Almost a million tonnes of smoke went into the stratosphere during the deadly Australian bushfires in December, 2019 and January, 2020.

The smoke plume made it across the seas to central Chile—and into seemingly every home and office in Australia, highlighting that the built environment cannot withstand this threat. 

As officials forecast a $8.56-billion damages bill after the devastating fires in Hawaii, Australia is nervously eyeing the approaching summer and fire season.