MELBOURNE – In a tragic turn of events, a firefighter has lost his life while combating fierce wildfires that have ravaged nearly 40 homes across two Australian states, authorities confirmed on Monday.

The 59-year-old firefighter met with a fatal accident when a tree fell on him during efforts to control a blaze near Bulahdelah, New South Wales. This particular fire has already scorched 3,500 hectares (8,650 acres) of woodland and reduced four homes to ashes over the weekend, according to Rural Fire Service Commissioner Trent Curtin.

Despite immediate efforts, the firefighter could not be revived. Curtin mentioned that the firefighting teams anticipate ongoing struggles with this fire for several more days.

As of Monday, New South Wales was battling 52 wildfires, with nine still uncontained. Over the weekend, the state witnessed the destruction of 20 homes, Curtin reported.

Meanwhile, in Tasmania, a separate wildfire wreaked havoc in the coastal area of Dolphin Sands, destroying 19 homes over the weekend, as disclosed by local official Dick Shaw to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Although the fire in Tasmania had been brought under control by Monday, road access to the affected community remains restricted, and it is still deemed unsafe for residents to return, Shaw noted.