Australian Wildfires
Follow the latest Australian Wildfires news, videos, and analysis from ABC News.
3 years ago

Smoke from massive wildfires in Australia led to algae bloom

Smoke from massive wildfires in Australia led to an algae bloom thousands of kilometers away.
3 years ago
A satellite image captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission shows wildfires smoke on the east coast of Australia, Dec 31, 2019.
4 years ago

People are evacuated as fires tear through Australian tourist island

Residents are evacuated as bushfire smoke ravage the popular Fraser Island in Australia.
4 years ago
Residents are evacuated as bushfire smoke ravage the popular Fraser Island in Australia.
4 years ago

Helicopter view of brush fire in Australia

The fire burned around 50,000 acres in Australia’s Northern Territory.
4 years ago
VIDEO: Helicopter view of brush fire in Australia
5 years ago

Australian state free of fires for 1st time in 240 days

New South Wales is officially free of wildfires after a devastating season.
5 years ago
Signs of regrowth are seen from bush fire affected areas, Feb. 23, 2020, in Parndana, Australia.
5 years ago

New South Wales fires contained for first time since Australia's fire season began

Australia bushfires in New South Wales were contained for the first time since the season began.
5 years ago
A Rural Fire Service firefighter views the flank of a fire, Jan. 11, 2020, in Tumburumba, Australia.
5 years ago

Rugby players slip and slide through training amid Sydney downpour

This rugby team took advantage of Sydney’s wet conditions in a sodden training session, combining sprints with belly slides on the waterlogged pitch.
5 years ago
VIDEO:  Rugby players slip and slide through training amid Sydney downpour
5 years ago

New South Wales issues bushfire warning in Snowy Mountains

The fire service made the announcement as 60 fires filled the skies with smoke.
5 years ago
The fire service made the announcement as 60 bush and grass fires filled the skies with smoke.
5 years ago

Koalas released back into wild after being rescued from fires

A mother koala and baby saved from bushfires in Australia have returned home after weeks of recovery.
5 years ago
VIDEO: Koalas released back into wild after being rescued from fires
5 years ago

Australian army soldiers cuddle, feed koalas rescued from bushfires

Soldiers with the Australian Army came to the rescue of several hungry koalas saved from the bushfires ravaging the country.
5 years ago
Soldiers for the Australian Army cuddle koalas saved from the bush fires during feeding time at the Cleland Wildlife Park in Crafers, South Australia.
5 years ago

Dogs are saving koalas in the Australia wildfires

More than 1 billion animals are believed to have died in the fires.
5 years ago
VIDEO: Dogs are saving koalas in the Australia wildfires
5 years ago

3 Americans killed in crash of water tanker plane fighting Australian wildfires

Three Americans were killed battling the Australian wildfires Wednesday when their water tanker plane crashed in New South Wales.
5 years ago
In this undated photo released from the Rural Fire Service, a C-130 Hercules plane called "Thor" drops water during a flight in Australia. Officials in Australia on Thursday, Jan. 23, 2020, searched for a water tanker plane feared to have crashed while fighting wildfires.
5 years ago

Firefighting plane crash claims lives of 3 Americans

An air tanker carrying three American firefighters in Australia crashed while fighting bushfires.
5 years ago
VIDEO: Firefighting plane crash claims lives of 3 Americans
5 years ago

Serena Williams shows off tribute to koalas with fun nail art

Tennis star Serena Williams paid tribute to koalas through nail art during the Australian Open.
5 years ago
Serena Williams during her Women's Singles second round match against Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia at the 2020 Australian Open, Jan. 22, 2020, in Melbourne, Australia.
5 years ago

3 Americans killed in water tanker crash fighting Australia fires

The aerial water tanker went down in the Snowy Mountains' Monaro region in New South Wales; the three crew members who died were believed to be the only ones aboard.
5 years ago
VIDEO: 3 Americans killed in water tanker crash fighting Australia fires
5 years ago

6-year-old makes clay koalas to raise money for Australia

A fundraiser started by Massachusetts resident Owen Colley has raised more than $250,000 for Australia bushfire relief efforts.
5 years ago
VIDEO: 6-year-old makes clay koalas to raise money for Australia
5 years ago

'Dinosaur' trees in Australia saved from wildfires in secret mission

Firefighters saved Wollemi Pines from the Australia wildfires in a secret government mission.
5 years ago
Wollemi Pines are pictured in the Blue Mountains in Australia, Jan. 9, 2020. A specialist team of remote firefighters have helped save the pre-historic species known as "Dinosaur trees" from this season’s bushfires.
5 years ago

Adorable koala added to Miami zoo

A baby koala named Hope, born at Zoo Miami, is the first surviving koala born there in nearly 30 years.
5 years ago
VIDEO: Adorable koala added to Miami zoo
5 years ago

Inside the secret mission to save prehistoric trees in Australia

The location of the Wollemi pine trees is kept secret from the public to prevent contamination.
5 years ago
VIDEO: Inside the secret mission to save prehistoric trees in Australia
5 years ago

What are ‘fire clouds’?

