Thousands of firefighters in southern Australia were on alert today over fears that strong winds and dry conditions could whip still-burning wildfires into a dangerous new threat to residents.

Princess Anne joined Australia’s leaders today as the nation held a national day of mourning for the victims of wildfires that killed hundreds.

Survivors from Australian towns razed by the worst wildfires in the country’s history returned to their homes for the first time today to be confronted by utter devastation.

With rescue teams finding new corpses by the hour, the Australian wildfire death toll was expected to soar past 200 today.