Australian bushfires have destroyed an area the size of Japan

A fire tornado overturned a firetruck and killed a 28-year-old volunteer firefighter on Monday. Lightning strikes have also sparked blazes in the eastern states which have been enduring a long drought with tinder-dry conditions.

And in Sydney ahead of the New Year's Eve Harbour Bridge fireworks smoke has cloaked the city. But authorities say despite public calls for them to be canceled in solidarity with fire-hit areas, they'll go ahead as planned.

VIDEO: REUTERS

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