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The flames which have been consuming Australia for months, have razed homes and wiped out entire towns. Since the start of the 2019 fire season, a staggering 10 million hectares have been burned across the country. For comparison, the California fires of 2018 claimed about 800,000 hectares.

About half a billion animals have suffered from the blaze in the New South Wales state alone, with millions potentially dead, according to ecologists at the University of Sydney. These numbers include birds, reptiles, and mammals, except bats. Insects and frogs are also excluded from the list, meaning the true number is much higher.

However, like Josef Stalin once said, "The death of one ... is a tragedy. The death of millions is a statistic." So, to help you comprehend the devastating destruction of the bushfires, here is a list of before-and-after photos from the affected areas.

#1

Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island

ajcx89 , Kayne Davis Report

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james_fox1984 avatar
I love Foxxy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Around one third of the island has been destroyed and a huge amount of koalas that are the only known chlamydia disease free colony in Australia. And sadly 2 lives lost, thousands evacuated, over 50 homes destroyed. There are only 2 places accessible for anyone and that is Kingscote and Penneshaw which are the closest areas to the ferry if a mass evacuation is needed. We have a fleet of public volunteers on the mainland on the ready if reinforcements are needed.

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In the Australian capital Canberra - an administrative region surrounded by New South Wales - the air quality was rated the third worst of all major global cities on Friday. Also, the weather forecast predicts very hot and dry conditions, with strong winds and thunderstorms. This only increases further fire risk.

#2

Tathra Beach, Nsw In Australia. Before And After The Smoke And Ash From Surrounding Fires Arrived. The Black Debris In The Bottom Photo Is Charred Wood And Ash Washed Up On The Shore

Tathra Beach, Nsw In Australia. Before And After The Smoke And Ash From Surrounding Fires Arrived. The Black Debris In The Bottom Photo Is Charred Wood And Ash Washed Up On The Shore

jaxond24 Report

Ecologists have grave concerns for the future of unique and endangered wildlife on Kangaroo Island as well. There, bushfires have already killed thousands of koalas.

Fires on the island have destroyed 155,000 hectares of land, about one third of the island’s entire area. Most blazes have hit the biodiverse western areas.

The Kangaroo Island Land for Wildlife organisation has eight sites on private land where they protect various endangered species, including dunnarts, goannas, echidnas, bandicoots and the glossy black-cockatoos.

“People call this place a little Noah’s Ark. The island is a refuge. This is the largest fire we have seen in a long time,” ecologist at Land for Wildlife, Heidi Groffen told The Guardian, highlighting that all eight sites were extensively burned. Even the cameras they used for monitoring had melted.

#3

Kangaroo Island

Kangaroo Island

Southern Ocean Lodge , 7news Report

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rl_2 avatar
R L
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That takes money and the years doing it will reflect as loss of income. And you cannot rebuild a life that has been lost.

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#4

Mogo Wildlife Park

Mogo Wildlife Park

tripadvisor , Zookeeper Chad Report

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james_fox1984 avatar
I love Foxxy
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In case anyone is worried about the animals in Mogo zoo they are all safe.

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#5

2 Hours Before vs. 3 Days After. This Is The Devastation Left By The Fires In Sarsfield, Victoria. Still Can’t Believe The House Still Stands

2 Hours Before vs. 3 Days After. This Is The Devastation Left By The Fires In Sarsfield, Victoria. Still Can’t Believe The House Still Stands

Tom-Cotton Report

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Nunya
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The owner of this house needs to share their good ju-ju with the rest of Australia!

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#8

Mallacoota Wharf

Mallacoota Wharf

travelvictoria , bluesfestblues Report

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vjf41708 avatar
How Terribly Unfortunate
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is just so saddening to see. Everything is so red and it's horrifying to think that this is actually happening while most other people sit cozy in their homes, utterly oblivious.

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#9

Wildlife Sanctuary In Canberra, Au Before And After Fire

Wildlife Sanctuary In Canberra, Au Before And After Fire

OMGLMAOWTF Report

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Sarah L
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There haven't been fires in Canberra (yet). This photo just shows the smoke that's settled on the capital

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#11

Before And After Of Sydney Due To Smoke From The Rampant Bush Fires

Before And After Of Sydney Due To Smoke From The Rampant Bush Fires

unsinkable02 Report

#12

Australia’s Smoke From The Bush Fires Means You Can’t See Mt Cook In New Zealand. Look At The Before And After Pictures

Australia’s Smoke From The Bush Fires Means You Can’t See Mt Cook In New Zealand. Look At The Before And After Pictures

JChandler66 Report

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Gem Morris
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These photos are of different lakes. You can't see mt cook from the location of the 2nd photo anyway.

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#13

This Is Cobargo, Before And After Today. This Is... Unbelievable

This Is Cobargo, Before And After Today. This Is... Unbelievable

MadFckingWitch Report

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#14

Betka Road

Betka Road

Google maps , Luke Henriques-Gomes Report

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Molly E
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hate how real these pictures are, sand how many lives are at stake.

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#16

The Same Day... Before And After Of The Tianjara Fire Burning In The Shoalhaven

The Same Day... Before And After Of The Tianjara Fire Burning In The Shoalhaven

ames_rfs Report

#17

This Is The View Today Compared To The Same Time Last Year Where We’re Staying In Merimbula With Our In-Laws For Our Summer Holiday. We Can Hear Firefighting Helicopters Landing At The Airport Below But Cannot See A Thing

This Is The View Today Compared To The Same Time Last Year Where We’re Staying In Merimbula With Our In-Laws For Our Summer Holiday. We Can Hear Firefighting Helicopters Landing At The Airport Below But Cannot See A Thing

Fiona Purcell Report

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#18

Batemans Bay Mini Golf

Batemans Bay Mini Golf

batemansbayminigolf Report

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Lynn Morello
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would be absolutely terrifying for everyone in the area. My heart goes out to every one, all the animals. Please take care of yourselves. And a big thankyou for all our heroic fire fighters and emergency services.

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