%202.jpg)
I'm sure most of you have seen on the news, or another forms of media the horrible events unfolding down under but if you are for some reason are unaware- here's what's happening.
Due to an intensified drought (amongst other things) the Australian bush fires began this last September and to this day are still burning. Over 100 wildfires have devastated Australia's southeast coast, killing at least 27 people and it's destroyed around 2,000 homes. One of the most devastating parts of it all is that an estimated 1 billion animals are now dead and the number of kangaroos, koalas, and others killed keeps rising.
At the moment, I'm residing in California visiting family and being from a state prone to fires every year, I understand how dangerous and destructive wildfires can be. But unlike so many people in the county and across the globe, I might never understand what's it like to lose absolutely everything in a blink of an eye.
Although being overseas can make you feel hopeless or powerless to the catastrophic events happening in Australia, there are ways for you to help those affected by the bush fires!
How can you help?
Animals in need:
By donating to the Wires Wildlife Rescue Fund, you're helping subsidize food costs for the wildlife in care, and ensuring that there are enough resources being provided to many of the injured or burnt animals rescued from the bush fires. You can donate by clicking the link below and looking for the orange box that says, "Donate Today" in the right hand corner.
Australian Zoo Wildlife Hospital in Queensland has been taking in many displaced animals during the fire, which is owned by Bindi Irwin, and her mother Terri. The zoo's Wildlife Warriors program is raising money for new enclosures to house flying foxes and koalas injured or displaced by fires. Follow the link below to donate and help save lives today!
Fly fishing saves lives:
Another page you can donate to Joshua Hutchins Go Fund Me Page. Josh is a well-known fly fisherman from Australia who is trying to raise money to be distributed evenly among cooperations such as the Red Cross Bushfire Disaster Relief and Recovery, the NSW Rural Fire Service and the CFA in Victoria, and WIRES - Emergency Fund for Wildlife. You can donate by clicking on the link below!
For other fly fisherman out there wanting to help out during Australias time of need, Garrison Doctor has come up with a creative way for people to donate. Garrison has tied a #dozenfordownunder tungsten jig trout flies and they are up for grabs! Hand-tied and perfect for your next fishing trip, anyone can simply bid on them by heading over to Garrison's instagram page and bid an amount in the comments. All proceeds go to Joshua Hutchins Go Fund Me Page, and the bidding closes Sunday night, 8pm MST. If you'd like to bid, please follow the link below.
Fire Departments:
If you would like to directly donate to the fire departments in both Victoria and New South Wales, two of the states hardest hit by the blazes, you can donate directly to the state fire authority or to a local fire brigade and bare in mind that many of which are volunteer-based. Head over to the website below and look for a red box on the right side of your screen.
Australian Red Cross:
"Since July of last year, the Australian Red Cross has assisted more than 18,600 people affected by the fires, according to its website. The organization says that it is currently supporting thousands of people in evacuation centers and recovery hubs."
You can learn more and donate by heading over to their website at: