Shane Fitzsimmons

Much of Australia's wildfire-ravaged east coast was drenched on Feb. 7 by the biggest rainfall in almost 20 years, dousing some of the most dangerous blazes and providing welcome relief to farmers battling an extended drought.   

Bushfires burned dangerously out of control on Australia's east coast on Jan. 4, fanned by high temperatures and strong winds that had firefighters battling to save lives and property, as a change in wind conditions merged several large fire fronts.

A scorching heatwave intensified bushfires ravaging parts of Australia on Dec. 21, and out-of-control blazes surrounding Sydney worsened under "catastrophic" conditions.    

Australia's eastern coast has been hit by a record-breaking heatwave, which has moved in from the west of the country, fanning hundreds of fires in its path.    

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison issued a rare public apology on Dec. 20 and cut short a Hawaiian vacation in response to mounting public anger after two volunteer firefighters were killed battling bushfires sweeping the country's east coast.