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Most moving pictures from Australia's bushfire crisis
Most moving pictures from Australia's bushfire crisis

From the frontline: Incredible photos from Victoria’s bushfire crisis

Staff writers
1 min read·January 08, 2020 - 7:00AM
Herald Sun

As bushfires wreak havoc on the state, incredible stories of perseverance and survival have emerged. The Herald Sun’s photographers have been in fire-ravaged communities, capturing heartbreak, heroism and hope.

From stories of survival, to tales of tragedy, Herald Sun photographers have been in the affected communities, documenting the devastating toll of the fires.

Relief abounded aboard the HMAS Choules, as those aboard slowly but surely made their way to safety on the Mornington Peninsula, while devastation reigned over those who lost their homes in the blazes.

These amazing pictures capture the horror, the hope, and the long journey ahead for communities devastated by the fires.

A young girl walking her dog past burning large cable spools along a scorched property in Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
A young girl walking her dog past burning large cable spools along a scorched property in Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Fire closes in on the township of Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Fire closes in on the township of Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
A view across Bairnsdale of the Gippsland fires. Picture: Brody Mullin/Facebook
A view across Bairnsdale of the Gippsland fires. Picture: Brody Mullin/Facebook
Aerial support was called in to fight fires in East Gippsland. Picture: State Control Centre
Aerial support was called in to fight fires in East Gippsland. Picture: State Control Centre
Fire bear down on Bruthen. Picture: David Crosling
Fire bear down on Bruthen. Picture: David Crosling
Fires raged near Bairnsdale. Picture: State Control Centre
Fires raged near Bairnsdale. Picture: State Control Centre
Fires burned through over a million hectares of land in East Gippsland. Picture: Air Attack/Facebook
Fires burned through over a million hectares of land in East Gippsland. Picture: Air Attack/Facebook
The East Gippsland fires as seen from the air. Picture: State Control Centre
The East Gippsland fires as seen from the air. Picture: State Control Centre
Smoke from fires north of Bairnsdale. Picture: DELWP
Smoke from fires north of Bairnsdale. Picture: DELWP
Bill Blair on his property between Tintaldra and Towong which was devastated by the fires near Corryang. Picture: Jason Edwards
Bill Blair on his property between Tintaldra and Towong which was devastated by the fires near Corryang. Picture: Jason Edwards
Bill Blair comforts his brother Jack as they put down many of Bill’s herd of Angus cattle after they were badly burnt. Picture: Jason Edwards
Bill Blair comforts his brother Jack as they put down many of Bill’s herd of Angus cattle after they were badly burnt. Picture: Jason Edwards
All the fodder on Bill Blair’s pastures has been burnt. Picture: Jason Edwards
All the fodder on Bill Blair’s pastures has been burnt. Picture: Jason Edwards
The roads surrounding Mallacoota may be closed for weeks. Picture: David Caird
The roads surrounding Mallacoota may be closed for weeks. Picture: David Caird
A young girl looks at the burnt body of dead kangaroo while walking her dog along a scorched property. Picture: David Caird
A young girl looks at the burnt body of dead kangaroo while walking her dog along a scorched property. Picture: David Caird
Mitch McLean, 16, is still putting out spotfires on his neighbour’s property. Picture: Jason Edwards
Mitch McLean, 16, is still putting out spotfires on his neighbour’s property. Picture: Jason Edwards
A local stops to observe a razed house in Bastion Point road. Picture: David Caird
A local stops to observe a razed house in Bastion Point road. Picture: David Caird
Destroyed homes in the township of Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Destroyed homes in the township of Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Burnt cars in Buchan. Picture: David Crosling
Burnt cars in Buchan. Picture: David Crosling
Norm Nankervis and one of his $1500 pregnant heifer he had to shoot on his property in Cudgewa. Picture: Jason Edwards
Norm Nankervis and one of his $1500 pregnant heifer he had to shoot on his property in Cudgewa. Picture: Jason Edwards
Flames behind a house near the fire outside Bruthen. Picture: David Crosling
Flames behind a house near the fire outside Bruthen. Picture: David Crosling
Nathan Fowler who lost his house among many houses that have burnt down in Sarsfield from the Gippsland fires that swept through yesterday. Tuesday, December 31, 2019. Picture: David Crosling
Nathan Fowler who lost his house among many houses that have burnt down in Sarsfield from the Gippsland fires that swept through yesterday. Tuesday, December 31, 2019. Picture: David Crosling
