Over the past several months, Australia has been dealing with massive fires that have been devastating to both the country and the citizens. More recently, an article by NPR said that the fires have killed millions of animals and 25 people, burned million acres of land and made 2,000 citizens of Australia homeless. The fires started in September and are predicted to continue burning for a number of months. 

A model named Kaylen Ward raised over $500,000 by selling her nude pictures according to the Washington Post. I saw this on my timelines, truly iconic.

According to Insider, P!nk pledged $500,000, while, Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban pledged to donate $500,000 to the Rural Fire Services. Ellen DeGeneres said she donated to three organizations. Selena Gomez said she was giving money to relief efforts, and urged followers to do the same. 

Kacey Musgraves said she donated money after asking her Twitter followers about ways she could help. Russell Crowe donated $105,000 to the NSW Rural Fire Service in November 2019. Steve Irwin’s family saved 90,000 animals in Australia and treated them at their wildlife hospital in Queensland — they’re too good for this world. 

Chris Hemsworth said his family will be donating $1 million to help his home country.

What I find interesting about the list of people is that there isn’t any sort of governmental figure donating. I haven’t seen Trump talk about the fires, or even tweet about it — because we know how much he loves his Twitter.

The only political figure I found who donated was Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Yeah I get it. It isn’t the biggest concern for Trump or for the U.S. government, but come on. 

As to what started these fires, Australia typically has a fire season that runs from December to March, but according to a USA Today article, human-caused climate change has made this year’s season particularly catastrophic.

Human-caused climate change lengthens the fire season, decreases precipitation and increases temperature, fueling the blazes, according to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Last year was both the hottest and driest year ever measured in Australia, the bureau said. December was one of the top two hottest months on record for the nation.

Of course, we know climate change isn’t real, though, because of our ever so wise president. 

According to the New South Wales Police Force, there have been 24 people charged with deliberately setting fires among 183 facing legal action in the state. Another 53 people are facing legal action for not complying with the state’s fire ban, and 47 people have faced legal action for discarding a lit cigarette or match on land. Starting a bushfire intentionally and being reckless in causing its spread can result in up to 21 years in prison, according to authorities. 

Australian Red Cross, GIVIT, Salvation Army Australia, St. Vincent de Paul Society and the NSW Rural Fire Service are all currently helping to raise money for the victims of these fires.

If you want to donate: 

• Fire departments in Victoria: cfa.vic.gov.au 
• Departments in New South Wales: their government website
• For the families of volunteer firefighters who have been killed while on duty: rfs.nsw.gov.au