Australia rings in the new decade with fireworks, despite wildfires

Despite the weeks of bushfires through Australia, Sydney still rang in the new year with its world-renowned fireworks show on Tuesday.

According to CBS News, the city was exempt from a county-wide fire ban for the evening in order to celebrate the start of a new decade, which resulted in a lot of backlash from critics. This is considered the worst wildfire season Australia has ever faced and the millions of dollars funneled towards the fireworks show could be used to help continue battling the fires and fixing the damage.

As of earlier this week, thousands of Australians have been asked to evacuate and take refuge on nearby beaches.

Thousands signed a petition begging the city of Sydney to cancel the show this year, especially since there is no clear end in sight for the fires.