Warrant Officer Class Two Darrel Rowe, from the 5th Aviation Squadron, searches the ground from an Australian Army CH-47F Chinook during the flight to Omeo, Victoria, Australia, to evacuate local civilian residents during Operation Bushfire Assist. PHOTO: REUTERS
Catastrophic bushfires have turned swathes of land into smouldering, blackened hellscapes and destroyed an area about the size of the island of Ireland, according to official figures, with authorities warning the disaster still has weeks or months to run.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison, whose government has been criticised for its slow response to the emergency, pledged Aus$2 billion ($1.4 billion) of taxpayer money for a national recovery fund.
"It's a long road ahead and we will be with these communities every step of the way as they rebuild," Morrison said.
A convoy of Army vehicles, transporting up to 100 Army Reservists and self-sustainment supplies to Kangaroo Island to help with bushfire relief, are seen at Keswick Barracks in Adelaide, Australia, January 6, 2020. PHOTO: REUTERS.
The burnt out remains of a house is seen from a bushfire in the Southern Highlands town of Wingello, Australia, January 6, 2020.PHOTO: REUTERS.
Royal Australian Navy vessel HMAS Adelaide (L01) seen in the misting rain off the coast in Eden, Australia January 6, 2020. PHOTO: REUTERS.
Cobargo resident John Aish and Nathan (L) shoot some hoops in the still standing hoop outside their destroyed homes in Cobargo, Australia January 6, 2020. PHOTO: REUTERS.
Matthew Harrington and his daughter Uma Harrington play at the Cobargo evacuation centre, after their home was destroyed in the New Year's Eve bushfire in Cobargo, Australia. PHOTO: REUTERS.
Seaman Boatswains Mate Malik El-Leissy views a burning fire from HMAS Adelaide as the ship arrives at Eden, NSW, Australia, during Operation Bushfire Assist 2020. PHOTO: REUTERS.
Warrant Officer Class Two Darrel Rowe, from the 5th Aviation Squadron, searches the ground from an Australian Army CH-47F Chinook during the flight to Omeo, Victoria, Australia, to evacuate local civilian residents during Operation Bushfire Assist. PHOTO: REUTERS.
A general view of fire damage on Kangaroo Island, Australia.PHOTO: REUTERS.
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