Australian Wildfires: A National Tragedy

Introduction
In recent months, Australia has been hit hard by an unprecedented series of devastating bushfires that have caused immense destruction across the continent. As of January 2020, the fires had already burned over 18 million acres and destroyed over 2,000 homes. Unfortunately, the tragedy of the bushfires is not over yet, as the predictions for the rest of the season are truly dire.

Nature of the Fires
The fires have been burning across much of Australia since late July 2019. By January they had spread over millions of acres, an area larger than the entire nation of Ireland. However, the true scale of the fires has not yet been fully appreciated, as they are still burning across numerous regions. The worst of the damage has been done to the states of New South Wales and Victoria. Other areas, including Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania, have also seen severe blazes.

Consequences
The fires have had catastrophic consequences–not only ecological but economic and societal as well. In addition to the destruction of homes, the fires have caused extensive damage to infrastructure and the landscape. Australia’s tourism industry has been hit hard, with all of the affected areas symbolizing the iconic Down Under experience.

The rural economies have also been impacted severely. The agricultural sector has suffered incredible losses, and the overall economic toll is estimated to be in the billions of dollars. The fires have wiped out livelihoods, and the psychological toll on victims is likely to be long-lasting.

The Effects on Wildlife
The health of Australia’s wildlife has been especially hurt by the fires, with millions of animals killed as an indirect consequence. The worst damage has been done to bats, koalas and other native species, who are unable to flee strong winds and fast-moving blazes. In addition, their habitat has been completely destroyed.

Internationally, the fires have generated widespread concern and attention. Celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Paris Hilton have made generous donations to aid in prior firefighting efforts. Scientists have come to Australia to assess the damage and help form plans for conservation efforts that can both limit the spread of the fires and restore the affected areas.

Conclusion
Ultimately, the Australian wildfires have been a national tragedy that have had far-reaching consequences and will continue to have long-lasting effects. Although it creates a grim outlook now, hopefully the international attention and efforts will help Australia rebuild and restore the affected areas.