Australian officials have launched the largest peacetime maritime rescue operation in the country’s history in order to rescue thousands of residents and tourists stranded on the beach after being forced to flee uncontrollable wildfires. The unprecedented climate-fueled wildfire season has forced Australia to deploy troops and military resources in a way not seen since World War II. This is New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian.

Gladys Berejiklian: “The extent of this bushfire season, in living memory, and many experts have been around much longer than I have, who have fought fires and observed circumstances, all agree: We are in uncharted territory.”

The wildfires have killed at least 24 people, scorched an area larger than Switzerland and killed half a billion animals. The fire season is expected to continue for at least a month.