‘I just want everything back to normal’: What life is like for those facing Australia’s fires

Eden, Australia (CNN)The Australian federal government department responsible for managing emergencies shut its Canberra office due to poor air quality on Monday as the nation’s capital choked on smoke from deadly bushfires.

On Monday, Canberra had a rating over 340 on the Air Quality Index — higher than Beijing’s 170. Australia has been ravaged by some of the worst wildfires seen in decades, with the massive blazes destroying homes, devastating wildlife, turning skies blood red and leaving a total of 24 people dead nationwide.
The Department of Home Affairs told non-essential staff to stay away from its Canberra headquarters, while the Department of Health told staff not to work out of one of its locations. Child care services in the city were also shut.
Visitors to Parliament House were forced to wear face masks after smoke from bushfires blankets Canberra in a haze on January 5.

Visitors to Parliament House were forced to wear face masks after smoke from bushfires blankets Canberra in a haze on January 5.
YWCA Canberra — which operates a number of child care centers — said that like many Canberra organizations, it had opted to close all of its children’s services in the Australian Capital Territory and the rural New South Wales town of Murrumbateman on Monday due to «hazardous smoke conditions.»
    «This is to ensure the health and well-being of our staff and the children in our services,» YWCA Canberra said in a statement on its Facebook page.
    Read More
    Canberra’s National Gallery of Australia was also closed on Monday due to the smoke. «Closing our doors allows us to mitigate any risk to the public, staff and works of art on display,» a statement on the gallery’s website said.
    Elsewhere in Australia on Monday, cooler weather and rain gave firefighters some relief. Shane Fitzsimmons, commissioner of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS), said Monday that the conditions were a «welcome reprieve» — but it wasn’t putting out the fires.
    «It’s a psychological relief if nothing else,» he said, noting that the rains weren’t helping with back burning, a method of controlled burning that helps limit the spread of blazes.
    The flight deck of a C-130J Hercules is lit by the red glow of the fires below as the aircrew attempts to land in Merimbula to drop off fire and rescue crews to assist fighting the bushfires on Sunday, January 5.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    The flight deck of a C-130J Hercules is lit by the red glow of the fires below as the aircrew attempts to land in Merimbula to drop off fire and rescue crews to assist fighting the bushfires on Sunday, January 5.
    Hide Caption
    1 of 74
    A man walks past ash from bushfires washed up on a beach in Merimbula on January 5.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A man walks past ash from bushfires washed up on a beach in Merimbula on January 5.
    Hide Caption
    2 of 74
    A sign discourages looters near Conjola Park on January 5.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A sign discourages looters near Conjola Park on January 5.
    Hide Caption
    3 of 74
    This satellite image provided by NASA on Saturday, January 4, shows smoke from fires burning in Victoria and New South Wales.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    This satellite image provided by NASA on Saturday, January 4, shows smoke from fires burning in Victoria and New South Wales.
    Hide Caption
    4 of 74
    A father holds his daughter as the skies above turn red during the day on January 4 in Mallacoota, Australia. Many parents with young children were stuck in Mallacoota after flights were grounded because of smoke and only school-aged children and older were allowed to evacuate by boat.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A father holds his daughter as the skies above turn red during the day on January 4 in Mallacoota, Australia. Many parents with young children were stuck in Mallacoota after flights were grounded because of smoke and only school-aged children and older were allowed to evacuate by boat.
    Hide Caption
    5 of 74
    The sky turns red during the day in Mallacoota, Australia. People in the Foreshore Caravan Park are staying through what will be a day of severe fire conditions with large fires still burning out of control to the north of the town.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    The sky turns red during the day in Mallacoota, Australia. People in the Foreshore Caravan Park are staying through what will be a day of severe fire conditions with large fires still burning out of control to the north of the town.
    Hide Caption
    6 of 74
    A Royal Australian Navy crew unload luggage as evacuees from Mallacoota arrive aboard the MV Sycamore on January 4 at the port of Hastings, Australia.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A Royal Australian Navy crew unload luggage as evacuees from Mallacoota arrive aboard the MV Sycamore on January 4 at the port of Hastings, Australia.
    Hide Caption
    7 of 74
    Smoke from wildfires shrouds a road near Moruya, Australia, on January 4.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Smoke from wildfires shrouds a road near Moruya, Australia, on January 4.
    Hide Caption
    8 of 74
    Nancy Allen stands outside her house as high winds push smoke and ash from the Currowan Fire toward Nowra in New South Wales on January 4.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Nancy Allen stands outside her house as high winds push smoke and ash from the Currowan Fire toward Nowra in New South Wales on January 4.
