Australia's 2019-20 bushfire season

Australia's bushfire crisis has killed 27 people and destroyed more than 2100 homes.

September 4

* 50 fires break out across Queensland.

September 6

* Bushfires start in Blue Mountains, NSW.

September 13

* Federal government activates disaster recovery payments.

September 29

* Fires ignite in Northern Territory and Western Australia.

October 10

* Police confirm first bushfire deaths; elderly NSW couple Bob Lindsey and Gwen Hyre.

October 30

* Fires break out in Tasmania and South Australia.

November 9

* 370,000 hectares scorched in NSW - more than entire area burnt the previous season.

November 24

* Every state is alight after 60 fires break out in Victoria.

* Labor calls for urgent meeting of federal, state and territory leaders.

December 2

* Death toll rises to seven after man helping fight Victorian fires dies in car crash.

December 7

* Smoke reaches New Zealand.

* US sends firefighters to Australia, joining Canadian and New Zealand counterparts.

December 8

* Fires break out on Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

December 11

* Prime Minister Scott Morrison commits $11 million to water bombers.

December 16

* Morrison leaves for a family holiday in Hawaii.

December 19

* Volunteer NSW firefighters Geoffrey Keaton and Andrew O'Dwyer die in truck rollover.

December 20

* Mr Morrison returns from holiday.

* Labor demands compensation for volunteer firefighters.

December 24

* Government gives public service volunteer firefighters an extra four weeks paid leave.

December 26

* Government commits up to $6000 for volunteer firefighters.

December 30

* Volunteer Sam McPaul dies after a "fire tornado" flips his truck on NSW-Victoria border.

December 31

* About 4000 people are trapped at Mallacoota on Victoria's east coast and two navy ships are sent to their rescue.

* People flee to beaches on NSW south coast as smoke blocks daylight and skies turn red.

* Sydney's New Years fireworks go ahead despite protests.

January 2

* Visitors on NSW south coast urged to leave as Mallacoota evacuations begin.

* Death toll reaches 18 and nearly six million hectares have burnt.

* Morrison heckled in fire-ravaged NSW town of Cobargo for being too slow to act.

January 4

* Government makes unprecedented call to deploy 3000 Army reservists.

* Morrison releases political advertisement spruiking response.

January 5

* Smoke forces Canberra government offices, child care centres and museums to shut.

January 6

* Government commits $2 billion to national bushfire recovery fund.

January 9

* Insurance claims surpass $700 million.