Anyone finding bush fires a little scary?

British Kiwi · #1 (**permalink**) 7th February 2009, 06:47 AM

I am so used to holiday plans being cancelled for snow, fog, rain, little scary that they are now being cancelled for bush fires!

Have a couple of friends over from the UK and we've had to cancel our trip to the Great Ocean Road and we cut short our visits to the local wineries! The sky is finally turning grey after it being orange!

I have to say the fire men and women of this state are doing a fabulous job!

scottishcelts · #2 (**permalink**) 7th February 2009, 08:26 AM

Yeah definately B.K and especially if i lived near to them!

Shame about all the disruption happened while your friends are over.

How your enjoying the land of Oz so far B.K?

British Kiwi · #3 (**permalink**) 7th February 2009, 10:16 AM

Hey scottishcelts, I suppose it will just add to the stories to tell when they get home!
So far I'm loving it here. Still needing a job, but enjoying the break. Just about coping with the weather though a little spooked with the orange smokey sky at the mo. It's supposed to rain tonight so that will make a huge difference. Was 46 degrees today, expected to be about 29 tomorrow. What bliss!!

scottishcelts · #4 (**permalink**) 7th February 2009, 12:34 PM

I bet this freak weather you are gettin down your way is a shock to the system, especially considering Melbourne is usually quite tame!

kaz101 · #5 (**permalink**) 7th February 2009, 06:32 PM

A few years ago when we were in Oz on holiday we noticed a change in sunsets. They suddenly became really stunning and we would stand outside the hotel watching them. We mentioned this to the receptionist and she said that is was due to the smoke coming across from Western Victoria. They weren't so beautiful after that

I can't even imagine what it's like to be in an area that's got a bush fire going on, or raging out of control.

It was tough watching the news last night and hearing that places that we know have lost property, but thankfully no lives have been lost.

This is something that Oz deals with every year.

Another year when we were on holiday there was a bush fire on the Eyre peninsula. It was amazing how people rallied together from all over SE Australia to help out. It reminded me of what I've heard of Britain in the war years.

It's a good idea to check the CFS (or CFA) websites before travelling at this time of year just to check that you're not heading into bush fires.

Regards,
Karen

Dolly · #6 (**permalink**) 7th February 2009, 11:47 PM

Latest article in The Age:

The death toll from the Victorian bushfires has risen to 25.

Dolly

British Kiwi · #7 (**permalink**) 8th February 2009, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottishcelts

I bet this freak weather you are gettin down your way is a shock to the system, especially considering Melbourne is usually quite tame!

Definately a little freaked. The whole sky was full of smoke and orange yesterday and it was so windy we couldn't tell how far it was away. I've just read that Marysville has been destroyed, I went there last year where there is a cafe that makes gorgeous quiche and wonderful handmade fudge. We were watching the fire map on the DSE website and although they are still a little away, they are all around us. I think the closest one was/is about 60k away. I will be checking our house insurance covers bush fires!!

Aussiejock · #8 (**permalink**) 8th February 2009, 02:30 AM

The fires in Victoria are horrendous. Death toll 35 and expected to rise! My heart bleeds for all those people down there. Things don't seem to be much better today. Here in NSW there are also fires burning and the temps are rising again today. Was mid 40s where I am yesterday and supposed to be hotter today. The have caught someone for lighting, what is now a big one, at Peats Ridge, Central Coast. These people defy belief! Maybe if the punishment was being sent into the middle of a fire to suffer the same type of death they inflict on others there would not be so many of these idiots!!

matjones · #9 (**permalink**) 8th February 2009, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dolly

Latest article in The Age:

The death toll from the Victorian bushfires has risen to 25.

Dolly

Up to 35 now. This is so sad

Hope the weather starts to cooperate a little more to help the wonderful fire fighters!

willow2009 · #10 (**permalink**) 8th February 2009, 02:39 AM

I too have seen the devastation that is happening. We have our tickets booked for 31 March travelling to Brisbane. Hope there is rain soon. We have had high temps here in christchurch new zealand as the weather has been crossing the ditch of late. We recorded 40 degrees celcius last week. They were talking about 45-6 for today, so far is at 36.