Australia Bushfires
Record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought have fuelled a series of massive bushfires across Australia.
Let us look at the world map.
Rain has brought some respite to the thousands of firefighters and volunteers tackling the blazes, which have been burning since September. The fires intensified over the past week, with a number towns evacuated.
At least 24 people have so far been killed - including three volunteer firefighters - and more than 6.3 million hectares (63,000 sq km or 15.6 million acres) of bush, forest and parks have been burned
Worst affected area by Bushfire: New South Wales, Australia
In the worst-hit state, New South Wales (NSW), fire has affected almost five million hectares, destroying more than 1,300 houses and forcing thousands to seek shelter elsewhere.
Hot, dry weather combined with prolonged drought and strong winds have created perfect conditions for fire to spread rapidly.
About 130 fires were burning across the state on Monday (6 January), in the bush, mountain forests and national parks.
The fires have been exacerbated by 40C temperatures and strong winds, creating difficult conditions for the thousands of firefighters deployed in the field.
The small town of Balmoral, south-west of Sydney was largely destroyed and scores of homes were razed amid catastrophic conditions on 22 December. But by the start of January, conditions were still dangerous and a state of emergency for NSW has come into force. Parks, trails and camping grounds were closed and holidaymakers were told to leave.
The rainfall on Monday (6 January) meant some residents were able to return to their homes and supplies could be taken to affected areas.
But officials warn that high temperatures, and the risk of further fires, could return this week.
In the state of South Australia, the Cudlee Creek fire is reported to have destroyed more than 80 homes in the Adelaide Hills region.
The fires are also thought to have destroyed up to a third of the vines that provide grapes for the Adelaide Hills wine industry.
In the Australian capital Canberra - an administrative region surrounded by NSW - bushfire smoke meant air quality there was rated the third worst of all major global cities on Friday.
Very hot and dry conditions, with strong winds and thunderstorms are expected - posing further fire risk.
The fires have been worse than usual
Although Australia has always had bushfires, this season has been a lot worse than normal.
The total area of land affected by fires in New South Wales would cover most of the south of England.
Humans are sometimes to blame for starting the fires, but they are also often sparked by natural causes, such as lightning striking dry vegetation.
Once fires have started, other areas are at risk, with embers blown by the wind causing blazes to spread to new areas.
Bush fires themselves can also drive thunderstorms, increasing the risk of lightning strikes and further fires.
The number of people killed as a result of the fires since September 2019 is higher than in recent years.
Australia's deadliest bushfire disaster was "Black Saturday" in February 2009, when some 180 people died in Victoria.
Will a change in wind direction affect the extent of damage caused by bushfires?
Is this climate change???
Many Australians are asking that very question - but the science is complicated.
Scientists have long warned that a hotter, drier climate will contribute to fires becoming more frequent and more intense. Many parts of Australia have been in drought conditions, some for years, which has made it easier for the fires to spread and grow.
Data shows that Australia has warmed overall by slightly more than one degree Celsius since 1910, with most of the heating occurring since 1950, the Bureau of Meteorology says.
Australia broke its all-time temperature record twice in December. An average maximum of 40.9C was recorded on 17 December, broken a day later by 41.9C, both beating 2013's record of 40.3C.
By the end of the month every state had measured temperatures above 40C - including Tasmania, which is usually much cooler than the mainland.