Dimensions of Australia Wildfires: 23 Deaths and Forest Destruction Equivalent to Georgia’s Territory

The forest fires that have devastated a vast area of southeastern Australia are so intense that they have created storms and lightning comparable to volcanic eruptions or atomic bomb explosions.

Around 150 fires continued until Sunday in New South Wales, Australia, with 39 additional fires in the neighboring state of Victoria, until conditions worsened with temperatures rising above 37 degrees Celsius and unpredictable severe winds.

The Australian fires, which began in September 2019, have destroyed more than 5 million hectares of land so far and have destroyed more than 1,500 homes. The death toll has been reported at 23 people to date.

So far, 6 million hectares of southeastern Australia’s forests have burned, equivalent to twice the area of Belgium or the size of countries like Georgia or Ireland.

Unprecedented heat in Australia has fueled the spread of these fires. Wind has driven the flames toward the coasts, causing the fire to advance more rapidly. Additionally, reduced rainfall has compounded the problems. The BBC reported that rainfall in eastern Australia has been below average.

Source: Voice of America