‘Too Late to Leave’: Bushfires out of Control Across Southeast Australia, 2 More Killed

The national death toll since September is 23, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said

Heavy smoke shrouds yachts moored at Batemans Bay, New South Wales, Australia, on Jan. 4, 2020. AAP Image/Dean Lewins/via Reuters

SYDNEY/MELBOURNE—Bushfires were burning dangerously out of control on Australia’s east coast on Saturday, fueled by soaring temperatures and strong winds that had firefighters battling to save lives and property.

Authorities have said conditions could be worse than New Year’s Eve on Tuesday, when fires burnt massive tracts of bushland and forced thousands of residents and summer holidaymakers to seek refuge on beaches.