The World is On Fire

Australia is being ravaged by the worst wildfires seen in decades, with large swathes of the country devastated since the fire season began late July.

A total of 18 people have died nationwide, and in the state of New South Wales alone, more than 1,300 houses have been destroyed. State and federal authorities are struggling to contain the massive blazes, even with firefighting assistance from other countries, including the United States.

All this has been exacerbated by persistent heat and drought, and many point to climate change as a factor making natural disasters go from bad to worse.