Heatwave in SE Australia - Page 6

Urbane Guerrilla · 02-09-2009, 10:47 PM

In the meantime, our prayers are with you.

DanaC · 02-10-2009, 04:11 AM

I've been watching on the news. My God, what a nightmare. Survivors describe walls of flame, four stories high, moving so terribly fast.

To hear that some of them may have been deliberately started is so shocking.

I'm just glad our Aussie-dwellars are ok. I must admit, when I first saw reports coming in, my stomach sank.

glatt · 02-10-2009, 08:54 AM

The pictures coming out of there are amazing. It's horrific.

Bullitt · 02-10-2009, 11:02 AM

It never ceases to amaze me how so many people that live in fire prone areas don't understand the simple concept of defensible space. Clearing ANYTHING flammable in at least 100 feet in all directions from the structure is one of the most important preventative measures you can take to protect your house. The other very important thing you can do is LEAVE. It's true fires can move quickly, but it's not a sustained speed and direction. A front can be creeping along and then a sudden increase on one side of the fire triangle (fuel, oxygen, heat) or a sudden change in the fire environment triangle (terrain, fuel, weather) and a front can leap by 600 meters in a matter of seconds. So fast that you can't outrun it even in a vehicle. People mistakenly think that they can defend their homes by themselves and tragedies occur. The best thing you can do is set sprinklers on your roof and deck and them LEAVE as soon as possible. Staying behind only puts your life in danger and complicates the efforts of fire crews who have more important things to do than babysit your property because you refused to leave creating a life threatening situation. /rant

HungLikeJesus · 02-10-2009, 02:07 PM

If we cut everything flammable within 100 feet of our house, I'd be over the fence in the neighbor's yard. Our house has cedar siding, but we did replace our plastic skylights with glass and had a new roof installed last summer that's supposed to be fire-resistant (but I haven't tested it yet).

Aliantha · 02-10-2009, 03:16 PM

There are rumours that emergency services have found over 100 more bodies in the wreckage.

The police are also in possession of the licence plate of a trailbike ridden by a teenager who was 'behaving suspiciously' on Saturday morning.

There's a good chance that whoever started these fires may have perished also. That thought brings me little comfort, but it might do something for the survivors of this tragedy.

Aliantha · 02-10-2009, 07:00 PM

I'm not sure if this is appropriate or not, but if anyone wants to donate, you can do so via credit card at www.redcross.org.au

Please don't think I'm trying to guilt anyone into anything. It's just that I know there are people out there who might want to do something for these poor people and this was something that came to my mind just now. We donated what we could yesterday, but it just doesn't seem like enough when I'm sitting here in my nice house with all my pictures and special things around me.

kerosene · 02-10-2009, 07:12 PM

I am sorry this is happening to your countryfolk, Ali. Such a tragic event is something I wouldn't wish on anyone. thank you for keeping us informed of the situation and of your safety.

Aliantha · 02-10-2009, 07:15 PM

As far as i know all the dwellars are fine. I had a text (sms) from ducks yesterday arvo, but so far I don't think anyone's heard from Alpha, so I hope he's ok.

I'm not in any danger where I am. I'm right in between the fires and the other natural disaster hitting Australia at the moment being massive flooding in the northern part of my state.

TheMercenary · 02-10-2009, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aliantha

I'm not sure if this is appropriate or not, but if anyone wants to donate, you can do so via credit card at www.redcross.org.au

Please don't think I'm trying to guilt anyone into anything. It's just that I know there are people out there who might want to do something for these poor people and this was something that came to my mind just now. We donated what we could yesterday, but it just doesn't seem like enough when I'm sitting here in my nice house with all my pictures and special things around me.

Contribution made. Thanks for the link.

Aliantha · 02-10-2009, 07:32 PM

Thanks Merc...and to anyone else who contributes or those who wish they could. On behalf of all of us on this side of the pond, I say thankyou. A very heartfelt thankyou.

TheMercenary · 02-10-2009, 07:53 PM

I feel it is the least I can do for a group of people and a country that I think Americans, and I for one of them, have a special place in my heart. Cheers.

ZenGum · 02-10-2009, 08:16 PM

What Bullit said.

There are some real dopes out there. There are also some very able and well prepared people. TV news showed some interviews last night - one fool with a bucket hoping to fend off a thin line of ground-only burn, several hundred meters long, creeping down a heavily wooded hilllside towards his house.
Reporter: "Are you worried you might not have enough resources to stop this fire?"
Man: " Ohhh ..... err ..... ahh .... yeah." [looks at bucket hopefully].
His wife explained that they would definitely evacuate if the flames got within ten meters of the house.

Next story was three adults describing how they had used thier own pump, hoses and water supply to keep a mist screen over their house until they were forced into their concrete/brick cellar to escape the heat, then got back out once the front had passed and kept fighting.

Some folks have got it, some folks haven't.

On the donations, some people in North Queenslad have been given $1,000 per adult as emergency flood relief. More than one immediately donated the lot to the bushfire appeal.

The death toll may never be established for certain. They are talking about bodies having been vapourised, effectively cremated, but the fires.

classicman · 02-10-2009, 09:33 PM

Sent a little your way Ali - wish I could do more, but times are tough...

Aliantha · 02-10-2009, 10:09 PM

Every little bit helps classic. You're giving something to people who now have nothing. Less than nothing in some ways. Thankyou.