    Hide Caption
    9 of 74
    Evacuees board the Royal Australian Navy's MV Sycamore on January 3 in Mallacoota, Victoria, Australia. Navy ships plucked hundreds of people from beaches and tens of thousands were urged to flee before hot weather and strong winds in the forecast worsen Australia's already devastating wildfires.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Evacuees board the Royal Australian Navy’s MV Sycamore on January 3 in Mallacoota, Victoria, Australia. Navy ships plucked hundreds of people from beaches and tens of thousands were urged to flee before hot weather and strong winds in the forecast worsen Australia’s already devastating wildfires.
    Hide Caption
    10 of 74
    Massive smoke rises from wildfires burning in East Gippsland, Victoria on January 2.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Massive smoke rises from wildfires burning in East Gippsland, Victoria on January 2.
    Hide Caption
    11 of 74
    Royal Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons presents a posthumous Commendation for Bravery and Service on January 2 to the son of RFS volunteer Geoffrey Keaton, who was <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2020/01/02/australia/australia-medal-firefighter-son-intl-scli/index.html" target="_blank">killed battling bushfires</a>, at Keaton's funeral in Buxton, New South Wales.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Royal Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons presents a posthumous Commendation for Bravery and Service on January 2 to the son of RFS volunteer Geoffrey Keaton, who was killed battling bushfires, at Keaton’s funeral in Buxton, New South Wales.
    Hide Caption
    12 of 74
    Boats are pulled ashore as smoke and wildfires rage on January 2 behind Lake Conjola.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Boats are pulled ashore as smoke and wildfires rage on January 2 behind Lake Conjola.
    Hide Caption
    13 of 74
    Cars line up as people evacuate the town of Batemans Bay in New South Wales on January 2.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Cars line up as people evacuate the town of Batemans Bay in New South Wales on January 2.
    Hide Caption
    14 of 74
    A satellite image released by Copernicus Sentinel dated December 31 shows bushfires burning across Australia.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A satellite image released by Copernicus Sentinel dated December 31 shows bushfires burning across Australia.
    Hide Caption
    15 of 74
    A kangaroo rushes past a burning house in Lake Conjola, Australia, on December 31.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A kangaroo rushes past a burning house in Lake Conjola, Australia, on December 31.
    Hide Caption
    16 of 74
    A man tries to defend a property in Lake Conjola on December 31.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A man tries to defend a property in Lake Conjola on December 31.
    Hide Caption
    17 of 74
    Firefighters hose down trees as they battle against bushfires around the town of Nowra in the Australian state of New South Wales on December 31, 2019. Thousands of holidaymakers and locals were forced to flee to beaches in fire-ravaged southeast Australia on December 31, as blazes ripped through popular tourist areas leaving no escape by land.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Firefighters hose down trees as they battle against bushfires around the town of Nowra in the Australian state of New South Wales on December 31, 2019. Thousands of holidaymakers and locals were forced to flee to beaches in fire-ravaged southeast Australia on December 31, as blazes ripped through popular tourist areas leaving no escape by land.
    Hide Caption
    18 of 74
    A destroyed home in Sarsfield, East Gippsland, Victoria, on December 31.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A destroyed home in Sarsfield, East Gippsland, Victoria, on December 31.
    Hide Caption
    19 of 74
    Children evacuated from areas affected by bushfires play at the showgrounds in the southern New South Wales town of Bega on December 31.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Children evacuated from areas affected by bushfires play at the showgrounds in the southern New South Wales town of Bega on December 31.
    Hide Caption
    20 of 74
    A skycrane drops water on a bushfire burning near houses in Bundoora, Melbourne, on Monday, December 30.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A skycrane drops water on a bushfire burning near houses in Bundoora, Melbourne, on Monday, December 30.
    Hide Caption
    21 of 74
    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) captured this satellite image of the historic bushfires burning across Australia on December 26.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) captured this satellite image of the historic bushfires burning across Australia on December 26.
    Hide Caption
    22 of 74
    Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is briefed by fire officials at New South Wales Rural Fire Service control room in Sydney on December 22. Morrison arrived back in Sydney <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/12/22/asia/australia-fire-prime-minister-criticism-apology/index.html" target="_blank">amid criticism after taking a family holiday to Hawaii during the bushfire emergency.</a>

