Ablaze by one of the worst fire seasons Australia has faced, those in the southeast of the country have been warned to expect conditions to worsen.
Supermarket shelves are empty, gas stations have closed and roads are congested with traffic as residents flee from the danger.
Firefighters are currently battling to subdue more than 147 bush fires. The death toll has risen to 18 since Friday. An estimated 1 000 homes have been destroyed, and nearly have half a billion animals have died.
Government officials warn that this weekend coming is potentially the grimmest yet, as the flames are predicted to flare.
Early on Friday, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSWFS) expanded the estimate of land at risk from spreading fires, to include ’ember attacks.’ This phenomenon is when burning wood fragments are carried by the wind and cause vegetation or homes to catch alight.
The weather this weekend was expected to bring high winds and temperatures over 38 degrees celsius.
Pictures shared on social media show how the sky has turned a hellish shade of red, frightening many and leaving the world concerned and heartbroken for Australia.
The Voyager Point fire in Liverpool continues to burn in bushland west of the Georges River. #FRNSW and #NSWRFS crews remain in the area working to contain the fire. Currently there is no threat to homes in the area. pic.twitter.com/EhWfb660oF
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 5, 2020
At 5pm there are 146 fires, 65 are not contained. More than 2,700 personnel are in the field. Conditions have eased today and firefighters have gained the upper hand on several dangerous fires.There are no total fire bans in place for Monday.#nswfires #nswrfs pic.twitter.com/OCtZdpNmdn
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 5, 2020
I’ve never seen an animal look so lonely and lost in my life #AustraliaBurning pic.twitter.com/gADI4cgvyx
— Sgt Carl M ?? (@AirForce_Carl) January 5, 2020
John Wright said he couldn’t believe his 12 cows survived the night on Tullowa Dam Rd, where the Currowan fire tore through later on Saturday. “I drove out there there this morning and there they all were looking at me, I said ‘you’re f****ing joking me,’ they survived?” @smh pic.twitter.com/fXMpTI9XQh
— Wolter Peeters (@ShooterWol) January 5, 2020
Just FYI#PrayForAustralia #australiafire #AustraliaBurning #AustraliaBushfires #australiaisburning #AustralianBushfire pic.twitter.com/seq973hQcG
— MJLL (@MadisonLiddell) January 5, 2020
This is heartbreaking. Half of million animals killed. 14,5 million acres burned. 250 tonnes of CO2 released. #AustraliaOnFire #AustraliaBurning #PrayForAustralia pic.twitter.com/594ADxVPeb
— DPD POSPERA DIY (@PosperaDIY) January 5, 2020
Picture: Twitter