Fire Check-In Thread

[Icewineanne]

Leonie wrote: "We've been putting out food and water for several months now, as the birds here are struggling enormously, due to the drought.

Consequently, every morning and evening, we have sulphur crested cock..."

Sounds like cat heaven 😻

[Leonie]

Well, cat heaven from a distance....🤣🤣🤣

Another 20mm yesterday, which was lovely. Slow and soaking.

Having said that, there's a long way to go in this drought before moisture levels return to anything like normal. I went for a walk with the dogs, and was stunned to see just how many trees have died. Keep in mind that although we've had smoke, we've not had fire here.

It was quite heartbreaking. I'm hoping that with a predicted return to hotter weather this week, things won't dry out too fast again. Although the ground here is currently damp, we've had no run-off at all. I'd assume it's the same across many places, including those who've had no rain at all, sadly. This lot of rain has provided breathing space, I suspect, rather than a solution.

Rural Australia needs consistent, soaking, rain for weeks and weeks to be out of the woods.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

David has sent his best wishes in another thread which I've closed and linked for everyone to read if they wish :)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Leonie]

Stay safe tomorrow everyone! The fire danger appears to be ramping up again...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You too Leonie - it'll be a horrid day. Already a Watch & Act this afternoon which has gone back to Advise now...

[Leonie]

Hoping our members in Canberra, the Snowys and around Bega are all OK.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

It doesn't look good does it Leonie.

[Leonie]

It looks awful. We drove through Bredbo, Michelangelo and Canberra on Wednesday! There was a lot of smoke, but no flames to be seen then.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

It's definitely got much worse. We lived in a southern suburb when we were there so know exactly where they're talking about. I hope Lanyon Homestead will be safe but it's close to the fire, as is Tharwa :(

[Leonie]

😢

[Krystal]

My family is south side in Canberra but apparently the wind has been in their favour and blown it back towards the coast. So very grateful for that! Some of the photos are terrifying.

[Leonie]

That must be reassuring for you, Krystal! So glad to hear your family is safe.

[Anna]

Fingers, toes and eyes crossed for torrential rain.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

From the NSW Rural Fire Service:

As of 8pm tonight (8th February 2020), the Currowan Fire burning in the Shoalhaven has been officially set to out. The fire, which spanned for 74 days, burnt out 499,621 hectares and spans from each end of the Shoalhaven Local Government Area, as well as spreading in to neighbouring areas including Eurobodalla, Wingecarribee and Queanbeyan Palerang. 312 homes were destroyed and 173 damaged. Tremendous work by firefighters and residents, saw 1,889 homes saved.

Photo: Matt Jeffrey.



Brilliant news!

[PattyMacDotComma]

Brenda wrote: "From the NSW Rural Fire Service:

As of 8pm tonight (8th February 2020), the Currowan Fire burning in the Shoalhaven has been officially set to out. The fire, which spanned for 74 days, burnt out 4..."

WOW! That is such welcome news, Brenda!

[Ace]

Great news. Hooray!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Agreed!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Except now we need a flood watch:(

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Haha! If it's not one thing, it's another! At least these rains are hopefully putting out the rest of the persistent fires!

[Leonie]

Yay!

And it's even raining a bit here. We had 33mm overnight, and it's still drizzling. Looks like the coast getting most of it, but at least there's some inland!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

We've had a lot - so glad it's raining where you are Leonie! A 23ml, 53ml and now an almost full rain gauge and it's still coming down!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

And more good news! From the Katoomba/Leura Rural Fire Brigade

***GROSE VALLEY AND RUINED CASTLE FIRES NOW OUT***

It’s been a long, hard fight but we’re pleased to report that the Grose Valley and Ruined Castle Fires are now extinguished and have been removed from ‘Fires near me’.

Both fires presented a massive threat to the Blue Mountains communities and it is a tribute to the skill and tenacity of the Blue Mountains RFS, Fire and Rescue NSW and the NSW Parks and Wildlife Services that these were contained without huge losses to property and life.

We also had enormous assistance from RFS and FRNSW units from the whole Sydney metropolitan area and across NSW as well as significant water bombing assistance so a very special thank you to everyone that came to our aid in our time of need.

Thank you also to the community. Your vigilance, co-operation and support has been simply incredible and a tribute to spirit of Mountains people.

Please let all your friends and family know that the Blue Mountains is open for business and let’s get out there ourselves and support our local businesses!

[Leonie]

So good to hear more fires are out!

