Australia’s Devastating Wildfire Crisis

Plus, what's behind the country's historic fires?

Australia's Wildfire Crisis: Podcasts, Images And The Latest News Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images What's behind the country's historic fires? Short Wave podcast host Maddie Sofia talked to biologist Lesley Hughes from Macquarie University in Sydney about the ecology of Australia, the animal and plant life that’s being lost, and the possibility that the fires could change the country forever. (Listening time, 11:10). As Australia continues to be ravaged by one of its worst bushfire seasons in history, there’s been a lot of debate about controlled burns and the role they can play in managing fire. Aboriginal Australians used fire to manage brushlands and forests for centuries. NPR’s Jason Beaubien caught up with an Aboriginal teacher who just lost his home and camp to the raging infernos. (Listening time, 3:36) A group of 20 seasoned American firefighters, many of whom battled the Saddleridge Fire in Los Angeles County last year, headed to Australia this week to help exhausted firefighters there get a grip on the fires that have ravaged parts of the continent. Here & Now's Tonya Mosley talks with Fire Chief Robert Garcia about this global firefighting effort. (Listening time, 5:47) Coal is a big business in Australia, but there are now increasing conversations about the part it has played in the spread of the nation’s current wildfire catastrophe. Member station WBUR talked to a former Australian coal executive who is calling for a clean energy initiative amid the “existential threat” of climate change. (Listening time, 9:55) Newsletter continues after sponsor message The Picture Show New South Wales Rural Fire Service/AP In several towns in New South Wales, smoke has blocked out the sky and firefighters have struggled against strong winds to save houses from destructive bush fires. Images from the region capture chaotic scenes of sparks flying, ravaged buildings and glowing red as far as the eye can see.  "With the fuel loads that we've got and the drought conditions and the current weather conditions that we have, frankly, we can't put these large fires out," Mick Holton, president of the Volunteer Fire Fighters Association, told NPR's Morning Edition.  More Coverage Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images In what is the largest military deployment the country has seen since World War II, 3,000 Australian reservists were called up to battle the escalating fires and conduct evacuations. They also deployed firefighting aircraft and the HMAS Adelaide, the Navy's largest ship, to evacuate stranded residents along the coast.  Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a new $1.4 billion bushfire recovery fund has been created to help residents, businesses and farmers rebound from devastating losses from the bushfires. Morrison has been sharply criticized for his handling of the fires, from accusations that he hasn't done enough to help state officials to anger over his recent vacation trip to Hawaii. — By Jill Hudson and Suzette Lohmeyer What do you think of today's email? We'd love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: bestofnpr@npr.org Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can sign up here. Looking for more great content? Check out all of our newsletter offerings — including Daily News, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Best of NPR emails. This email was sent by National Public Radio, Inc., 1111 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, DC 20002 Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy