Scores of wildfires raged in heatwave conditions across much of drought-parched Australia on Saturday.
Townships in Tasmania, an island off Australia's south coast, remained on high alert. Some residents were forced to flee their homes and national parks and reserves were closed.
Fires also broke out in the west of the country, with around 80 firefighters battling to contain a massive blaze in Perth.
- Australia's heatwave to bake New Zealand
- Melbourne melts: Temperatures hit record levels across Australia
- Roads melt around New Zealand under brutal summer heat
Bureau of Meteorology forecasters say this January is on track to become Australia's hottest January on record with heatwave conditions likely to persist.
Last year was Australia's third-warmest on record.
APTN
