Queensland:
An emergency situation was declared in the Australian state of Queensland as fierce wildfires continued to burn on Saturday, destroying properties and forcing residents to be evacuated from their homes, officials said.
The blaze at Mount Archer National Park near Rockhampton in Central Queensland flared up late on Saturday, forcing frantic residents to flee.
Fire crews had been battling the large wildfire for several days.
At least one home was lost to the fire overnight, and sheds and playground equipment were destroyed at a school, Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
One local resident who has lived in the area for nearly 70 years said it was the worst fire she had ever seen.
The Queensland Fire and Rescue Service believed the fire may have been deliberately lit, local media reported.
Firefighters were hoping showers and thunderstorms forecast for Sunday will help them contain the blaze.
Meanwhile, wildfires continued to burn in the states of New South Wales and Western Australia, but no property or lives were under threat.
A total fire ban remained in place in Queensland until Monday, but this may be extended if dangerous fire conditions continue.