On the rain front: We've had 20mm, 3mm, 33mm, and it's now stopped raining here. I suspect there's probably about another 3mm.

Other towns nearby have had a lot more, but we're grateful we've had some. Not enough to get our creeks flowing, but at least there are some puddles. Everything has gone completely green!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I'm surprised that areas around Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie are still showing with fires - under control but still there. It's flooding there!

I tipped another 110 ml of rain out of the gauge this afternoon! I hope you get a decent fall soon Leonie..

[Leonie]

Well, I tipped another 8mm out this evening! So it was more than I expected.

You've had so much! 110mm - that's amazing.

[PattyMacDotComma]

Brenda wrote: "I'm surprised that areas around Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie are still showing with fires - under control but still there. It's flooding there!

I tipped another 110 ml of rain out of the gauge..."

I'm just north of Coffs and we've had heaps. My son tipped out 150mm one day last week and more since then. It's hard to imagine that the big Myall Creek Road fire that goes across the Pacific Highway to Yamba hasn't had enough rain on it, but something must still be cooking. It sure is a relief to have it wet for now. I've decided I'd rather live with the threat of flood than fire, although I'll be the first to whinge if it comes in the house!

[Marianne]

Non-stop rain here all day yesterday

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Same here Marianne. We also had gale force winds, trees and power lines down and flooding. Our power has now been off for 22 hours and we are flooded. I am sitting at the local shopping centre charging my phone and using free wifi along with the rest of the local community!

[PattyMacDotComma]

Maybe the thread title should be amended to Fires, Floods, and other disasters!

[Carolyn]

We're in Bowral this weekend (south of Sydney) where it's been torrential and very windy. No power loss here thank goodness. I hope your power is restored soon Phrynne (at least in the meantime it'll be a good excuse to read).

I hope they are getting some really decent rain inland as well.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "Same here Marianne. We also had gale force winds, trees and power lines down and flooding. Our power has now been off for 22 hours and we are flooded. I am sitting at the local shopping centre char..."

Sydney has had more than double the amount of rain we've had. I've just seen where they are evacuating suburbs! I hope your power is restored soon Phrynne!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Leonie wrote: "Well, I tipped another 8mm out this evening! So it was more than I expected.

You've had so much! 110mm - that's amazing."

Yes it was! A little more in the gauge now but it hasn't rained at all this morning. It's VERY humid though :(

[Leonie]

Incredibly variable, isn't it?

We're now dry again. A chance of thunderstorms is forecast pretty well every day.

But the good news - the Kerry Ridge fire is out! A friend's property was in the firing line, and now it'll be safe. So good!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

My power came back on at 10.00 last night. 34 hours without electricity is not fun. And there are still many thousands of people in Sydney in the dark.

[Leonie]

That's a long time without power, Phrynne! Hope they get it all sorted very soon.

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Next job - emptying the freezer:(

[Leonie]

😫😫😫

[Deb]

I am in Coolangatta, we recorded 180cm by afternoon a couple of days ago and then it jsut kept raining. I would guess we got over 200cm in under 48 hours. Insane.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Leonie wrote: "Incredibly variable, isn't it?

We're now dry again. A chance of thunderstorms is forecast pretty well every day.

But the good news - the Kerry Ridge fire is out! One of my friend's property was..."

Wonderful news Leonie! They're saying they'll ALL be out by "week's end"

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Phrynne wrote: "My power came back on at 10.00 last night. 34 hours without electricity is not fun. And there are still many thousands of people in Sydney in the dark."

Glad yours is back on Phrynne! Such a lot to do now to clean up etc...

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

It was an unpleasant couple of days but nothing compared with the poor people who went through the bush fires. At least I still have a freezer to empty!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

There is that, for sure :)

[Kerri_M]

Power out for 15 hours yesterday. Worst thing was - battery ran out on my ipad, had to read my book on the phone :)

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I sat on a bench in Westfield charging my phone, using their free internet and drinking coffee. The things we can't do without!!!

[PattyMacDotComma]

So. . . for everyone's next birthdays, we're all going to ask for powerbanks, right? So we can read till the cows come home (or the power comes on). There are some great ones out there now. :)

[Carolyn]

Phrynne wrote: "My power came back on at 10.00 last night. 34 hours without electricity is not fun. And there are still many thousands of people in Sydney in the dark."

That is a long time without power. Your poor fridge & freezer :(
Thank goodness you could still get coffee and wifi to keep you going!