(CNN) Australians are facing a terrifying start to the new year, as bushfires rip through popular tourist spots on the country's southeast coast, forcing thousands of people to take refuge on nearby beaches.

Idyllic coastal towns packed with tourists planning to ring in 2020 were cast in apocalyptic red on Tuesday, as smoke blotted out the sun.

In the town of Mallacoota, which lies on the easternmost edge of the state of Victoria and is a well-known family camping spot, around 4,000 people fled to beaches, authorities said.

"There's no way in or out," Mallacoota resident Jason Selmes told CNN after evacuating his home.

Another tourist, Ida Dempsey and her family from Melbourne, fled to their boat which was moored about 200 meters (656 feet) from the shore.

In this handout photo from NASA's Aqua satellite, destructive bushfires are seen off the coast of New South Wales on November 7.

In this handout photo from NASA's Aqua satellite, destructive bushfires are seen off the coast of New South Wales on November 7.

The sun is seen through heavy smoke as a bushfire burns in Woodford.

The sun is seen through heavy smoke as a bushfire burns in Woodford.

Police knock on the door of a house to warn residents of an out-of-control bushfire near Clumber on November 8.

Police knock on the door of a house to warn residents of an out-of-control bushfire near Clumber on November 8.

Firefighters try to put out a bushfire in Woodford on November 8.

Firefighters try to put out a bushfire in Woodford on November 8.

The remains of a property are seen in Bobin on November 9.

The remains of a property are seen in Bobin on November 9.

Fires burn in the distance as children play on a beach in Forster on November 9.

Fires burn in the distance as children play on a beach in Forster on November 9.

This aerial photo, taken on November 9, shows bushfires in the northeastern part New South Wales.

This aerial photo, taken on November 9, shows bushfires in the northeastern part New South Wales.

A lone joey is pictured on a scorched patch of ground in Torrington on November 11.

A lone joey is pictured on a scorched patch of ground in Torrington on November 11.

Smoke from the Gulf Road Fire fills the air in Glen Innes on November 11.

Smoke from the Gulf Road Fire fills the air in Glen Innes on November 11.

Andrew Mackenzie surveys the damage to the area around his home in Torrington. His home was spared, but his neighbors' house was burned to the ground.

Andrew Mackenzie surveys the damage to the area around his home in Torrington. His home was spared, but his neighbors' house was burned to the ground.

A fire and rescue team inspects damage around the village of Torrington on November 11.

A fire and rescue team inspects damage around the village of Torrington on November 11.

A firefighter mops up after a bushfire in the Sydney suburb of Llandilo on November 12.

A firefighter mops up after a bushfire in the Sydney suburb of Llandilo on November 12.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison looks at a screen as he gets a briefing on the bushfire situation on November 12.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison looks at a screen as he gets a briefing on the bushfire situation on November 12.

Residents look on as thick smoke rises from bushfires near Nana Glen on November 12.

Residents look on as thick smoke rises from bushfires near Nana Glen on November 12.

Teresa de Ruyter, left, and Michelle Wilson embrace after returning to their homes near Nana Glen on November 13.

Teresa de Ruyter, left, and Michelle Wilson embrace after returning to their homes near Nana Glen on November 13.

Warren Smith pats his dog after returning to find his house destroyed near Nana Glen on November 13.

Warren Smith pats his dog after returning to find his house destroyed near Nana Glen on November 13.

Firefighters organize their crews prior to working on controlled back burns in Sydney on November 14.

Firefighters organize their crews prior to working on controlled back burns in Sydney on November 14.

A man uses a wet towel to help put out flames near the town of Taree on November 14.

A man uses a wet towel to help put out flames near the town of Taree on November 14.

An injured koala receives treatment after its rescue from a bushfire at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital on November 19. The hospital said the fires have "decimated" the area, which is a key habitat and breeding ground for the marsupials. More than 350 koalas are feared to have been killed by bushfires in NSW, according to animal experts.

