The massive Australian bush fire which started on the 20th of December, 2019, that almost burned down an entire Australian town to the ground, has finally been put out.
Brave volunteer firefighters from Country Fire Association in Mallacoota, East Gippsland, in Victoria made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon following the week-long effort to stop the fire.
A photo posted on social media shows the crew huddled on a scorched roadside in uniform after putting out the blaze that tore through the area on New Year’s Eve.
One firefighter wrote the team could finally go home, saying:
Mallacoota fire officially out. Strike Team 0204 on HMAS Choules tonight, home tomorrow.
Affected residents also wrote heartfelt appreciation messages to the crew on Facebook, with one saying;
It is amazing that despite the sad loss of some homes, the vast majority of Mallacoota and everyone in it was saved by these amazing people.
Images of blood red skies and raging infernos in the hard-hit Mallacoota that flooded the internet had shocked the world, with a state of disaster declared for the town.
During the fight to end the fire, mass evacuation of the area took place throughout the week, with thousands of evacuees seen fleeing the area after spending four days stranded on a beach.
Around 1,000 affected residents left on Navy ship MV Sycamore on Friday, before 1,000 others boarded HMAS Choules. Evacuees traveled on a 16-hour voyage to Western Port, southern Australia, along with 130 dogs, three cats and a bird. Army staff are believed to have served around 3,500 meals while people were on board.
Others left Mallacoota by helicopter on Sunday, with more residents arriving in military crafts in Melbourne today.
However, authorities have warned locals, that although the bush fire is finally out, rushing back to their homes remains dangerous as roads with damaged trees could fall.
Authorities further stated that bad fire conditions are also forecast for the area on Friday with temperatures up to 40C, high winds, and thunderstorms that could ignite a new fire. Therefore, urging people to obey road closures.
Three people have been confirmed dead and more than 923,000 hectares have been burnt across Victoria, with hundreds of homes and properties destroyed.
