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camhead
Feb 8, 2009, 3:44 PM
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Have you guys survived these fires? How near are they to you? Affecting any climbing areas?
Looks pretty intense.
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blondgecko
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Feb 9, 2009, 12:57 AM
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Nah, we're both Queenslanders. Actually, we're sandwiched neatly between the worst bushfires (actually, the worst natural disaster of any kind) in Australia's history in the south, and the worst flood in decades in the north. Around a thousand kilometres' padding in each direction, though.
The bushfires are truly awful. Driven by a fortnight of 40-48 degrees Celsius (104-118 Fahrenheit) and strong winds. The TV was showing 30 metre eucalypts lighting up like matchsticks, and I heard eyewitness reports from people who survived their town burning around them of cars simply exploding in the streets.
Official death toll was 104 this morning, and is expected to climb steeply. At least 700 houses destroyed so far.
Edit: Oh, and it's blondgecko (only one e)
(This post was edited by blondgecko on Feb 9, 2009, 12:57 AM)
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angry
Feb 9, 2009, 1:21 AM
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The news here said it was arson. Is there a reason politically that someone would go lighting these fires or is it just random arson? Or is it just too soon to tell?
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blondgecko
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Feb 9, 2009, 1:25 AM
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angry wrote: The news here said it was arson. Is there a reason politically that someone would go lighting these fires or is it just random arson? Or is it just too soon to tell?
There was one guy in New South Wales that was arrested on an arson charge. But, there's fires burning in areas at least a thousand kilometres apart. If he lit them all, he was a very busy man.
No need for arson, anyway. In the conditions they've had down there, all it takes is a cigarette butt out the car window, or even a bit of broken bottle in the sun.
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rrrADAM
Feb 9, 2009, 2:39 PM
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Saw this on the news yesterday and thought of you two... Glad to hear that you guys are not in the thick of it.
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wjca
Feb 9, 2009, 2:49 PM
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blondgecko wrote: Nah, we're both Queenslanders. Actually, we're sandwiched neatly between the worst bushfires (actually, the worst natural disaster of any kind) in Australia's history in the south, and the worst flood in decades in the north. Around a thousand kilometres' padding in each direction, though.
Don't worry, I'm sure the locusts will be coming your direction soon enough. Maybe rivers of blood.
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kachoong
Feb 9, 2009, 4:57 PM
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wjca wrote: blondgecko wrote: Nah, we're both Queenslanders. Actually, we're sandwiched neatly between the worst bushfires (actually, the worst natural disaster of any kind) in Australia's history in the south, and the worst flood in decades in the north. Around a thousand kilometres' padding in each direction, though. Don't worry, I'm sure the locusts will be coming your direction soon enough. Maybe rivers of blood.
Horrible too would be if something awful happened to the Vegemite factory! I can't imagine it!! 
Seriously though! Those firefighters are real Aussie heroes and most of them are volunteers. It can be seriously tough out there.
Luckily I don't have any family "too" near the fires. Some in Melbourne, but they're in the city. I remember all to well (unfortunately) the days the fires swept into Canberra five years ago... the thick menacing red cloud bellowed for miles into the sky...
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clausti
Feb 9, 2009, 5:56 PM
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wjca wrote: blondgecko wrote: Nah, we're both Queenslanders. Actually, we're sandwiched neatly between the worst bushfires (actually, the worst natural disaster of any kind) in Australia's history in the south, and the worst flood in decades in the north. Around a thousand kilometres' padding in each direction, though. Don't worry, I'm sure the locusts will be coming your direction soon enough. Maybe rivers of blood.
i hear lamb or goad blood on the doorway fixes that though.
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yak
Feb 10, 2009, 7:42 AM
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Thought i would share this, from the vic fires... [/image]
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Valarc
Feb 10, 2009, 2:19 PM
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clausti wrote: yak wrote: Thought i would share this, from the vic fires... um, yeah, i just cried.
Me too... bottled water is such a waste, and bad for the environment. He should have been using a sigg bottle or a kleen kanteen 
On a more serious note, I'm glad our resident aussies are safe and hope they get this thing under control soon.
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blondgecko
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Feb 11, 2009, 1:25 AM
Post #13 of 23
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There's a Google Maps widget showing the locations of all the fires here.
Also, a bunch of photos here.
The scale of this is just awful.
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kachoong
Feb 11, 2009, 1:56 AM
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blondgecko wrote: There's a Google Maps widget showing the locations of all the fires here. Also, a bunch of photos here. The scale of this is just awful.
For size comparisons... the state of Victoria is a bit bigger than either Utah or Idaho.
Damn... how hot does it get!?!?!
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Myxomatosis
Feb 11, 2009, 2:29 AM
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Some really insane stories coming across to the news papers here... seems like everyone living in the areas have had to fight for there lives.
I'd make a donation but I am pretty skimped at the moment but my thoughts go out to everyone effected. My parents are outskirts of Perth, could easily have the same situation for them.
Things are dry here in NZ too, fire danger is high (but our farms/land is less likely to produce firestorms). They had a one down in Gisborne area after a tractor crushed two stones together creating a spark...
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reno
Feb 11, 2009, 3:01 AM
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Video of the koala and the firefighter here:
http://player.video.news.com.au/...cvLwFEDVTVmNzvM39fBl
That's amazing. Good for that guy.
On a side note to our resident Aussies: Is there a place people from other countries can send donations? I don't know if y'all have anything like the Red Cross or anything down there.
You guys be safe, too. And keep us posted?
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yak
Feb 12, 2009, 8:53 AM
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It's 7.30pm here, channel 9 is just starting a bushfire appeal on the tv with music and tv stars, even american tv stars sending messages...so far the redcross has received just over 50 million dollars in donations...
oh and coles supermarkets will be donating all profits from friday's trading to the appeal...
(This post was edited by yak on Feb 12, 2009, 8:55 AM)
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blondgecko
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Feb 12, 2009, 11:25 PM
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yak wrote: It's 7.30pm here, channel 9 is just starting a bushfire appeal on the tv with music and tv stars, even american tv stars sending messages...so far the redcross has received just over 50 million dollars in donations... oh and coles supermarkets will be donating all profits from friday's trading to the appeal...
Yeah, we put off our shopping until today for that reason.
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camhead
Feb 13, 2009, 8:28 PM
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Here are some brief observations from Environmental Historian and Forest Fire expert Stephen Pyne. Interesting stuff, but to get the full picture I think you would have to read his other work.
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kriso9tails
Feb 13, 2009, 10:11 PM
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clausti wrote: yak wrote: Thought i would share this, from the vic fires... um, yeah, i just cried.
Well, she got a koala boyfriend out of the deal in the end, so silvler lining and all I guess.
(This post was edited by kriso9tails on Feb 13, 2009, 10:17 PM)
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mecalekahi-mekahidyho
Feb 14, 2009, 4:50 AM
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That photo is awe-inspiring. Although Ive only been to Aus. once, I am saddened from all the loss of precious life. At least the earth can replenish itself, hopefully the animal population can rebound as well.
It seems as if the Koala (sp) has some understanding that the guy is helping him by the way his paw is resting on his hand, that picture stirred a variety of strong emotions in me. Very strong work.
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