Precious koalas in the Blue Mountains have been saved from a bushfire that is burning out of control in the region.
Firefighters are taking advantage of easing conditions in NSW before a record-breaking heatwave grips the state.
But across the other side of the continent, exhausted fireys in Western Australia have now been in the middle of a bushfire emergency for a week.
Follow our live blog for updates throughout the day and our interactive fire map below.
A statewide Total Fire Ban has been declared across NSW, with dangerous fire conditions forecast over coming days.
The four-day ban has been declared from midnight tonight to Saturday 21st December due to hot and dry conditions across the state.
Thursday and Saturday are forecast to be two of the hottest December days on record.
Taronga Wildlife Hospital has teamed up with Science for Wildlife for a "daring rescue" of wild koalas directly in the path of a Blue Mountains bushfire.
A population of significant wild koalas in Kanangra-Boyd National Park koalas are directly in the path of a bushfire that is currently burning out of control across more than 140,000ha, and a group of them are now in emergency housing.
The three adult male koalas and five adult females – four of which have joeys – are being cared for behind-the-scenes at Taronga Zoo until it is safe to release them back to the wild.
“We are committed to caring for these important koalas to ensure some of this vital genetic diversity from the Blue Mountains can be preserved and that the future of this iconic species is secured,” says Nick Boyle, Taronga Conservation Society’s Director of Welfare, Conservation and Science.
“This week’s forecast has multiple days above 40 degrees in western Sydney with gusty and changeable winds, so it was important that we rescued these animals from impending danger.”
More bushfires are predicted in the area over the next week.
Climate experts have released footage showing the scale of wildfires that raged across our planet in 2019.
Dangerous and fast-spreading fires scorched massive areas of land on almost every continent.
The clip, which came courtesy of Europe's Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), shows 12 months' worth of fires across the planet in a 92-second clip.
Flames can be seen lighting up various states and territories across Australia throughout, ending with the east coast up in flames towards the end of the clip.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rsqpR0aGvY
"It has been an extremely busy year for CAMS regarding the monitoring of wildfires," said Mark Parrington, Senior Scientist at CAMS.
"Throughout the year we have been closely watching the intensity of the fires and the smoke they emit all around the world and have experienced at times some quite exceptional fire activity.
"Even in places where we would expect to see fires at certain points of the year, some of the activity has been surprising.
"Our monitoring is important in raising awareness of the wider-scale impacts of wildfires and their smoke emissions so that organisations, businesses and individuals can be informed and plan against the potential effects of air pollution."
Residents in the Queensland towns of Promisedland and Pine Creek have been told to be ready to leave.
The bushfire is at Watch and Act level.
"Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) advises there is a bushfire in Promisedland and conditions could get worse," QFES said just before 12pm local time today.
"You need to be ready to follow your bushfire survival plan. If you do not have a plan, or intend to leave, you should be ready to leave the area because the situation could get worse quickly.
"Currently as at 11.45am, a large bushfire is burning in the Elliott River State Forest and west of Phillips Road, in the vicinity of Erskine Road, Promisedland.
"There are multiple fronts of the fire travelling in a north and a north-westerly direction.
"The fire has already impacted Erskine Road and is likely to impact to Crosswells Road and Sully Dowdings Road. The fire could have a significant impact on the community.
"Residents of Steemsons Road, Svensons Road, Pine Creek Road, Voss Road and Webbers Road should stay informed.
"Residents who have previously self-evacuated from Erskine Road are advised it is currently safe to return to their homes however they should remain alert as conditions could change quickly.
"Fire crews and HQ Plantations are working to contain the fire but firefighters may not be able to protect every property.
"You should not expect a firefighter at your door.
"Water bombing aircraft will also be working in the area.
"Smoke will affect the area, including the Isis Highway (also known as Childers Road), which will reduce visibility and air quality.
"Motorists should drive with caution and to conditions."
As large swathes of NSW burn, a Sydney park has decided to forget its usual Christmas tree.
Sydneysiders passing by Wynyard Park this Christmas will instead see 'The Burnt Tree', an art installation symbolising the devastation of Australia's bushfire season.
The tree is crafted by DDB Australia and artist James Dive with materials from bushfire-affected areas including destroyed ceiling fans, bicycles and furniture.
It symbolises not only the devastation caused by the fires but also the resilience of the communities that have been impacted.
The tree also has a tap-and-go EFTPOS code attached to the bottom where commuters and passers-by can donate to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6JYjOwg4wu
"I hope that this poignant reminder of the tragic impact of the fires encourages people to stop and reflect, and to give generously wherever possible," Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
Former Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins has refused to comment on rumours Prime Minister Scott Morrison is on holiday in Hawaii while much of Australia burns, telling reporters the government "isn't doing much anyway".
