Stinging criticism has forced the Australian Prime Minister to cut short a holiday in Hawaii, as rampant bushfires swallow up large chunks of New South Wales.
Scott Morrison's return follows the deaths of two firefighters, killed when a falling tree struck their truck as it travelled through the front line of a fire.
And now his government is being accused of gutting resources available to deal with the blazes.
The New South Wales Union boss for firefighters Leighton Drury says the fires are hotter, bigger and more ferocious than ever.
He says funding cuts are putting communities in danger.