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison is briefed by fire officials at New South Wales Rural Fire Service control room in Sydney on December 22. Morrison arrived back in Sydney amid criticism after taking a family holiday to Hawaii during the bushfire emergency.
    Hide Caption
    23 of 74
    Tributes for volunteer firemen Andrew O'Dwyer and Geoffrey Keaton are seen at Horsley Park Rural Fire Brigade in Sydney, Australia, on December 22. It's believed they were killed when their vehicle hit a tree before rolling off the road, the <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2019/12/20/australia/australia-firefighter-death-intl-hnk-scli/index.html" target="_blank">New South Wales Rural Fire Service said in a statement</a>.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Tributes for volunteer firemen Andrew O’Dwyer and Geoffrey Keaton are seen at Horsley Park Rural Fire Brigade in Sydney, Australia, on December 22. It’s believed they were killed when their vehicle hit a tree before rolling off the road, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service said in a statement.
    Hide Caption
    24 of 74
    A firefighter battles the Gospers Mountain Fire in Bilpin, New South Wales, on Saturday, December 21.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A firefighter battles the Gospers Mountain Fire in Bilpin, New South Wales, on Saturday, December 21.
    Hide Caption
    25 of 74
    A charred bicycle lies on the ground in front of a house destroyed by bushfires on the outskirts of Bargo on December 21.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A charred bicycle lies on the ground in front of a house destroyed by bushfires on the outskirts of Bargo on December 21.
    Hide Caption
    26 of 74
    Fire and rescue personnel monitor a bushfire as it burns near homes on the outskirts of Bilpin on Thursday, December 19.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Fire and rescue personnel monitor a bushfire as it burns near homes on the outskirts of Bilpin on Thursday, December 19.
    Hide Caption
    27 of 74
    A property burns in Balmoral on December 19.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A property burns in Balmoral on December 19.
    Hide Caption
    28 of 74
    A helicopter drops fire-retardant to protect a property in Balmoral.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A helicopter drops fire-retardant to protect a property in Balmoral.
    Hide Caption
    29 of 74
    Police disperse demonstrators during a climate protest near Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison's official residence in Sydney, on December 19, during his absence on an overseas holiday, as bushfires burned across the region.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Police disperse demonstrators during a climate protest near Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s official residence in Sydney, on December 19, during his absence on an overseas holiday, as bushfires burned across the region.
    Hide Caption
    30 of 74
    Children swing into the Penrith river during a heatwave in Sydney on December 19.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Children swing into the Penrith river during a heatwave in Sydney on December 19.
    Hide Caption
    31 of 74
    A landscape of burnt trees is pictured after a bushfire at Mount Weison, in the Blue Mountains, on Wednesday, December 18.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A landscape of burnt trees is pictured after a bushfire at Mount Weison, in the Blue Mountains, on Wednesday, December 18.
    Hide Caption
    32 of 74
    A wallaby flees a fire burning near Mangrove Mountain, north of Sydney, on December 10.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A wallaby flees a fire burning near Mangrove Mountain, north of Sydney, on December 10.
    Hide Caption
    33 of 74
    A smoke haze blankets Bondi Beach as the air quality index reaches higher than ten times hazardous levels in some suburbs of Sydney on December 10.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A smoke haze blankets Bondi Beach as the air quality index reaches higher than ten times hazardous levels in some suburbs of Sydney on December 10.
    Hide Caption
    34 of 74
    People join a guided climb of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as bushfire haze darkens the sky on December 6.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    People join a guided climb of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as bushfire haze darkens the sky on December 6.
    Hide Caption
    35 of 74
    People are seen wearing face masks to protect against the poor air quality in Sydney on December 5.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    People are seen wearing face masks to protect against the poor air quality in Sydney on December 5.
    Hide Caption
    36 of 74
    A bushfire burns out of control in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales on December 2,

