BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens

Subject: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 02:26 AM

2012 was a slightly quieter year for fires, but southern Australia & Tasmania are currently having the same weather we had in 2009 when several hundred people died & hundreds of houses & properties were destroyed.

The extreme hot weather has been in the region where Joybell lives, but the fires aren't anywhere near her, tho the Fire Danger is high all cross the region.

Fire risk high as southern states swelter Extremely hot, dry and windy conditions have put southern states on the most extreme fire alert for several years.

Temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius are forecast across a wide area, as a heatwave continues to grip the region.

Crews are battling fires in Tasmania, South Australia, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales. (read on)

Fires rage across Tasmania

Tasmanian fire crews battle multiple blazes

Victorian blaze continues burning out of control Victorian fire authorities say a blaze burning in Victoria's far south-west will keep burning until tomorrow.

The blaze broke out in plantations near Nelson yesterday and has burned through more than 2,000 hectares of plantation and heathland and into the Lower Glenelg National Park.

The CFA says the fire has become so large that it will not be possible to bring it under control tonight, despite cooler conditions halting the fire's progress.

But it also says the fire is not a threat to lives or property. (read on)

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: ChrisJBrady
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 02:16 PM

And some hoon arsonist(s) burnt the famous and sacred gum trees in Alice.

My own thinking is that many of the disastrous fires are caused by deliberate actions by idiots who have no respect for life nor property.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20907588

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/04/australia-ghost-gum-trees-burnt

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 05 Jan 13 - 09:00 PM

the destruction of the trees was arson according to stories in today's papers.


Fears for missing residents as fire fighting continues Police fear there may have been a number of deaths in the fire-ravaged south-east of Tasmania, with a number of people reported missing.

Since Friday, more than 100 homes have been destroyed by a bushfire between Forcett and the Tasman Peninsula, in the state's south-east.

Residents of the worst-affected town of Dunalley have told of how they were forced to dive into the canal in the middle of the town to escape the wall of flames coming towards them on Friday.

State Acting Police Commissioner Scott Tilyard says there are grave fears for a small number of people reported missing. (read on)

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 08:28 AM

Thousands stranded as crews continue to battle fires Fire crews are still battling out of control blazes as fears grow for around 100 people who police say are missing since the bushfires tore across Tasmania since Friday.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard will tour the worst-hit town of Dunalley on Monday, where more than 85 properties were destroyed.

More than 100 properties have been lost across the state since the bushfires broke out in extreme heat on Friday and thousands of residents and tourists are stranded and without power. (video included in article)


Stories of survival emerge from Tas inferno Stories of survival and courage are emerging from the bushfires which have devastated entire communities across parts of Tasmania.

Firefighters are still battling blazes as fears grow for about 100 people unaccounted for in the fires which tore across the state destroying more than 100 homes since Friday.

One image obtained by the ABC shows residents taking shelter on a boat ramp at Murdanna, south-east of Hobart, on Friday evening.

Around 20 people, two dogs and a parrot were forced to hide under the nearby jetty as the fire front swept over. (read on)


Heat brings high fire risk for nation's capital While the ACT faces more hot weather, the fire danger is not expected to reach the levels seen in other parts of the country.

The ACT Rural Fire Service says there will be a high to very high fire danger for the next few days and the main risk is grass fires to the north and west of Canberra.

Chief officer Andrew Stark says if the winds increase the fire danger will be upgraded.

"We've been experiencing a very dry period with this increased heat since before Christmas and so we're monitoring conditions very carefully," he said.

Mr Stark says the fire danger will increase in coming days and early next week.

"What we're seeing is that very hot weather in South Australia and Victoria," he said.

"We're monitoring that very closely and if that heat was to move up into our area then obviously that will raise the fire danger." (read on)


South Australian fires brought under control A fire at Finniss, south of Adelaide, has been brought under control overnight.

It took Country Fire Service (CFS) crews, farm firefighting units and water-bombing aircraft more than 13 hours to control the blaze that started around 1pm yesterday.

About 60 firefighters are still at the scene putting out burning embers and hotspots.

Another blaze near Sevenhill in the Clare Valley has also been controlled.

