A bushfire is raging near one of Australia’s most famous beaches, with smoke plumes crowding the horizon.
The out-of-control flames have already burned through 140 hectares of land next to North Belongil beach in Byron Bay, encroaching on residential streets.
Firefighters are entering the second day of trying to control the flames which are burning about 5km northwest of Byron Bay between Bayshore Drive, Black Rock Road and Ewingsdale Road.
Residents and tourists are urged to continue to monitor conditions and check in with the RFS website for updated alerts.
The fire danger in the north of NSW soared to extreme levels on Monday with a total fire ban in place.
An aerial video of the fire zone uses thermal imaging to show the vast stretch of land where the fire is burning and its proximity to the coast.
Beachgoers shared startling images to social media on Sunday showing thick dark plumes of smoke rising from the bushland that backs onto Byron’s famous coastline.