At the time of writing, the seemingly never-ending summer of bushfires continues to take a devastating toll. Some 33 people have been killed in the fires, and over 2,500 homes across the nation destroyed, with the heaviest loss occurring in the state of New South Wales.
Losses among wildlife and livestock are inestimable in number, with some sources stating that perhaps 1.25 billion animals have been destroyed. The landmass devastated is equal to one and a half times the area of Scotland. Australian home territory has largely escaped the ravages of war over the decades, but is now experiencing something similar to a devastating military attack.
Community spirit
As one surveys the devastation, a particularly striking image is the community spirit that has been on display in every single location in crisis. Many families and institutions have offered accommodation to evacuees from the fire zones, while donations of food and clothing have been so great that authorities have requested that future donations be monetary, given the logistical challenge of distributing all the donations in kind. Among the searing images on international TV screens have been scenes of ordinary citizens risking their lives to save koala bears and other animals caught up in the fires. The worst of dangers have brought out the best of the human spirit.
