Raging wildfires trap 4,000 at Australian town’s waterfront

Wildfires burning across Australia’s two most-populous states trapped residents of a seaside town in apocalyptic conditions Tuesday and were feared to have destroyed many properties and caused fatalities. In souastern town of Mallacoota, around 4,000 residents fled toward waterside as winds pushed an emergency-level wildfire towards ir homes. town was shrouded in darkness from smoke before turning an unnerving she of bright red.

Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews said re were plans to evacuate trapped people by sea. re were grave fears remain for four people missing. “We can’t confirm ir whereabouts,” Andrews told reporters on Tuesday. He has requested assistance from 70 firefighters from United States and Cana. Victoria Emergency Services Commissioner Andrew Crisp confirmed “significant” property losses across region.

Fire conditions worsened in Victoria and New South Wales states after oppressive heat Monday mixed with strong winds and lightning strikes. A firefighter died Monday when extreme winds flipped his truck. Samuel McPaul, 28, was third volunteer firefighter in New South Wales to have died in past two weeks. He was an expectant far.

Australia’s wildfires have razed more than 1,000 homes in past few months, with most-populous state of New South Wales bearing brunt. New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said a “significant” number of properties in region h been destroyed and three people unaccounted for were considered potential fatalities.

“We are expecting more difficult news out of New South Wales and Victoria today as assessments are undertaken of terrible fires from yesterday and last night,” Prime Minster Scott Morrison said in a statement.

Some communities have canceled New Year’s fireworks celebrations, but Sydney’s popular display over its iconic harborfront will go ahe. city was granted an exemption to a total fireworks ban in place re and elsewhere to prevent sparking new wildfires. Sydney is expected to hit 34 Celsius (93 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, while city’s western suburbs could reach 43 C (109 F). Thick smoke that has shrouded views of harbor and Sydney Opera House was also expected. popular celebrations are expected to attract around a million people to Sydney’s famous harbor front and generate 130 million Australian dollars ($91 million) for state’s ecomy.