CFS firefighters will continue to monitor the two fires ahead of further hot weather expected in the coming week.


Vic firefighters winning Kentbruck battle
A woman has been charged with deliberately starting a bushfire in Melbourne s southeast.

AAP © Enlarge photo

Firefighters are at last getting on top of a major blaze burning in Victoria's southwest as more hot weather arrives this week.

While temperatures remained high in the north of the state on Sunday, cooler temperatures in the south have helped authorities contain blazes.

Firefighters battling the huge blaze at Kentbruck, in the state's southwest, are getting it under control as it continues to issue massive plumes of smoke.

The fire, which began in a pine plantation, has burned over 2700 hectares and smoke haze is visible throughout western Victoria. (read on)

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 09:04 AM

Following closely from Maine, Sandra.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Janie
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 09:09 AM

Me too, from North Carolina.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: maeve
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 09:36 AM

'Twas I whose cookie was burned.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Joybell
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 03:40 PM

Such a terrible time again here. Here in the south-west of Victoria we haven't recovered from a drought that began nearly 20 years ago. The fire west of us is a bad one but hasn't affected human residents the way the Tasmanian fires have done. It's out of control though and huge.
Haven't heard about friends living near Hobart.
Watching and waiting.
Joy

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Jack the Sailor
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 04:00 PM

A friend outside Melbourne shared some Koala rescue attempt pictures in 2009. Very sad.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Joybell
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 06:04 PM

Wildlife shelters are already overwhelmed by heat-stressed animals and birds. These fires don't leave anything much alive in their wake however so there are few hopeful animal survival stories. Most of the pictures taken come from animals affected by "controlled burns". I'm sad that Rowan is no longer with us. He helped see us through the last big fires. Such a sensible, calm and sensitive man with a clear understanding of, and a great love for, the Australian bush.
Joy

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 06:05 PM

There are many things I'll never understand but arson shares the top spot. I don't believe in capital punishment but if caught in the act it would be hard to argue against summary punishment.

Here's hoping for moisture and cooler temperatures- and it would be awfully nice if the drought ended... Stay well, and safe.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 07:59 PM

Joybell has been busy trying to hyrdate wild animals animals she is looking after (she is a registered Carer) as well as those around her property.

latest bnews story -

Prime Minister visits Tasmania Prime Minister Julia Gillard met Tasmanian Fire Service officials battling the state's devastating bushfires this morning as authorities prepared a convoy to get supplies into the cut-off Tasman Peninsula.

Police have done preliminary searches of almost 250 burnt-out properties in the worst-hit areas on the Tasman Peninsula and say no bodies have been found.

About 65 people will today sift through the remains of buildings and cars, concentrating on the more densely-forested area south of Dunalley to Murdunna and Sommers Bay.

The Prime Minister spoke to fire authorities at their Cambridge headquarters, in Hobart's east, this morning and is expected to tour Dunalley later today.

Rising temperatures and strengthening winds have prompted the Tasmanian Fire Service (TFS) to issue new warnings for people at Dodges Ferry and White Beach, in the state's south-east. (story updated 8 mins ago & includes photos & 4 videos)

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 06 Jan 13 - 11:08 PM

It sounds dreadful.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 03:15 AM

& getting worse - Fresh emergency declared in bushfire-hit Tasmania Tasmania's bushfire crisis has taken another turn for the worse, with a fresh emergency declared in the state's far north-west.

The fire at Montumana is now listed as an emergency, while a blaze at Bicheno on the east coast is again causing concern. (read on)

and in my state NSW faces 'worst ever' fire danger day A total state-wide fire ban will be imposed in New South Wales from midnight as authorities prepare for temperatures to soar above 40 degrees.

The fire danger in the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and southern ranges is expected to be catastrophic, with many other areas expecting extreme danger levels.

Premier Barry O'Farrell says record rains have produced large fuel loads which increase the risk of fire, combined with record temperatures and high winds.

"Tomorrow is not going to be just another ordinary day," he said.

"Tomorrow will be perhaps the worst fire danger day this state has ever faced."

