Skip to main content
Updated Jan 7, 2020 - Energy & Environment

In photos: Deadly wildfires rage across Australia

Rebecca Falconer
Visitors to Parliament House are forced to wear face masks after smoke from bushfires blankets Canberra in a haze with hazardous air quality on January 5, 2020 in Canberra, Australia

Smoke from bushfires blankets Australia's capital, Canberra, in a haze with hazardous air quality. Photo: Alex Ellinghausen/The SMHFairfax Media via Getty Images

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison tweeted his thanks to President Trump for his "strong messages of sympathy, support and friendship for Australia during our terrible bushfire season," after the president phoned him to offer help.

What's happening: Morrison also thanked the American people "for their many messages of support." "Australia and the US are great mates," he added Tuesday afternoon local time. As cooler, wetter conditions offered a respite to firefighters in southeast Australia, Victoria's Premier Dan Andrews posted a Facebook tribute welcoming American firefighters to the region.

An RFS Crew attempts to put out a smoldering pile of railway sleepers.
A New South Wales firefighter attempts to put out a smoldering pile of railway sleepers, which measured over 600 degrees on a thermal temperature gauge on Monday — two days after the fire front had passed through on in Wingello. Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images
Firefighters tackle a wildfire in thick smoke in the town of Moruya, south of Batemans Bay, New South Wales on Saturday.
Firefighters tackle a wildfire in thick smoke in the town of Moruya, south of Batemans Bay, New South Wales. Photo: Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images
Residents take a dip to cool down at Lake Jindabyne, under a red sky due to smoke from bushfires, in the town of Jindabyne in New South Wales
People cool down at Lake Jindabyne in NSW. Photo: Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images
A kangaroo jumps in a field amidst smoke from a bushfire in Snowy Valley on the outskirts of Cooma on January 4
Kangaroos in Snowy Valley on the outskirts of Cooma, NSW. Photo: Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images
Children play at the showgrounds in the southern New South Wales town of Bega where they are camping after being evacuated from nearby sites affected by bushfires on December 31
Children play at the showgrounds in the southern New South Wales town of Bega where they are camping after being evacuated from nearby sites affected by bushfires. Photo: Sean Davey/AFP via Getty Images
A water bombing helicoptor flies over the remains of a cafe destroyed by bushfires in the town of Bilpin, west of Sydney, on Sunday.
A water bombing helicoptor flies over the remains of a cafe destroyed by bushfires in the town of Bilpin, west of Sydney. Photo: Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images
Burned bush in southern Queensland
Burned bushland at Cunningham's Gap, some 70 miles southwest of Brisbane in the state of Queensland. Photo: Jo McGee
Firefighters in the Adelaide Hills, in the state of South Australia, working with locals to extinguishi a hay bales blaze and assisting with fire protection efforts
Firefighters in the Adelaide Hills, in the state of South Australia, working with locals to extinguishi a hay bales blaze and assisting with fire protection efforts. Photo: Eden Hills Country Fire Service/Facebook
Helicopters dump water on bushfires as they approach homes located on the outskirts of the town of Bargo in New South Wales.
Helicopters dump water on bushfires as they approach homes located on the outskirts of the town of Bargo in New South Wales. Photo: David Gray/Getty Images
The sky is filled with smoke and ash in Shoalhaven Heads in New South Wales.
The sky is filled with smoke and ash in Shoalhaven Heads in NSW. Photo: Cassie Spencer/Getty Images
A firefighter at a property in Balmoral, southwest of Sydney, New South Wales.
A firefighter at a property in Balmoral, southwest of Sydney, New South Wales. Many of those fighting the fires are volunteers. Photo: Peter ParksARKS/AFP via Getty Images
Firefighters tend to burning property in Bargo, southwest of Sydney.
Firefighters tend to burning property in Bargo, southwest of Sydney. NSW Volunteer Fire Fighters Association's president told the Sydney Morning Herald the state and federal governments are ignoring their pleas for help with firefighting-related expenses. Photo: Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images
A firefighter at a wildfire aon the outskirts of the town of Bilpin in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.
A firefighter at a wildfire on the outskirts of the town of Bilpin in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney. Photo: David Gray/Getty Images
Thick smoke blankets Sydney Harbour
Thick smoke blankets Sydney Harbour. Photo: James D. Morgan/Getty Images
A farmer drives a tractor as he uses a hose to put out a fire burning in his paddock and near homes on the outskirts of the town of Bilpin on December 19
A farmer uses a hose to put out a fire burning in his paddock and near homes on the outskirts of Bilpin. Photo: David Gray/Getty Images
A burnt bicycle lies on the ground in front of a house recently destroyed by bushfires on the outskirts of the town of Bargo on December 21, 2019 in Sydney
The remains of a home destroyed by bushfire on the outskirts of the town of Bargo, southwest of Sydney. Photo: David Gray/Getty Images
Prime Minister Scott Morrison talks to Thirlmere locals Bec Clewer and her son Max at Picton Bowling Club
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison visits fire evacuees in Picton, NSW, after cutting short his Hawaii trip following the deaths of two volunteer in the state in December. He apologized for causing upset by being on vacation during the crisis. Photo: Jenny Evans/Getty Images
Demonstrators hold up placards during a climate protest rally in Sydney on December 21
Demonstrators hold up placards during a climate protest rally in Sydney. Photo: Wendell Teodoro/Zeduce/AFP via Getty Images
Burnt trees after a bushfire in Mount Weison in Blue Mountains, some 120 kilometres northwest of Sydney
Burned trees after a bushfire in the Blue Mountains. Photo: Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images
Sydney Harbour Bridge and North Sydney are covered in a blanket of smoke on December 19
Thick smoke envelopes Sydney Harbour Bridge. Photo: Jenny Evans/Getty Images
Fire engulfs a property in Balmoral, southwest of Sydney.
Fire engulfs a property in Balmoral, southwest of Sydney. Photo: Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images
A helicopter drops fire retardent to protect a property in Balmoral.
A helicopter drops fire retardant to protect a property in Balmoral. Photo: Peter Parks/AFP via Getty Images

Go deeper:

Editor's note: This article has been updated with new details on the fires and more images.

Go deeper