A bushfire burns out of control in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales on December 2,

A bushfire burns out of control in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales on December 2,

People are seen wearing face masks to protect against the poor air quality in Sydney on December 5.

People are seen wearing face masks to protect against the poor air quality in Sydney on December 5.

People join a guided climb of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as bushfire haze darkens the sky on December 6.

People join a guided climb of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as bushfire haze darkens the sky on December 6.

A smoke haze blankets Bondi Beach as the air quality index reaches higher than ten times hazardous levels in some suburbs of Sydney on December 10.

A smoke haze blankets Bondi Beach as the air quality index reaches higher than ten times hazardous levels in some suburbs of Sydney on December 10.

A landscape of burnt trees is pictured after a bushfire at Mount Weison, in the Blue Mountains, on Wednesday, December 18.

A landscape of burnt trees is pictured after a bushfire at Mount Weison, in the Blue Mountains, on Wednesday, December 18.

Children swing into the Penrith river during a heatwave in Sydney on December 19.

Children swing into the Penrith river during a heatwave in Sydney on December 19.

Police disperse demonstrators during a climate protest near Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's official residence in Sydney, on December 19, during his absence on an overseas holiday, as bushfires burned across the region.

Police disperse demonstrators during a climate protest near Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's official residence in Sydney, on December 19, during his absence on an overseas holiday, as bushfires burned across the region.

Fire and rescue personnel monitor a bushfire as it burns near homes on the outskirts of Bilpin on Thursday, December 19.

Fire and rescue personnel monitor a bushfire as it burns near homes on the outskirts of Bilpin on Thursday, December 19.

A charred bicycle lies on the ground in front of a house destroyed by bushfires on the outskirts of Bargo on December 21.

A charred bicycle lies on the ground in front of a house destroyed by bushfires on the outskirts of Bargo on December 21.

Tributes for volunteer firemen Andrew O'Dwyer and Geoffrey Keaton are seen at Horsley Park Rural Fire Brigade in Sydney, Australia, on December 22. It's believed they were killed when their vehicle hit a tree before rolling off the road, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service said in a statement

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is briefed by fire officials at New South Wales Rural Fire Service control room in Sydney on December 22. Morrison arrived back in Sydney amid criticism after taking a family holiday to Hawaii during the bushfire emergency.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) captured this satellite image of the historic bushfires burning across Australia on December 26.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) captured this satellite image of the historic bushfires burning across Australia on December 26.

Children evacuated from areas affected by bushfires play at the showgrounds in the southern New South Wales town of Bega on December 31.

Children evacuated from areas affected by bushfires play at the showgrounds in the southern New South Wales town of Bega on December 31.

Firefighters hose down trees as they battle against bushfires around the town of Nowra in the Australian state of New South Wales on December 31, 2019. Thousands of holidaymakers and locals were forced to flee to beaches in fire-ravaged southeast Australia on December 31, as blazes ripped through popular tourist areas leaving no escape by land.

Firefighters hose down trees as they battle against bushfires around the town of Nowra in the Australian state of New South Wales on December 31, 2019. Thousands of holidaymakers and locals were forced to flee to beaches in fire-ravaged southeast Australia on December 31, as blazes ripped through popular tourist areas leaving no escape by land.

Cars line up as people evacuate the town of Batemans Bay in New South Wales on January 2.

Cars line up as people evacuate the town of Batemans Bay in New South Wales on January 2.

Boats are pulled ashore as smoke and wildfires rage on January 2 behind Lake Conjola.

Boats are pulled ashore as smoke and wildfires rage on January 2 behind Lake Conjola.

Royal Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons presents a posthumous Commendation for Bravery and Service on January 2 to the son of RFS volunteer Geoffrey Keaton, who was killed battling bushfires , at Keaton's funeral in Buxton, New South Wales.