More than 90 fires are burning across the state; around 20 of those are not under control, (read on & check out the Fire Ban Map)

I live about 1 km east of Sydney's CBD, close to the harbour (walk down the road, cross the intersection, walk down the next road & I can see the Harbour Bridge ) & we are accustomed to being at least 5 degrees cooler than Sydney's western suburbs. But tomorrow the CBD expects 43 Celcius & the western suburbs also 43, or 42, or 41. Bondi Beach is expecting 42!!

Sydney is the centre of the Catastrophic region which also includes Illawarra, Shoalhaven and southern ranges & I have friends in all those regions. At the end of next week several thousand folkies are heading to the Illawarra for the 28th Illawarra Folk festival - I hope. it's about 2 hours south of my place.

sandra (planning to stay in tomorrow with all 3 fans here in my living room & lotsa' water at hand - or maybe I'll head to the nearest big shopping centre for it's air conditioning)

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Tangledwood
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 03:37 AM

Stay safe everybody.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Joybell
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 03:03 PM

Stay safe and cool Sandra.
It's a bit cooler down south and still. Last night a bright red sun dripped into the west. Strange effect caused by smoke drifts. It actually seemed to drip.
I noticed that one of the Tasmanian fires was started by an unattended camp fire. There have been many here in Victoria that started the same way -- although they've been controlled quickly. I can't believe there is no ban on open fires in our National parks during the summer.
Joy

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: JennieG
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 04:02 PM

Joy, I heard on last night's news that all national parks would be closed today - a sensible idea in conditions like we are having.

We're in north-western NSW so, while it's still quite hot, we aren't having the catastrophic conditions folks further south are getting. We're on the edge of town with a hill behind us, cleared land over our fence leading up to trees further away. We're in a very high fire danger area rather than catastrophic......not much difference, but enough.

Fingers crossed for Oz!
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Joybell
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 05:39 PM

Victoria's National parks, except where the south-west fire is raging, are open. The whole state is dry and weed grasses tall and ready to burn. Fires are permitted when there's no fire ban. Good idea closing parks in NSW though.
We have grazed land around our little woodland too Jennie. We are safe but in need of rain. Crossing fingers for everyone too.
Joy

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: JennieG
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 07:26 PM

Rain would be good, Joy! We had a storm on Christmas Day which gave us over 25 mls of very welcome rain, but haven't had so much as a spit since. The hot dry weather since then has negated any good done by that rain.

Send her down, Hughie......

JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Janie
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 08:10 PM

I will say that a drought that has lasted 20 years probably is no longer a drought but bonafide climate change.

My thoughts, care and concern for all at risk. Be safe, all of you.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 08:21 PM

Jennie, I've been listening to the radio for nearly 2 hours & earlier this morning someone from Sydney's south-west said she was listening to bit of light rain so she called to report it!

Sydney forecast at 10 this morning - Max 43, Very hot. Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower in the west. Winds westerly 25 to 40 km/h tending northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h in the evening. 10% chance of rain

37 Celcius here in Sydney at the moment - Observatory Hill is next to the harbour Bridge so would also get the Harbour effect I get here.

I'm sitting in my living room with my fan on 1st setting as I don't need the other (higher) setting yet. humidity is only 23% so I feel cool! But I'll be buying my (morning) paper & returning my library books sometime before the library closes at 7pm.

I'm listening to the noon news where folks in a dangerous part of the south coast are being advised to leave their threatened homes & get to safety.

Catastrophic fire alerts as heatwave hits - story & live TV report Bushfires are breaking out across southern New South Wales amongst some of the most dangerous fire conditions in the state's history.

A total state-wide fire ban is in effect, with a catastrophic rating in place for the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern Ranges. Many other areas are experiencing extreme danger levels.

Temperatures hit 40 degrees Celsius on the south coast before lunchtime and similar temperatures and strong winds are expected in most parts of the state, including in Sydney.

Fire crews across Victoria are also on high alert, with a large fire burning in the state's south-west, and severe fire danger weather forecast for parts of the state. (read on & view the live cover)

family shares amazing story of surviving Tasmania's bushfire - video from Monday night

Strong winds hamper Tasmanian fire fight (reported 13 minutes ago)

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: JennieG
Date: 07 Jan 13 - 11:53 PM

It's currently (3.50pm) 35.9 deg in our back yard but the humidity is only 17%....much easier to cope with than coastal humidity. Wind is blowing from the west so is not a cool breeze, but it's not too bad really. It seems that southern NSW, Victoria and Tassie are the ones copping the high temps this time.

