PEOPLE from Herefordshire now living in Australia have told of their fears as devastating wildfires ravage parts of the country.

Thousands of people have fled to beaches as the country's most devastating wildfire season on record contines to rage.

Christopher Morris was born in Hereford in 1956 before he moved to Wollongong in New South Wales in 1971.

"We have fires north, south and west of us at the moment," he said.

"Although we often experience extreme conditions of drought, flood and fire on a seasonal basis, these are the worst fires I've seen in my 48 years living here.

"I was a volunteer firefighter for 15 years, so I know what the services are going through."

Ivor Benjamin, originally from Ross-on-Wye, now lives in the Adelaide Hills after emigrating.

Although he has not suffered personally from the fires, he said a thick smoke haze surrounds the area. Thankfully, the temperatures have fallen and the blaze near his home now under control.

"It's a very scary time," he said.

"The volunteer firefighters are doing a brilliant job under extreme conditions my thanks and prayers go out to them this festive season.

"Due to the extreme conditions we've now got a koala taking refuge in a tree in our backyard, and we're giving it water.

"It's very humbling when a wild animal trusts you to let you help them in their time of need. There are a lot of people putting their lives at risk to help others.

Maureen Passey, from Leominster, moved to Mackay in Queensland in 1981, when she was in her twenties.

She said 200 millilitres of rain saved the area from devastation over Christmas.

"It was excellent and saved the area from fire. We just want rain to come around the country as it's our saviour right now," she said.

One of the largest evacuations in Australia's history began ahead of recent hot weather and strong winds. Conditions are currently more benign, but temperatures are forecast to rise again later this week.

More than 200 fires had been burning and warnings of extreme danger to come prompted mass evacuations.

Traffic was gridlocked as people fled and firefighters escorted convoys of evacuees as fires threatened to close roads.