Bushfires are a common occurrence in Australia each year.

Common causes of these bushfires include lightning, campfires, Australia's hot and dry climate, as well as arson.

In more extreme cases, bushfires can cause property damage and the loss of both human and animal life.

Bushfire in Australia's east coast

On Oct. 30, wildlife conservationists in Canberra released a statement that hundreds of koalas were feared to have been burned alive in a raging bushfire along Australia's east coast.

The fire, which started on Saturday, was reportedly caused by a lightning strike near Port Macquarie in east New South Wales.

More than 2,200 hectares of land were burned, including a breeding region with hundreds of koalas.

71 fires were burning across New South Wales from Wednesday morning, with 30 of them having yet to be contained, Canberra Times reports.

Loss of koalas a tragedy

Sue Ashton, the president of Koala Hospital Port Macquarie, has called the loss a "tragedy" as many of the koalas were "genetically diverse" and of "national significance".

According to Ashton, koalas do not cope well in bushfire scenarios and are likely to be burned alive.

Even if they do avoid the blaze, there is a high possibility that they may burn their paws and claws in the process, rendering them unable to climb properly again.

In addition, the hospital's trained rescuers are not able to search for any surviving koalas till Oct. 31 because of the fires.

Second koala habitat to burn in October

This is the second koala habitat that was ravaged in bushfires in October, 2019.

Earlier in the month, the Busbys Flat fire also burnt through an important koala habitat, said The Sydney Morning Herald.

Although koalas are not endangered creatures, their population is facing threats from urbanisation and habitat destruction.

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Top image via Port Macquarie News and Wim Bollen on Unsplash