02-09-2009, 10:47 PM	#76
Urbane Guerrilla Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Southern California Posts: 6,674	In the meantime, our prayers are with you. __________________ Wanna stop school shootings? End Gun-Free Zones, of course.

02-10-2009, 08:54 AM	#78
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	The pictures coming out of there are amazing. It's horrific. Attached Images

02-10-2009, 11:02 AM	#79
Bullitt This is a fully functional babe lair Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Akron, OH Posts: 2,324	It never ceases to amaze me how so many people that live in fire prone areas don't understand the simple concept of defensible space. Clearing ANYTHING flammable in at least 100 feet in all directions from the structure is one of the most important preventative measures you can take to protect your house. The other very important thing you can do is LEAVE. It's true fires can move quickly, but it's not a sustained speed and direction. A front can be creeping along and then a sudden increase on one side of the fire triangle (fuel, oxygen, heat) or a sudden change in the fire environment triangle (terrain, fuel, weather) and a front can leap by 600 meters in a matter of seconds. So fast that you can't outrun it even in a vehicle. People mistakenly think that they can defend their homes by themselves and tragedies occur. The best thing you can do is set sprinklers on your roof and deck and them LEAVE as soon as possible. Staying behind only puts your life in danger and complicates the efforts of fire crews who have more important things to do than babysit your property because you refused to leave creating a life threatening situation. /rant __________________ Kiss my white Irish ass.

02-10-2009, 02:07 PM	#80
HungLikeJesus Only looks like a disaster tourist Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: above 7,000 feet Posts: 7,208	If we cut everything flammable within 100 feet of our house, I'd be over the fence in the neighbor's yard. Our house has cedar siding, but we did replace our plastic skylights with glass and had a new roof installed last summer that's supposed to be fire-resistant (but I haven't tested it yet). __________________ Keep Your Bodies Off My Lawn SteveDallas's Random Thread Picker.

02-10-2009, 03:16 PM	#81
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	There are rumours that emergency services have found over 100 more bodies in the wreckage. The police are also in possession of the licence plate of a trailbike ridden by a teenager who was 'behaving suspiciously' on Saturday morning. There's a good chance that whoever started these fires may have perished also. That thought brings me little comfort, but it might do something for the survivors of this tragedy. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

02-10-2009, 04:11 AM	#77
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	I've been watching on the news. My God, what a nightmare. Survivors describe walls of flame, four stories high, moving so terribly fast. To hear that some of them may have been deliberately started is so shocking. I'm just glad our Aussie-dwellars are ok. I must admit, when I first saw reports coming in, my stomach sank.

02-10-2009, 07:00 PM	#82
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	I'm not sure if this is appropriate or not, but if anyone wants to donate, you can do so via credit card at www.redcross.org.au Please don't think I'm trying to guilt anyone into anything. It's just that I know there are people out there who might want to do something for these poor people and this was something that came to my mind just now. We donated what we could yesterday, but it just doesn't seem like enough when I'm sitting here in my nice house with all my pictures and special things around me. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

02-10-2009, 07:12 PM	#83
kerosene Touring the facilities Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The plains of Colorado Posts: 3,476	I am sorry this is happening to your countryfolk, Ali. Such a tragic event is something I wouldn't wish on anyone. thank you for keeping us informed of the situation and of your safety.

02-10-2009, 07:15 PM	#84
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	As far as i know all the dwellars are fine. I had a text (sms) from ducks yesterday arvo, but so far I don't think anyone's heard from Alpha, so I hope he's ok. I'm not in any danger where I am. I'm right in between the fires and the other natural disaster hitting Australia at the moment being massive flooding in the northern part of my state. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

02-10-2009, 07:32 PM	#86
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Thanks Merc...and to anyone else who contributes or those who wish they could. On behalf of all of us on this side of the pond, I say thankyou. A very heartfelt thankyou. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

02-10-2009, 07:53 PM	#87
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	I feel it is the least I can do for a group of people and a country that I think Americans, and I for one of them, have a special place in my heart. Cheers. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

02-10-2009, 08:16 PM	#88
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	What Bullit said. There are some real dopes out there. There are also some very able and well prepared people. TV news showed some interviews last night - one fool with a bucket hoping to fend off a thin line of ground-only burn, several hundred meters long, creeping down a heavily wooded hilllside towards his house. Reporter: "Are you worried you might not have enough resources to stop this fire?" Man: " Ohhh ..... err ..... ahh .... yeah." [looks at bucket hopefully]. His wife explained that they would definitely evacuate if the flames got within ten meters of the house. Next story was three adults describing how they had used thier own pump, hoses and water supply to keep a mist screen over their house until they were forced into their concrete/brick cellar to escape the heat, then got back out once the front had passed and kept fighting. Some folks have got it, some folks haven't. On the donations, some people in North Queenslad have been given $1,000 per adult as emergency flood relief. More than one immediately donated the lot to the bushfire appeal. The death toll may never be established for certain. They are talking about bodies having been vapourised, effectively cremated, but the fires. __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

02-10-2009, 09:33 PM	#89
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	Sent a little your way Ali - wish I could do more, but times are tough... __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

02-10-2009, 10:09 PM	#90
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Every little bit helps classic. You're giving something to people who now have nothing. Less than nothing in some ways. Thankyou. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

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