The fires have burned out more than 200,000 hectares (495,000 acres) of land and left a pall of smoke over Australia's second largest city [Melbourne].
...
Environment department spokesman Stuart Ord said crews were being stretched by trying to tackle fast-moving fires on several fronts in extreme conditions.
"There is no doubt the fire will hit settlements, the question is which ones?" he said.
From the BBC and the Age.
