three million hectares (7.4 million acres) -- an area bigger than Belgium.

Sydney to continue New Year Eve's fireworks despite massive protest petition

Thousands of holidaymakers and residents risked being stranded in a swathe of Victoria in Australia's southeast as rising temperature and new heatwave continue to fuel <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bushfires-hit-emergency-level-on-sydneys-outskirts-one-dead-in-south-australia-269445">bushfires</a>.&nbsp;

The authorities earlier asked more than 30,000 people to evacuate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/residents-holidaymakers-urged-to-leave-australian-region-as-fire-conditions-worsen-270824">Victoria state's popular East Gippsland region </a>on Sunday, adding that soaring temperatures and gusting wings would trigger three large blazes, cutting off the last major road still open.

The residents and tourists in the area faced being stranded as it now "too late to leave", Victoria Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said. The Victoria Emergency Management said that it was "not possible" to provide aid to all the visitors in that area.&nbsp;

<img alt="Bushfire " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="21c872c7-efc3-4e68-8ab7-ba1de628e4a9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2847%29_0.jpg" />

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

In state's seven out of the nine districts, fire danger is forecast to be extreme.&nbsp;

Neighbouring South Australia is witnessing "catastrophic" fire conditions in some regions as temperatures cross the 40 degrees Celsius-mark and storms bring damaging winds.&nbsp;

The Country Fire Service's Brenton Eden warned that it would be a very "dangerous" day for people in the state, with lightning causing a number of blazes.&nbsp;

New South Wales, which is the worst-affected state in Australia, is also likely to experience deteriorating conditions in the next two days as over 100 fires are burning in the region which includes 40 uncontained.&nbsp;

The temperatures in New South Wales are also expected to climb on New year's eve as thousands traditionally gather near Sydney to watch famous firework celebrations.&nbsp;

So far, 10 people have been killed in season's bushfires, which destroyed 1,000 homes and burned over three million hectares (7.4 million acres) an area bigger than Belgium.

<img alt="Bushfire" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b4ea10b5-3178-4d91-b637-77b0e9183be1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2846%29_1.jpg" />

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Hundreds of fires are burning across Australia, which is experiencing a devastating summer bushfire season triggered by a prolonged drought and climate change.

The bushfires have made Sydney and other major cities experience toxic smoke for weeks.&nbsp;

This bushfire season is regarded as one of the toughest due to its size and geographical breadth, despite the southern hemisphere summer not reaching its mid-point yet.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

<img alt="Bushfire" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f5ca798c-b35d-46b3-9f01-43875cb0a44b" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%2848%29_0.jpg" />

The conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison has still continued his relentless support to Australia's flourishing mining industry and refused to take further action to cut down emissions.&nbsp;

(with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

Thousands of holidaymakers and residents risked being stranded in a swathe of Victoria in Australia's southeast as rising temperature and new heatwave continue to fuel bushfires.

Thousands of holidaymakers and residents risked being stranded in a swathe of Victoria in Australia's southeast as rising temperature and new heatwave continue to fuel bushfires. The authorities earlier asked more than 30,000 people to evacuate Victoria state's popular East Gippsland region on Sunday, adding that soaring temperatures and gusting wings would trigger three large blazes, cutting off the last major road still open. The residents and tourists in the area faced being stranded as it now "too late to leave", Victoria Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said. The Victoria Emergency Management said that it was "not possible" to provide aid to all the visitors in that area. In state's seven out of the nine districts, fire danger is forecast to be extreme. Neighbouring South Australia is witnessing "catastrophic" fire conditions in some regions as temperatures cross the 40 degrees Celsius-mark and storms bring damaging winds. The Country Fire Service's Brenton Eden warned that it would be a very "dangerous" day for people in the state, with lightning causing a number of blazes. New South Wales, which is the worst-affected state in Australia, is also likely to experience deteriorating conditions in the next two days as over 100 fires are burning in the region which includes 40 uncontained. The temperatures in New South Wales are also expected to climb on New year's eve as thousands traditionally gather near Sydney to watch famous firework celebrations. So far, 10 people have been killed in season's bushfires, which destroyed 1,000 homes and burned over three million hectares (7.4 million acres) an area bigger than Belgium. Hundreds of fires are burning across Australia, which is experiencing a devastating summer bushfire season triggered by a prolonged drought and climate change. The bushfires have made Sydney and other major cities experience toxic smoke for weeks. This bushfire season is regarded as one of the toughest due to its size and geographical breadth, despite the southern hemisphere summer not reaching its mid-point yet. The conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison has still continued his relentless support to Australia's flourishing mining industry and refused to take further action to cut down emissions. (with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

Australia: Nearly 30,000 tourists at risk as massive bushfires continue

The Australian government announced on Sunday it would compensate volunteer firefighters in the state of New South Wales, as the country's intense bushfire season rages on. #Australia #AustraliaBushfires #NewSouthWales

Australian PM announces compensation for volunteer fire-fighters

Australian authorities said on Friday they are focused on protecting water plants, pumping stations, pipes and other infrastructure from intense <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/firefighters-in-australia-spend-christmas-day-containing-wildfires-270247">bushfires surrounding Sydney</a>, the country's largest city.

