Summer fires - Orchid Board

Roy · #1 01-30-2009, 08:35 AM

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Small note to give you the reverse of the cold many are feeling, we are entering our 4th or 5th day straight of 40c+ ( 104f+) temps. The top so far recorded has been 46c (113f).
There 2 major fires burning in the east of my state that have now joined up and threatening atleast 2 towns. So far the fires have burnt 4666Ha or 11530 acres. There are 115 actual firefight appliances on scene with an average of 5 crew members. There are a large number of smaller units there as well plus management. As I understand it, there have been atleast 6 homes lost already plus many farm and out buildings.
Just to add to the problems, because of the heat, power supplies are being cut or being blacked out to help the load factor. Some homes have been or without power for up to 30 hours.

Sandy4453 · #2 01-30-2009, 08:43 AM

Hoping these fires burn down soon, Roy. Will be thinking of you and hoping for everyone's safety in your part of the world.

Roy · #3 01-30-2009, 08:51 AM

Thanks, we had our share 3 years ago. Fires came within 300 yards of us that had already destroyed much.

Tindomul · #4 01-30-2009, 08:55 AM

Good luck with those problems. Hope you come out unscathed.
I can't imagine 46 degrees! I would just drop dead. What part of Australia is this?

Roy · #5 01-30-2009, 09:11 AM

State of Victoria, south eastern Australia. Our fire weather is the equal of what the Californians have. Funny thing is that we had a higher temperature today than our most northerly city (Darwin) which is not far off the equator.

camille1585 · #6 01-30-2009, 12:49 PM

I knew about the extreme heat from watching the world weather on CNN, but I had no clue that you had bad fires going on as well. I guess it was to be expected, with such heat and dryness. Hopefully the firecrews will get them under control before they destroy no homes.
Stay safe.

Roy · #7 01-30-2009, 10:33 PM

UPDATE as of 1.10 PM today, 17 houses confirmed lost. The fire is burning toward an open cut coal mine which supplies one of the larger power stations supplying the state and panic is now the order of the day. If the station or the coal mine goes down the whole state is in a major crisis.
BTW, the two original fires which have joined up to make one huge fire where deliberately lit.

flhiker · #8 01-30-2009, 11:40 PM

I just don't understand what someone gets out of doing something so destructive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy

UPDATE as of 1.10 PM today, 17 houses confirmed lost. The fire is burning toward an open cut coal mine which supplies one of the larger power stations supplying the state and panic is now the order of the day. If the station or the coal mine goes down the whole state is in a major crisis.
BTW, the two original fires which have joined up to make one huge fire where deliberately lit.

Roy · #9 01-31-2009, 05:26 AM

Another update. Confirmed, 23 houses lost and 29 out buildings. Fire appears to be halted from open cut mine and power station.
Had a dry thunderstorm in area over last 3 hours, only one fire started by lightning, now under control. NOT near us thankfully.

Roy · #10 02-08-2009, 08:25 AM

I haven't followed up with information regarding these fires for a while as much as to say things have gone from bad to worse. After yesterday totally extreme heat and winds which rekindled some of the fires I mentioned, new ones have developed by various means and the following is current as at the time of this posting.

More bad news, 84 confirmed dead ( expected to go above 100 ) 750 homes lost with possibly 5 whole towns wiped out, they only exist as a dot on a map now. 20 people in Intensive Care in Hospital with burns and some not expected to live through the night. Dozens of others being treated for burns of a lesser degree. The search and inspection of the fire areas far from complete. 6 major fires approaching many other towns.