Australia - NSW - Worst bushfire days in years.

[Ausgirl]

I haven't posted here much.. I'm terrified of fires, and the thought of all the loss and suffering guts me. So I feel a bit selfish, but please know I am thinking every day of all the people up there, and all the wildlife and pets, too.. I wish there was more I could do to help!

I was trapped in a car on a road one night during the Ash Wednesday fires here, with my nanna and auntie, both ends of the road had been blocked off as the fire bore down on that area, and we were travelling between those blocks. I woke up in the back seat to walls of flame on either side, and the stink of the smoke everywhere, hardly able to breathe.. my family freaking out...(we actually got turned back at one block, only to run into the other..) Everything was red and black. Thank all that's good, we were escorted out before the worst of it hit.

Anyway, that's what I see and feel when I read here. So terrifying.. I have nothing but the highest respect for the volunteers out there risking their lives to save others.

Please be safe, everyone. :hug:


eta: Jeez, poor kitty. Bet she was never so glad to get wet..

 

[Steely Dan]

I haven't posted here much.. I'm terrified of fires, and the thought of all the loss and suffering guts me. So I feel a bit selfish, but please know I am thinking every day of all the people up there, and all the wildlife and pets, too.. I wish was there was more I could do to help!

I was trapped in a car on a road one night during the Ash Wednesday fires here, with my nanna and auntie, both ends of the road had been blocked off as the fire bore down on that area, and we were travelling between those blocks. I woke up in the back seat to walls of flame on either side, and the stink of the smoke everywhere, hardly able to breathe.. my family freaking out.,. Everything was red and black. Thank all that's good, we got to the road block and were escorted out before the worst of it hit.

Anyway, that's what I see and feel when I read here. So terrifying.. I have nothing but the highest respect for the volunteers out there risking their lives to save others.

Please be safe, everyone. :hug:


eta: Jeez, poor kitty. Bet she was never so glad to get wet..

That must have been :censored: scary!! :scared: I'm so glad you're ok.

 

[Ausgirl]

Thanks, Dan - and yes it was.. but scarier was reading the news, once we were all safe back home, about what happened to the people who weren't so lucky. I had nightmares about that.

I know stuff is just 'stuff' and life's the most important thing - but it breaks my heart too, that people lose their homes, all their memories and things that they've worked for, all the things that are important to them.

Sending the Salvos and Animal Relief a cash donation today. It's not much, but every bit helps I guess.

 

[Tishy]

Please say a prayer for us Sydney siders experiencing the fires. I have friends who have lost everything. One let the insurance lapse due to a tough couple of months. Why can't the firies do winter back burning any more? We had a long dry winter and the locals knew we were going to cop it hard but OMG no one imagined this. Three huge fires may join together to form a mega fire. Unthinkable.

When we run away, the fire brigade and the police run in. These boys are incredible angels on Earth.
Not just a job. They are heroes. THANK-YOU!
On the other side of the coin other scum are looting the vacant houses. How could you .........pink prison uniforms should look really good on those looters.

Stay safe, TGY. Stay safe, everyone.

 

[SouthAussie]

They are getting poised for a bad day tomorrow .... even more firefighters from right across the country are flooding in to provide their assistance.

Update from 8:30pm tonight (Tuesday) ...

"As bad as it gets.

That is the warning from NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons with hot, dry and strong wind gusts forecast for the major current major firegrounds in NSW.

But the conditions on Wednesday are also conducive to further fire outbreaks. Statewide more than 3,000 firefighters will be dispatched with 90 aircraft on standby."

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/nsw-bushfires-live-updates-october-22-20131022-2vxsm.html#ixzz2iRegmt98

 

[marlywings]

OVER 100 Queensland firefighters have left the state this afternoon to "return the favour" to their colleagues battling fierce fires in New South Wales.

Of the 103 firefighters that left today, 50 are volunteers from the Queensland rural service, 50 from the urban service and three specialists.

The 100 firefighters, all from the southeast corner, will be the first Queenslanders to battle the blazes on the frontline with their participation expected to be vital on Wednesday when conditions deteriorate further.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/...attle-huge-fires/story-fnihsrf2-1226744750179

 

[marlywings]

Crews are racing to gain the upper hand on several blazes burning across New South Wales, amid grim warnings tomorrow's weather may be more dangerous than first thought.

The NSW Rural Fire Service says tomorrow's conditions across fire-hit areas of the Blue Mountains are forecast to be "about as bad as it gets", with temperatures in the high 30s, humidity at 10 per cent and wind gusts of up to 100 kph.

"There is a very real potential for more loss of homes and loss of life," RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons warned this afternoon

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-...conditions-expected-to-worsen-tuesday/5036812

 

[marlywings]

Current ABC Emergency Coverage

All schools in the Blue Mountains and some in the Southern Highlands will be closed and residents are being urged to evacuate by lunch-time tomorrow

http://www.abc.net.au/news/emergency/

 

[Strangeworld]

I'm sure many will have a sleepless night tonight. Thoughts go out to the locals as well as the firies and emergency services. And of course to the wildlife and pets/stock. We've experienced our share of floods in Brisbane over the last few years, but flooding is nothing compared to fire. Let's hope the wind isn't as strong as predicted. Am not looking forward to the news updates tomorrow - think it's going to be devastating.

