- Australia's deadly bushfires sparked in September 2019 and have been blazing ever since. A prolonged drought that began in 2017 made this year's bushfire season more devastating than ever.
- The fires created unprecedented damage, destroying more than 14 million acres of land and killing more than 20 people and an estimated 1 billion animals.
- From the driest September ever in 2018 to the raging fires of January 2020, here's how it all unfolded.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
September 2018: Eastern Australia experiences its driest September ever amid a prolonged drought that began in 2017.
Source: Business Insider
September 2019: Australia's Weather Bureau predicts at least three more months of drought as fires begin to spark.
Source: Business Insider
September to November 2019: Australia experiences its driest spring on record.
Source: Business Insider
October 2019: Australia's annual bushfire season officially begins. The prolonged drought causes embers from fires to spread, leading to more intense fires in the 2019 season.
Source: Insider
November 8 to 10, 2019: Three people die in fires in Queensland and New South Wales.
Source: CNBC
November 11, 2019: A state of emergency is declared in New South Wales and Queensland.
Source: Business Insider
November to December 2019: Fires continue to spread.
Source: Insider
December 8, 2019: For the first time ever, US firefighters are deployed to Australia.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald
December 18, 2019: Australia experiences its hottest day in history with average temperatures reaching 105.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
Source: Business Insider
December 21, 2019: A bushfire in the East Gippsland region of Victoria begins creating its own weather. The smoke generates clouds that create thunderstorms ultimately leading to more fires.
Source: Business Insider, The Sydney Morning Herald
December 28, 2019: Thousands are told to evacuate East Gippsland as the fire danger zone spreads.
Source: The Guardian
December 30, 2019: Major roads close in East Gippsland, reportedly trapping the residents and visitors who didn't evacuate earlier.
Source: Insider
December 31, 2019: The fires continue to worsen. The fires have killed a total of at least 16 people.
Source: Bloomberg
January 1, 2020: Out of necessity, Australia opens 15 South Coast bushfire evacuation centers.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald
January 2, 2020: New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian declares a state of emergency and Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews declares a state of disaster.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald
January 4, 2020: The Snowy Mountains area is ablaze as the fires continue to spread south. The death toll rises to 23.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian
January 6, 2020: Decreasing winds and temperatures in Victoria and New South Wales ease conditions, but fires are expected to continue burning for weeks, according to the Guardian.
Source: The Guardian