On Monday 13 January, according to the New South Wales firefighters, Australia’s biggest blaze, situated on the northwestern outskirts of Sydney, is finally under control. Wet weather conditions played a role in quelling the blaze, named the ‘Gospers Mountain Megablaze.’
The country has been ravaged by ongoing fires for over three months, but New South Wales Rural Fire Service commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says the ‘containment prognosis looks promising,’ although there is a ‘small area of burning still to complete’ according to News24.
At 9:00pm there are 105 bush and grass fires burning across NSW, with 38 not yet contained. All fires are currently at the Advice alert level, with no immediate threat to properties. More than 2,250 personnel continue work to make sure that remains the way overnight. #NSWRFS pic.twitter.com/9bkvG5SIPX
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 13, 2020
In total, the fires have resulted in the destruction of over 800,000 hectares. The famous Sydney Opera House was recently lit up as a symbol of thanks to the brave firefighters working to save the country and to commemorate those who have died or sustained injuries in the fires while trying to help others.
The famous sails of the @SydOperaHouse have been lit up in a special tribute tonight. While there have been many people, agencies and groups involved in the bush fire effort, there is special recognition for #NSWRFS volunteers who have given up their time to help others. pic.twitter.com/QEMfGxQz5k
— NSW RFS (@NSWRFS) January 11, 2020
As the flames are subsiding and exhausted firefighters can slow down a little, Project Rock Wallaby has been initiated. This project, implemented by the government of New South Wales, is helping to ensure that brush-tailed rock-wallabies affected by the bushfires are fed, as part of a post-fire wildlife recovery effort, reports CNN. According to Matt Kean, Minister of Energy and Environment, officials have dropped over 1,000 kilograms of sweet potatoes and carrots across different colonies in the last week.
Operation Rock Wallaby 🦘- #NPWS staff today dropped thousands of kgs of food (Mostly sweet potato and carrots) for our Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby colonies across NSW 🥕🥕 #bushfires pic.twitter.com/ZBN0MSLZei
— Matt Kean MP (@Matt_KeanMP) January 11, 2020
To learn more about the current conservation efforts and how you can help, read: Australia fires: How to help and Animals sheltered in zoo director’s home
Image: Twitter/ DanielTran_
