Forest fires have been raging in Australia since September. Flames cover more than 5.5 million hectares. The locals call what is happening "hell on Earth".
The fire had already burned the size of Croatia. There are currently nearly 200 combustion centers throughout the country. The spread of fire is facilitated by high temperature and strong wind. Millions of acres of land have already been burned, more than 1,200 homes have been destroyed. The world is trying to assess the magnitude of the devastation caused by Australia's worst wildfire season. The images of the sky that turned to blazing red are compared to apocalyptic horror films.
Scientists warn: Australia's example is just the beginning, and calls the fires the result of climate change. More than 250 million tonnes of CO2 have been emitted into the atmosphere.
The fire killed about 500 million animals
Environmentalists at the University of Sydney estimate that 480 million mammals, birds and reptiles have been killed since September. The figure continues to rise, with nearly 200 fires burning across the country. Some species may be lost forever.
According to environmentalists, nearly 8,000 koalas living in New South Wales were killed in the fires.
The region, which is approximately 240 miles north of Sydney, is home to the largest population of Australian koalas - some 28,000 individuals.
Federal Environment Minister Susan Lay said up to 30 percent of the rare animal population could be killed in the fire because about 30 percent of their habitat had been destroyed.
Photos of charred animals trying to escape from flames stir up the web. Rescue groups found the charred bodies of thousands of koalas. Local reports of dead cockatoos falling from trees. Farmers talk about the bodies of cattle scattered throughout their bodies, which they returned to after the fire.
The locals are trying to save as many animals as they can on their own. In particular, koalas help.
Unfortunately, human casualties have not been avoided:
two people were found dead in separate cars Wednesday morning;
killed by a father and son who remained to protect their home and farm equipment.
Killed 28-year-old volunteer firefighter - the wind turned his fire truck.
The number of people killed in fires in Australia has increased - at least 24. Tens more are reported missing.
