It’s a thought that springs to mind during a bushfire crisis.

While it’s a miracle that no human lives or homes have been lost in the recent bushfires around the Hunter, the amount of wildlife that has perished and habitats that have been destroyed this summer is a tragedy.

In the Cessnock local government area alone, about 3000 hectares of bushland have been wiped out since November.

Hunter Wildlife Rescue volunteer Judy Hopper estimates thousands of animals – from possums and kangaroos to lizards and snakes – would have been killed in these fires.

Those who survived were left without homes or food – their livelihoods ruined, nothing to eat or to provide for their families.

Many injured animals have been rescued and are being nursed back to health by wildlife rescue volunteers – a task that requires time, patience and resources.

The medicines, creams and bandages can be quite expensive for the organisation, which relies on community support to continue its work.

Volunteers have also been kept busy placing and monitoring food and water stations around the bushfire-affected areas.

It’s not an easy role, but these compassionate people do it for the love of the animals.

During this summer’s devastation, wildlife carers would brace themselves for the days, weeks, even months ahead each time a fire breaks out.

We are lucky to have such selfless, giving people in our community, and they should be supported in return.

On that note, the efforts of our firefighters and emergency services personnel must continue to be acknowledged.

Barely a week has gone by this summer without a bushfire scare in a corner of our city, and these brave men and women continue to turn out in droves to protect lives and property.

While this news that most of these blazes are being treated as suspicious is devastating, it’s fair to say the bushfires have brought out the best in humanity.

The community support for our firefighters is also uplifting – from residents and service clubs handing out food and water, to local children writing thank you letters, to the official recognition at Cessnock’s Australia Day ceremony, it’s a well-deserved pat on the back.