Smoke and flames from a back burn, conducted to secure residential areas from encroaching bushfires, are seen at the Spencer area in Central Coast, some 90-110 kilometres north of Sydney on December 9, 2019. - Australia is experiencing a horrific start to its fire season, which scientists say began earlier and is more extreme this year due to a prolonged drought and the effects of climate change. (Photo by SAEED KHAN / AFP)
