Australian Fires: How You Can Help.

• The fires have raged for months, and will continue for at least another month.

• Australia has always had problems with brush fires, but record temperatures and record drought have exacerbated the issue to unprecedented levels.

• The fires have ravaged the wildlife population of the continent, killing nearly half a billion animals, many species of which are endemic to Australia. This number was increased to 1 billion animals killed or adversely effected.

• 26 people have died so far, while tens of thousands have been displaced.

• Some fires have been so large they have created their own lightning.

• In December Australia recorded its hottest day on record.

• Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s handling of the crisis has been an unmitigated disaster. He has attempted to minimize any connection between climate change and the fires, and has been heckled by is own fire fighters.

• More than 12 million acres have burned so far.

• Because of the fires, Australia will double their CO2 output for the year.

• Earlier this month 4000 evacuees were trapped on a beach near Mallacoota, requiring the largest maritime rescue since World War II.