Sydney, Dec 29 (TIWN) Australian authorities on Sunday asked thousands of tourists and residents to evacuate a popular natural area in the southeast of the country due to forest fires.

Victoria state fire chief Chris Hardman urged anyone in the East Gippsland forests to leave the area immediately in the face of the danger of fires amid high temperatures, reports Efe news.  "The message today if you are in Forests or Parks in East Gippsland time to Leave Now, the large fires in the landscapes will get much bigger tomorrow," he tweeted.