The forecast is for similar hot temperatures for at least another week. It's apparently the fault of a large mass of hot air sitting squarely over Oz, monsoon clouds that haven't come down from Indonesia, and cool air which hasn't moved north from Antarctica.

Oh well, by the time my birthday rolls round once more in early May hopefully it will have cooled a little.....

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 04:36 AM

it was a mistake to head out at 6.30pm to return my library books & buty a paper - it was dry oven hot! According to Weather Bureau site 38.3C (= about 100F) & 16% humidity.

It's now 8.20 & temperature has fallen to 37.1 with humidity unchanged. Some time tonight it will go down to 20 & tomorrow (Wed) it will rise to 25 with a chance of a light drizzle. Much better weather.

However the Small Smoke where Jennie lives will have overnight minimum 25 & max 40 tomorrow, with the chance of showers and thunderstorms from midday, with little, if any, rain reaching the ground. Why not come to the Big Smoke tonight Jennie & join me at Craft tomorrow?

returning to our main topic -
More than 130 fires are burning across New South Wales as dangerous fire conditions remain prevalent across much of southern Australia. Follow our live blog for updates on the crisis also affecting Tasmania and Victoria.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: freda underhill
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 07:48 AM

Fifteen minutes to midnight and it's still 35 degrees in Sydney. This is our punishment for the "mild" wet summer we had last year.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 10:13 AM

I will stop complaining about our cold and snow now.
Stay safe Down Under,
Mary

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: JennieG
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 03:22 PM

Sandra, thank you for the kind invite but it's really not so bad here - at least, not as bad as the temperatures would have you think. We stay out of the heat as much as possible, drink plenty of water, and we have air conditioning which we are prepared to run day and night if we have to. Temperatures here for the next week range from 37 to 41 deg C, that's over 100F if you think in old numbers.

Freda, we had a lovely mild summer last year too! Definitely pay-back time here.......

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 08 Jan 13 - 05:21 PM

last night I slept with the normal small fan on the back of my neck, but also got out the bigger fan & put it on my other bedside table!

Current temp is 22Celcius with 62% humidity (bugger!) - yesterday's humidity was much better/lower, not that I want to return to yesterday's temperatures!

The Weather Bureau predicts temperatures in the next week will be mid/late 20s & early 30s, but we will get the nasty conditions back some time.

live blog - A cool change has offered a reprieve for crews battling dozens of bushfires across south-east Australia, but the threat is not over.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 10 Jan 13 - 05:28 AM

Bushfire burns near unexploded bomb site Firefighters say they are confident they can stop a bushfire in southern New South Wales from reaching a former military range scattered with unexploded bombs.


Fierce bushfires remain fatality free Hopes are rising that there may not have been any lives lost despite the ferocity of Tasmania's devastating bushfires.

Police have now searched more than 800 properties on the Tasman and Forestier Peninsulas.

But they warn it is still too early to definitively say no-one has died in the bushfires.

While bushfire conditions have eased, authorities are warning the threat is far from over with alerts remaining for several big fires.

Firefighters are still trying to contain bushfires at Curries River in the state's north and Montumana in the far north west.

Both fires are currently burning out of control.

The Montumana fire has burnt 3,000 hectares and the one at Curries River has burnt 70 hectares.

About 150 firefighters are still working in the Forcett area while 80 crews, including a team of New Zealand remote access specialists are fighting the Lake Repulse fire.

Deputy Chief Gavin Freeman says about 110,000 hectares have now burnt out across the state.

"We're not by any stretch of the imagination out of the woods," he said.

