Smouldering trees line the road in Australia's New South Wales.<br/> <br />Massive wildfires have raged in large areas of the country after a searing heatwave caused temperatures to soar.<br/> <br />Earlier this week, officials declared five areas of New South Wales "catastrophic", meaning that if fires ignite they cannot be controlled.<br/> <br />Crews near the state's rural town of Bogan Gate were still battling several wildfires on Wednesday (January 9).<br/> <br />In the nearby state of Victoria, fast moving grass fire devastated several homes and buildings, leaving only remains in its wake.<br/> <br />Officials hope the situation may ease as temperatures become cooler in the south-east.<br/> <br />But any respite may only last a few days, before the heatwave returns.<br/> <br />Forecasters predict temperatures of up to 54 degrees Celsius (129 Fahrenheit) in central Australia next Monday (January 14).
