NSW Fires
Oct 17th 2013, 7:35 am
#16
Cup of tea, Father?
Joined: Oct 2004
Location: Underground, overground, wombling free
Posts: 6,895
Re: NSW Fires
It's all good with us. 
That part of Pennant Hills (near the park) has lots of trees and scrub. And must have been like a tinderbox with the weather we've had of late. But I imagine (hope?!) it'll be under control pretty quickly. Just in case anyone else is in the area:
http://www.google.org/publicalerts/a...=AU&source=web
ETA: The wind seems to have blown most of the smoke over; it's looking more blue out there again at least.
That part of Pennant Hills (near the park) has lots of trees and scrub. And must have been like a tinderbox with the weather we've had of late. But I imagine (hope?!) it'll be under control pretty quickly. Just in case anyone else is in the area:http://www.google.org/publicalerts/a...=AU&source=web
ETA: The wind seems to have blown most of the smoke over; it's looking more blue out there again at least.
Last edited by Geordie George; Oct 17th 2013 at 7:43 am.
Oct 17th 2013, 8:11 pm
#17
Officially Bewildered
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Blue Mountains, NSW
Posts: 5,523
Re: NSW Fires
We've just got home after being evacuated yesterday afternoon. We didn't know what was going on as the winds had brought down a tree onto power and phone lines so we didn't get the emergency warning until I managed to get a vague mobile signal. It was a little scary when the fire engines turned up outside and said 'stay and defend or leave now'. We left.
Anyway, lots of devastation here, they backburned our streets overnight. It's very smoky still, big plumes of smoke in the sky and choking atmosphere but we're all safe and the house was still standing.
Unfortunately not the same story for many here but I haven't seen any reports of loss of life which counts for everything.
Anyway, lots of devastation here, they backburned our streets overnight. It's very smoky still, big plumes of smoke in the sky and choking atmosphere but we're all safe and the house was still standing.
Unfortunately not the same story for many here but I haven't seen any reports of loss of life which counts for everything.
Oct 17th 2013, 8:13 pm
#18
MODERATOR
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 29,874
Re: NSW Fires
We've just got home after being evacuated yesterday afternoon. We didn't know what was going on as the winds had brought down a tree onto power and phone lines so we didn't get the emergency warning until I managed to get a vague mobile signal. It was a little scary when the fire engines turned up outside and said 'stay and defend or leave now'. We left.
Anyway, lots of devastation here, they backburned our streets overnight. It's very smoky still, big plumes of smoke in the sky and choking atmosphere but we're all safe and the house was still standing.
Unfortunately not the same story for many here but I haven't seen any reports of loss of life which counts for everything.
Anyway, lots of devastation here, they backburned our streets overnight. It's very smoky still, big plumes of smoke in the sky and choking atmosphere but we're all safe and the house was still standing.
Unfortunately not the same story for many here but I haven't seen any reports of loss of life which counts for everything.
Must have been very scary - is it looking safer for today?
Oct 17th 2013, 8:17 pm
#19
Officially Bewildered
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Blue Mountains, NSW
Posts: 5,523
Re: NSW Fires
We'll take it in turn snoozing (didn't get any sleep last night) so we can monitor the situation on the rfs and rta live traffic site (good for checking on road closures if there are fires in the area) but fingers crossed the worst is over here now.
Just so thankful that we had a home to come back to this morning, the Rural Fire Service is populated with heroes, for certain.
Oct 17th 2013, 9:08 pm
#20
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 7,580
Re: NSW Fires
It's downgraded to Watch and Act, the wind has dropped hugely and it's flipping freezing
We'll take it in turn snoozing (didn't get any sleep last night) so we can monitor the situation on the rfs and rta live traffic site (good for checking on road closures if there are fires in the area) but fingers crossed the worst is over here now.
Just so thankful that we had a home to come back to this morning, the Rural Fire Service is populated with heroes, for certain.
We'll take it in turn snoozing (didn't get any sleep last night) so we can monitor the situation on the rfs and rta live traffic site (good for checking on road closures if there are fires in the area) but fingers crossed the worst is over here now.
Just so thankful that we had a home to come back to this morning, the Rural Fire Service is populated with heroes, for certain.
Oct 17th 2013, 9:31 pm
#21
Happy migrant
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Newcastle , NSW
Posts: 6,756
Re: NSW Fires
We had a difficult day yesterday here in Newcastle / Lake Macquarie.
There was a fire opposite my kids school mad I went up to check they had got out on the bus. The traffic had backed up due to rubbernecking and sitting in the car in such a smoky atmosphere was not a fun experience.
Later, we got a text telling us to evacuate but it was because my sim is registered at the holiday let where we stayed when we first arrived. It's about 15 minutes away and residents there were evacuated.
There are cooler more humid conditions today but the air is still thick with smoke.
There was a fire opposite my kids school mad I went up to check they had got out on the bus. The traffic had backed up due to rubbernecking and sitting in the car in such a smoky atmosphere was not a fun experience.
Later, we got a text telling us to evacuate but it was because my sim is registered at the holiday let where we stayed when we first arrived. It's about 15 minutes away and residents there were evacuated.