Firefighters battling the blazes for weeks received a reprieve of slightly cooler, damper conditions over Christmas, but the respite is not expected to last long.

Temperatures in New South Wales (NSW) state are forecast to head back towards 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) early next week, fuelling fires near Warragamba Dam, which provides water to about 80 per cent&nbsp;of Sydney's 5 million residents.

"In recent days up to the cool change, the fires had been a potential threat to supply and assets, particularly in Warragamba and in the Blue Mountains," a spokesman for the state's water authority, WaterNSW, told Reuters.

"With the coming very hot conditions the fire situation may escalate in both those fronts and possibly elsewhere."

Warragamba Dam is located 65km (40 miles) west of Sydney, catching water flowing from the mountains.

It is at 44.8 per cent&nbsp;capacity, down from almost being full less than three years ago, as a prolonged drought ravage the continent's east.

Despite the widespread destruction, the state's water infrastructure network has not been damaged, the spokesman said.

Also Watch:&nbsp;Australia: Sydney, Brisbane residents get rain respite amid wildfire

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There have been eight deaths, including two volunteer firefighters, linked to the blazes since they flared in spring.

With more than 40 dams across the state, WaterNSW supplies two-thirds of untreated water to the state's water utilities, which then treat and clean the resource to provide drinking water to cities and regional towns.

Large quantities of ash and burnt material could pose a threat to the quality of water in the dams if the fires are followed by heavy rain.

However, there is no significant rain forecast for NSW in the short-term and WaterNSW has put containment barriers to catch potential debris run-off, the water authority said.

Volunteer force

Australia's reliance on a large volunteer firefighting force has been tested during this fire season that still potentially has months to run through the southern hemisphere summer.

While conservative <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-prime-minister-under-pressure-as-bushfires-fuel-climate-debate-269899">Prime Minister Scott Morrison</a> previously said compensation for volunteers was not a priority, he said on Tuesday that government workers could receive additional paid leave for volunteering.

A senior government minister said on Friday the government was now looking into providing wider relief.

"The prime minister is looking at this issue further on how we can provide targeted support in these extreme circumstances so that our volunteers get the support they need to keep volunteering," Defence Minister Linda Reynolds told media in Perth.

While there are different rules across Australia's states, volunteers tend to negotiate time off directly with their employer.

Morrison has been under intense political pressure after it was revealed he was holidaying in Hawaii shortly before Christmas while the country grappled with an emergency and two volunteers near the fire frontlines had been killed.

Fires are travelling immense distances through bushland before hitting towns and containment lines where volunteer firefighters concentrate their resources.

The bushfires have destroyed more than 4 million hectares (9.9 million acres) across the country, dwarfing the terrain burnt by fierce <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/california-cave-fire-threatens-thousands-of-homes-and-triggers-evacuation-264757">fires in California</a> during 2019.

Australian authorities said on Friday they are focused on protecting water plants, pumping stations, pipes and other infrastructure from intense bushfires surrounding Sydney, the country's largest city.

Australian authorities said on Friday they are focused on protecting water plants, pumping stations, pipes and other infrastructure from intense bushfires surrounding Sydney, the country's largest city. Firefighters battling the blazes for weeks received a reprieve of slightly cooler, damper conditions over Christmas, but the respite is not expected to last long. Temperatures in New South Wales (NSW) state are forecast to head back towards 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) early next week, fuelling fires near Warragamba Dam, which provides water to about 80 per cent of Sydney's 5 million residents. "In recent days up to the cool change, the fires had been a potential threat to supply and assets, particularly in Warragamba and in the Blue Mountains," a spokesman for the state's water authority, WaterNSW, told Reuters. "With the coming very hot conditions the fire situation may escalate in both those fronts and possibly elsewhere." Warragamba Dam is located 65km (40 miles) west of Sydney, catching water flowing from the mountains. It is at 44.8 per cent capacity, down from almost being full less than three years ago, as a prolonged drought ravage the continent's east. Despite the widespread destruction, the state's water infrastructure network has not been damaged, the spokesman said. Also Watch: Australia: Sydney, Brisbane residents get rain respite amid wildfire × There have been eight deaths, including two volunteer firefighters, linked to the blazes since they flared in spring. With more than 40 dams across the state, WaterNSW supplies two-thirds of untreated water to the state's water utilities, which then treat and clean the resource to provide drinking water to cities and regional towns. Large quantities of ash and burnt material could pose a threat to the quality of water in the dams if the fires are followed by heavy rain. However, there is no significant rain forecast for NSW in the short-term and WaterNSW has put containment barriers to catch potential debris run-off, the water authority said. Volunteer force Australia's reliance on a large volunteer firefighting force has been tested during this fire season that still potentially has months to run through the southern hemisphere summer. While conservative Prime Minister Scott Morrison previously said compensation for volunteers was not a priority, he said on Tuesday that government workers could receive additional paid leave for volunteering. A senior government minister said on Friday the government was now looking into providing wider relief. "The prime minister is looking at this issue further on how we can provide targeted support in these extreme circumstances so that our volunteers get the support they need to keep volunteering," Defence Minister Linda Reynolds told media in Perth. While there are different rules across Australia's states, volunteers tend to negotiate time off directly with their employer. Morrison has been under intense political pressure after it was revealed he was holidaying in Hawaii shortly before Christmas while the country grappled with an emergency and two volunteers near the fire frontlines had been killed. Fires are travelling immense distances through bushland before hitting towns and containment lines where volunteer firefighters concentrate their resources. The bushfires have destroyed more than 4 million hectares (9.9 million acres) across the country, dwarfing the terrain burnt by fierce fires in California during 2019.