There are still 21 active fires in Tasmania.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: GUEST,Eliza
Date: 10 Jan 13 - 02:40 PM

Watched events on the News this evening Sandra. Horrifying and very frightening for you all. The little bits of water dropped from helicopters and small planes looked so ineffectual in the face of the tremendous heat and raging infernos. I'm so sorry for all the people suffering, and also the wildlife. Brave volunteers were battling the flames for hours on end. Keep strong and stay safe, sending best wishes. Eliza x

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 Jan 13 - 12:40 AM

thanks, Eliza

Weather conditions set to stoke fire threat Fire authorities are preparing for worsening weather conditions throughout today and into the weekend as crews battle to quell blazes across the country.

A total fire ban is in place for New South Wales, the ACT and Victoria as the nation continues to suffer a record-breaking heatwave.

More than 95 fires are burning across New South Wales, with 18 out of control. (read on)

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: ranger1
Date: 11 Jan 13 - 08:28 AM

Thinking of all my ozzie friends and sending rainy thoughts. I've sort of been following the heat on Facebook via Wildwood Woldlife Shelter's page.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: JennieG
Date: 11 Jan 13 - 04:48 PM

Today and tomorrow are both going to be 42 deg C here (that's 107.6 F, in old numbers) which is not going to be very nice. A good day for staying inside with doors and windows only open a little bit so as not to let too much heat in.

Mind you, I am getting way over the media whipping us into a frenzy about fires/hot weather too. Australia is a hot country and we have hot summers, usually with fires somewhere, but the way in which weather conditions are reported one would think it's never happened before. As for reporters waving a microphone under the nose of some poor soul who has just lost their home and/or business and asking inane questions like "how did you feel when you realised your house and possessions had all gone".......for heaven's sake, give people some space, peace and privacy to grieve for what they have lost.

I'll climb down off my soapbox and kick it away now.......

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 Jan 13 - 07:42 PM

When it's hot I always close my curtains - but almost none of my neighbours do. I often wonder what they find when they come home from work into their living rooms which face north & get several hours of sun every morning.

I live inside in summer behind my curtains with fans blowing over me.

I hope your sewing room is cool, JennieG

Fires are still raging across Australia, & will get bigger in some regiona where heat & high winds are expected.

sandra in sydney where it was 29.2 Celcius about 15 mins ago with 64% humidity, so we hav only about 5 degrees to go here in the CBD, but Sydney's western suburbs are expecting up to 39 degrees.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 11 Jan 13 - 08:17 PM

Four arrested for lighting Sydney fires Four people - including a 12-year-old boy - have been charged with lighting fires in Sydney on a total fire ban day.

Police say they arrested two boys at about 2:30pm (AEDT) yesterday, after a fire near the M5 motorway in Eagle Vale burnt through two hectares of grassland behind homes.

The boys aged 12 and 17 were taken to Macquarie Fields Police Station, and charged with sparking the blaze.

The 17-year-old will face Campbelltown Children's Court today, while the younger boy will appear in court next month.

Earlier yesterday two men were charged over a fire that started in a park at Tregear near Mt Druitt yesterday morning.

Officers say the men lit leaves and sticks before throwing an aerosol can in the flames.

They will face Penrith court, charged with setting crown land alight and disobeying a total fire ban.
=================

All these fires are in Sydney's western suburbia where temperatures are higher & there is more bushland & trees than the inner city.

Several days ago 3 or 4 teenagers lit fires in the Mt Druitt region & were released on bail. Many sections of the community were irate about them being released. One idea for dealing with arsonists is that they be taken to rural areas where stock & wild animals were killed & injured & help in clean up & burial etc.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 12 Jan 13 - 09:11 PM

Psychologist pans shock tactic plan for arsonists After seeing the devastation caused by bushfires in the past week, it is hard to imagine why anybody would deliberately light one.

The destruction and heartache prompted New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell to this week throw his support behind a call for tougher penalties for arsonists, including forcing them to help euthanise farm animals that are injured in fires.

But a Queensland psychologist who has ventured into the minds of firebugs is sceptical about how effective that would be as a deterrent. (read on)

NSW firefighters shift focus to north Firefighters are moving resources to northern New South Wales after cooler conditions helped crews establish containment lines around major blazes in the south.

Crews are now fighting more than 130 fires across the state, of which 30 are uncontained.

