Australia fires

[THC]

Watching the national news tonight and just a sincere well wish for everyone affected by the wildfires currently going on there. Hope they end quickly.

[swatty]

Thanks Tom, heavy rain is the only thing going to put them out, been burning for 4-6 weeks now. It’s just so dry and hot and strong winds fan the flames.

[exador]

Originally Posted by swatty

Thanks Tom, heavy rain is the only thing going to put them out, been burning for 4-6 weeks now. It’s just so dry and hot and strong winds fan the flames.

What’s your thoughts re the Sydney New Year’s Fireworks going ahead?

[swatty]

Originally Posted by exador

What’s your thoughts re the Sydney New Year’s Fireworks going ahead?

I was not in favour, however I understand the months of planning that goes into the Harbour show. It was good that most other fireworks in Sydney and NSW were cancelled. One positive out of fireworks going ahead was that a lot of money was raised towards bushfire and drought appeals

[Blansky]

Originally Posted by THC

Watching the national news tonight and just a sincere well wish for everyone affected by the wildfires currently going on there. Hope they end quickly.

Absolutely agree.

[RW16610]

Sending my well wishes to everyone down under also. Stay safe and my fingers are crossed some heavy rain can come soon.

[watchmavan]

My daughter was one of thousands at a new year outdoor concert (Woodstock style). After the first day the event was cancelled the all sent home. Fires too close. One fire joined another in another region travelling 25 km overnight. They'll be burning for some time with continued heat and strong winds.


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[Rock]

Thanks for the good wishes. Most of the country has been in the grip of drought for a long time. Apart from a few unpredictable wet weather events that cause their own problems, most areas have not had regular rainfall for decades. Farmers and cattle producers are on their knees. I am 67 and can still remember when we had regular rain but I was in my 20s then. Have had bushfire close to my house twice in the last 30 years.
Seems that in many parts of the world we are coming to grips with changed weather patterns. Whether they are permanent/long-term is impossible to say but they require radical measures now to deal with the massive damage and disruption they are causing.
Once the Farmers and Graziers walk off their land they aren't coming back.

[GB-man]

Stay safe everyone.

[dba]

My nephew is there with a helicopter crew from Idaho.

[Bigblu10]

Is this normal for Aus to have triple digit temperatures every summer?

[PPFANBOY]

Originally Posted by Bigblu10

Is this normal for Aus to have triple digit temperatures every summer?

Yes. Many tree species seeds only germinate after a fire for example, so bushfires are a natural factor in the ecosystem here.

However what isn't normal is how the temperature has been high consistently across the entire country and more so the lack of rain we've had, meaning there is a strong supply of dry fuel for the fires.

It's all closely linked with climate change and as already mentioned we need to take action to limit future change. [

[Rock]

dba - David, your nephew will be very welcome along with the rest of his crew. Hopefully there will be an opportunity to see something other than fires and enjoy some local hospitality.
All the Australian States have high temps at some stage each Summer but this is the first time in my lifetime that I have seen a fire season like this across several States.
exador - I am one of those who regard government provided fireworks displays for the amusement of the masses as a disgraceful waste of public money - so I wouldn't support them under normal circumstances let alone when the $6M could have been poured into equipment for the Rural Fire Services.

[swatty]

Another tragic day on Australian SE coast yesterday, my thoughts go out to those that lost their homes and families of those that perished.

[teqp]

Originally Posted by swatty

Another tragic day on Australian SE coast yesterday, my thoughts go out to those that lost their homes and families of those that perished.

Peter, I hope you and your family are safe and have a happy new year my friend!

I hope all the Aussies stay safe and you get some rain!

[dba]

Originally Posted by Rock

dba - David, your nephew will be very welcome along with the rest of his crew. Hopefully there will be an opportunity to see something other than fires and enjoy some local hospitality.

This is his second summer in OZ. Last year, being not so extreme, he and his crew took some scuba diving lessons and got open water qualified.

I'm praying for rain, this is dreadful.

[BNA/LION]

Be Safe Everyone.

[brandrea]

I’m truly saddened to see the effects of this natural disaster. I hope the folks affected can recover to some sort or normal again.

[subtona]

Hoping for a speedy end to this disaster and for all to be safe from harm.

[M45]

Just got over fires here and the incompetence of our leadership and PG&E, hopefully you don't have morons in charge down there in 'Straya.

[swatty]

Originally Posted by teqp

Peter, I hope you and your family are safe and have a happy new year my friend!

I hope all the Aussies stay safe and you get some rain!

Thanks Phil, we are ok , fires are south of us

Originally Posted by M45

Just got over fires here and the incompetence of our leadership and PG&E, hopefully you don't have morons in charge down there in 'Straya.

Same all around the world

[mstnpete]

Sending Prayers to everyone affected!

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[tadbart]

I read that the fires have killed half a BILLION animals, and that this is an extinction-level event for some species.

I recall how gutted I felt upon seeing a favorite vacation area ravaged by wildfire a few years back. Never been to Australia, but like many, it has always been atop my bucket list.

[dba]

Photo of my nephew's helo on the ground in NSW. No flying as the viz is about 100 meters. He said when he shot this, the sun had been up for about 2.5 hours already.

[RW16610]

Originally Posted by dba

Photo of my nephew's helo on the ground in NSW. No flying as the viz is about 100 meters. He said when he shot this, the sun had been up for about 2.5 hours already.

Oh my goodness... That actually looks like what one would imagine hell to be.

I'm glad he's there as part of the effort to fight those fires and save lives. I hope and pray something can give so they can get it under control. The last news report I heard pretty much said it's still extremely hot and winds could potentially aid spreading the fire.

[yoniman]

Take care my Ozzie TRFers!



It's just all about health, happiness & family. The rest are just necessary inconvenience we have to deal with.

[Boothroyd]

It's a horrible situation. Seems that rain isn't expected for a couple of months. And I see Sydney's power grid is beginning to be impacted.

We have a friend in hospice in Tasmania. Fires there also. Just hope there is some kind of relief in this part of the world soon.

[RW16610]

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this notification Saturday morning from Bloomberg.



I remember during the California fires my colleagues I'm San Francisco told me how poor the air quality was. I can't begin to imagine how that is at the moment down under.

[Dyim]

I just saw that Kangaroo Island was also affected and Southern Ocean Lodge was destroyed.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-...egins/11840942

I stayed there a few years back around this time of the year and it was fantastic.

It says 1/3 of the island has been burned. Truly tragic.

I wish them the best of luck.

[Rock]

It's mind-boggling stuff. I couldn't believe that Kangaroo Island had been burnt out. Just can't get my head around how this can happen. Nothing like it in my lifetime.
To top things, a reservoir above the town of Cooma has breached dropping tons of water on the town, so in the midst of a fire disaster they have had a flood disaster as well. How much luck can you have?

https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw...59719167e601da