Trouble is growing down under as Australia is still being ravaged by record-breaking bush fires. The fires have resulted mainly from drought. Citizens have been living under red skies and breathing in borderline toxic air as they try to escape the heat of the inferno. 

For the past four months, raging brush fires have been swallowing Australian land and wildlife. Since November 2019, the blaze has traveled from the states of Queensland and New South Wales to the entirety of the southeastern coast. As of January 6, an estimated 24 people and 480 million animals have lost their lives in these devastating fires. The NSW Rural Fire Service estimates there are 2,700 firefighters currently battling the flames across the coast.

The weather has not been of much help to the citizens of Australia. According to the BBC, temperatures have been rising as a result of the smoke released from the blaze. Temperature as high as 41.9C (107.42F) have been recorded this past December. Additionally, bushfires have even been known to create their own weather patterns of thunderstorms and heat waves if clouds get thick enough.

According to CNN, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrsion is taking steps towards patching up the damage left behind by the fires with funding for reconstructing houses that were lost. However, the general public from any country can contribute to the effort to stop the fires by donating to various fundraisers and organization. The Guardian has numerous hotlines and sources to help Australian citizens recover from this climate crisis.

As Australians are hoping for rain, the fires are raging on. Countries from all over the world are hoping for recovery soon.