Australia is in flames as bushfires burn freely - and the country's koalas are in the firing line.
Charities say they fear for the population of the animals, with many expected to be killed and displaced by the fires in New South Wales.
Audrey Koosman, of the Native Animal Trust, told ABC: "It is koala country so there's a possibility we have koalas burnt or displaced...a bit fearful we might be finding quite a few koalas."
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Pictures showing rescued koalas with singed bodies have emerged, with firefighters tending to those they rescued.
The fires are the worst for 10 years
Meanwhile, people living in Sydney have been told not to exercise and to stay indoors with the air thick with smoke.
Crews fear the separate blazes could merge, leading one firefighter to warn of a "mega fire".
Fire crews are battling to prevent the blazes from spreading
Concerns were focused on three fires near the city of Lithgow, near the Blue Mountains, thought to be at risk of merging, the BBC reported.
The military is investigating whether a training exercise could have started one of the fires
An 11-year-old boy has been charged with deliberately starting fires, while a 15-year-old boy has also been arrested, according to reports.
Most of the firefighters are volunteers
Australia Bush Fires
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Victorian CFA firefighters help NSW Rural Fire Service firefighters put in containment lines at the Darling Causeway near the township of Bell in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Monday, Oct. 21, 2013. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
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Victorian CFA firefighters help NSW Rural Fire Service firefighters put in containment lines at the Darling Causeway near the township of Bell in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Monday, Oct. 21, 2013. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
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Victorian CFA firefighters help NSW Rural Fire Service firefighters put in containment lines at the Darling Causeway near the township of Bell in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Monday, Oct. 21, 2013. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
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Victorian CFA firefighters help NSW Rural Fire Service firefighters put in containment lines at the Darling Causeway near the township of Bell in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Monday, Oct. 21, 2013. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
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Victorian CFA firefighters help NSW Rural Fire Service firefighters put in containment lines at the Darling Causeway near the township of Bell in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, Monday, Oct. 21, 2013. (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(06 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: Melissa White assists her sister Christie Daschke at her home destroyed by bushfire on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(07 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: A home destroyed by bushfire as seen on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(08 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: A home destroyed by bushfire as seen on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(09 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: The Dunlop's property destroyed by bushfire as seen on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(10 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: Sue Dunlop sits in the front yard of her home of 41 years which was destroyed by bushfire on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(11 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: A home destroyed by bushfire as seen on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(12 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: A home destroyed by bushfire as seen on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(13 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: Lyndon Dunlop stands by his father as they inspect the damage to his grandparent's home of 41 years destroyed by bushfire on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(14 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: Melissa White assists her sister Christie Daschke at her home destroyed by bushfire on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(15 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: Sue Dunlop sits in the front yard of her home of 41 years which was destroyed by bushfire on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(16 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: Lyndon Dunlop inspects the remains of of his grandparent's home of 41 years destroyed by bushfire on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(17 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: A home destroyed by bushfire as seen on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(18 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: Sue Dunlop sits in the front yard of her home of 41 years which was destroyed by bushfire on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(19 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: Tea cups sit on a letterbox at a home destroyed by bushfire as seen on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(20 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: Jake Daschke salvages his car from his home destroyed