 

[Mrs G Norris]

I feel sick .. let's just hope the day wont be as bad as is being predicted.

 

[marlywings]

Thoughts & prayers go out to all in NSW fire zones for tomorrow.

Please take care & stay safe!!

 

[SouthAussie]

If only we could all take a few people and animals into our homes and gardens, farms and animal sanctuaries, I know we all would. Such a helpless feeling watching NSW burn.

What many people need now is every positive vibe that we can send to them, and the strongest wishes/hopes/prayers for :raincloud:

As well as donations of refuge, food, good clothing, beds and bedding, toiletries, money, cuddly toys for the children ...

http://salvos.org.au/

 

[aussie_girl88]

Praying for those affected xxx

 

[FigTree]

It has been raining at Katoomba - Leura tonight - it started about an hour ago, so it seems the ground will be damp - at least for a while tomorrow morning. I hope it helps just a little - we will need it.
I have done as much as I can for now. Boxes with cat supplies - cats are collared and labelled - big mobile pond ready for the big Koi's - other food for strays - water - spare boxes and blankets - 1st aid supplies for human and animals - emergency clothes and supplies...
I still have other little things to do, but I will get some rest and get up very early and put all the packed boxes in the car - and I'm ready to roll if anything happens.

I cant do anymore around the property (I am also looking after someone else's property who is away - so that has been pretty full on as well).

Be safe everyone.
Lets get through Wednesday.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/nsw-bushfires-live-updates-october-22-20131022-2vxsm.html#ixzz2iSRuDyHk
7:20pm: As if Sydney traffic isn't bad enough at the best of times, police and traffic authorities are now preparing for a potential exodus of residents leaving the Blue Mountains before an extreme fire danger sets in.
The Rural Fire Service has urged any residents without an important reason to stay in the Blue Mountains to leave before lunchtime on Wednesday.
As a result authorities will be keeping an eye on traffic congestion.
‘‘The police and management services team are aware of that,’’ RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said.
‘‘We are encouraging people not to travel through the Blue Mountains tomorrow unless they really need to.
‘‘Reconsider travel plans.’’
NSW Police have also urged heavy vehicles to avoid non-critical travel on the Great Western Highway between Penrith and Lithgow as conditions could worsen with little notice.Long and wide load permits have also been revoked.

 

[SouthAussie]

Aww Figs ... if you can't go east, come west ... to here. Always room :hug:

 

[FigTree]

Aww Figs ... if you can't go east, come west ... to here. Always room :hug:

Its 3.30am - I just filled the van with petrol - I might just make it SA

 

[byo]

There are some scanner links here:

http://www.broadcastify.com/listen/ctid/4350

 

[SouthAussie]

Morning press conference update (Wednesday morning) from fire commissioner, just on TV news:

Drizzle and showers last night, only about 2mm in most areas, inhibiting back-burning and won't really stop the big fires.
Firefighters have been withdrawn from some areas due to danger of heavy trucks slipping off some slopes (damp) and winds causing jumping fires.
59 fires still burning this morning, 18 of them uncontained.
Winds between 40-70km/p/hr, with winds gusting up to 100 km/p/hr today, causing the biggest concerns.
Two large fires may join up, creating a mega-fire.
Largest firefighting force ever mobilised in NSW.
Residents in affected to leave their homes before midday.
Schools in affected areas all closed.
Residents hosing down houses, packing cars.
Residents told to keep kids right with them, so they always know where they are.

BIG thanks to all firefighters, incident report collators, management teams!!

 

[DrWatson]

Please say a prayer for us Sydney siders experiencing the fires. I have friends who have lost everything. One let the insurance lapse due to a tough couple of months. Why can't the firies do winter back burning any more? We had a long dry winter and the locals knew we were going to cop it hard but OMG no one imagined this. Three huge fires may join together to form a mega fire. Unthinkable.

When we run away, the fire brigade and the police run in. These boys are incredible angels on Earth.
Not just a job. They are heroes. THANK-YOU!
On the other side of the coin other scum are looting the vacant houses. How could you .........pink prison uniforms should look really good on those looters.

The Greenies who oppose preventative burnoffs have a lot to answer for.

Our PM who quietly donned his firie's outfit and did a 14-hour shift on the front line should be applauded, politics aside. It was unannounced and no photographers were invited. It was pure chance that a journo recognized him as he came off shift and tweeted it that let the cat out of the bag. He has had specialized training in a couple of areas that are in great demand, apparently.

And as for the looters - maybe it's my homicidal instincts, but they shouldn't even get as far as wearing pink in jail. They should be herded towards the fire front - and keep going....! They are the lowest of low scum.

 

[MLO]

What a scary situation. I can't imagine. The children must be so scared. I hope the sky opens up soon for everyone at risk.

When we were being posted from WA (which hasn't had a natural disaster that I can remember) we had our choice of which base to go to. For us it came down to bush fires, flooding and cyclones. We chose cyclones. Not that we are immune to flooding (in the wet) and fires (in the dry), but they don't usually happen and at least with cyclones, you know they are coming.