Smoke is heavy and visibility low down the main street of Orbost in fire ravaged East Gippsland. Picture: Mark Stewart
Smoke is heavy and visibility low down the main street of Orbost in fire ravaged East Gippsland. Picture: Mark Stewart
Burnt out forest in Wairewa in fire-ravaged East Gippsland. Picture: Mark Stewart
Burnt out forest in Wairewa in fire-ravaged East Gippsland. Picture: Mark Stewart
A kangaroo hops across a burnt ground looking for feed near Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
A kangaroo hops across a burnt ground looking for feed near Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Stranded families wait for relief in Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Stranded families wait for relief in Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Children watch wide-eyed as they listen to instructions from ADF personal. Picture: David Caird
Children watch wide-eyed as they listen to instructions from ADF personal. Picture: David Caird
Residents and holiday-makers stranded in Mallacoota at a town meeting update for fire conditions and evacuation procedure. Picture: David Caird
Residents and holiday-makers stranded in Mallacoota at a town meeting update for fire conditions and evacuation procedure. Picture: David Caird
CFA fire chief Steve Warrington at a destroyed house in Buchan. Picture: David Crosling
CFA fire chief Steve Warrington at a destroyed house in Buchan. Picture: David Crosling
Fire crews fight a spotfire east of Nowa Nowa. Picture: David Crosling
Fire crews fight a spotfire east of Nowa Nowa. Picture: David Crosling
CFA fire chief Steve Warrington surveys the fire damage in Buchan. Picture: David Crosling
CFA fire chief Steve Warrington surveys the fire damage in Buchan. Picture: David Crosling
Exhausted firefighters in Corryang. Picture: Jason Edwards
Exhausted firefighters in Corryang. Picture: Jason Edwards
Local CFA and crews from around Victoria are ready to defend Orbost. Picture: David Crosling
Local CFA and crews from around Victoria are ready to defend Orbost. Picture: David Crosling
Corryong Fires Scenes from the Main Street of Corryong, residents who are in town cannot leave without being forced to stay out. CFA and emergency services gather in the Main Street. Picture: Jason Edwards
Corryong Fires Scenes from the Main Street of Corryong, residents who are in town cannot leave without being forced to stay out. CFA and emergency services gather in the Main Street. Picture: Jason Edwards
Guzzle the male koala who suffered burns to his nose face and paws, drinks water through a syringe held by wildlife carer Maryann Buchanan. Picture: David Caird
Guzzle the male koala who suffered burns to his nose face and paws, drinks water through a syringe held by wildlife carer Maryann Buchanan. Picture: David Caird
A separated young joey hops around the Mallacoota wildlife centre. Picture: David Caird
A separated young joey hops around the Mallacoota wildlife centre. Picture: David Caird
Sheep in a burnt field in Clifton Creek in fire-ravaged East Gippsland. Picture: Mark Stewart
Sheep in a burnt field in Clifton Creek in fire-ravaged East Gippsland. Picture: Mark Stewart
People huddle around a speaker outside the packed town meeting for updates for fire conditions and evacuation procedure from Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
People huddle around a speaker outside the packed town meeting for updates for fire conditions and evacuation procedure from Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Jann Gilbert with her dog Ollie visits the site of her burnt out unit in Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Jann Gilbert with her dog Ollie visits the site of her burnt out unit in Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Fires from the Mallacoota wharf. Pictures: Trevor Jay
Fires from the Mallacoota wharf. Pictures: Trevor Jay
Steve Shipton (centre) is consoled by fellow farmers Bernie Smith (left) and Peter Mercieca in Coolagolite, NSW. Picture: Sean Davey/AAP.
Steve Shipton (centre) is consoled by fellow farmers Bernie Smith (left) and Peter Mercieca in Coolagolite, NSW. Picture: Sean Davey/AAP.
Scenes of devastation on the road between Corryong and Tintaldra. Picture: Jason Edwards
Scenes of devastation on the road between Corryong and Tintaldra. Picture: Jason Edwards
The Old Genoa Bridge engulfed in flames. Picture: Ryley Broome
The Old Genoa Bridge engulfed in flames. Picture: Ryley Broome
German family Kai and Deniz Kirschbaum with their three children sheltering at the Mallacoota community centre. Picture: David Caird
German family Kai and Deniz Kirschbaum with their three children sheltering at the Mallacoota community centre. Picture: David Caird
Red smoke haze blanketed Mallacoota. Picture: Mileyna Cifali/Facebook