Evacuees board the Royal Australian Navy's MV Sycamore on January 3 in Mallacoota, Victoria, Australia. Navy ships plucked hundreds of people from beaches and tens of thousands were urged to flee before hot weather and strong winds in the forecast worsen Australia's already devastating wildfires.

Evacuees board the Royal Australian Navy's MV Sycamore on January 3 in Mallacoota, Victoria, Australia. Navy ships plucked hundreds of people from beaches and tens of thousands were urged to flee before hot weather and strong winds in the forecast worsen Australia's already devastating wildfires.

Nancy Allen stands outside her house as high winds push smoke and ash from the Currowan Fire toward Nowra in New South Wales on January 4.

Nancy Allen stands outside her house as high winds push smoke and ash from the Currowan Fire toward Nowra in New South Wales on January 4.

A Royal Australian Navy crew unload luggage as evacuees from Mallacoota arrive aboard the MV Sycamore on January 4 at the port of Hastings, Australia.

A Royal Australian Navy crew unload luggage as evacuees from Mallacoota arrive aboard the MV Sycamore on January 4 at the port of Hastings, Australia.

A father holds his daughter as the skies above turn red during the day on January 4 in Mallacoota, Australia. Many parents with young children were stuck in Mallacoota after flights were grounded because of smoke and only school-aged children and older were allowed to evacuate by boat.

A father holds his daughter as the skies above turn red during the day on January 4 in Mallacoota, Australia. Many parents with young children were stuck in Mallacoota after flights were grounded because of smoke and only school-aged children and older were allowed to evacuate by boat.

This satellite image provided by NASA on Saturday, January 4, shows smoke from fires burning in Victoria and New South Wales.

This satellite image provided by NASA on Saturday, January 4, shows smoke from fires burning in Victoria and New South Wales.

The flight deck of a C-130J Hercules is lit by the red glow of the fires below as the aircrew attempts to land in Merimbula to drop off fire and rescue crews to assist fighting the bushfires on January 5.

The flight deck of a C-130J Hercules is lit by the red glow of the fires below as the aircrew attempts to land in Merimbula to drop off fire and rescue crews to assist fighting the bushfires on January 5.

A man walks past ash from bushfires washed up on a beach in Merimbula on January 5.

A man walks past ash from bushfires washed up on a beach in Merimbula on January 5.

A Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk "Romeo" helicopter refuels onboard HMAS Adelaide during Operation Bushfire Assist, on Sunday, January 5, in this image provided by the Australian Department of Defence. HMAS Adelaide and army reserve forces have been assisting with bushfire evacuations on the southern coast of New South Wales.

A Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk "Romeo" helicopter refuels onboard HMAS Adelaide during Operation Bushfire Assist, on Sunday, January 5, in this image provided by the Australian Department of Defence. HMAS Adelaide and army reserve forces have been assisting with bushfire evacuations on the southern coast of New South Wales.

A resident throws a bucket of water onto a smoldering tree on his property on Monday, January 6, in Wingello, Australia.

A resident throws a bucket of water onto a smoldering tree on his property on Monday, January 6, in Wingello, Australia.

Charlotte O'Dwyer, the young daughter of Rural Fire Service volunteer Andrew O'Dwyer, wears her father's helmet during his funeral after being presented with a service medal in his honor by RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons on Tuesday, January 7, in Sydney.

Charlotte O'Dwyer, the young daughter of Rural Fire Service volunteer Andrew O'Dwyer, wears her father's helmet during his funeral after being presented with a service medal in his honor by RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons on Tuesday, January 7, in Sydney.

Stephenie Bailey is embraced on Wednesday, January 8, as she describes the impact the bushfires have had on her farm in Batlow.

Stephenie Bailey is embraced on Wednesday, January 8, as she describes the impact the bushfires have had on her farm in Batlow.

A firefighter backs away from flames after lighting a controlled burn near Tomerong on January 8.

