Sydney Fires..

[greg somers]

Over this part of the world, the big news is the fires around Sydney. NZ has sent over some helicopter water tankers to assist with monstrous flames. The worst drought in 100 years doesn't help either. The local authorities claim that they were deliberately lit by arsonists and loose cigarette butts thrown from cars. I have seen the fires and floods over there when I lived there. There has been over 41 homes lost, but the local fire volenteers are doing a tremendous job in extreme coditions. This morning I heard that the winds are picking up which will cause them to spread even more. We have some Sydney and NSW members on the board with us, so spare a kind thought or prayer for them while they are trying to save their homes with garden hoses and water from their pools.
Is this being reported where you are from?
Gasman

 

[ckharlan66]

My prayers are with them.

Chad

 

[Dee]

Weren't there fires there several months ago?

I have a friend in Sydney that I haven't heard from in a while, hopes he's OK. CNN has had a little bit of coverage on this side of the pond but not as much as I'd like.

Keep us posted, will ya? And pass our prayers to those who need them!

 

[scuba_katt]

I can tell you that things are looking pretty hairy over here with the fires, especially considering that the winds are VERY strong and not giving all the wonderful firefighters any relief.

I live south of the city near Menai, where there have been several houses lost. We've had burnt leaves in our swimming pool, and loads of ash in the air. The fires even ravaged the Army Barracks at Holdsworthy, destroying lots of machinery and buildings.

Its devestating to see families on the news who have lost everything (although fortunate to have escaped with their lives). Its even worse when you see the number of people living in fire-prone areas who were NOT insured!!!???

There is a bushfire relief fund, so we've made plenty of donations and encourage those in the area to do the same, cos its definitely a time when our hearts go out not just to those humans who have been threatened, but also the countless numbers of native animals who have lost lives and habitats.... WIRES is a non-profit group who look after injured/homeless animals in situations like this and as a member I know that their resources are already being stretched to no end.... and the scary thing is, its only going to get worse.

really makes you realise what's important in life.....

:help:

 

[scuba_katt]

that there has been an arrest relating to the deliberate lighting of the fires north of sydney - a mentally disabled 18 year old boy lit a fire near Glenorie.

I've heard on the news that he could receive up to 14 years in jail if convicted, but i suspect that due to his disability, they may be more lenient.

I have to admit, despite all the loss and pain that this boy has directly (or indirectly) caused, its hard to be angry, because he is mentally disabled, and would not have started the fire with malicious intentions.

but then again, try saying that to someone who has lost their family home and all sentimental belongings....

 

[greg somers]

It was on Prime over here last week. They were rebuilding a home that had been burnt down with the previous fires a while back. WIRES made a couple of compounds for the family wombat and wallabies. That family was underinsured bt $80,000. They made it mor fire proof. All that ground cover and dead foliage isn't helpful either. I saw the army barracks in the news. I didn't know the fires had gotten as far north as you, but obviously it's very serious.
Look after yourself,
Gasman

 

[aquababe]

i saw a little bit about it on the news. but no details, just a short report.

they are in my thoughts and prayers...

 

[-=>Larry<=-]

already - I've got 2 brothers-in-law in Sydney and another up North in Coffs Harbour. I can still taste the smoke from the bush fires last year when we visited.

The news coverage exists - but not nearly as intense, I'm sure, as in your part of the world. I first caught it on CNN in Tokyo about Wed or Thursday last week, returned to Austin on Friday & caught a small mention several times. The newsfolk here seem to feel its more important to try to go to war with Iraq rather than carrying other, more immediate, news. Bummer.

 

[Lawman]

I saw the fires on TV...over 50 homes burned. Terrible!
Courage guys...plants grow back and houses get rebuilt.

The only bright spot I saw was that maybe a few million of those
funnel web spiders got burned up!

 

[kelpmermaid]

and it looks disturbingly familiar to us here! Stay safe!