Firefighters are also working to control blazes in Victoria and Tasmania, while the threat from fires in Central Australia has eased. (read on)

Tasmanians, tourists return to fire-ravaged towns The main highway through Tasmania's bushfire-stricken south-east will re-open today, allowing more residents return to their devastated communities.

The bushfire which started near Forcett 10 days ago left thousands stranded on the Tasman Peninsula after police blocked the Arthur Highway.

The damaging blaze, which has burnt about 24,000 hectares, is still burning out of control.

The Arthur Highway will re-open to all traffic at 6:00pm (AEDT) tonight.

This morning, a bus-load of tourists will be allowed through.

Andrew Ross, a spokesman for the Port Arthur Historic site, says that signals the start of the return to normality.

"Many of these people have been booked in for many months," he said.

"We're absolutely delighted to be able to open up. We're gradually getting back to normal - remains to be seen whether we can actually make up for the lost numbers.

"We're certainly looking forward to getting back to full capacity as soon as possible." (read on)

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: JennieG
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 12:24 AM

There is a fire burning uncontrolled just 24kms north-west of us, it's been a slightly scary afternoon......lots of smoke, and we can smell burning gum leaves. A hot wind is blowing from the north. Rain, storms and a cooler change are on the way, it can't come soon enough - just so long as lightning doesn't start any more fires, as happened last night. 130 fires in one night, all from lightning apparently.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 03:11 AM

Here in the Big Smoke we had a bit of rain here this afternoon (5.6mm) & the temperature was 20 Celcius a few minutes ago.

best wishes for lotsa' rain & no storms in the Small Smoke

sandra

25.4mm in 1 inch.

latest fires out West include one affecting Siding Springs Observatory home to many of Australia's major telescopes

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 08:22 AM

amazing pic - Aerial photo shows fire approaching Siding Spring Observatory latest fire warning says the fire is heading away from the Observatory, but it has destroyed 2 properties & is headed towards others.

Heatwave exacerbated by climate change: says report by Climate Commission A new report from the Federal Government's Climate Commission says the heatwave and bushfires that have affected Australia this week have been exacerbated by global warming.

The report - Off the Charts: Extreme Australian Summer Heat - warns of more extreme bushfires and hotter, longer, bigger and more frequent heatwaves, due to climate change.

It says the number of record heat days across Australia has doubled since 1960 and more temperature records are likely to be broken as hot conditions continue this summer.

When Prime Minister Julia Gillard linked the heatwave with climate change this week, the acting Opposition Leader Warren Truss said that was utterly simplistic.

But climate change experts have no doubt that climate change is a factor in the current conditions. (read on)

Our Liberal Party (ie.right wing) opposition does not believe in climate change/global warming

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: maeve
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 08:23 AM

I very much appreciate the information made available in this thread, Sandra and Jenny and all. The thought of that much fire...shudder.

Sending cool rain and rest.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: GUEST,999
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 10:13 AM

"An Australian Firefighter in his 60s died in the Line of Duty yesterday. The Firefighter was found near Taranna, a hamlet on the Tasman Peninsula, where he had been working on foot on the southern boundary of the Forcett Fire about 2 to 3km from the fire's edge. It was unclear exactly how the man died or if he was working alone."

###########################

JennieG: You likely don't need to hear this, but have a single bag packed containing prescription meds, two underwear changes, small irreplaceables, important documents and a few quarts of water. When stuff goes wrong it goes wrong real fast.

Bruce

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: JennieG
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 03:47 PM

And the cats will be ready in their baskets too, Bruce.......don't worry, we had all that organised yesterday afternoon. We have a small caravan so, if it looked at all as though we would have to leave, the car would be hitched to the van and all would be ready to go well in advance. We would then have somewhere to live for a few days.

Fortunately the fire just north of us was contained by fire fighters and the weather, the wind changed direction and we had a few - and I mean just a few! - drops of rain. It was one of several fires within an hour or so radius of us started by lightning strikes on Saturday night.

A new record was set on Saturday for the highest temperature ever recorded here, not a record we need to break.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 04:15 PM

Praying for you, JennieG, for others in your area, and for those in all areas affected by the fires.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Allen in Oz
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 04:23 PM

JR

Are you OK ? The main things to save are people, pets and photos.

