Pink donates $500,000 to Australian fire services as deadly wildfires worsen

‘I am totally devastated watching what is happening in Australia right now,’ singer says

Pink has pledged to donate half a million dollars to local fire services in Australia as the country faces a worsening wildfire crisis.

More than 150 fires are currently burning across the country, the worst of which have been ravaging the states of Victoria and New South Wales.

Apocalyptic pictures of blood red skies and thick plumes of smoke shared on social media have shown the desperate attempt to abate the wildfires, which have been burning since September and claimed 23 lives.

And American singer Pink posted a message on Twitter, saying: “I am totally devastated watching what is happening in Australia right now with the horrific bushfires.

“I am pledging a donation of $500,000 [£382,043] directly to the local fire services that are battling so hard on the frontlines. My heart goes out to our friends and family in Oz.”

The musician also shared links to local Australian fire services in need of donations, including the New South Wales Rural Fire Service, the Victoria Country Fire Authority and the Tasmania Fire Service.

“This is a leader. And a humanitarian,” one person wrote in response to Pink’s pledge.

“As a NSW Rural firefighter, thank you so much for supporting our country during these horrific fires,” another stated.

Several high-profile celebrities have been informing their large followings on social media on how they can send money to organisations in need across Australia.

Australian actor and comedian Celeste Barber shared photographs on Instagram taken from inside the house of her mother-in-law, showing a bright orange sky through her windows.

A fundraising page set up by Barber on Facebook has raised more than £7m.

“This is out of control! You are all out of control. My love and appreciation for you all is out of control,” Barber wrote in an update on the fundraising page.

“Unfortunately today the fires are due to get even more out of control,” she added, shortly before revealing her family were being evacuated.

It has been reported that high temperatures and strong winds in Australia have fuelled the fires burning on “an entirely new level” across the east coast, as the authorities warn the worst is yet to come.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has been criticised over his handling of the disaster, said in a news conference: “We are facing another extremely difficult next 24 hours.

“In recent times, particularly over the course of the balance of this week, we have seen this disaster escalate to an entirely new level.”

Temperatures have risen to record highs amid the wildfires, reaching 43C in Canberra and 48C in Penrith.