Red smoke haze blanketed Mallacoota. Picture: Mileyna Cifali/Facebook
Locals gather in the red haze. Pictures: Trevor Jay
Locals gather in the red haze. Pictures: Trevor Jay
Local Mallacoota man Patrick Boyle has saved around seven koalas from burnt bushland as fires rage across the state.
Local Mallacoota man Patrick Boyle has saved around seven koalas from burnt bushland as fires rage across the state.
Kids thank the CFA firefighters in Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Kids thank the CFA firefighters in Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Evacuees from Mallacoota arrive on the navy ship HMAS Choules at the port of Hastings. Picture: Ian Currie
Evacuees from Mallacoota arrive on the navy ship HMAS Choules at the port of Hastings. Picture: Ian Currie
A juvenile Kangaroo was caught in a fence trying to escape in Cudlee Creek. Picture: Brad Fleet
A juvenile Kangaroo was caught in a fence trying to escape in Cudlee Creek. Picture: Brad Fleet
Steve Shipton shoots an injured calf in his paddock after a bushfire in Coolagolite, NSW. Picture: Sean Davey/AAP.
Steve Shipton shoots an injured calf in his paddock after a bushfire in Coolagolite, NSW. Picture: Sean Davey/AAP.
Josh Collings returns to his burnt home days after being cut off by the fire in Main St, Cudgewa. Picture: Tony Gough
Josh Collings returns to his burnt home days after being cut off by the fire in Main St, Cudgewa. Picture: Tony Gough
A Need for Feed Hay Convoy provides much needed relief to the isolated town of Buchan in the aftermath of the Victorian Bushfire crisis. Picture: Mark Stewart
A Need for Feed Hay Convoy provides much needed relief to the isolated town of Buchan in the aftermath of the Victorian Bushfire crisis. Picture: Mark Stewart
Supplies arrive in Buchan. Picture: Mark Stewart
Supplies arrive in Buchan. Picture: Mark Stewart
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to Jilly Brown and husband Mel, who lost their 120 year old Sarsfeild Home and Accommodation business. Picture: Jason Edwards
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to Jilly Brown and husband Mel, who lost their 120 year old Sarsfeild Home and Accommodation business. Picture: Jason Edwards
Commander Scott Houlihan of HMAS Choules talks to the hundreds gathered at a Mallacoota Town Hall meeting about evacuation on the ship. Picture: David Caird
Commander Scott Houlihan of HMAS Choules talks to the hundreds gathered at a Mallacoota Town Hall meeting about evacuation on the ship. Picture: David Caird
The last boat out of Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
The last boat out of Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Relief as a boat load of evacuees leaves Mallacoota for HMAS Choules. Picture: David Caird
Relief as a boat load of evacuees leaves Mallacoota for HMAS Choules. Picture: David Caird
Another boat load of evacuees reaches HMAS Choules, happy to be on-board. Picture: David Caird
Another boat load of evacuees reaches HMAS Choules, happy to be on-board. Picture: David Caird
Mallacoota Fires evacuation. Picture: David Caird
Mallacoota Fires evacuation. Picture: David Caird
Joy abounds as Mallacoota evacuees reach dry land. Picture: Ian Currie
Joy abounds as Mallacoota evacuees reach dry land. Picture: Ian Currie
HMAS Choules arrives at Hastings Port with over 1000 evacuees from Mallacoota. Picture: Ian Currie
HMAS Choules arrives at Hastings Port with over 1000 evacuees from Mallacoota. Picture: Ian Currie
Mallacoota evacuees board buses bound for a relief centre on the Mornington Peninsula. Picture: Ian Currie
Mallacoota evacuees board buses bound for a relief centre on the Mornington Peninsula. Picture: Ian Currie
All creatures great and small were transported from Mallacoota. Picture: Ian Currie
All creatures great and small were transported from Mallacoota. Picture: Ian Currie
An Army Chinook crew member tries to comfort a distressed child while fitting ear protection before boarding the running Chinook helicopter bound for Sale. Picture: David Caird
An Army Chinook crew member tries to comfort a distressed child while fitting ear protection before boarding the running Chinook helicopter bound for Sale. Picture: David Caird
A distressed mum holds her daughter's who was refusing to wear ear protection before boarding the running Chinook helicopter leaving Malalcoota. Picture: David Caird
A distressed mum holds her daughter's who was refusing to wear ear protection before boarding the running Chinook helicopter leaving Malalcoota. Picture: David Caird
Mum Laura Langmead tries to put a breathing mask over her daughter Evie 1, to help filter the smoke blanketing Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Mum Laura Langmead tries to put a breathing mask over her daughter Evie 1, to help filter the smoke blanketing Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird


