New Zealand and Australia continue to battle wildfires, as high winds and tough terrain hamper efforts.
In New Zealand, several homes had to be evacuated.
Local television reports said a wall of fire 20 metres high raged just several paces away from houses.
Nine fire trucks and local residents were able to bring the blaze under control.
In Australia, around 100 firefighters battled a grass fire near the town of Wilmington in the state of South Australia.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) STATE DIRECTOR, COUNTRY FIRE SERVICE (CFS), BRENTON EDEN, SAYING:
"The wind is not helping us. It's just blowing it all over our breaks. We just can't control it."
Another fire burned in thick scrub on Moreton Island, off the Queensland coast.
The blaze began Wednesday, caused by a gas bottle explosion in a camp ground.
Water bombing helicopters kept the flames away from the nearby community of Cowan.
Travis Brecher, Reuters
