On Monday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian declared a state of emergency in response to the ferocious bushfires that have so far claimed three lives.
The announcement comes after it was reported the Greater Sydney and Great Hunter areas are forecasted to face catastrophic fire conditions on Tuesday.
“Catastrophic conditions are where lives are lost,” NSW RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons explains.
“It’s where people die.”
So, for those wanting to help, what exactly can be done?
Here, we have put together a list of four tangible ways you can make a much-needed difference.
The Australian Red Cross team work to support bushfire-affected areas and communities. They need donations, so they can provide support as soon as possible when emergency strikes.
Their website says that although donating items is appreciated, money is more helpful for communities recovering from bushfires so that they can make their own choices.
You can donate to the Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery here.
The Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) is supporting bushfire-affected communities. 12 evacuation centres are currently active across NSW and Queensland.
They explain exactly where your money could go.
You can donate to The Salvation Army here.
As many as 350 koalas have been burnt to death in the Port Macquarie region during the NSW bushfires.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital who are in desperate need of funds to help distribute water stations in the affected fire regions to prevent any further koalas dying from dehydration.
You can donate to the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital here.
Some rallies are being set up across the state to encourage the government to do more about climate change.
An event is being held on Tuesday by School Strike 4 Climate, that will congregate outside the NSW parliament.
"On Tuesday the NSW Parliament will be debating a bill to remove consideration of climate change for new coal mines and gas-fields," the page states, referencing the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Territorial Limits) Bill 2019.
"Join us outside NSW Parliament this Tuesday to call on our politicians NOT to pass this damaging bill, and instead increase funding to emergency services."
You can view the event here.
For up-to-date information on the bushfire emergency, including evacuation warnings, visit the NSW Rural Fire Service website.
