Giving Compass' Take:

· As the death toll and damage caused by the unprecedented bushfires in Australia continues to rise, Mashable provides a few ways individuals can support those helping fight the problem. 

· How can donors support those helping fight the bushfires in Australia? Why is this important to recognize this as a global concern? 

· Read more about the Australian bushfires and the government's views on climate change.

Australia is burning.

Nineteen people have been confirmed dead since the country’s unprecedented bushfires began, with eight killed in the state of New South Wales since Monday. Over 11 million acres have been burned and 1,400 homes destroyed, with people in affected areas lining up for dwindling food, water, and fuel supplies.

Hundreds left stranded by the fires are being evacuated by sea and air, while road closures hinder those attempting to flee by land. Cities are choking in smoke over 10 or 20 times hazardous levels, the plumes so large they’re also smothering New Zealand 1,200 miles away. Experts believe almost half a billion animals are dead.

It’s a disaster of unfathomable scale, and Australians are begging for help.

One hundred U.S. firefighters and two liaison officers are travelling to Australia this week to offer assistance during the crisis. Ten more are travelling from Canada, with 22 New Zealanders joining the 179 already there. But even if you aren’t trained emergency personnel, there are still ways for you to lend a hand.

Read the full article about helping with Australia's bushfire crisis by Amanda Yeo at Mashable.