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A bushfire burns out of control in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales on December 2,
    Hide Caption
    37 of 74
    An aerial view shows bushfires burning in the Richmond Valley on November 26.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    An aerial view shows bushfires burning in the Richmond Valley on November 26.
    Hide Caption
    38 of 74
    A CFA crew member rests after a day of maintaining controlled back burns in St Albans, Australia, on November 21.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A CFA crew member rests after a day of maintaining controlled back burns in St Albans, Australia, on November 21.
    Hide Caption
    39 of 74
    An injured koala receives treatment after its rescue from a bushfire at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital on November 19. The hospital said the fires have "decimated" the area, which is a key habitat and breeding ground for the marsupials. More than <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/30/australia/koala-fires-australia-intl-scli/index.html" target="_blank">350 koalas are feared to have been killed</a> by bushfires in NSW, according to animal experts.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    An injured koala receives treatment after its rescue from a bushfire at the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital on November 19. The hospital said the fires have «decimated» the area, which is a key habitat and breeding ground for the marsupials. More than 350 koalas are feared to have been killed by bushfires in NSW, according to animal experts.
    Hide Caption
    40 of 74
    Firefighters try to protect the Colo Heights Public School on November 19.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Firefighters try to protect the Colo Heights Public School on November 19.
    Hide Caption
    41 of 74
    Bushfire smoke clouds the sky over the Hawkesbury River in Brooklyn, Australia.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Bushfire smoke clouds the sky over the Hawkesbury River in Brooklyn, Australia.
    Hide Caption
    42 of 74
    Firefighters work on controlled back burns on November 14.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Firefighters work on controlled back burns on November 14.
    Hide Caption
    43 of 74
    This satellite image shows wildfire smoke on November 14.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    This satellite image shows wildfire smoke on November 14.
    Hide Caption
    44 of 74
    A man uses a wet towel to help put out flames near the town of Taree on November 14.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A man uses a wet towel to help put out flames near the town of Taree on November 14.
    Hide Caption
    45 of 74
    Firefighters organize their crews prior to working on controlled back burns in Sydney on November 14.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Firefighters organize their crews prior to working on controlled back burns in Sydney on November 14.
    Hide Caption
    46 of 74
    Warren Smith pats his dog after returning to find his house destroyed near Nana Glen on November 13.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Warren Smith pats his dog after returning to find his house destroyed near Nana Glen on November 13.
    Hide Caption
    47 of 74
    Teresa de Ruyter, left, and Michelle Wilson embrace after returning to their homes near Nana Glen on November 13.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Teresa de Ruyter, left, and Michelle Wilson embrace after returning to their homes near Nana Glen on November 13.
    Hide Caption
    48 of 74
    Firefighters battle a spot fire in Hillville on November 13.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Firefighters battle a spot fire in Hillville on November 13.
    Hide Caption
    49 of 74
    Residents look on as thick smoke rises from bushfires near Nana Glen on November 12.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Residents look on as thick smoke rises from bushfires near Nana Glen on November 12.
    Hide Caption
    50 of 74
    Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison looks at a screen as he gets a briefing on the bushfire situation on November 12.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison looks at a screen as he gets a briefing on the bushfire situation on November 12.
    Hide Caption
    51 of 74
    Locals watch the fires impact farmland near Nana Glen on November 12.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Locals watch the fires impact farmland near Nana Glen on November 12.
    Hide Caption
    52 of 74
    A firefighter mops up after a bushfire in the Sydney suburb of Llandilo on November 12.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A firefighter mops up after a bushfire in the Sydney suburb of Llandilo on November 12.
    Hide Caption
    53 of 74
    A fire and rescue team inspects damage around the village of Torrington on November 11.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A fire and rescue team inspects damage around the village of Torrington on November 11.
    Hide Caption
    54 of 74
    Andrew Mackenzie surveys the damage to the area around his home in Torrington. His home was spared, but his neighbors' house was burned to the ground.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Andrew Mackenzie surveys the damage to the area around his home in Torrington. His home was spared, but his neighbors’ house was burned to the ground.
    Hide Caption
    55 of 74
    Smoke from the Gulf Road Fire fills the air in Glen Innes on November 11.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Smoke from the Gulf Road Fire fills the air in Glen Innes on November 11.
    Hide Caption
    56 of 74
    A sign on a Taree fire station warns of "catastrophic" fire conditions.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A sign on a Taree fire station warns of «catastrophic» fire conditions.
    Hide Caption
    57 of 74
    A lone joey is pictured on a scorched patch of ground in Torrington on November 11.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A lone joey is pictured on a scorched patch of ground in Torrington on November 11.
    Hide Caption
    58 of 74
    Emergency crews tend to animals on a property in Torrington on November 11.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Emergency crews tend to animals on a property in Torrington on November 11.
    Hide Caption
    59 of 74
    Burnt trees dot the landscape in Old Bar on November 10.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Burnt trees dot the landscape in Old Bar on November 10.
    Hide Caption
    60 of 74
    A firefighter works to contain a bushfire near Taree on November 10.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A firefighter works to contain a bushfire near Taree on November 10.
    Hide Caption
    61 of 74
    A helicopter drops water on a bushfire in Old Bar on November 9.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A helicopter drops water on a bushfire in Old Bar on November 9.
    Hide Caption
    62 of 74
    This aerial photo, taken on November 9, shows bushfires in the northeastern part New South Wales.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    This aerial photo, taken on November 9, shows bushfires in the northeastern part New South Wales.
    Hide Caption
    63 of 74
    Fires burn in the distance as children play on a beach in Forster on November 9.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Fires burn in the distance as children play on a beach in Forster on November 9.
    Hide Caption
    64 of 74
    A fire rages in Bobin on November 9.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A fire rages in Bobin on November 9.
    Hide Caption
    65 of 74
    The remains of a property are seen in Bobin on November 9.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    The remains of a property are seen in Bobin on November 9.
    Hide Caption
    66 of 74
    A plane drops fire retardant on a bushfire in Harrington on November 8.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A plane drops fire retardant on a bushfire in Harrington on November 8.
    Hide Caption
    67 of 74
    Firefighters try to put out a bushfire in Woodford on November 8.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Firefighters try to put out a bushfire in Woodford on November 8.
    Hide Caption
    68 of 74
    Police knock on the door of a house to warn residents of an out-of-control bushfire near Clumber on November 8.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Police knock on the door of a house to warn residents of an out-of-control bushfire near Clumber on November 8.
    Hide Caption
    69 of 74
    A resident hoses smoldering logs as a bushfire burns in Woodford on November 8.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    A resident hoses smoldering logs as a bushfire burns in Woodford on November 8.
    Hide Caption
    70 of 74
    The sun is seen through heavy smoke as a bushfire burns in Woodford.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    The sun is seen through heavy smoke as a bushfire burns in Woodford.
    Hide Caption
    71 of 74
    Firefighters hose down an area in Woodford.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Firefighters hose down an area in Woodford.
    Hide Caption
    72 of 74
    Forster residents watch as a water-bombing helicopter flies over a bushfire on November 7.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    Forster residents watch as a water-bombing helicopter flies over a bushfire on November 7.
    Hide Caption
    73 of 74
    In this handout photo from NASA's Aqua satellite, destructive bushfires are seen off the coast of New South Wales on November 7.

