The 2019–20 Australian bushfire disaster, also known as “Black Summer,” first began out of the ordinary in June 2019, due to a severe drought, record heat and climate-related anomalies such as the positive Indian Ocean Dipole. In this part of Australia, the weather conditions established a perfect storm for ignition fires throughout Queensland and New South Wales.
By November 12, Greater Sydney experienced its first ever ‘catastrophic’ fire danger rating, signalling a state of emergency beyond anything previously encountered. Total fire bans were instigated across seven regions, while previously fire-impacted areas in northern NSW were entered into a crisis situation.
As the fires continued to rage through December, Sydney was struck by thick smoke, with air quality declared to be 11 times (and more) hazardous air quality limits. Famous icons became engulfed and hid from visibility under thick smoke, and public health officials issued extensive warnings against outdoor exposure.
Tragedy struck the Victorian town of Mallacoota on December 31, as 4,000 residents and tourists faced fire-encircling panic, where quick evacuation routes towards the beach were their only options. The Mallacoota evacuation gained global attention with numerous media reports, and opened the door for the Australian navy to rescue those stranded on beaches.
Conditions worsened on January 4 when Penrith, in western Sydney experienced a temperature of 48.9°C (120°F), making it the hottest place on Earth at that instant. Fires burned uncontrollably, while emergency services continued to grapple with the obstacles in firefighting. On January 23, a Lockheed C-130 Hercules air tanker crashed near Cooma while on a waterbombing mission, killing three American crew members. This tragedy underscored the unique risks faced daily by firefighters battling the fires in the air, where they are regularly put in harm’s way. This was the last significant fire in Victoria. It was contained on February 27, marking the commencement of a serious recovery moment for displaced communities, firefighters and emergency services. Lastly, on March 2, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service declared all fires out. After more than 240 days of continuous burning, the Black Summer had finally ended – leaving a scorched land, billions of lost animals, and action to respond to climate policy and preparedness.ief moment, making it the hottest place on Earth at that point. Fires burned fiercely, and emergency services confronted challenges they had never faced before. 
Things took a tragic turn on January 23 when a Lockheed C-130 Hercules air tanker crashed whilst on a waterbombing mission near Cooma, resulting in the deaths of three American crew members. It was a stark reminder of the extraordinary risks taken by the men and women who battled these fires from the air. 
After months of destruction, the final major fire in Victoria was officially contained on February 27. This was the starting point for intense recovery for affected communities, fire-fighters and emergency services. 
On March 2, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service officially declared that all fires had been put out. After more than 240 days of continuous burning, the Black Summer had officially ended, leaving an unbelievably burned landscape, billions of dead animals, and a refocused pressure around climate change policy and disaster preparedness.