My state is burning

[bop_radar]

:-(

For the second day in a row, I can't see the city skyline from my bedroom window: it's covered in smoke from the bushfires that threaten nearly a third of my state. We're only a couple of kms from the city centre, so that's pretty extreme, but not as bad as the fact that I couldn't see the end of my street yesterday when driving.

The fires may burn for a month and the smog's not clearing any time soon.

At 9am, it's already 31 degrees. There's a change coming later, but perversely, that could put property at risk as the fires change direction.

On Friday my RACV magazine for the month arrived, with the cover story: 'Will Victoria go up in flames again?' It's already been answered. We've been dry for so long now... the worst drought in 1000 years... we knew this was coming, but it's come frighteningly early--it's not even formally bushfire season yet.

Oh, my country!

Comments

[myownghost.livejournal.com]

i'm very sorry to hear this. a few years ago, when NSW was burning so frighteningly, i called an old friend in blacktown on the phone, first time ever, just to make sure he was all right. the thought of all those fires is terrifying.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Yes, the NSW fires were terrifying. Our firefighters fought with them then. This time it's their turn to help us, and we have the Elvis helicopter at work as well. It's waiting time right now... the fires are in the national parks, but when the wind changes tonight, that's when the property damage could come. The conditions they're predicting are the worst possible. I just hate being able to smell it but be powerless.

[myownghost.livejournal.com]

oh, i hope their predictions aren't borne out in coming days. please keep us posted, K.

[l-vera01.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry this is happening too, bop. Bushfire season in Australia scares me no matter where I am. That the drought has endured for this long is worse still.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

*nods* Australians have that understanding about the fires and what it can mean. The drought is terrible, Vera! They told us last week that our main dam is at 29 per cent! They don't even know if we can drink the bottom twenty per cent safely!

[l-vera01.livejournal.com]

Far out, 29 per cent? Jeez. The warm weather has only just started, hasn't it? There's still a long way to go until bushfire season is over.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Yup. And I heard there's a fire headed for our water catchment area that could ruin Melbourne's water supply... ::frets::

[moonwitch.livejournal.com]

I hate it so much. I'm worried, too. :/

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

*clings* I hate the waiting and not knowing, especially when we're blanketed in smoke.

[moonwitch.livejournal.com]

And the rain just doesn't come. Sigh.

[beet]

*frets*

Take care! Emergency plan--I'm sure you've already got one, but review it. Stay safe, hon. *hugs*

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I live in a an inner urban area so my own property will be ok, but we're driving out to relatives in the country today for a Christmas celebration, so an emergency plan is important there. We'll have the radio on for updates and thankfully we're heading NW not NE--the NE is one big blaze right now. Still, I hate being out on the roads when it's like this. It makes me flashback to my childhood and driving with the fires coming over the hill behind us.

[treetracer]

Goodness, that's terrible! Do they even have the water to fight those fires?

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

The helicopters and planes are allowed to take water from private dams only if they replace it later, so yes, there's a genuine tension between water for fire fighting and water for drinking.

[treetracer]

Ok, at the risk of sounding like an ignorant American, aren't you on the coast? Can they use ocean water?

[caitlen.livejournal.com]

Most of the worse fires are several hundred kilometers (I think it might be up around 500kms - like 300 miles?) inland, so that's simply not an option. What is an option is letting them burn out, which is what is going to happen, and try and save as many houses and communities as possible. To try and contain them in national park areas where there is just bush to burn through, and save as much wild life that comes screaming out of there as you can.

[treetracer]

Ah, I see. The firefighters certainly have their work cut out for them, even in simply trying to contain all that. I hope it stays in the park and doesn't shift y'all's way.

[never-evil.livejournal.com]

man, it's all quite scary and I've just seen it on the news and stuff. I can't imagine what it would be like to be so close to the fire. I hope they manage to put it out.

[c-mantix.livejournal.com]

I was just telling someone else on my flist who lives in Victoria how amazing it is that the situation has gotten to such a bad point without any major media coverage.

I do hope some rain, or at least cooler weather, comes your way soon!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I hope so too. The temperature's dropped a little but no rain in sight. I've just got home so I'm tuning in to the news to find out how things are going.

[mahaliem.livejournal.com]

You have my sympathies.

Several years ago, we were in Canberra around Christmastime and fires broke out. We had to leave the zoo early and my kids were worried about what would happen to the poor lions and tigers.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Oh, you were in Canberra when the bad fires hit them? Those fires were terrible! It can certainly be confusing and frightening for children. Thank you for your kind thoughts!

[kristiinthedark.livejournal.com]

Oh, god, Boppy! That's awful! I have a friend who's a journalist in Montana, and she covers the yearly fires for the city paper where she lives, and I worry about her constantly. Now I worry about you, too!

BE SAFE!!!!!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Don't worry for me--we're safe where I live in the city. But we all know people in the country areas that are threatened, and the smoke is an issue for all of us. I'm keeping inside and drinking lots of water.

[caitlen.livejournal.com]

This is horrid! I can't stand it! 31 at 9am, and it's 39 now at a quarter to 1pm!! *sob* The smoke is making my lungs feel worse and it's not going to go anytime soonish either!

This is horrible.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Yes! Very, very hot and very smoky. Its eased a little bit now, but i think the smoked will stay for some time. I just hope the night doesn't bring the disastrous fire conditions they were predicting.

[asta77.livejournal.com]

We've had some bad brush fires in this country, but I can't imagine a third of the state. I hope you get some relief soon. And stay safe!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[bloodygoodgirl.livejournal.com]

Ei! That's not good at all. Stay safe and hopefully relief will come soon.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I hope so! the temperature is dropping a little now... I hope your studies are going well, btw. :-)

[norwich36.livejournal.com]

That's really scary! And at the beginning of the fire season, too. :Sends good thoughts in your direction:

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you, Nora! The land is so dry I want to cry when I see it. It felt like walking in a furnace today, the air was so dry and crackly. But so far no big tragedies.

[skuf.livejournal.com]

I saw that on the news a couple of days ago, *hugs* :o(

[random-serious.livejournal.com]

The weather is scary these days. I can't help but think we have fucked up something pretty spectacularly somewhere along the line. I hope you are fine, and that the situation gets better.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Yup, we have fucked up. It's terrifyingly obvious now.
Things are in a holding pattern here for now, with more roasting days on the cards later in the week. But for now we're ok.