Fires in Australia

[NinetyFour]

The fires sound dreadful.  I am hoping that our mustachioed Australian friends are safe!

[Anatidae V]

I'm on the safe side of the country, but they're pretty unpleasant to hear about! Particularly since so far as I'm aware, right now the government should be arranging burn offs to reduce the occurrence and intensity of fires, not fighting them yet! It's somewhat out of season.

[happy]

Smoky but safe :)  So far anyway. One of the big fires is inexorably getting closer, but its still 30-40km away. No sweat over this yet.

We'll do the usual fire preps, clearing leaves etc, but our house could be difficult to defend if the fire is coming from the wrong direction. So our plan is to prepare as best we can, then leave early.

I am kind of on fire alert every few years. The worst year I had a bushfire burning for 2 weeks at a distance of 1km-30m from my house...now that was stressful.

I have a few friends in the vicinity of some of the other fires whom I'm a bit worried about, they are fine so far.

[limeandpepper]

Thanks for being so thoughtful, NinetyFour! I'm in Victoria so there isn't much to worry about here. Hope those of you in NSW stay safe.

[Ozstache]

I'm in the Canberra area, which thankfully is bushfire clear at the moment. The good thing with my house position is that the wind blows towards the bush from our house on high fire danger days, so the risk is pretty low for us even if a fire is burning nearby.

[steveo]

I'm in Sydney. Its raining a little at the moment. Hopefully it continues and hits the right areas.

[121 Seconds]

Thankfully no lives lost at this stage, but lots of houses have gone. It seems to be bringing the best out of most people and uniting a country. But do pray for those fighting the many fires and those that have lost the homes.

[Anatidae V]

Actually, 1 life lost. Also, this stuff happens every year or two - it'd be nice if the country started its own emergency fund and we could also keep the solidarity going all the time.