Thousands were given less than 48 hours to evacuate coastal communities in Australia’s New South Wales and Victoria states because of bushfires.

The local authorities warned about possible deterioration of the situation in the next few days.

Five helicopters and two vessels of the Australian navy headed to the region to supply water and fuel.

Forest fires have been raging in Australia since September. Flame engulfs over 5.5 million hectares, a larger area than the territory of Denmark or the Netherlands. The spread of fire is promoted by high temperature and strong wind.

The fires killed at least 17 people in New South Wales and destroyed almost 1,300 buildings. Seventeen people are missing in Victoria.