A baby in mum's arms cries as they approach the noise and heat from the turbine engines of the running Chinook helicopter bound for Sale, from Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
A baby in mum's arms cries as they approach the noise and heat from the turbine engines of the running Chinook helicopter bound for Sale, from Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Two Australian Army Soldiers help people evacuate onto a helicopter/
Two Australian Army Soldiers help people evacuate onto a helicopter/
A father and son jubilant that they are finally leaving Mallacoota before take off. Picture: David Caird
A father and son jubilant that they are finally leaving Mallacoota before take off. Picture: David Caird
A convoy provides much needed relief to the isolated town of Buchan in the aftermath of the Victorian Bushfire crisis. Picture: Mark Stewart
A convoy provides much needed relief to the isolated town of Buchan in the aftermath of the Victorian Bushfire crisis. Picture: Mark Stewart
A frayed Australian flag still flies against a smoke hazed weak sun at the Mallacoota Golf Club. Picture: David Caird
A frayed Australian flag still flies against a smoke hazed weak sun at the Mallacoota Golf Club. Picture: David Caird
The Lucknow Memorial hall outside of Bairnsdale is full of donated clothes, food and toys from the community for victims of the Gippsland bushfires. Picture: David Crosling
The Lucknow Memorial hall outside of Bairnsdale is full of donated clothes, food and toys from the community for victims of the Gippsland bushfires. Picture: David Crosling
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons (L) pins a medal on Harvey Keaton after his father Geoffrey Keaton was posthumously awarded with the Commissioner’s Commendation for Extraordinary Service and a Commendation for Bravery, at his funeral in Sydney. Picture: AFP/RFS
RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons (L) pins a medal on Harvey Keaton after his father Geoffrey Keaton was posthumously awarded with the Commissioner’s Commendation for Extraordinary Service and a Commendation for Bravery, at his funeral in Sydney. Picture: AFP/RFS
Norm Nankervis and his $1500 pregnant heifer he had to shoot on his property in Cudgewa. Picture: Jason Edwards
Norm Nankervis and his $1500 pregnant heifer he had to shoot on his property in Cudgewa. Picture: Jason Edwards
Finn Burns, in a photo taken by his mother as the family sit in their boat on the Mallacoota Lake. Picture: ABC Gippsland
Finn Burns, in a photo taken by his mother as the family sit in their boat on the Mallacoota Lake. Picture: ABC Gippsland
Locals seek refuge on the beach as a bushfire arrives into the township of Malua Bay NSW, just south of Batemans Bay. Picture: Alex Coppel.
Locals seek refuge on the beach as a bushfire arrives into the township of Malua Bay NSW, just south of Batemans Bay. Picture: Alex Coppel.
Locals seek refuge on the Malua Bay main beach in NSW as the fire approaches. Picture: Alex Coppel
