Australian Bushfires – How To Help

My heart has been torn apart this week, reading more and more about the Australian bushfires that continue to cause complete and total catastrophic damage across much of Southeast Australia. Luckily, I know some really wonderful people who have continued to spread awareness, donate to wildlife relief funds and volunteer firefighter organizations, and have called for increased action by their political leaders.

I wanted to provide you with a quick summary fact list – for those who need to get caught up on the situation, as well as a comprehensive list of organizations you can donate to. As always, donations, even in the tiniest amount, MATTER.

A total of 24 people have died nationwide.
In the state of New South Wales alone, more than 1,300 houses have been destroyed.
Persistent heat and drought (one of the worst droughts in decades) have continued to make conditions much worse.
New South Whales has been the hardest hit, but every Australian state has seen wildfires this season.
Sydney air quality has measured 11 TIMES the ‘hazardous’ level.
Climate change has worsened the impact of natural disasters, such as fires – with fires starting earlier in the seasons and spreading faster.
Almost 1/3 of koalas in New South Whales have been killed in the fires (about 8,000 koalas).
1/3 of koalas habitat has been destroyed.
Nearly 200 fires are still burning across Australia. Every state is affected.
Ecologists from the University of Sydney believe about 480 million animals, birds and reptiles have been lost due to the fires.
Scientists fear entire species could be lost.
The Guardian Australia has an interactive map you can use to understand the extreme size of the fires.
Who is fighting the fires? Most fires are burning in rural areas where volunteer firefighting services are the primary firefighting organizations. The New South Wales Rural Fire Service, for example, has around 70,000 members, and most are volunteering to protect the lives and homes of fellow Australians.