Australia is known for its wild weather conditions, which are on display more than ever through the summer months. So far, January has seen raging fires and overwhelming floods, causing destruction and creating amazing visuals of the diverse landscape.
Since Jan. 2, South Australia has been fighting an out-of-control bushfire that has destroyed 12,500 hectares of land and 26 homes near the Adelaide Hills, it has finally been contained in the last 24 hours. Around the same time, the north of the state began to be smashed by flooding rains, with between 100 and 200 millimetres received over the weekend.
Across in the west of Australia, a bushfire flared up on Friday in the north of Perth, with flames reportedly higher than houses. It was again raging out of control on Monday evening, before being contained by firefighters a few hours later.
The extremes of the Australian outback are on full display as floods drown the Northern Territory's harsh desert. Parts of the territory have been saturated by huge rainfalls since last Wednesday, with some areas such as Alice Springs copping up to 200 millimetres of rain. Conditions are easing this week but not before some incredible photos were shot of the arid land being overtaken by water.
Here is a look at the wild, wild world Down Under -- where rain and fire are locked in a ferocious battle.
Look where it's raining? Water has been running off #Uluru this week. Image: @Parks_Australia #NTaustralia pic.twitter.com/dh4Timo5vi— Northern Territory (@AusOutbackNT) January 9, 2015
Firefighters have gained ground overnight on a bushfire raging out of control in Perth’s northern suburbs #9News pic.twitter.com/v6p5YDFK6I— Nine News Australia (@9NewsAUS) January 10, 2015
Wiggly's gorge #alicesprings #NTaustralia #centralaustralia pic.twitter.com/tIuQEUQkku— Matt Henderson (@hendo220) January 11, 2015
Unbelievable photo from the Adelaide hills bush fire. Really hoping it rains pic.twitter.com/PW38tDstjo— Dan Corbett (@DCorbs10) January 4, 2015
Wigglies Waterhole #AliceSprings #NTAustralia pic.twitter.com/ioFV1QokFG— Claire Ryan (@claireryan91) January 8, 2015
Sad photos coming out of Australia. Firefighter tried to save these horses. Bush fire heat too intense. Humanity pic.twitter.com/nLW3XhFxGy— Paul Alker (@Sharky57) January 4, 2015
#Home ✌️ #AliceSprings #NTAustralia pic.twitter.com/OFY00Ecgkm— Claire Ryan (@claireryan91) January 7, 2015
Heartbreaking photos of the #SAFires https://t.co/3VehM4f648 #bushfire pic.twitter.com/IALWCipBRB— Anna (@werna_) January 4, 2015
So much rain around #AliceSprings even Standley Chasm has a creek flowing through! Pic: @pip_scott (IG) #NTaustralia pic.twitter.com/NrPwEnr4Ou— Northern Territory (@AusOutbackNT) January 11, 2015
Respect to those fighting tonight #sampsonflat #kersbrook #adelaidehills #bushfire #onetreehill #AdelHills pic.twitter.com/RruEEJxosQ— Ben Goode (@benjigoode) January 2, 2015
Wiggly's Waterhole after the rain in Central Australia #alicesprings pic.twitter.com/URSCraeati— Lisa-Marie Ryan (@lisamarieryan90) January 11, 2015
Fire front gaining pace towards homes at Humbug Scrub in #AdelaideHills @abcnews pic.twitter.com/J7SanEGeJF— Nicola Gage (@Nicola_Gage) January 4, 2015
Simpsons gap this afternoon #AliceSprings #NTaustralia #nt #River #centralaustralia pic.twitter.com/blCV57oKGL— Matt Henderson (@hendo220) January 10, 2015
Heartbreaking. This little guy hanging in there off Kersbrook Rd @9NewsAdel #bushfire pic.twitter.com/KFRls2Uo3N— Alice Monfries (@alicemonfries) January 3, 2015
#FromWhereYouWouldRatherBe #NTAustralia #AliceSprings pic.twitter.com/XUYAphQrjo— Claire Ryan (@claireryan91) January 9, 2015