Heatwave warnings were issued in large parts of Australia on Sunday (Dec 24) amid scorching temperatures. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, authorities warned of a high bushfire risk in many parts of the Western Australia state.

Heatwave warnings issued in Australia, authorities warn of bushfire risk

Smoke from the massive bushfires that hit Australia in the 2019-20 summer was linked to more than 445 deaths and more than 4,000 hospitalisations over several months, as per a government inquiry.

Smoke from Australia bushfires linked to hundreds of deaths

Australia's capital, Canberra, was on high alert on Sunday as bushfires burned nearby, while smoke and dust engulfed large parts of the country's east, prompting warnings from health authorities.

Excess smoke and dust trigger health warnings from Australian government; Canberra on fire alert

Australia declared an emergency in its capital city Canberra in the wake of bushfires threat due to rising temperatures and strong winds. "A state of emergency is the strongest signal we can send to the ACT community that they must prepare themselves and their families," Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory Andrew Barr said.

Amid bushfire threat, emergency declared in Australian capital Canberra

Janine Davies is running on little sleep as she cares for around 50 grey-headed flying foxes that have lost both their mothers and homes to Australia's huge bushfires.

Baby flying foxes orphaned by Australian bushfires get a foster home

After rains are trying to assuage bushfires that caused immense damage in Australia, volunteers are setting up shelters for homeless animals. In Kangaroo Valley, a popular tourist town located nearly 150 kilometres from Sydney, locals and visitors are helping in installing possum nest boxes in affected areas to provide animals a place to live after their homes were destroyed by fires.

Australia: Volunteers set up shelters for homeless animals

Forecasts of heavy rain offered hope Tuesday in the months-long battle to contain Australia's unprecedented bushfires, but smoke lifted pollution levels in the nation's second-biggest city to among the worst in the world.

Rain offers hope in Australian bushfire fight

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Saturday that 3000 military reserves were called up, the largest in living memory, to tackle country's massive bushfires.

Australia calls in reserve forces to tackle bushfire crisis