Since the fires have started in September it has been so long that the sky is already red from the blaze.

You may have seen the video of the koala getting a drink of water from a cyclist, but it's so much worse.

Since September over half a billion animals have succumbed to the fires. This includes mammals, birds, and reptiles. This could result in mass extinction of animals in Australia. If you didn't already know, Australia is home to many species of animals going extinct, for example, the koala. These slow-moving animals are going extinct because of their natural slow life, since they are so slow it's tough for them to get out of the fire fast enough.

Not only could the fires be killing animals from burns, but also from destroying their habitats, their food, and blocks their water source. The fires have already engulfed many homes, leaving people without a place to stay. Not only has it destroyed houses, but also killed about 20 people.

To evacuate many citizens the Navy came in to take people and their pets to a safer place. Many also had to be airlifted to protect them. To fight the fires many firefighters from the United States were sent over to help.

It is not completely known what exactly started the fire. This could be from a human error (cigarette not put out properly) or from weather conditions. Australia typically has fires every year but 2019 had a record high in temperature. The record high temperatures ranging from 40.9C to 41.9C could be caused by climate change as it attributes to hotter temperatures. Here is more on how climate change is affecting Australia.

Here are some links to where you can donate to the cause:

How to help the animals:

Koala Hospital

WIRES

Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital

Wildlife Victoria

Fire Departments:

CFA

Rural Fire Service

For more places to donate and more information on the fires click here.