Jim McMahon/MapMan®

In recent months, wildfires have devastated Australia, creating walls of flames, turning the sky blood-red, and choking cities with smoke. 

Between September and late January, fires consumed more than 38,000 square miles (an area almost the size of Kentucky). At least 28 people were killed. Thousands of others were left homeless. 

More than 1 billion animals are estimated to have died in the flames as well. Those include koalas, just one of thousands of animal and plant species that are found only in Australia, which is a continent as well as a country. Experts fear some species may go extinct as a result of the fires.

Wildfires are relatively common in Australia, which is naturally hot and dry. During rainless periods, large areas of forest and other vegetation dry out, becoming kindling for blazes. But scientists believe climate change is making the fires more frequent and destructive. That’s because long periods of drought and higher temperatures create the perfect conditions for wildfires, experts say.

Many Australians view the wildfires as a wake-up call to take climate change seriously. The nation relies heavily on exporting coal and on burning it for energy—both of which contribute to global warming. Last month, Australians in several cities marched to demand that the government acknowledge the connection between the use of coal, the climate crisis, and the fires. 

Meanwhile, thousands of residents have pitched in to serve as volunteer firefighters. Other countries, including the United States and Canada, have pledged much-needed assistance.