Pyrocumulus clouds are formed when the hot air and smoke from a wildfire is released into the sky.
5 years ago
VIDEO: What are ‘fire clouds’?
5 years ago

Australia wildfires are paving the way for 'fire clouds': Here's what to know

Australia wildfires are paving the way for fire clouds. Here's an explainer on what pyrocumulus clouds are.
5 years ago
Pyrocumulonimbus cloud formation is seen from a plane as bush fires continue in New South Wales, Australia, Jan. 4, 2020.
5 years ago

Australian Open threatened by smoke from historic wildfires

One player collapsed on the court as she struggled to breathe, while tournament officials said they would continue to monitor air quality before the main draw starts.
5 years ago
VIDEO: Australian Open threatened by smoke from historic wildfires
5 years ago

Tennis player forced to retire mid-match after coughing fit from Australia wildfires

Dalila Jakupovic collapsed during an Australian Open match because of thick smoke from wildfires.
5 years ago
The city skyline is shrouded by smoke haze from bushfires during an Australian Open practice session at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia on Jan. 14, 2020.
5 years ago

Jeff Bezos criticized over Australia wildfire donation

The Amazon CEO, who unseated Bill Gates as the top billionaire on Forbes' rankings, announced the donation of one million Australian dollars (approximately $690,000 U.S. dollars) on Instagram.
5 years ago
The Amazon CEO, who unseated Bill Gates as the top billionaire on Forbes' rankings, announced the donation of one million Australian dollars (approximately $690,000 U.S. dollars) on Instagram and Amazon's website Sunday.
5 years ago

NASA warns Australia smoke could circle globe

Efforts continue around the clock to treat animals hurt in the wildfire disaster.
5 years ago
Efforts continue around the clock to treat animals hurt in the wildfire disaster.
5 years ago

Paul the koala makes miraculous recovery after rescue from Australian bushfire

Paul was found burnt and barely alive in the ashes — but look at him now!
5 years ago
VIDEO: Paul the koala makes miraculous recovery after rescued from Australian bushfire
5 years ago

Australia drops 4,000 pounds of food to save starving wildlife

The government used helicopters to help feed starving animals displaced by the country's wildfire crisis.
5 years ago
The Australian government dropped carrots and sweet potatoes, Jan. 11, 2020, to feed animals that have been stranded by relentless brush fires.
5 years ago

A look at koalas in Australian culture amid fires that are devastating their numbers

A look at koala culture amid Australia's wildfires.
5 years ago
A koala receives treatment from a vet at Adelaide Koala Rescue on Jan. 08, 2020, in Adelaide, Australia.
5 years ago

Diaper-wearing koala recovers from burns at sanctuary

A koala wearing a diaper enjoys some sunshine while recovering from burns sustained in the devastating Australia wildfires.
5 years ago
VIDEO: Diaper-wearing koala recovers from burns at sanctuary
5 years ago

Australia drops tons of food to help starving wildlife

The Australian government is airdropping tons of food to help feed starving animals displaced by wildfires.
5 years ago
VIDEO:
5 years ago

Leonardo DiCaprio’s organization pledges $3 million to Australia fire relief

Celebrities including Leonardo DiCaprio, Elton John, Chris Hemsworth, Pink and Nicole Kidman have donated money in support of wildfire relief efforts.
5 years ago
FILE - This Jan. 5, 2020 file photo shows actor and activist Leonardo DiCaprio at the 77th annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif. DiCaprio's environmental organization will donate $3 million to help the efforts toward the wildfire relief in Australia.  (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
5 years ago

Tens of thousands protest Australia's government amid wildfires

Videos showed the crowd marching from the capital's Town Hall to Parliament House, where the office of Prime Minister Scott Morrison is located.
5 years ago
Videos showed the crowd marching from the capital's Town Hall to Parliament House, where the office of Prime Minister Scott Morrison is located.
5 years ago

Tens of thousands protest Australia's government amid wildfires

Thousands of protesters stepped out in Australia amid the wildfires to protest the government's climate policies.
5 years ago
Protesters hold posters during a climate change rally in Sydney, Jan. 10, 2020.
5 years ago

Lizzo volunteers at Australian food bank to support victims of fires

Lizzo volunteered at the Melbourne Foodbank on Wednesday and helped distribute food to those affected by Australia's massive fires.
5 years ago
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 06: Lizzo performs at Sydney Opera House on January 06, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Don Arnold/Getty Images)
5 years ago

