Aussie Bush Fires
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Woke up this morning to a smokey house - back burning efforts around the Mount Gosper fire and winds have pushed smoke into the Sydney Basin, with increasing intensity this morning.
It is like a light fog, but the sun is far more prominent. At work today you can see and smell the smoke inside the building.
Some photos:
- My street this morning just before 0800 DST - we woke up to smoke so had to close all the windows which I left open for the cool air overnight. Looking south.
- On the way to work about 10 minutes later - looking NNW toward the fire zone approx 85km away (past :
- From the top floor of the building at work, looking north toward the Blue Mountains. Normally on a clear, hot day like this you can see all the way across the greater Sydney basin. Now the visibility is under 1km.
As the day heats up (39C predicted here, 32 on the coast) the winds will dilute the smoke somewhat. In the peak heat of the day it will get still again. At that point we're all smoked out for the next 12 hours or so.
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@Hooroo said in Aussie Bush Fires:
my Asthma has been as bad as it's been for quite some time.
hhhmmm, my allergies (well very mild at the best of times and hasnt been this bad for years) are peaking at present too, would not expect smoke to do anything but if smoke is getting here, maybe there is a higher pollen count or something too???
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@taniwharugby said in Aussie Bush Fires:
@Hooroo said in Aussie Bush Fires:
my Asthma has been as bad as it's been for quite some time.
hhhmmm, my allergies (well very mild at the best of times and hasnt been this bad for years) are peaking at present too, would not expect smoke to do anything but if smoke is getting here, maybe there is a higher pollen count or something too???
Pollen count is normal for me and I work near pine plantations so you get real pollen storms. This is a bit different than usual for me.
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@Hooroo I have an odd allergy TBF, much worse when I was living in England, and then when we go back, my allergies act up again, but barely an issue in NZ, so my self-diagnosis is that thier pollens are different, so applying same logic to Aus
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Forecast for 41 degrees and 40kmh winds today, if there is a fire, my place is likely fucked. Code red in northern Victoria for first time since 2010. Got my important shit packed and ready to go. I really do take my hat off to all of the fire fighters that do an amazing job in this country.
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@chimoaus stay as safe as you can bro. Hoping the weather/wind/gods play ball and things settle down.
How nervous are folks about fires being purposely lit? with these sorts of conditions and coverage that must be an ongoing concern, let alone any accidental fires starting.
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@Paekakboyz said in Aussie Bush Fires:
@chimoaus stay as safe as you can bro. Hoping the weather/wind/gods play ball and things settle down.
How nervous are folks about fires being purposely lit? with these sorts of conditions and coverage that must be an ongoing concern, let alone any accidental fires starting.
That's one of Mrs Boo's bugbears. Reckons the repeated publicity about the conditions just invites the arsonists.
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@Paekakboyz Thanks, its like a fucken hair dryer outside, currently 40.1. Yeah arson is my biggest fear, why people do it is beyond me. I did the rounds this morning putting out plenty of water for the wildlife, the roos, wallabies and birds all need water too.
This is the view from my place, smoke from the Sydney fires and Im in Victoria.
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@booboo said in Aussie Bush Fires:
@Paekakboyz said in Aussie Bush Fires:
@chimoaus stay as safe as you can bro. Hoping the weather/wind/gods play ball and things settle down.
How nervous are folks about fires being purposely lit? with these sorts of conditions and coverage that must be an ongoing concern, let alone any accidental fires starting.
That's one of Mrs Boo's bugbears. Reckons the repeated publicity about the conditions just invites the arsonists.
Feels like its just a matter of time. Way too many lunatics in Melbourne.
A colleague of mine has a new build going up in the 'code red' zone. Would be an interesting insurance situation if the worst happens. Property isn't complete so should be under the builders insurance right?..hoping he doesn't have to find out.
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Slightly related, but not Aus.
Neigbour's place caught fire last night and had to call 111 as wasn't sure if he was in (or the dog) and it was getting pretty big (gas bottle going off, etc). We are a long way away but was obviously serious. Volunteer fire chief (also a neighbour) was there minutes after I got there, and the trucks arrived within 15 minutes as well. Incredibly good given that the station is about 10 minutes away and they are volunteers who have to come from home.
Neighbour and dog both O.K. thank fck. Scary shit though and I wouldn't want to be in Aus.
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@Rembrandt in NZ it all depends on the build contract as to who has to take the INsurance out , but if there is a bank involved, they should ensure there is a policy in place.
Aus would be similar I expect given we probably started from pretty much same templates at some point.
ONe of my clients (and friends) house caught on fire on Saturday night, happened in the ceiling, insulation burning, while smoke alarms in house sat silent...luckily the wife is an insomniac and thought she heard people running around on the roof...heard a loid bang which was one of thier HRV vents fall to the floor...rush in to get kids, one boy in a bunk bed, sleeping in bottom, top totally alight...luckily they all got out safe, pets as well.
Fire service there promptly, house saved, but still a few months out while repairs happen
Alarm in roof space would be a good idea but apparently dust causes the smoke ones to false and roof space not good for heat ones.