An innocent koala and a firefighter have been photographed in a heart-wrenching photo helplessly watching on as bushfire destroyed the animal’s home.
The heartbreaking picture, shared on the Eden Hills County Fire Service Facebook page, shows the firefighter standing in front of raging bushfire with the koala next to him.
One comment on the photo read: “What a powerful photo. Thank you for sharing. And a giant thank you to all the outstanding firies tirelessly fighting the infernos. True heroes.”
Another wrote: “Now that’s a moment in time. Hope you and the koala are safe now.”
In recent months, raging bushfires have ravaged through Australia with around 1,100 hectares of vineyards destroyed in South Australia and over 1,000 homes destroyed in New South Wales alone.
Over 1,000 koalas are feared to have died, and nine people have passed away in catastrophic fire conditions.
The infernos have been devastating to native flora and fauna, with brave firemen helped to save poor animals from fire destroying their homes.
Firefighters and volunteers battled bushfires in Cudlee Creek, and it was confirmed by South Australian Premier Steven Marshall that around 72 homes were destroyed.
“This is a very sad day for the people of South Australia as many return to their homes in the Adelaide Hills … and all they find is rubble,” said Mr. Marshall, according to the ABC.
Around 300 firefighters are battling the inferno, with the blaze not anticipated to spread anymore after burning 25,000 hectares of land.
Harrowing photos of the result of the destruction in the New South Wale Southern Highlands town show ruins of destroyed homes, a charred railway line, and a burnt out vehicle covered in ash.
The captain of the Balmoral Rural Fire Bridage, Brendon O’Conner, said to ABC Radio that the village ran on limited water tank.
“It was terrible. We had eight fire appliances dealing with the fire storm and no water left,” Mr O’Connor said. “The tanks and town had been drained. We had to wait for another tank to make it in and restock us.”
“We’re only a small rural community,” he added. “Well over 90 per cent of the bushland within the village area is gone.”
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments section and SHARE this post with your family and friends!
Replaced!