Hope all is calmer now in the deep north...best wishes

AD

ps ...You should write a song about the fire in the North !

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 13 Jan 13 - 07:31 PM

amazing pic - Webcam image from Siding Springs Observatory of fire approaching

& another one! Burnt building next to untouched Observatory main telescope

Homes destroyed in NSW bushfire (report updated 4 mins ago) The New South Wales Rural Fire Service says 14 homes have been lost in a bushfire west of Coonabarabran, which also damaged the Siding Spring Observatory.

The fire in the Warrumbungle National Park in the north-west of the state has burnt out nearly 40,000 hectares and has already forced the evacuation of over 100 residents.

The fire is presently burning in a northerly direction away from Timor Road and is about a kilometre south of Bugaldie.

The Rural Fire Service confirmed this morning that 14 properties had been lost and there could yet be more.

Inspector Brett Lachlan says there are 20 water bombing aircraft and helicopters assisting firefighters.

"We're doing everything we can to try to confirm those losses and get that information to relevant people," he said. (video & pics)

Bushfire starts after drug labs are torched Drug squad detectives have arrested a father and son over two clandestine drug laboratories, after a bushfire swept through Sydney's south-west.

Police believe the laboratories, hidden in remote bushland at Camden and only accessible by foot, had been operating for years.

They say a fire was deliberately lit to destroy the labs last week, sparking a bushfire in the Blue Mountains National Park which destroyed 55 hectares.

A father and son were arrested last night and are accused of making millions of dollars worth of the drug known as ice.

Police say the laboratories were capable of producing five-kilogram batches of the drug. A kilogram is worth up to $2 million.

Detectives began watching the men just before Christmas and had planned to raid the labs last Tuesday, but the hot weather and extreme fire danger stopped them.

The next day, police allege the 27-year-old son started the bushfire when he tried to destroy the drug labs.

"We don't know what tipped them to light the fire," said Acting State Crime Commander Peter Cotter.

"It will be our summation that they obviously became aware of our investigation, we're not sure how that happened."

The bushfire was only completely extinguished last night after six aircraft and ground crews worked on it.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: JennieG
Date: 14 Jan 13 - 12:43 AM

AD, we're fine - we aren't in any danger here, but we do believe in being cautious. However the cats are wondering why their baskets have been brought inside.....they know it usually means a trip to the V.E.T and they don't think that's a good idea.

Sandra, we've been to Siding Springs, it sits on top of a mountain surrounded by bushland. Fred Watson, who is an astronomer there, has done presentations at both Jamberoo and the National festivals and very entertaining he is too. If you don't get to the venue at least two acts early, you won't get in.

Cheers
JennieG

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Jack Campin
Date: 14 Jan 13 - 05:32 AM

Photo collection from an American newspaper's site:

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2013/01/summer-down-under/100437/

The one of the burned sheep is horrifying.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 14 Jan 13 - 08:56 AM

thanks for link, Jack I hadn't seen a lot of those pics. I've also never seen such an aweful pic as the burnt sheep.

latest report posted 10 mins ago
Firefighters hope to contain 'horrendous' NSW fire Firefighters are working to try and contain a fire burning out of control in a national park in north-western New South Wales that has already destroyed 33 homes.

The NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) has a watch and act alert for the fire in the Warrumbungle National Park which has already burned 40,000 hectares west of Coonabarabran.

The fire is burning just one kilometre from the township of Bugaldie and is travelling in a northerly direction away from Timor Road and the Siding Spring Observatory, which was damaged on Sunday night.

Five outer buildings were damaged at the $80 million observatory, while the RFS says another 33 properties were destroyed in the Timor Road area.

It says the number of properties destroyed will likely rise as fire crews work through the area but it is a miracle no lives have been lost. (read on)

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: SINSULL
Date: 14 Jan 13 - 01:22 PM

Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, Folks.
Frightening business.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: Stringsinger
Date: 14 Jan 13 - 06:33 PM

Global Warming.

Subject: RE: BS: 2013 Australian bushfire season opens
From: GUEST,999
Date: 14 Jan 13 - 07:25 PM

Firefighter in Queensland in critical condition due to burns.