A firefighter backs away from flames after lighting a controlled burn near Tomerong on January 8.

A small wave of black water full of burned debris breaks at a beach at Eden on January 9.

A small wave of black water full of burned debris breaks at a beach at Eden on January 9.

Lisa Poulsen tends to her Clydesdale horse, Jake, on January 9. Jake suffered burn injuries in a bushfire on December 31.

Lisa Poulsen tends to her Clydesdale horse, Jake, on January 9. Jake suffered burn injuries in a bushfire on December 31.

An aerial view shows a track running through trees that were scorched by bushfires in East Gippsland, Australia, on Thursday, January 9.

An aerial view shows a track running through trees that were scorched by bushfires in East Gippsland, Australia, on Thursday, January 9.

Protesters march through downtown Melbourne on Friday, January 10, in response to the ongoing bushfire crisis.

Protesters march through downtown Melbourne on Friday, January 10, in response to the ongoing bushfire crisis.

A vehicle makes its way through thick fog mixed with bushfire smoke in the Ruined Castle area of the Blue Mountains on January 11.

A vehicle makes its way through thick fog mixed with bushfire smoke in the Ruined Castle area of the Blue Mountains on January 11.

Pictures of firefighters are projected onto the Sydney Opera House on January 11.

Pictures of firefighters are projected onto the Sydney Opera House on January 11.

Bonnie Morris and sister Raemi Morris look on as their family and firefighters battle bushfires at the edge of their family farm in Karatta on Saturday, January 11.

Bonnie Morris and sister Raemi Morris look on as their family and firefighters battle bushfires at the edge of their family farm in Karatta on Saturday, January 11.

Debris remains where houses stood in the Australian village of Wingello on January 13.

Debris remains where houses stood in the Australian village of Wingello on January 13.

Properties damaged and destroyed by fire are seen in Nerrigundah, Australia, on Monday, January 13.

Properties damaged and destroyed by fire are seen in Nerrigundah, Australia, on Monday, January 13.

A smoky haze from bushfires hovers over the Melbourne skyline ahead of the Australian Open tennis tournament on Tuesday, January 14. Poor air quality disrupted the qualifying rounds of the tournament.

Lt. Kynan Lang from the 10th/27th Battalion visits the scene where his uncle and cousin died in a bushfire on Australia's Kangaroo Island.

Lt. Kynan Lang from the 10th/27th Battalion visits the scene where his uncle and cousin died in a bushfire on Australia's Kangaroo Island.

Veterinarian Ludo Valenza holds two grey-headed flying foxes, which were being treated for bushfire injuries at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital in Beerwah, Australia, on Wednesday, January 15.

Veterinarian Ludo Valenza holds two grey-headed flying foxes, which were being treated for bushfire injuries at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital in Beerwah, Australia, on Wednesday, January 15.

A firefighter battles the Morton Fire as it consumes a home near Bundanoon on January 23.

A firefighter battles the Morton Fire as it consumes a home near Bundanoon on January 23.

The Parliament House in Canberra is blanketed by bushfire smoke on January 23.

The Parliament House in Canberra is blanketed by bushfire smoke on January 23.

Firefighters battle the Morton Fire as it burns a home near Bundanoon, Australia, on January 23.

Firefighters battle the Morton Fire as it burns a home near Bundanoon, Australia, on January 23.

A young koala named Jeremy receives medical attention for burns at the Healesville Sanctuary in Badger Creek, Australia, on January 23.

A young koala named Jeremy receives medical attention for burns at the Healesville Sanctuary in Badger Creek, Australia, on January 23.

Flying embers are seen in this long-exposure photo from Moruya on Thursday, January 23.

Flying embers are seen in this long-exposure photo from Moruya on Thursday, January 23.

People embrace near the scene of a water tanker plane crash in Cooma, Australia, on Thursday, January 23. Three American crew members died in the crash.