Australian wildfires threaten Sydney water supplies

As parts of Australia continue to battle bushfires, residents in Sydney celebrated as the city received much-need rainfall on Christmas Eve.

Australia: Sydney, Brisbane residents get rain respite amid wildfire

Australian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australian-pm-visits-firefighters-after-stirring-controversy-for-hawaii-vacation-269526">Prime Minister Scott Morrison</a> lashed out at "reckless and job-destroying" calls to introduce cuts in coal industry as the country struggles with wildfires.

"I am not going to write off the jobs of thousands of Australians by walking away from traditional industries," PM Morrison told Australia's Seven Network, while reiterating the same line to other news channels.

Australia has been hit by catastrophic <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bushfires-hit-emergency-level-on-sydneys-outskirts-one-dead-in-south-australia-269445">bushfires across New South Wales</a> with blazes around Sydney burning to emergency levels.

On Saturday, one person was killed due to the fire even as several major roads around Sydney remained shut ahead of Christmas.

"What we won't do is engage in reckless and job-destroying and economy-crunching targets which are being sought," PM Morrison told Australia's Channel 9 amid the wildfire controversy.

Reports said at least hundred fires were still raging across New South Wales last week of which six were characterised as "emergency level" with several thousand emergency personnel working across the state.

Two firefighters had died last week after truck was struck by a falling tree as it travelled the fire taking the death toll in New South Wales to eight.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, police have warned people not to travel by roads during the day during to soaring temperatures.

In South Australia, authorities said one person was found dead, another was injured and several homes destroyed by a fire in the Adelaide Hills. In Victoria, authorities said 142 fires had started in the state since last Friday, with two burning at an emergency level on Saturday afternoon.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison lashed out at "reckless and job-destroying" calls to introduce cuts in coal industry as the country struggles with wildfires.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison lashed out at "reckless and job-destroying" calls to introduce cuts in coal industry as the country struggles with wildfires. "I am not going to write off the jobs of thousands of Australians by walking away from traditional industries," PM Morrison told Australia's Seven Network, while reiterating the same line to other news channels. Australia has been hit by catastrophic bushfires across New South Wales with blazes around Sydney burning to emergency levels. On Saturday, one person was killed due to the fire even as several major roads around Sydney remained shut ahead of Christmas. "What we won't do is engage in reckless and job-destroying and economy-crunching targets which are being sought," PM Morrison told Australia's Channel 9 amid the wildfire controversy. Reports said at least hundred fires were still raging across New South Wales last week of which six were characterised as "emergency level" with several thousand emergency personnel working across the state. Two firefighters had died last week after truck was struck by a falling tree as it travelled the fire taking the death toll in New South Wales to eight. Meanwhile, police have warned people not to travel by roads during the day during to soaring temperatures. In South Australia, authorities said one person was found dead, another was injured and several homes destroyed by a fire in the Adelaide Hills. In Victoria, authorities said 142 fires had started in the state since last Friday, with two burning at an emergency level on Saturday afternoon.

Australian PM Scott Morrison hits out at 'reckless' calls to cut coal industry

The small village of Balmoral, south-west of Sydney, has been all but wiped out by the Green Wattle Creek firestorm that roared through the area twice in three days. #WION #Balmoral #Australia #Australiafires

Australia catastrophic fires: 'Not much left' in Balmoral village

The World is One News, WION examines global issues with in-depth analysis. We provide much more than the news of the day. Our aim is to empower people to explore their world. #WION #WIONSpeedNews #Australia #Australiabushfires

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - December 23, 2019

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison apologised as bushfires rage, PM visited the Rural Fire Service headquarters in Sydney on December 22 after returning from a holiday in Hawaii.

Australia: PM Scott Morrison apologises as bushfires rage