Fire Down Under

[jayjay]

We appear to have dodged a bullet at home - temps only 42c (107.6). Cool change just hit us - temps have dropped 10c in an hour to 28c (82f). Supposed to get 8mm rain tomorrow. We need it.

Other parts of the country are in dire straits. More lives lost, more homes lost. And it's only the second month of summer.

 

[jayjay]

https://www.news.com.au/technology/...s/news-story/c08b756dc17757a28a6fcd6db3f9b5e2

From the photo, it appears the devil is even enjoying the flames!!!!!

 

[GaRp58]

The devil loves everything bad. Did someone think to spit in his face? The millions wasted in the New Years fireworks displays would have bought a few new planes and firetrucks.......Live free and survive, GP

 

[Maverick]

Australia wildfires prompt Navy beach rescues, marking largest peacetime evacuations in history

https://www.foxnews.com/world/australia-wildfires-navy-beach-rescues-peacetime-evacuations

 

[Maverick]

More than 180 people have been arrested in Australia for bushfire-related offenses — including 24 for arson — since November, the New South Wales Police Force announced in a news release Monday.

"Of note, 24 people have been charged over alleged deliberately-lit bushfires, 53 people have had legal actions for allegedly failing to comply with a total fire ban, and 47 people have had legal actions for allegedly discarding a lighted cigarette or match on land," the release stated.

https://www.theblaze.com/news/australia-bushfires-two-dozen-arsonists

 

[Maverick]

Our National Forest Service is sending some of our Smokejumper Crews along with some more of our elite Hotshot Crew from the Warm Springs Indian Reservation in Oregon. Wonder why they are sending Smokejumpers? unless they need parachuting in unreachable areas?

 

[Maverick]

After talking to an old friend, he explained why the Hotshots and smokejumpers are in Australia. Australia's firefighters are all volunteers, they have no direct attack crews to get in close and personal unless a fire truck can escort them in, they don't hike or jump in to the edge of the fire, they do have a very small crew that repels in by helicopter but generally only responding to lightening strikes. He said, in the past Australia thought of putting together Hotshot crews but was too risky and the public wouldn't support that kind of the risk, right now Australia has 5 instructors at the Arizona Wildfire Academy in Prescott being trained by a Hotshot instructors, he also teaches our crews about the eucalyptus forests in Australia that goes up like a torch unlike what his American counterparts are a custom to. He said 159 U.S. federal firefighters deployed and more coming on alert status Canada has 90 working with it's American counterparts.

 

[jontte]

saw vid online where the Aussie prime was more or less told bluntly to F@@K OFF...

 

[jayjay]

HI. I'm still around-just been flat out.
Anyway, in my state, South Australia I believe most of the fires are out. Last Friday we had a strong rain cell go through our town - 73mm (2.87402 inches ) in under 30 minutes. Lots of flooding. Put out a lot of the fires, especially on Kangaroo Island.
On the East Coast, the fires are still raging, but many places are expecting up to 500mm (19.685 inches) rain over the next few days, and this should put out most fires.
First fire, now flood.

Sadly, three fire fighters from the US were killed recently

Now, we contend with coronavirus!

 

[JackDW]

Thank you Jayjay for the update. Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and all Aussies who suffered under those hash conditions.

 

[DrHenley]

Thanks for the update JayJay, I'm glad to hear things have turned around down there.

 

[jontte]

when that missing rain comes you learn to appreciate it...

 

[jontte]

okay, jayjay..how's life down under at the moment??

still fires and now waiting for this new shitstorm from China?

 

[jayjay]

Hi

Well, the climate change activists said we'd have no rain for months and months - oops - the East Coast is now under water - storage dams are over flowing, fires put out, dry rivers finally flowing.
At home, 2 weeks ago, after our heavy downpour, well, I believe all the fires are now out.
Things are looking up-more rain forecast on the East Coast, so flooding is a problem now.
But, that's what you get living Down Under.
Thanks all for your prayers, concerns, and nice messages.

 

[GaRp58]

Hi jayjay, glad you still have your sense of humor. Sounds like you hardy people went from bankrupt to winning the lottery. All fire and now all water. Damn, somebody said too many prayers for the rain or else all of the prayers got answered at once!! Hang in there, good luck on the rebuild and wash your hands...GP