After three more bodies were found on Wednesday at Lake Conjola in New South Wales, at least 18 people have died in Australia since the fire season began.
People had a late change of wind direction in, a small town on the Victoria and New South Wales border, to thank for the fires that didn't reach them.
Mark Tregellas, one of about 4,000 people who had to sleep on a beach, said: "The fire just kept growing. The black went down and I couldn't see the hand in front of my face."
"Then it started to glow bright, and we realized that the fire was coming, He added.” "Thankfully, the wind changed and the fire moved away."
People and visitors were rushing to get supplies in Ulladulla, a small coastal town south of Sydney.
Outside any shops there were long lines that remained open on New Year's Day.
Buildings were destroyed in Cobargo's New South Wales region.
Because roads are unavailable, extra firefighters are also being brought in by helicopter.
Choppers were already out on New Year's Day, one rescuing at least one person from Mallacoota and another saving three people from the New South Wales town of Moruya.
The supply mission is scheduled to last two weeks, and a ship and two helicopters were also sent by gas company Esso.
Navy ships and helicopters were mobilized to provide people trapped in bushfires with essential supplies in Australia.
On Thursday, two boats will enter the east coast of Victoria and will also evacuate people who are still stranded on beaches after being driven out of their homes.
The deployed navy ships will be stationed off Mallacoota's coast, from where water, food, fuel and other supplies will be transported to other nearby towns.
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