Sydney's skies went dark when five major blazes in the state of New South Wales spewed ash and smoke.
The fires were thought to have started when a power line came down in strong winds. In all, the state was battling 95 fires, 34 of them out of control.
Authorities feared the fires destroyed hundreds of homes, according to Agence France-Presse. No one has died from the wildfires so far, although one firefighter was injured.
Wildfires are common during Australia's summer months, December through Feburary. Authorites expected a bad season due to little rainfall and hot, dry weather ahead.