Dogs are saving koalas in the Australia wildfires

Dogs are saving koalas in the Australia wildfires.
5 years ago
Ryan Tate and his pup Taylor search for koalas injured in the bush fires in Australia.
5 years ago

Wallabies rescued from wildfires cuddle together

The joeys were brought to Shai Ager, who runs a wallaby relocation project in Australia.
5 years ago
VIDEO: Wallabies rescued from wildfires cuddle together
5 years ago

Lizzo, Serena Williams offer help amid Australia fires

Lizzo stopped by a food bank during a tour stop in Australia while Serena Williams is joining tennis’s top stars in playing an exhibition match for fire relief.
5 years ago
VIDEO: Lizzo, Serena Williams offer help amid Australia fires
5 years ago

State Department raises travel advisory for Australia amid fires

A new level 2 warning means any American traveling to Australia is urged to postpone their trip if they're coming to an area affected by the wildfires.
5 years ago
VIDEO: State Department raises travel advisory for Australia amid fires
5 years ago

More than 1 billion animals estimated dead in Australia wildfires: Expert

Australia wildfires have destroyed nearly 800 homes in eight days and an expert estimates nearly a billion animals have died.
5 years ago
A kangaroo rushes past a burning house in Lake Conjola, Australia, Dec. 31 2019.
5 years ago

Wallabies flee from bushfire in Australia

Wallabies were forced to flee from a raging bushfire burning near a wilderness retreat on Australia’s Kangaroo Island.
5 years ago
VIDEO: Wallabies flee from bushfire in Australia
5 years ago

Volunteers stepping up to save Australia’s wildlife amid fires

An ecological emergency is unfolding as more than 1 billion animals have now been killed.
5 years ago
VIDEO: Volunteers stepping up to save Australia’s wildlife amid fires
5 years ago

Knitters around the globe make koala mittens and joey pouches for Australia fires

The brush fires have affected hundreds of millions of animals.
5 years ago
A woman feeds a young kangaroo wrapped in a makeshift pouch at the Raymond Island Koala and Wildlife shelter on Raymond Island in Australia, Jan. 6, 2020.
5 years ago

Serena Williams, more stars to play charity tennis match for Australia fires

The charity match will be played ahead of the 2020 Australian Open.
5 years ago
Serena Williams serves during a match in Auckland, New Zealand,  Jan. 7, 2020. Roger Federer during a match in New York, Sept. 3, 2019. Rafael Nadal during a match in Perth, Australia, Jan. 6, 2020.
5 years ago

Crews race against time, weather changes to contain Australia fires

With hot and dry conditions on the way, crews are working tirelessly to fight the devastating wildfires in Australia.
5 years ago
VIDEO: Crews race against time, weather changes to contain Australia fires
5 years ago

Family rescues koalas from Kangaroo Island, Australia

A local family set up a rescue operation of koalas, transporting them to neighbors who they say have a permit to care for native wildlife.
5 years ago
VIDEO: Family rescues koalas from Kangaroo Island, Australia
5 years ago

Why the rain in Australia makes it harder to fight wildfires

The rain in Australia is actually hindering the process of back-burning, an essential part of stopping wildfires.
5 years ago
Leading seaman aircrew Brendan Menz looks out of a helicopter over Southern New South Wales, Australia, Jan. 6 2020, as scattered showers fall in areas where bush  fire burn.
5 years ago

US map shows scale of massive Australia wildfires

A superimposed wildfire map of Australia over the United States shows the scale of the massive wildfires that have spread Down Under.
5 years ago
Residents look on as flames burn through bush on Jan. 4, 2020 in Lake Tabourie, Australia. A state of emergency has been declared across NSW with dangerous fire conditions forecast for Saturday, as more than 140 bushfires continue to burn.
5 years ago

Thousands flee from apocalyptic fires in Australia

The massive bushfires are now visible from space and have engulfed an area the size of more than 50 New York Cities.
5 years ago
VIDEO: Thousands flee from apocalyptic fires in Australia
5 years ago

Wildfires rage out of control in Australia, prompting evacuations and rescues

Tens of thousands of residents have been driven from their homes as part of that country’s largest evacuations ever.
5 years ago
VIDEO: Wildfires rage out of control in Australia, prompting evacuations and rescues
5 years ago

‘Apocalyptic’ wildfires continue to spread throughout Australia

The path of destruction has widened as strong winds continue to fuel the flames.
5 years ago
VIDEO: ‘Apocalyptic’ wildfires continue to spread throughout Australia
5 years ago

Massive evacuation underway due to fires in Australia

The ongoing fires impacting the region has led to an estimated half billion animals dead, including many koalas and kangaroos.
5 years ago
VIDEO: Massive evacuation underway due to fires in Australia