Similar to how summers in the U.S. mean wildfires throughout the Pacific coastal states, summer in Australia—December to February—brings woodland and grassland fires as well. As of now, Australia hasn’t even entered into its traditional fire season, and yet more than 2 million hectares have already been burnt. More than 600 homes have been burnt, and thus far 6 people have lost their lives. The current fires are comparable to the very worst blazes around the peak of the season. When comparing the current burn-area to years past, this year’s land coverage is by the largest burned since the mid 1980s. Experts point to rising global temperatures combined with an ongoing drought from the past two years as major contributors to feeding this year’s fires. The low rate of rainfall has steadily eroded natural features of certain ecospheres. For instance, in Australia’s eastern states there were wetter forests that traditionally have acted as a deterrent to wildfires. In the past several weeks however, wildfires have ripped through these areas and continue to advance unimpeded. The most intensive wildfires rage in Australia’s north-western regions and south-eastern regions. From a map perspective, Australia’s fires form almost a ring around the whole continent, with the least affected areas towards the center desert lands. With fires moving along more coastal areas, several of Australia’s largest cities are under threat, namely Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra, and Melbourne. Already, the smoke released from nearby fires have clouded cities such as Sydney under heavy blankets of smoke.
Image by ABC
Australia’s fires are destroying complex ecosystems at an unprecedented rate. The wildlife that do survive are usually those who can run fast, fly, or seek shelter underground. Smaller animals, such as lizards or frogs, are amongst the most vulnerable. Those that do manage to flee are left with no habitat to settle in, little food to scavenge, and an increased risk of hunting from predators. One animal that is especially affected is the koala. Unlike other animals, koalas are neither fast nor possess many places to hide. They depend solely on trees for their habitat. Currently, experts estimate that around 350 koalas have died in the fires, and that 75% of burned lands thus have have been ideal koala habitat. Koalas are now considered an endangered species.
Image by ABC
You can help aid efforts through donating: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-thirsty-koalas-devastated-by-recent-fires?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet
https://www.redcross.org.au/campaigns/disaster-relief-and-recovery-bushfires
https://www.salvationarmy.org.au/donate/make-a-donation/donate-online/?appeal=disasterappeal