There are cooler more humid conditions today but the air is still thick with smoke.
Oct 17th 2013, 10:07 pm
#22
Home and Happy
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,814
Re: NSW Fires
OMG Dreamy, so glad you guys are ok, devastation sounds pretty bad 
Re the Emergency Alert texts and calls. The system is upgrading very soon so that Texts will be sent to any mobile LOCATED within the target area. So it will reach tourists and visitors as well as residents.
Stay safe everyone
Re the Emergency Alert texts and calls. The system is upgrading very soon so that Texts will be sent to any mobile LOCATED within the target area. So it will reach tourists and visitors as well as residents.
Stay safe everyone
Oct 18th 2013, 8:55 pm
#23
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 904
Re: NSW Fires
A little taster of just how big some of these fires were. That's the view from my house on Thursday afternoon. Its the smoke from the Balmoral fire. It got worse than that, a lot worse.
That fire was 60K away. !
That fire was 60K away. !
Oct 19th 2013, 1:54 am
#24
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,253
Re: NSW Fires
Glad all are ok.
Very smokey still around the Sydney basin. Worth keeping an eye on tomorrow, could be a difficult day again but hopefully some rain next week
Very smokey still around the Sydney basin. Worth keeping an eye on tomorrow, could be a difficult day again but hopefully some rain next week
Oct 19th 2013, 3:24 am
#25
Officially Bewildered
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Blue Mountains, NSW
Posts: 5,523
Re: NSW Fires
I know this probably isn't the right place but there are so far 193 confirmed property losses in the Winmalee/Springwood area of the Blue Mountains. The fires are still burning and fire activity has intensified in areas.
I also know we all get charity fatigue but if you are able to help, please donate to the various appeals.
Woolworths are collecting on behalf of the Salvos, Coles are collecting on behalf of The Red Cross - both companies are matching all donations dollar for dollar.
Woolworths Bushfire Relief
Coles Bushfire Relief
Salvos
Red Cross Disaster Relief
Thanks.
Doing some grocery shopping this morning, the shopping centre was eerily quiet. People just looked shellshocked and like they hadn't slept for a week.
I also know we all get charity fatigue but if you are able to help, please donate to the various appeals.
Woolworths are collecting on behalf of the Salvos, Coles are collecting on behalf of The Red Cross - both companies are matching all donations dollar for dollar.
Woolworths Bushfire Relief
Coles Bushfire Relief
Salvos
Red Cross Disaster Relief
Thanks.
Doing some grocery shopping this morning, the shopping centre was eerily quiet. People just looked shellshocked and like they hadn't slept for a week.
Oct 19th 2013, 9:42 am
#26
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 7,580
Re: NSW Fires
I know this probably isn't the right place but there are so far 193 confirmed property losses in the Winmalee/Springwood area of the Blue Mountains. The fires are still burning and fire activity has intensified in areas.
I also know we all get charity fatigue but if you are able to help, please donate to the various appeals.
Woolworths are collecting on behalf of the Salvos, Coles are collecting on behalf of The Red Cross - both companies are matching all donations dollar for dollar.
Woolworths Bushfire Relief
Coles Bushfire Relief
Salvos
Red Cross Disaster Relief
Thanks.
Doing some grocery shopping this morning, the shopping centre was eerily quiet. People just looked shellshocked and like they hadn't slept for a week.
I also know we all get charity fatigue but if you are able to help, please donate to the various appeals.
Woolworths are collecting on behalf of the Salvos, Coles are collecting on behalf of The Red Cross - both companies are matching all donations dollar for dollar.
Woolworths Bushfire Relief
Coles Bushfire Relief
Salvos
Red Cross Disaster Relief
Thanks.
Doing some grocery shopping this morning, the shopping centre was eerily quiet. People just looked shellshocked and like they hadn't slept for a week.
Oct 19th 2013, 10:40 am
#27
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Canberra
Posts: 8,378
Re: NSW Fires
Looks horrible! Sympathies to you guys in the firing line! Stay safe!
Oct 20th 2013, 8:28 am
#28
Happy migrant
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: Newcastle , NSW
Posts: 6,756
Re: NSW Fires
The evacuation centre at Swansea (close to us) closed today and that fire is out.
Blue mountains are still copping it and a state of emergency had been declared.
A hot, dry windy day today and same predicted for tomorrow.
Stay safe peeps.
Oct 20th 2013, 8:35 am
#29
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2005
Location: Limerick-Shropshire- Perth.
Posts: 3,215
Re: NSW Fires
I feel for all the people caught up in this.It must be devastating to see all your wordily goods go up in smoke.I hope no more lives are lost.Stay safe everyone.
Oct 22nd 2013, 12:07 pm
#30
MODERATOR
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 29,874
Re: NSW Fires
Just watching the news now, and the advice is anyone not defending or without a plan should leave the Blue Mountains area by mid morning tomorrow at the latest. They are also saying all schools in fire affected areas will be closed tomorrow.
Stay safe everyone
Stay safe everyone
Last edited by old.sparkles; Oct 22nd 2013 at 12:14 pm.