Locals seek refuge on the Malua Bay main beach in NSW as the fire approaches. Picture: Alex Coppel
A man and his dog watch the bushfires from Malua Bay beach in NSW. Picture: Alex Coppel.
A man and his dog watch the bushfires from Malua Bay beach in NSW. Picture: Alex Coppel.
Fires burning next to the Malua Bay beach in NSW on New Year’s Eve. Picture: Alex Coppel.
Fires burning next to the Malua Bay beach in NSW on New Year’s Eve. Picture: Alex Coppel.
Fires burn behind houses in Malua Bay NSW. New Picture: Alex Coppel.
Fires burn behind houses in Malua Bay NSW. New Picture: Alex Coppel.
The aftermath in Malua Bay in NSW. Picture: Alex Coppel.
The aftermath in Malua Bay in NSW. Picture: Alex Coppel.
Bushfire smoke haze and light rain hang over the Melbourne CBD. Picture: David Crosling
Bushfire smoke haze and light rain hang over the Melbourne CBD. Picture: David Crosling
Smoke masks are in high demand in Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
Smoke masks are in high demand in Mallacoota. Picture: David Caird
A sign on the road between Bruthen and Swan Reach. Picture: David Crosling
A sign on the road between Bruthen and Swan Reach. Picture: David Crosling
Property damaged by the East Gippsland fires in Sarsfield. Picture: Jason Edwards
Property damaged by the East Gippsland fires in Sarsfield. Picture: Jason Edwards
Images taken along Great Alpine Road in and around Sarsfield. Picture: Jason Edwards
Images taken along Great Alpine Road in and around Sarsfield. Picture: Jason Edwards
The devastation in Sarsfield as seen from the air. Picture: Jason Edwards
The devastation in Sarsfield as seen from the air. Picture: Jason Edwards
Hundreds of properties were lost across Victoria. Picture: Jason Edwards
Hundreds of properties were lost across Victoria. Picture: Jason Edwards
Burnt down power poles around Cudgewa. Picture: Tony Gough
Burnt down power poles around Cudgewa. Picture: Tony Gough
Many properties in Sarsfield were destroyed when a fire ripped through the area. Picture: Jason Edwards
Many properties in Sarsfield were destroyed when a fire ripped through the area. Picture: Jason Edwards
Many like Bill Blair, whose property was devastated near Corryang, have been left reeling. Picture: Jason Edwards
Many like Bill Blair, whose property was devastated near Corryang, have been left reeling. Picture: Jason Edwards
Billy Shaw is facing an uncertain future, after returning to his burnt out Wairewa home. Picture: Mark Stewart
Billy Shaw is facing an uncertain future, after returning to his burnt out Wairewa home. Picture: Mark Stewart
Communities, such as Orbost, became ghost towns after smoke haze decscended. Picture: David Crosling
Communities, such as Orbost, became ghost towns after smoke haze decscended. Picture: David Crosling

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/from-the-frontline-incredible-photos-from-victorias-bushfire-crisis/news-story/c418d71e31f123ed3cbc7fc56433460b