Fires have been raging across Australia since November of 2019 and it has garnered international attention. What else is there to know about these fires, and how can we help?
Going into 2020 there has been a lot of things going on. The possibility of war, rising tensions, and the wildfires in Australia. Australia has always had bushfires, but this is the worst fire on record. These fires have been all over Australia but now its hitting New South Wales and Victoria the most. It has affected many animals, with fires destroying the habitats of animals endangered or unique to Australia. The people of Australia are doing their part to help save the wildlife so unique to their home. Even firefighters from the U.S have traveled to Australia to help fight the blaze.
The fire is spreading rapidly and is burning bushland, wooded areas, and is even injuring and killing people. 28 people have so far been confirmed dead due to this wildfire and an estimated 1 billion animals have perished. Many of Australia’s already endangered animals are close to functional extinction thanks to these fires. The koala, in particular, is closer to extinction now than it has ever been. Before the fires, it was estimated as few as 100,000 koalas were alive on the planet. Now, it is estimated that 25,000 koalas have died due to the fire. Since the fire first started on November 11th, 2019, over 15.6 million acres have been burned or are currently on fire. As of writing this, there are 100 fires currently going.
With most of Australia burning and people and animals dying or being forced from their homes, things look very dire, but there is still hope. People all around the world are donating to help save Australia. The Australian fires have also been trending on almost every social media site, bringing awareness to struggle. People are making sure this known to everyone around the world. The international response to the fires has been massive. Many countries including the U.S, UN, France, Canada, and many more have been sending aid to Australia. Countries have been offering supplies, firefighters, and shelter to affected areas. Prominent celebrities, politicians, and regular people are donating to the cause.
You can help the cause by raising awareness of the fires in Australia. If you want to go the extra mile, you can donate to the official government site, but not without a parent’s permission first. With your help, we can beat Australia’s wildfires.