An airplane dumps fire retardant behind houses at the foot of Mount Tennent as fire creeps through the Namadgi National Park in Canberra on Thursday, January 30.

An airplane dumps fire retardant behind houses at the foot of Mount Tennent as fire creeps through the Namadgi National Park in Canberra on Thursday, January 30.

In this long-exposure photo, a car's taillights streak at left as a wildfire glows at dusk near Clear Range, Australia, on Friday, January 31.

In this long-exposure photo, a car's taillights streak at left as a wildfire glows at dusk near Clear Range, Australia, on Friday, January 31.

A bushfire burns near the town of Bumbalong, south of Canberra on February 2.

A bushfire burns near the town of Bumbalong, south of Canberra on February 2.

Animal rescuer Marcus Fillinger carries a burned kangaroo on February 4 in Peak View, Australia. Fillinger tranquilized the wounded animal for transport to a recovery center.

Animal rescuer Marcus Fillinger carries a burned kangaroo on February 4 in Peak View, Australia. Fillinger tranquilized the wounded animal for transport to a recovery center.

Dozens of fires continue to burn out of control in the states of Victoria and New South Wales (NSW). Thousands more people were forced to evacuate their homes along the NSW coast on Tuesday, which is dotted with small beach towns popular with holiday-makers over the Christmas season.

In Batemans Bay, NSW, hundreds of families fled their homes Tuesday under an eerie orange sky. "It was like we were in hell," vacationer Zoe Simmons told CNN. "We were all covered in ash."

Meanwhile, across Victoria, over 200,000 hectares have already been burnt in the fires, according to the state's Emergency Management Commissioner, Andrew Crisp. He warned: "It is still a dynamic and dangerous situation."

Children in face masks play at the showgrounds in the New South Wales town of Bega on Decemeber 31.

There is, however, a glimmer of hope. Weather conditions are expected to improve in the next 24 hours -- meaning cooler temperatures and lower winds -- but will worsen again by the end of the week, bringing dangerous fire conditions, according to CNN meteorologists.

By Tuesday evening, some people were even returning to their homes, according to Victoria's Country Fire Authority Chief, Steve Warrington, though he added that "a number of houses" are believed to be destroyed or damaged.

Victoria Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said some communities in the state remain isolated, and food packs and other supplies are being organized for transport. Emergency crews are still working to determine the extent of damage by air, but suggest significant property loss across the East Gippsland region, he said.

Father and son among dead

The death toll continues to creep up from the fires, including a father and son in the NSW town of Cobargo on Tuesday. Four more people are unaccounted for in Victoria.

A volunteer firefighter who died on Monday, while working in the Green Valley, was named on Tuesday as 28-year-old Samuel McPaul. He leaves behind his wife, who is pregnant with their first child, after the truck he was in rolled in high winds, according to the state's Rural Fire Service.

Volunteer firefighter Samuel McPaul pictured with his wife.

Earlier in December, two other NSW volunteer firefighters died after their vehicle hit a tree during firefighting operations.

The country relies heavily on its volunteer firefighters, who in some cases have been putting in 16-hour days to help tackle the blazes.

Earlier this week Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who cut short a family holiday in Hawaii to deal with the fire crisis, announced the government would be authorizing payments of up to $6,000 (US$4,200) for volunteer fire fighters "where they have been called out for extended periods of service."

There is a nationwide fire crisis

Fires have devastated parts of Australia for months. Across Victoria, 70 new fires started on Monday, of which more than 20 are still active. In the neighboring state of NSW there are more than 100 fires burning on Tuesday, of which 60 are yet to be contained.

Many of the fires were started on Sunday by dry lightning, and rapidly spread due to strong winds and hot, dry weather.

More than 900 homes have been destroyed in NSW since the start of the fire season, and that number will likely increase as firefighters struggle to contain the massive fires.

NSW and Victoria are some of the hardest-hit locations, but there have been fires occurring in every state across Australia as weather conditions worsen.