MELBOURNE – A tragic incident occurred as a firefighter lost his life while combating fires that have ravaged approximately 40 homes across two Australian states, officials announced on Monday.

The 59-year-old firefighter was fatally injured by a falling tree on Sunday night as he worked to contain a wildfire near Bulahdelah, New South Wales. This particular blaze has devastated 3,500 hectares (equivalent to 8,650 acres) of forested land and has resulted in the destruction of four homes over the weekend, according to Rural Fire Service Commissioner Trent Curtin.

Despite efforts to save him, the firefighter could not be revived. Commissioner Curtin mentioned that fire crews are expected to continue battling this blaze for several more days.

As of Monday, New South Wales was grappling with 52 wildfires, nine of which remained uncontrolled. The fires in this state alone have resulted in the loss of 20 homes over the weekend, Curtin reported.

Meanwhile, in Tasmania, another 19 homes have been lost to a wildfire over the weekend in the coastal area of Dolphin Sands, as confirmed by local government representative Dick Shaw in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

The fire had been contained by Monday, but the road to the community remained closed and it was not yet safe for residents to return to their homes, Shaw said.