NOWRA, AUSTRALIA (NYTIMES) - The smoke is still smoldering from the wildfires that ravaged the small seaside town of Broulee, Australia, on New Year's Eve, when sand dunes erupted into flames and entire neighbourhoods were decimated.

Water and food is running low. Shops are taking only cash, and radio is the main source of information. The fires could intensify this weekend, as strong winds and high temperatures threaten to create even more dire conditions in the town and more than a dozen others.