Thousands of people have been trapped as wildfires rage in Australia.
They've had to settle on a beach in Mallacoota in Victoria, with many resorting to wearing goggles and breathing masks.
Meanwhile, a father and son have been killed by fires in New South Wales, bringing the death toll to 12.
Fire chief Steve Warrington says it's too late for any land evacuation;
"It is simply too late and too dangerous to leave
"So many of these areas, these roads, wind through heavily forested areas, tall timber, dangerous vegetation
"The last thing we want is for people to be isolated and trapped on roadways", he claimed.
Incredible - and frightening - photos are emerging from Mallacoota, a small town in the East Gippsland region of Victoria, where about 4000 people are sheltering near water, protected by CFA tankers. Visit @theage's live blog for updates: https://t.co/VAPFn2Yc20 #vicfires pic.twitter.com/BV8JZqmvBU
— The Sydney Morning Herald (@smh) December 31, 2019
Reporter Francesca Winterson told ABC the latest:
"We have got blustering winds, we're surrounded by red sky, choking dust, choking smoke and embers falling on the town
"We're completely isolated", she claimed.
