While the Australia government on Saturday announced a large-scale use of military assets, climate experts believe the historic destruction wrought by the recent bush fires will escalate. An extended drought and record-breaking temperatures have created an earlier start to the fire season that is worse than anticipated.

“We are seeing very dangerous fire danger conditions developing over the next few days, with a real concern on Saturday through eastern parts of Victoria and southern NSW,” said Jonathan How, an official with the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

Temperatures above 100 degrees are expected across the southern states of Australia. Hot winds pushing into the region will combine with these temperatures and potentially exacerbate the already historically destructive wildfires.

“The ignition sources are already there,” Australian Fire Service chief officer Mark Jones said in a statement. “There are millions of sparks out there ready to go if they break containment lines.”

Over 445 homes were destroyed this week by wildfires in the state of New South Wales, with 10 deaths and 28 people missing in the region. Since the start of the country’s summer season, fires have burned approximately 12.3 million acres of land, destroyed 1,400 homes, and killed 23.

Army reservists and military ships are aiding the evacuation and firefighting efforts.

The fires have also had a major impact on wildlife.

“Many of the affected animals are likely to have been killed directly by the fires, with others succumbing later due to the depletion of food and shelter resources and predation from introduced feral cats and red foxes,” the University of Sydney ecologists said in a statement on Friday.

Australia's bushfire crisis has killed 23 people and burned swathes of the country
Australia's bushfire crisis has killed 23 people and burned swathes of the country AFP / SAEED KHAN
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