Australia burns: The horror summer of 2019-2020 in pictures

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22/50Habitat destruction from land clearing and bushfires could lead to koalas becoming exctinct in the wild. Photo: AAP

Australia burns: The horror summer of 2019-2020 in pictures

This summer has been devastating for communities and residents across Australia – and there are still many weeks of dangerous fire weather to go.

Here’s a look at some of the most moving moments of Australia’s horror summer, in pictures.

Jan 22, 2020, updated Jan 22, 2020

1/50The federal government will change the rules around working visas to allow backpackers to help rebuild in fires zones.

2/50Hundreds of businesses were affected by the recent bushfires amid fears some may never recover.

3/50Our changing climate has put more pressure on our natural ecosystems and the weaknesses in our land and fire management are being ruthlessly exposed.

4/50Good fire and land management needs to be done with long-term perspective, not a short-term political focus.

5/50The government must put its money where its mouth is and do more for bushfire-hit communities, ACOSS says.

6/50The Gelantipy fire started burning in East Gippsland in late November.

7/50Bushfire smoke has blanketed Melbourne's CBD for much of the last week.

8/50Kangaroo Island was badly hit in the season. Photo: AAP

9/50Wildlife rescuers across the nation are rallying to help animals affected by bushfires.

10/50Koala populations have been decimated by the fires. Photo: Getty

11/50Koala populations have been decimated by the fires. Photo: Getty

12/50Scott Morrison has promised a swift national inquiry into this summer's bushfire crisis.

13/50The hills near Wodonga are crowned with fire as the Border fire comes uncomfortably close to the rural city.

14/50Firefighters have been making the most of the weather to prepare. Photo: AAP

15/50Victoria and NSW are facing yet another dangerous fire day.

16/50People can help by donating to wildlife rescue funds, and pressuring politicians to take action on climate change and habitat destruction. photo: Getty

17/50The NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner has weighed in on hazard reduction, saying the single biggest impediment to completing burns is weather.

18/50Many students’ lives have changed as they return to school, even those not directly affected by the fires.

19/50Volunteers are working to contain fires still burning in East Gippsland. Photo: Facebook: Buchan Caves Hotel

20/50Volunteers in Foodbank's Yarraville warehouse pack supplies for bushfire victims. Photo: Foodbank

21/50Shane Warne is urging people to bid on his baggy green to raise money for the bushfire appeal.

22/50Habitat destruction from land clearing and bushfires could lead to koalas becoming exctinct in the wild. Photo: AAP

23/50This trio and their goat fled the inland town of Tilba, only to find more the same threat awaiting them in Narooma. <i>Photo: AAP</i>

24/50Prime Minister Scott Morrison tours the fire devastated Wildflower farm owned by Paul and Melissa Churchman in Sarsfield, Victoria

25/50Scott Morrison attempts to shake the hand of a firefighter in Cobargo.

26/50People in Victoria's worst-hit bushfire spots are being encouraged to leave before conditions worsen.

27/50Fire-fighting-activities are ideal for

28/50Fire destroyed buildings and homes in Cobargo, NSW

29/50We need to phase out coal to mitigate the climate threat. Photo: Getty

30/50The sky has turned red as red sky as bushfires approach Mallacoota in East Gippsland, Victoria.

31/50Evacuees on a beach at Bateman's Bay amid the bushfire threat.

32/50A fire near Bruthen is among a number of blazes that have been burning in East Gippsland for several weeks.

33/50More hot weather is on the way, with a number of states bracing for a heatwave and bushfire threats.

34/50The Green Wattle Creel bushfire on Sydney's outskirts has required huge firefighting resources. <i>Photo: ABC</i>

35/50A fire truck at the scene of the train crash near Bells Rapids, north-east of Perth.

36/50As the Grose Valley Fire approaches the Bilpin Fruit Bow at Bilpin on Saturday, the NSW RFS warned of increased fire activity in Blackheath.

37/50The uncertainty over the future of the research centre comes after a summer of deadly fires in Australia.

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39/50Captain Geoffrey Keaton (left) and firefighter Andrew O'Dwyer were from the Horsley Park brigade.

40/50People watch smoke from a bushfire in the Blue Mountains.

41/50Several mountains in NSW have been impacted by fire.

42/50A fire at Yanchep, WA, has already destroyed a home and a service station and burned through 5000 hectares since Wednesday.

43/50Bush firefighters are in short supply as Victoria approaches what experts predict will be a scorching summer,

44/50A fire bomber dumps another load of retardant on the raging flames.

45/50Crowe with neighbours after the Nana Glen bushfires – and his "slightly worn" Rabbitohs cap.

46/50Victorian authorities have issued a code red alert for Thursday to avoid the terrible NSW fires such as the Gospers Mountain blaze.

47/50RFS firefighters keep a weather eye on their backburn intended to stop the raging main blaze.

48/50This image of Finn escaping the fires at Mallacoota became the face of the bushfire crisis.

49/50Multiple trips were being made to Navy vessels anchored offshore from Mallacoota on January 3.

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