Advertisement
Australia markets closed
  • ALL ORDS

    8,153.70
    +80.10 (+0.99%)
     
  • ASX 200

    7,896.90
    +77.30 (+0.99%)
     
  • AUD/USD

    0.6514
    -0.0004 (-0.07%)
     
  • OIL

    83.11
    -0.06 (-0.07%)
     
  • GOLD

    2,254.80
    +16.40 (+0.73%)
     
  • Bitcoin AUD

    107,822.73
    -454.55 (-0.42%)
     
  • CMC Crypto 200

    885.54
    0.00 (0.00%)
     
  • AUD/EUR

    0.6036
    +0.0002 (+0.03%)
     
  • AUD/NZD

    1.0896
    -0.0006 (-0.06%)
     
  • NZX 50

    12,105.29
    +94.63 (+0.79%)
     
  • NASDAQ

    18,254.69
    -26.15 (-0.14%)
     
  • FTSE

    7,952.62
    +20.64 (+0.26%)
     
  • Dow Jones

    39,807.37
    +47.29 (+0.12%)
     
  • DAX

    18,492.49
    +15.40 (+0.08%)
     
  • Hang Seng

    16,541.42
    +148.58 (+0.91%)
     
  • NIKKEI 225

    40,369.44
    +201.37 (+0.50%)
     

NBA players with Australian ties pledge $750K to fight devastating wildfires

Nine NBA players with ties to Australia have pledged $750,000 to efforts to combat the devastating wildfires that have gripped their home country.

The National Basketball Players Association made the announcement on Tuesday in conjunction with Ben Simmons, Aron Baynes, Joe Ingles, Dante Exum, Patty Mills, Thon Maker, Matthew Dellavedova, Jonah Bolden and Ryan Broekhoff.

The toll continues to rise from multiple wildfires that have broken out across the country.

This Monday, Dec. 30, 2019 photo provided by State Government of Victoria shows wildfires in East Gippsland, Victoria state, Australia. Wildfires burning across Australia's two most-populous states trapped residents of a seaside town in apocalyptic conditions Tuesday, Dec. 31, and were feared to have destroyed many properties and caused fatalities. (State Government of Victoria via AP)

The toll of the fires

Estimates reported by Bloomberg on Monday show that more than 25 million acres — an area larger than Indiana — have burned since the start of fire season. By comparison, the deadly California wildfire season in 2018 burned 1.7 million acres.

ADVERTISEMENT

At least 24 people have died in the fires that have forced people to escape to beaches to avoid the flames.

Almost half a billion animals dead

“Highly conservative” estimates by the University of Sydney show that more than 480 million animals have perished. Images of koalas and kangaroos burned in the fires have drawn increased attention to Australia’s plight.

Climbing economic impact

The economic impact of the fire season that is just halfway over is not yet clear, but Yahoo Finance reports that the cost in Sydney — which is tangentially affected by the blazes — alone amounts to $50 million a day.

The fires have resulted in an increased focus on climate change and its impact on the planet.

“We are heartbroken over the devastation these fires are causing all across our homeland,” a joint statement from the NBPA and the contributing players reads. “Our thoughts are with our families, friends and all of the people of Australia.

“We hope you feel our love and support and know that we will continue to bring awareness to this crisis globally and provide assistance in any way we can.”

More from Yahoo Sports: