Australia fires update
As at 09 January 2020
The bushfires across multiple areas of Australia is devastating, and our thoughts are with the families, communities and wildlife impacted by these fires. We would like to send a huge thank you to the heroes and volunteers that are working tirelessly facing the fires. Safety remains our priority for our travellers and we encourage all in Australia to seek the most up to date information and check the latest news (details below for suggested sources of information).
You will have seen the heart-breaking effects of these bushfires in Australia with the loss of lives, thousands of homes and businesses, plus many damaged & unmeasurable losses to flora & fauna in some affected areas.
The out pouring of support, empathy, bravey & genuine kindness from around the world has been amazing and uplifting during these terrifying and challenging circumstances.
Bushfires are not unusual in Australia – the difference this time is the location, scale, intensity and impact. The total area estimated to have burnt is more than 8.4M hectares as at 6 January 2020, and while this is larger than some countries, Australia is a continent of 765M hectares (excluding our Islands). Although images on maps look like the entire country at times is on fire, we are a big country, and many areas are unaffected by this tragedy, and most tourism businesses are still open.
For updated information on impacted areas, please refer to Tourism Australia:
www.australia.com/en/travel-alerts.html
HOW CAN YOU HELP US IN AUSTRALIA?
Simply come. Come to support the communities across Australia. Come to experience the amazing diversity of landscapes, water, reef, forests, people, culture, flora and fauna. Australia has many beautiful regions unimpacted by these fires that offer a safe and absolutely amazing experience.
Flexibility is the key to travelling Australia at any time, and JUCY can help you with your positive and memorable travel experience. With any weather event or disaster, it is an evolving and dynamic beast, so maintaining a travel itinerary that is as flexible as possible is a great start.
We would encourage all travellers coming to Australia to seek the most up to date information prior to departure and remain informed about changing conditions whilst on the ground so that you can ensure a safe trip. In addition to Tourism Australia's website, suggested links are listed below.
New South Wales: www.rfs.nsw.gov.au
Victoria: www.cfa.vic.gov.au
Tasmania: www.fire.tas.gov.au
Australian Capital Territory: www.esa.act.gov.au
Northern Territory: www.pfes.nt.gov.au
Queensland: www.ruralfire.qld.gov.au
South Australia: www.cfs.org.au
Western Australia: www.emergency.wa.gov.au and www.fesa.wa.gov.au
For any JUCY customers that currently have bookings and are concerned that the locations of the fires will affect your travel, please contact our team to see how we can help you: