Firefighters battled scores of wildfires raging across South-East Australia as authorities evacuated national parks and warned blistering temperatures and high winds had led to “catastrophic” conditions in some areas.
No deaths had been reported, although officials in Tasmania were still trying to find around 100 residents who have been missing since a blaze tore through Dunalley, east of the state capital of Hobart, last week, destroying around 90 homes.
“We are shaping up for one of the worst fire danger days on record,” New South Wales Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.
“We are at the catastrophic level and, clearly, in those areas leaving early is your safest option.”
Catastrophic threat level is the most severe rating applicable.
Wildfires have razed 50,000 acres of forest and farmland across southern Tasmania since Friday.
In New South Wales, the country’s most populous state, the fires had burned through more than 64,000 acres of land.
More than 130 fires were blazing across New South Wales, though only a few dozen houses were under threat by early evening.
One fire was threatening about 30 homes near the small town of Cooma, south of the capital of Canberra.
Strong winds were hampering efforts to bring the fires under control.
Wind gusts of more than 62mph were recorded in some parts of the state.
All state forests and national parks were closed as a precaution and fire bans were in place, with temperatures in excess of 45C in some areas.
One firefighter suffered severe burns to his hands and face while tackling a grass blaze near Gundaroo village, about 138 miles south-west of Sydney. Mr Fitzsimmons said the firefighter’s condition had improved, and he was expected to be released from hospital soon.