UT Bushfires in NSW UPDATED 25/10/13

[rcperryls]

for all those who live in NSW! Those fires are raging out of control! to all the Forum Buddies who live there.

My thoughts exactly! I truly hope that this is one of those times that the forecasts are so wrong.
Everyone please stay safe. Thank you for the updates, Sally. I know that this is stressful for all of you.

Carole

[Squirrel]

I've not seen or heard the news this morning apart from a snippet from a tv in a fast food shop.

Seems their "aggressive back burning" yesterday and last night just might have prevented the 3 biggest fires from merging into the mega fire. Still massive fire fronts and it will be weeks before they are all out, unless there is some torrential downpours on them.

Weather is warming up considerably all over the eastern side of Auz along with gusty winds - which definitely are not needed anywhere.

Thanks everyone for your thoughts, good vibes, prayers and so on. I am sure that the people concerned know that others are urging them on.

[karen4bells]

How very sad this all is!! I do hope and pray that the fires are soon out and that things will start to get back to normal for everyone affected

[socialsue]

Sending prayers and hoping the fires are put out soon. Very scary and nerve racking. I experienced the fires at Pecos National Park and up by Bandier National Monument near Los Alamos and Espanola, New Mexico. Awful !!! All those controlled burning got out of control due to the wind. Anyway, I will be thinking of my Aussie Stitching buddies!

socialsue

[Mystonique]

Just a quick update. We had rain last night which helped a bit but today the winds were quite bad and the weather is hot and dry - 37 degrees celcius. The fires are picking up in intensity but have not joined (to create the massive fire front we were all terrified about) at this stage.

One of the biggest fears at the moment is ember flareups where embers get carried by wind and start new fires.

All schools and nursing homes in the area have closed and thousands have evacuated, many more on the verge waiting to get the signal to leave.

Over 250 homes have been lost but to date only 1 human life (obviously the count for animals, particularly natives and wild animals is much higher).

Keep the prayers and well wishes coming people (don't have to post just keep us in your thoughts).

[Athalie]

We have a large fire at Minmi which is about 4 kms from us. We received a text from the fire service early afternoon telling us to be ready to evacuate. The fire probably won't reach us but as Mystonique said it's the flying embers that cause a problem. DS and my grandsons have been on the roof blocking downpipes and filling the gutters with water and they have put sprinklers on the roof. Jacob hosed everything in the garden that looked particularly dry (that's everything in this hot weather) We all have bags packed but hopefully won't need them We will be sitting up in shifts tonight keeping an eye open for flying embers. DS laughed at my packing - a small bag of clothing and a larger one filled with all my finished but unframed stitching, plus what was hanging on the walls. As I said, you have to get your priorities right in times of emergency. LOL

[Squirrel]

Oh Dear Athalie, that is far too close for comfort. Sending and that they get a stop on that fire and hope that the cool change comes through very soon.

Keep in touch when you can. Love your priorities re the packing. Right on the button.

Mystonique - so glad that you are a bit away from those fires and I bet that rain last night was welcome, even if it didn't help the fires much.

Tomorrow we are to expect thunderstorms, and after weeks of no rain things are drying out up here. Hope any lightening doesn't start anything up, up here.
for us all

[rcperryls]

Sending as many positive thoughts as possible to all of you who are or could be in danger from the fires. How scary that can be. I think I mentioned before that my sister has had to evacuate several times because of the fires that break out in Los Angeles. Came as close as 4 blocks to her house.
and keeping that you get lots of rain soon without lightening. Keep us up to date!

Carole

[thread garden]

Thinking of those near the fires especially Athalie.

[Rose]

I hope that these terrible fires will soon be controlled and out completely!!!!!!

[Athalie]

All is well, we had a slight wind change early evening which turned the fire back on itself. This morning the sky is clear, not a bit of the smoke and ash we had yesterday, in sight. Now I need to get on with daily chores, after a restless night. I was going shopping but didn't wake until very late so that can wait until tomorrow.

[Squirrel]

Thank You Lord. and thank you Athalie for posting this morning that all is well with you.

Have a nanna nap later and try not to do too much.

[Athalie]

Thanks Sally, It was all very exciting but the kind of excitement you can do without !!! Can't hang any laundry out, it's very smelly outside and still some ash floating about. At least the wind has died down and there is a nice gentle breeze. Yes, a Nana nap looks good to me at this stage.

[tiffstitch]

Good news that the fire turned back on itself, and you get some rain!!

[rcperryls]

Great news that the fire has turned back from you. Hope it stays away and hope that y'all get some rain very soon!! I think that you have more than earned a few good nights sleep and several naps as well. Whatever is needed to recharge your batteries after all the worry and anxiety that comes from the kind of anticipation and alertness that you have had to maintain. Time to wind down.

Carole

[Squirrel]

Just turned the evening news on (its 4.35pm) and got the latest.

Winds have risen somewhat in some areas which has put 3 small settlements on emergancy alert and for at least one of them ithe residents have been told to "take shelter as its too dangerous and too late to leave now - which would be darned scary I am sure.

There are 66 fires still burning and a lot of them uncontrolled and there has been 1 more death, a fixed wing aircraft pilot who was water bombing crashed in thick bush and was killed when his plane crashed. He leaves a wife and young family.

There have been rumours that the worst fire may have been accidentally started by the Army who were on a training exercise in the Blue Mountains. The Army is remaining silent on the subject.

Two 8yr old boys were caught this morning trying to light a fire - not sure whether it was near where the main fires are or over in Victoria.

So it continues.

Up here in Brisbane it is still, the air is heavy not a drop of rain -as yet - and the only noise is from helicopters training around this area for some reason - 3 of the noisy little beggars.

[Athalie]

There are some really despicable people around when people are going through tragedies like these fires. The latest report is on people dressing in fire and police uniforms, knocking on doors and telling people they need to leave their homes 'NOW'. They watch them go then enter the premises and strip them of anything valuable. I hope they get caught and have the book thrown at them.

[aussie_stitcher]

Apparently the army have now accepted responsibility for starting the mine fire, but have not yet said anything about compensation. This has obviously made some of the people who have lost their homes rather angry. They have said there will be a full investigation and the NSW police will be looking into it to determine the level of negligence in having an explosives training exercise on a day with extremely dry and windy conditions.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/in-dept ... 6745716518

I'm glad everyone is still doing alright, as always, let us know if you need anything. Thinking of you all!

[rcperryls]

and still for things to get better sooner rather than later for everyone living in or near the threatened areas. Hope that all our forum friends stay safe. Sending you all positive thoughts and wishes.

Carole

[Squirrel]

Whilst no where near on the same scale, I just read that in Western Australia outback 1500 mine workers have been evacuated to another mine site due to a bush fire which has come too close to the accommodation village!!!!!!

Summer in Australia - and it hasn't officially started yet.


On a positive note, things must be improving down in NSW as Queensland and other firefighters are beginning to return to their home bases. As with all huge fires it will take weeks to put out completely but things are improving a little.

Thanks everyone for all the prayers, positive vibes and good thoughts over these difficult days.