By Calla Wahlquist (now) Helen Davidson (earlier)
Exhausted firefighters continue to battle Kangaroo Island fires while there are fears bushfires could merge in NSW and Victoria as extreme weather forecast. Follow the latest news and live updates
1.24am GMT
This message just came through from the UK High Commission:
A team of UK experts is travelling to Australia to scope how the UK can best contribute to the Australian response to the unprecedented bushfires causing devastation across the country.
Australia is one of our strongest and oldest friends and we are utterly distraught about the devastation caused by these catastrophic bushfires – including the tragic loss of life and of precious biodiversity.
Despite being on opposite sides of the world, our bond is a close one, and we will do all that is possible to help them respond to and recover from this tragic situation.
1.08am GMT
Emergency Victoria just issued an updated evacuation warning for communities northwest of the Abbeyard fire.
The communities of Dandongadale, Merriang South, Mount Buffalo, Buffalo River and Nug Nug have been advised to evacuate ahead of fire and ember attacks.
Bushfire – Evacuate Now for 8Km ESE Of Abbeyard. For more info: https://t.co/a2IgDMVstD #vicfires
