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Sydney Opera House Honors Firefighters With Photos, Thanks On Its 'Sails'

"Thank you, Firies," said the message to those battling Australia's record-breaking wildfires.
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Trends Reporter, HuffPost

The Sydney Opera House turned the exterior of its building into a moving tribute to the firefighters battling Australia’s wildfires on Saturday night.

The soaring “sails” that highlight the structure were illuminated with photographs of the firefighters and a giant message decorated with hearts reading: “Thank you, Firies.”

The opera house is also arranging a major fundraiser in March to help communities devastated by the fires.

The New South Wales Rural Fire Service posted a video of the building tribute on Facebook. One commenter called the tribute one of the opera house’s “best performances.”

More than 12 million acres have burned in the worst wildfires in Australian history. The fires have killed at least 27 people, destroyed thousands of homes and forced residents in several towns to evacuate.

Experts fear more than 1 billion animals have also died in the fires. Environment Minister Sussan Ley told The Sydney Morning Herald that the nation’s iconic koalas have taken such an “extraordinary hit” in the wildfires that they may be officially classified as endangered in regions once the tragedy has been fully assessed.

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Before You Go

Australian Wildfires
Australia Wildfires(01 of08)
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Wildfires burning across Australia's two most-populous states trapped residents of a seaside town in apocalyptic conditions on Dec. 31. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Australia Wildfires(02 of08)
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Hot dry conditions brought an early start to the fire season. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Australia Wildfires(03 of08)
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The wildfires have destroyed many properties and caused fatalities. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Australian Bushfire Coverage(04 of08)
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People stranded in Mallacoota, Victoria had to be evacuated by army personnel after bushfires ravaged the town. (credit:Fairfax Media via Getty Images)
AUSTRALIA-BUSHFIRES/WILDLIFE(05 of08)
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Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Services volunteer and carer Tracy Burgess holds a severely burnt brushtail possum rescued from fires near Australia’s Blue Mountains. Nearly half a billion animals are feared to have died in the fires. (credit:Jill Gralow / Reuters)
Australia Wildfires(06 of08)
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The fires left destruction in their wake. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Evacuations Begin Following East Gippsland Bushfires(07 of08)
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Sarsfield resident Wayne Johnston inspects damage to his property in Sarsfield, Australia. (credit:Darrian Traynor via Getty Images)
Australia Wildfires(08 of08)
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A burnt-out residence is seen in Sarsfield, East Gippsland, Victoria,. (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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