Fires Ravage Australia!

Australia’s southeastern state of Victoria declared a total ban on open fires on March 2. High temperatures and strong winds were expected to return, potentially strengthening the wildfires that began burning in early February.

The Australian wildfires have burned about 2,000 homes, destroyed more than 1.1 million acres of land and killed at least 210 people. In early February, there were at least 35 separate fires burning. They were preceded by two weeks of record high temperatures and fueled by winds as strong as 77 mph.

By the last week of February, there were somewhere between five and seven fires still burning. Police have talked to several people suspected of starting fires, but have only arrested one man suspected of arson on Feb. 7. Amidst all of the sad news coming out of Australia in February, there has been one upbeat story. Firefighter David Tree saved Sam the koala a few days after the fires began. Tree found Sam walking on the ground with scorched paws. He offered Sam his water bottle, and the koala drank more than two bottles after placing her burned paw in Tree’s hand.

Sam is now recovering in an animal shelter and has made a new friend: Bob the koala. Caretakers at the shelter have said the two koalas get along very well and like taking care of each other. Sam will likely not be able to return to the wild for at least four or five months. Jenny Shaw, one of the caretakers, said Bob and Sam are a unique breed of koala, found in Victoria.

Including Victoria, Australia has eight states and territories. Australia is the sixth largest country in the world, but has the lowest population density—only about five people per square mile. Australia is known for its more than 10,000 incredible beaches, the Great Barrier Reef, its laid-back lifestyle, unique wildlife, opals and gold.