    Photos:In photos: Bushfires rage through Australia
    In this handout photo from NASA’s Aqua satellite, destructive bushfires are seen off the coast of New South Wales on November 7.
    Hide Caption
    74 of 74
    01 aus fires 010502 aus fires 010503 aus fires 010504 aus fires 010511 australia fire 0104 mallacoota RESTRICTED10 australia fire 0104 mallacoota RESTRICTED04 australia fire 0104 hastings02 australia fire 0104 moruya12 australia fires new south wales01 australia fire 0103 mallacoota03 australia fire 010201 australia volunteer firefighter Geoffrey Keaton funeral 020203 australia bushfires 010201 australia bushfires 010201 australia bushfire satellite 123110 australia fires 1231 RESTRICTED09 australia fires 1231 RESTRICTED05b australia fires 123107 australia fires 123104 australia fires 123101 australia bushfire 1230australia bushfires satellite 1226Scott Morrison 122201 australia bushfires 122201 aus fire 122101 australia bushfire 122101 australia bushfire 121903 australia bushfire 121902 australia bushfire 121901 australia climate protest 121904 australia bushfire 121902 australia bushfire 121801 australia bushfires 121003 Sydney bushfire haze 121001 australia bushfire 120601 australia bushfire 120501 australia bushfire 120201 australia bushfire 112601 australia fires 112101 australia fires 111903 australia bushfires 1119 RESTRICTED03 australia fires 111504 australia fires 1114 CROP01 australia fires 111402 australia fires 111403 australia fires 111402 australia fires 111303 australia fires 111304 australia fires 111313 australia fires 111212 australia fires 111206 australia fires 111204 australia fires 111207b australia fires 111113 australia fires 111109 australia fires 111112 australia fires 111105 australia fires 111108 australia fires 111105 australia fires 111001 aus fires 111001 aus fires 110905 australia fires 110902 aus fires 110903 aus fires 110904 aus fires 110901 australia fire 1108 RESTRICTED02 australia fire 1108 RESTRICTED03 australia fire 1108 RESTRICTED04 australia fire 1108 05 australia fire 110806 australia fire 1108 RESTRICTED07 australia fire 1108 RESTRICTED02 australia bush fires 1107
    The weather gave firefighters a chance to «take a breath» as they prepared for more emergencies later in the week, Victoria fires incident controller Andy Gillham said, according to national broadcaster ABC.
    NSW RFS spokesman James Morris said firefighters needed weeks of consistent showers to ease the fire threat.
    «We’ve seen drought conditions so the ground is very hard. If we get a lot of rain in a short period of time, it’ll sit on the surface and run away,» he said.
    There are 136 active blazes in NSW alone, including 69 that are uncontained, the NSW RFS said in a tweet early Monday. In Victoria state, there are still 31 active fires and more than 1.1 million hectares (4,247 square miles) of land has been burned, the Country Fire Authority said in a tweet.
    On Sunday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison cautioned that for some states, the most difficult fire seasons could be later in January and February. «The crisis is not over,» he said. «There are months to go.»

