Oh, California. We Australians are watching your wildfire crisis with a heavy heart because, sadly, we’ve been living your reality for years.

Bushfires—what we call wildfires Down Under—are a constant threat here. They’re woven into our history, our stories, and even our ecosystems. Some of our native plants actually need fire to sprout new life. But let’s be honest: while fire can be a natural part of the landscape, it’s also terrifyingly destructive, especially when it encroaches on populated areas.

Sound familiar? Californians, we get it. The fear, the anger, the blame game—we’ve been there too. Fires don’t just burn land; they change people, communities, and even how governments respond to disasters. Over time, we’ve learned that managing nature and urban sprawl requires tough decisions, but they’re necessary ones.

Here in Australia, nearly everyone has a bushfire story. For me, it was seeing a blood-red sun through a smoke-filled sky as a kid in Sydney. Most of us live in cities or suburbs, but our communities often stretch into fire-prone forests and grasslands. It’s a risky setup, especially in a country that’s hotter, drier, and windier than the U.S. And don’t get us started on eucalyptus trees—they’re basically nature’s firestarter.

One of our worst fire tragedies happened in Victoria in 2009. Over 400 fires broke out in a single day, destroying thousands of homes and claiming 173 lives. It was a wake-up call. The state’s leader at the time, John Brumby, took swift action, improving preparedness, response systems, and funding for fire management.

So, California, while we feel your pain, we also offer hope. There’s no easy fix, but with the right strategies and determination, it’s possible to better protect people and land. Here’s to learning from each other’s struggles and finding a way forward—together.

Stay safe, Cali. We’re rooting for you.