Mr Mullins founded a coalition of 29 former emergency services bosses called Emergency Leaders for Climate Action.
Greg Mullins (centre) has called for a national approach. Picture: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
The group is calling for a national summit to fill the “leadership vacuum” left by the Morrison government.
“I hope the prime minister will suddenly show some national leadership and say ‘Yes, I get it and I can see it and we’ll get people together to deal with the crisis’,” he told AAP.
“But I don’t see any suggestion that’s going to happen. They really are missing in action.”
The rumour mill went into overdrive on Monday after Greens MP David Shoebridge sent out a tweet claiming the PM was in Hawaii.
It's since been confirmed the prime minister is on holiday with his wife and two girls but claims Mr Morrison is in Hawaii have been dismissed as "wrong".
Speaking to reporters this afternoon, Mr Mullins said "everybody needs a holiday" but that he was not going to comment on what Mr Morrison was doing.
"Frankly, the federal government is not doing much in this space anyway so I don't think it really matters," Mr Mullins said.
The former FRNSW chief described Australia's situation as a "fire catastrophe" and called for a national approach.
"There should've been a national government stepping up to this but they're not. So we will," he said.
RFS deputy commissioner Rob Rogers has described the potential of a bushfire spreading to a nearby coal mine as "the last thing we need" as firefighters work to gain the upper hand before the heatwave hits on Thursday.
In a press conference this afternoon, Mr Rogers said the fire was still a few kilometres away from the Springvale coal mine in the Blue Mountains region.
"That fire is some kilometres away but we are concerned about that," Mr Rogers said.
"Crews on the ground are maintaining obviously close monitoring of that fire because the last thing we need is for that to get into coal areas or worse.
"It is a critical facility and as such, fire agencies will do whatever they can to keep fire out of that area."
The Springvale coal mine near Lithgow in 2017.
Greenpeace issued a statement yesterday as the RFS warned of the fire approaching Wallerawang, which is close to the operating Springvale coal mine as well as an abandoned power station.
Greenpeace noted the town of Blackmans Flat was “immediately adjacent” to the Mount Piper Power Station which has large stockpiles of flammable coal.
“Obviously workers are at extreme risk as well as the community living nearby, as if any coal caught alight it would likely burn for weeks,” communications manager Nelli Stevenson said.
Two total fire bans are in place for NSW today as firefighters try to gain the upper hand before the heatwave hits later this week.
The RFS is asking everyone to be on alert as higher fire danger is forecast for Thursday.
Thousands of properties have been saved from an out-of-control bushfire north of Perth, but lives and homes remain under threat.
Firefighters have been battling bushfires for almost a week in Western Australia.
The blaze north of Perth has already burnt through more than 8,500 hectares.
Last night, a separate emergency was downgraded for a blaze which had been threatening homes in Woodridge, Seatrees and Breakwater Estates, north of Perth, for six days.
A fire burns in Yanchep, Western Australia. Picture: DFES/Evan Collis
The fire is stationary and contained, allowing some evacuated residents to return home.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Department of Fire and Emergency Services assistant commissioner Brad Stringer said yesterday.
“We’ve had really unusual fluctuating breezes – that has just not helped us over the last few days.
“But if we still go through to the end of business today and early tomorrow, I’ll be quite happy that we can actually get communities back where they need to be.”
The Woodridge fire has destroyed almost 13,000 hectares and is being battled by more than 300 firefighters, down from a peak of 400.
They have worked in record-breaking heatwave conditions to save more than 6000 homes, with Perth sweltering through three consecutive days above 40C on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Temperatures have since eased but there is still a risk of flare-ups as winds strengthen.
One house was razed within the first few hours of the fire and a petrol station was also destroyed.
Western Power said more than 150 power poles and 10 kilometres of powerlines have been wiped out, and more than 250 properties are without power.
The utility has sent more than 70 workers to reconstruct the network. Evacuation centres have been set up at Gumblossom Community Centre in Quinns Rocks and at Granville Civic Centre in Gingin.
Four schools in the area were closed but are expected to re-open today.
A “watch and act” alert is in place for some surrounding areas including Guilderton.
The Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre has warned large swathes of Australia are facing a long and challenging fire season into 2020.
This is due to a combination of severely dry conditions, high temperatures and low humidity.
The entire eastern third of NSW is facing an above-normal fire potential.
It has already been a challenging fire season for fireys across the country but this is expected to get even worse as the country enters summer.
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