    Government response

    On Monday, Morrison announced that he would establish a 2 billion Australian dollar ($1.39 billion) National Bushfire Recovery Agency to help people hit by the «unprecedented bushfires» get the support they needed.
    «It’s a long road ahead and we will be with these communities every step of the way as they rebuild,» he said.
    The funds will be used to help «get communities back on their feet» by rebuilding roads, mental health support, and helping restore the local environment, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said.
    On Monday, the NSW police force said it had taken legal action against 183 people for bushfire-related offences since last November, including 24 who have been charged over allegedly deliberately-lit fires.
    Morrison has been criticized for taking a vacation to Hawaii during the fires. But on Sunday, he said the government’s response was the most significant and comprehensive ever to a natural disaster.
    In a news release on Sunday, the Australia Defence Force said it was significantly increasing its fire support and had called up 3,000 army reservists and others with specialist capabilities.
    As of Monday, HMAS Adelaide — the biggest vessel in the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet — was moored off the coast near Eden, a seaside town in NSW that was affected by fires over the weekend. The ship has space for up to 5,000 evacuees.
    Fire crews' life-or-death moments caught on video

    Fire crews' life-or-death moments caught on video

      JUST WATCHED

      Fire crews’ life-or-death moments caught on video

    MUST WATCH

    Fire crews’ life-or-death moments caught on video02:11

    What life is like for those affected

    Over the weekend, thick smoke hung low over Eden, blocking out the sun and casting an ominous orange glow.
    On Sunday, police went door to door, boat to boat, telling people that it wasn’t safe to stay. Some agreed to go, but others decided to stay put on informal evacuation centers — a whale-watching tour boat and two tugboats moored at the wharf.
    On Monday, the red glow was gone and some people started returning to their homes.
    Ike, 5, and his sister Kalani, 6, with their mother Louise during a tense weekend on the family's fishing vessel where they took shelter from flames in Eden, NSW.

    Ike, 5, and his sister Kalani, 6, with their mother Louise during a tense weekend on the family’s fishing vessel where they took shelter from flames in Eden, NSW.
    Louise Warren said she had lived in Eden all her life and was accustomed to annual fires, but she had never seen anything like this.
    On Sunday, Warren, her husband and two children fled to the family’s fishing trawler as the sky turned orange, then red, then black. «I just want everything back to normal,» she said.
      Kerrie Chester spent Saturday night on one of the tugs with up to 50 people, many children and elderly people, as well as the families’ dogs. «I haven’t slept all night,» Chester said Sunday. She spent the night outside on the wharf, watching to see if the fire leaped across the bay.
      «I think it was the not knowing, because you couldn’t see it across the bay,» she said.

    CNN’s Julia Hollingsworth wrote from Hong Kong, while journalist Hilary Whiteman reported and wrote from Eden, Australia.

    News