by bushfire on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(21 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: A home and car destroyed by bushfire as seen on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(22 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: Lyndon Dunlop inspects the remains of of his grandparent's home of 41 years destroyed by bushfire on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(23 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: A bus destroyed by bushfire at the Dunlop's property as seen on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(24 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: Lyndon Dunlop walks in the backyard of of his grandparent's home of 41 years destroyed by bushfire on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(25 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: A home and car destroyed by bushfire as seen on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Residents Returned To Destroyed Homes As Bushfire Conditions Worsen In NSW(26 of35)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 21: A dog walks in the backyard of a home destroyed by bushfire as seen on October 21, 2013 in Winmalee, Australia. One man has died and hundreds of properties have been destroyed in bushfires that are devastating the Blue Mountains and Central Coast regions of New South Wales. (Photo by Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUSTRALIA-WEATHER-FIRE(27 of35)
A burnt out boat (C) sits in front of a house destroyed by bushfires in Winmalee in Sydney's Blue Mountains on October 18, 2013. Residents faced scenes of devastation on October 18 after bushfires ravaged communities and destroyed 'hundreds' of homes in southeastern Australia with dozens of blazes still burning out of control. AFP PHOTO / Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUSTRALIA-WEATHER-FIRE(28 of35)
A couple look at a house burnt out by bushfires in Winmalee in Sydney's Blue Mountains on October 18, 2013. Residents faced scenes of devastation on October 18 after bushfires ravaged communities and destroyed 'hundreds' of homes in southeastern Australia with dozens of blazes still burning out of control. AFP PHOTO / Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUSTRALIA-WEATHER-FIRE(29 of35)
A burnt out boat (C) sits in front of a house destroyed by bushfires in Winmalee in Sydney's Blue Mountains on October 18, 2013. Residents faced scenes of devastation on October 18 after bushfires ravaged communities and destroyed 'hundreds' of homes in southeastern Australia with dozens of blazes still burning out of control. AFP PHOTO / Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUSTRALIA-WEATHER-FIRE(30 of35)
Residents inspect a house burnt out by bushfires in Winmalee in Sydney's Blue Mountains on October 18, 2013. Residents faced scenes of devastation on October 18 after bushfires ravaged communities and destroyed 'hundreds' of homes in southeastern Australia with dozens of blazes still burning out of control. AFP PHOTO / Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUSTRALIA-WEATHER-FIRE(31 of35)
Residents inspect a house burnt out by bushfires in Winmalee in Sydney's Blue Mountains on October 18, 2013. Residents faced scenes of devastation on October 18 after bushfires ravaged communities and destroyed 'hundreds' of homes in southeastern Australia with dozens of blazes still burning out of control. AFP PHOTO / Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUSTRALIA-WEATHER-FIRE(32 of35)
Smoke and ash from wildfires burning across the state of New South Wales blankets a cruise ship in Sydney Harbour on October 17, 2013. Seven major blazes were burning across the state, fanned by high, erratic winds in unseasonably warm 34 Celsius (93 Fahrenheit) weather, with infernos at Springwood and Lithgow in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney sending thick plumes of smoke and ash across the city. AFP PHOTO / Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUSTRALIA-WEATHER-FIRE(33 of35)
Smoke and ash from wildfires burning across the state of New South Wales blankets the Sydney city skyline on October 17, 2013. Seven major blazes were burning across the state, fanned by high, erratic winds in unseasonably warm 34 Celsius (93 Fahrenheit) weather, with infernos at Springwood and Lithgow in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney sending thick plumes of smoke and ash across the city. AFP PHOTO / Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUSTRALIA-WEATHER-FIRE(34 of35)
A plane (C) takes off as smoke and ash from wildfires burning across the state of New South Wales blankets a cruise ship (below) in Sydney Harbour on October 17, 2013. Seven major blazes were burning across the state, fanned by high, erratic winds in unseasonably warm 34 Celsius (93 Fahrenheit) weather, with infernos at Springwood and Lithgow in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney sending thick plumes of smoke and ash across the city. AFP PHOTO / Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
AUSTRALIA-WEATHER-FIRE(35 of35)
Smoke and ash from wildfires burning across the state of New South Wales blankets the Sydney city skyline on October 17, 2013. Seven major blazes were burning across the state, fanned by high, erratic winds in unseasonably warm 34 Celsius (93 Fahrenheit) weather, with infernos at Springwood and Lithgow in the Blue Mountains west of Sydney sending thick plumes of smoke and ash across the city. AFP PHOTO / Greg WOOD (Photo credit should read GREG WOOD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)