Several Australian cities cancel fireworks on New Year's Eve as fire danger worsens

New Year's Eve fireworks in Australia's capital city, Canberra have been cancelled as the wildfire danger worsens in the oppressive summer heat, and pressure is building up for Sydney's iconic celebrations to be similarly scrapped.

Meanwhile, Soaring temperatures and strong winds have sparked new fires in the Australian state of Victoria, where tens of thousands of people were urged to



flee.

The worsening weather started blazes and fanned existing ones across the nation's south-east today. Crews across four states were bracing for a day of extreme fire danger.

More than 100 blazes continue to rage across Australia.

Extreme fire warnings have been issued for the states of Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania.