Deadly Bushfires in Australia, 2019/2020

  • #161
  • #162
The Animal Rescue Craft Guild put out requests for volunteers to make koala mittens, bat wraps, joey pouches, bird nets and possum boxes to help rehabilitate the animals that have been injured in the brushfires.

Crafting for a cause: Volunteers create koala mittens, joey pouches to help animals injured in Australian brushfires

more info on Facebook: Animal Rescue Craft Guild

Thanks for posting this JerseyGirl.

If there is one thing that our overseas friends (and Aussies) can do it is to make little items like these and send them to one of the many hubs that are listed. Just pick a state and then send the items to any one of the 'drop off' hubs that is listed.

Find a supply drop off hub

Our injured animals go through many, many of these dressing items as they heal.

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  • #163
  • #164
Bushfire ravaged communities band together against looters
Bushfire live blog:

This is not the time': Cop warns protesters
c41bc5c1ad327434b9746f3e337141ad

Benjamin Graham


One of Victoria's most senior cops has hit out at climate protesters who are planning to hold a massive demonstration in Melbourne on Friday — a peak day for bushfire danger.

Victoria's acting assistant commissioner Tim Hansen said exhausted emergency services "need a break" but instead they will have to deal with the protests, as well as assisting fire-stricken communities.

Friday is tipped to be a very challenging day for emergency services in Victoria as the mercury is forecast to hit 40C in East Gippsland.

On that day, thousands of activists are planning to take to the streets of Melbourne, as part of a protest organised by Uni Students for Climate Justice.

Mr Hansen said he's spoken to the protest group and asked them to reconsider the timing of the demonstration — but they "refused to change the day".

"I've asked them to think through whether this is the most appropriate day to do this," he said. "This is not a time for public protest."

new-fire-1.jpg



'Megafire' is 'inevitable' but yet to merge
c41bc5c1ad327434b9746f3e337141ad

Benjamin Graham


A potential 'megafire' along the NSW-Victoria border has still not merged, but it's "inevitable" that fires along the border will join at some point.

The Corryong and Dunns Road fires in Victoria and the Green Valley fire New South Wales were separated by just 10km of land yesterday.

Today, authorities have been flying aircraft over the area to check whether they have merged.

Almost 1700 homes destroyed in NSW
c41bc5c1ad327434b9746f3e337141ad

Benjamin Graham


The number of homes now destroyed in NSW's bushfires stands at almost 1700.

The RFS has just released its impact figures, that show 692 homes damaged, while more than 11,000 homes have been saved and more than 4000 outbuildings or facilities have been damaged or destroyed.
 
  • #165
Bushfire ravaged communities band together against looters
Bushfire live blog:

This is not the time': Cop warns protesters
c41bc5c1ad327434b9746f3e337141ad

Benjamin Graham


One of Victoria's most senior cops has hit out at climate protesters who are planning to hold a massive demonstration in Melbourne on Friday — a peak day for bushfire danger.

Victoria's acting assistant commissioner Tim Hansen said exhausted emergency services "need a break" but instead they will have to deal with the protests, as well as assisting fire-stricken communities.

Friday is tipped to be a very challenging day for emergency services in Victoria as the mercury is forecast to hit 40C in East Gippsland.

On that day, thousands of activists are planning to take to the streets of Melbourne, as part of a protest organised by Uni Students for Climate Justice.

Mr Hansen said he's spoken to the protest group and asked them to reconsider the timing of the demonstration — but they "refused to change the day".

"I've asked them to think through whether this is the most appropriate day to do this," he said. "This is not a time for public protest."

new-fire-1.jpg



'Megafire' is 'inevitable' but yet to merge
c41bc5c1ad327434b9746f3e337141ad

Benjamin Graham


A potential 'megafire' along the NSW-Victoria border has still not merged, but it's "inevitable" that fires along the border will join at some point.

The Corryong and Dunns Road fires in Victoria and the Green Valley fire New South Wales were separated by just 10km of land yesterday.

Today, authorities have been flying aircraft over the area to check whether they have merged.

Almost 1700 homes destroyed in NSW
c41bc5c1ad327434b9746f3e337141ad

Benjamin Graham


The number of homes now destroyed in NSW's bushfires stands at almost 1700.

The RFS has just released its impact figures, that show 692 homes damaged, while more than 11,000 homes have been saved and more than 4000 outbuildings or facilities have been damaged or destroyed.


Whilst alot was lost , soooooooo much was saved :)

NSW RFS on Twitter

ENtx8TVXkAEKzaG
 
  • #166
Good on you Elton

Elton John on Twitter

Elton John
Seeing the fires raging across Australia have left me heartbroken. This tragedy has taken lives, homes and devastated so much wildlife. At my Sydney show last night, I pledged $1 million dollars to support the Bushfire Relief Fund. God bless, Australia.
1f1e6-1f1fa.svg

2764.svg

Elton xx
 
  • #167
Whilst alot was lost , soooooooo much was saved :)

NSW RFS on Twitter

ENtx8TVXkAEKzaG

Aren't they fabulous!! I love hearing all the stories about notes the firies have left in some homes. One note apologised that they punched holes in their ceiling (to check for spot fires/embers) - the owners were just overwhelmingly grateful their house still had a ceiling!!

And good on the locals for leaving food and essentials in their homes for the firies to access - amazing what a coffee and a sandwich can do to up spirits and energy levels as they pass through :)
 
  • #168
Aren't they fabulous!! I love hearing all the stories about notes the firies have left in some homes. One note apologised that they punched holes in their ceiling (to check for spot fires/embers) - the owners were just overwhelmingly grateful their house still had a ceiling!!

And good on the locals for leaving food and essentials in their homes for the firies to access - amazing what a coffee and a sandwich can do to up spirits and energy levels as they pass through :)

For sure Strangeworld.

I must admit I never really realised just how much the volunteer firies do other than " fight fires" :oops:

They attend a huge amount of MVA's , they are trained as Emergency aid first responders ( I even heard on the scanner one time, them telling c0-ord that they had successfully defibrillated at man before ambos arrive ) , & heard one guy say to control that he had just done some marriage counselling :p
 
  • #169
Good on you Elton

Elton John on Twitter

Elton John
Seeing the fires raging across Australia have left me heartbroken. This tragedy has taken lives, homes and devastated so much wildlife. At my Sydney show last night, I pledged $1 million dollars to support the Bushfire Relief Fund. God bless, Australia.
1f1e6-1f1fa.svg

2764.svg

Elton xx

It is great that celebrities are donating massive amounts I just feel uneasy about them announcing it. I guess it’s a no win situation if you announce it looks like it could be for the good PR it brings you and if you don’t announce it looks like you haven’t done anything and don’t care. I just hope all the money goes to where it is needed.

Is Australia accepting any help with fires from other countries excluding New Zealand? I would want every flying fire retardant/water tanker available from nearby countries.
 
  • #170
It is great that celebrities are donating massive amounts I just feel uneasy about them announcing it. I guess it’s a no win situation if you announce it looks like it could be for the good PR it brings you and if you don’t announce it looks like you haven’t done anything and don’t care. I just hope all the money goes to where it is needed.

Is Australia accepting any help with fires from other countries excluding New Zealand? I would want every flying fire retardant/water tanker available from nearby countries.

Both Canada and the US (California) have sent firies to help.
 
  • #171
Both Canada and the US (California) have sent firies to help.

That is great and very kind of them. Thank you for the update. Please know Australia is in my thoughts and prayers even though I am thousands of miles away.
 
  • #172
It is great that celebrities are donating massive amounts I just feel uneasy about them announcing it. I guess it’s a no win situation if you announce it looks like it could be for the good PR it brings you and if you don’t announce it looks like you haven’t done anything and don’t care. I just hope all the money goes to where it is needed.

Is Australia accepting any help with fires from other countries excluding New Zealand? I would want every flying fire retardant/water tanker available from nearby countries.

Bit like " dammed if you do, dammed if you don't " really.
 
  • #173
This is a great graphic that shows the spread of the fires down the NSW East coast since back at the beginning of Oct 2019 til 3 days ago Jan 5th 2020.

"You can see the daily pulse as fires quieten down overnight, as well as days of major fire runs."

Thanks to University of Tasmania's Dr Grant Williamson for providing this animation.
 
  • #174
Firey slams “outright lies” and misinformation about bushfires

Firefighter slams ‘outright lies’ about bushfires, as experts expose bots and bizarre conspiracies

A frustrated firefighter has hit out at misinformation circulating on social media surrounding the current bushfires crisis.

Drew took to his Facebook yesterday and, in a post that’s since gone viral, busted some widely spread myths about the fires, their causes and apparent barriers to mitigation.

“First of all, does being a firey give me all the insight to this complex issue? Not even close and I need to make that clear,” the decorated firey began.

“However I’ve felt a strong need to say something here because I just can’t stomach some of the false science and outright lies being peddled on social media as news or facts.

“No, the Greens haven’t been stopping hazard reduction burns from taking place. We still do them and yes we should absolutely do more of them.”

That’s a sentiment echoed this morning by New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons, who shot down the common misconception that “green tape” is making hazard reduction harder.

“Our biggest challenge with hazard reduction is the weather and the windows available to do it safely and effectively,” Mr Fitzsimmons said in an interview on Sunrise.

“Sure, there’s environmental and other checks to go through but we streamline those. There’s special legislation to give us clearance and to cut through what would otherwise be a very complex environment.”

__________
This is a great article, I feel the frustrations from all perspectives, and the misinformation. I think the hazard reduction/backburning discussion is getting messy, especially re the hazard reduction performed by the RFS versus the landowners. My understanding is this firefighter is absolutely correct about the RFS-approved and performed fire mitigation. Where some (and I repeat some! I'm really not wanting to upset anyone :) ) are frustrated is that there aren't enough resources to go round and too many limitations for the landowners to do their own, especially those bordering national parks (which is obviously extremely risky but does happen illegally which is even more risky).

I don't envy the parties that are going to have to figure out a plan moving forward, managing climate change, laws, native habitat protection, resources and $$$$. And looking out for farmers that keep our country supplied. That on top of ensuring ongoing recruitment of volunteers because many RFS firies are ageing. Who has a magic wand handy?


 
  • #175
https://7news.com.au/news/bushfires...v4WJoC38uuqz6Kc4ttMZ0mGNoLPAX8egmH6U4atQF-bdU

Father-of-two Mat Kavanagh identified as third Victorian bushfire victim

"Mat was a dedicated and respected member of Forest Fire Management Victoria for around 10 years and was on duty as a part of our fire response on the day," she told reporters.

"He is being remembered for his friendly and welcoming nature, his passion for the environment and nature and his love of fly fishing."

Kavanagh is survived by his wife Jude and two children.


Kavanagh's death takes the national bushfires toll to 26, which also takes into account three dead in South Australia.
 
  • #176
Orchard owner gifts 200,000 mangoes to community to lift spirits amid drought

In an incredible act of generosity, a Queensland man is opening his orchard, donating his bumper crop of more than 200,000 mangoes to local charities and drought-affected communities.

Tony Stewart is currently interstate but worked with his fellow former Gympie Citizen of the year recipient, Marlene Owen, to organise volunteers to pick the fruit for transport.

The plan is to deliver the bounty to drought stricken communities including Chinchilla, Miles, Roma, Mitchell, and Biloela that the Rainbow Beach Drought Runners have been visiting for years.

Looking over the orchard, Ms Owen considered the large task ahead of them.

"I know I do some silly things, but I just looked down the hill and think 'how silly am I?'" she laughed.

"But when I have been out to the farmers, trust me, it is well worth it to take fresh fruit out to them."

"And wherever else we can find farmers that would like mangoes."
11850852-3x2-thumbnail.jpg

:)
 
  • #177
Just found this thread.

Our country has been ravaged for several months now. For me it started in August with fires very close to my home in south east Queensland. This prompted me to start a campaign to help our wildlife. I have a wonderful team of ladies sewing little pouches made from flanellette sheets which we donate so that carers are able to handle, home, nurse and love hurt and abandoned wildlife, ultimately returning them to their native home.

So many have experienced a devastating time however amongst the trauma we have some signs of regenerated life in our burnt out bush land.
These heartening photos show the bush coming back to life
Thankyou all our wonderful Websleuthers across the globe for your kind thoughts and thankyou to our amazing fire fighters, to wildlife carers and rescuers, to community spirit, to donors, to world wide concern and assistance.
We will survive this.
 
  • #178
One of our South Australian primary schools has set up this rescue centre in their gym ... caring for 110 injured koalas at the moment.

z.JPG
ABC Adelaide on Twitter
 
  • #179
Just found this thread.

Our country has been ravaged for several months now. For me it started in August with fires very close to my home in south east Queensland. This prompted me to start a campaign to help our wildlife. I have a wonderful team of ladies sewing little pouches made from flanellette sheets which we donate so that carers are able to handle, home, nurse and love hurt and abandoned wildlife, ultimately returning them to their native home.

So many have experienced a devastating time however amongst the trauma we have some signs of regenerated life in our burnt out bush land.
These heartening photos show the bush coming back to life
Thankyou all our wonderful Websleuthers across the globe for your kind thoughts and thankyou to our amazing fire fighters, to wildlife carers and rescuers, to community spirit, to donors, to world wide concern and assistance.
We will survive this.

Hi Pi Thoughts,

I think you might be not that far from my neck of the woods. Closest big fire to me was about half an hour drive away from my place. I wish I could have done something in the way of meaningful assistance, I used to be an SES volunteer. But due to medical issues I have now (and didn't so much back when I was volunteering) I've just been doing it super tough in the smoke, and that's about all I have been doing. I'm seriously considering going back to the SES, if I can get enough improvement in my health, even though my duties would have to be restricted. But I won't do it unless I'm sure that I will actually be helping and not just under people's feet.

Certain social media platforms have been a bit hard to take during this catastrophic event. The messages of support have been great, and there has been a lot of promotion for genuine avenues for making donations. The political debate over blame, climate change (and climate change deniers), etc... has been pretty full on. Some of the more graphic pictures, illustrating the loss of wildlife, you will see over and over if you're on social media for any length of time. My suggestion for anyone who feels negatively affected by the social media activity, is to limit your time on these platforms as needed.

Take care everyone
 
  • #180
Just found this thread.

Our country has been ravaged for several months now. For me it started in August with fires very close to my home in south east Queensland. This prompted me to start a campaign to help our wildlife. I have a wonderful team of ladies sewing little pouches made from flanellette sheets which we donate so that carers are able to handle, home, nurse and love hurt and abandoned wildlife, ultimately returning them to their native home.

So many have experienced a devastating time however amongst the trauma we have some signs of regenerated life in our burnt out bush land.
These heartening photos show the bush coming back to life
Thankyou all our wonderful Websleuthers across the globe for your kind thoughts and thankyou to our amazing fire fighters, to wildlife carers and rescuers, to community spirit, to donors, to world wide concern and assistance.
We will survive this.

Pi Thoughts, you are so wonderful! Thank you for all you and your team are doing for our wildlife :)
 

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