3 things to know about the Australian bushfires

By Brandon Showalter, Opinion writer and social commentator Sunday, January 05, 2020

23 confirmed dead since October, hundreds of homes burned

The Guardian reported on Saturday that since October, 23 people have died in bushfires on Australia's eastern coast. Six others are presently missing and authorities have said the death toll could increase. Many of the deaths have occurred in New South Wales which has borne the brunt of the blaze.

Among the dead are volunteer firefighters in their 20s and 30s along with elderly people, some of whom died attempting to save their homes and farms. Some victims have been confirmed dead but have not yet been identified publicly.

Over 200 homes have been destroyed in the past week as a result of the latest fires, the BBC reported. Thus far this season, 916 homes have been destroyed, another 363 damaged, and 8,159 saved, according to the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.

On Twitter Thursday, the hashtag #AustraliaBurning was trending.