And are very, very bad. Started yesterday around 3.30pm our time during heatwave, hot, dry and windy conditions, with a fire starting somewhere across the Sydney region, and outer areas, apparently every two minutes. They weren't sure at first if most were started by arsonists, but they seem to think many of them were started by arsonists now.

A couple of dozen homes gone with more expected to go as I type this, several injuries, and yet again our drought-stricken bushland lurches in pain.

I just heard a fire has started up in the Blue Mountains, in the Megalong Valley near Blackheath, so Fayee and Hunter, be safe.

I pray that you are ALL safe and that the fires are put out soon. Arsonists... can you think of bigger cowards?

Shhh,
Whisper

}}}}}Kendaa and all Australians{{{{{
Saw it at the news.
All my toughts and prayers with you all.
Be safe!


KevFriend

Why do people DO this??



{{{{{{{{{Kendaa}}}}}}}}

{{{{{{{{{Fayee & Hunter}}}}}}}}}}

Because they're *^&*$% morons who should, when found, be dropped right into the middle of the infernos they start. They've arrested an 18 year old already over the fire at Holsworthy yesterday.

Got a nasty surprise when I left work today too. Came out the Parramatta Road exit of the Univ and there was smoke, and lots of it, and it was choking, everywhere. Looked around, and just down the road, bushes in front of the Holme Building (next to where I get my bus) were alight. Fire brigade came while we were waiting for the bus and put it out quickly, thankfully.

I feel so bad for the people who have lost their homes and all they possessed. I feel so bad for the bushland, barely recovered from last years fires. I feel so bad for the poor wild animals who are perishing. And I feel terrible for all those wonderful souls who are out there right now putting their lives on the line to save homes and lives.

There's just no excuse for this hooliganism. I'm so sorry that a few jerks can have this kind of effect.

Lil

((((Kendaa, Lil, everyone))))

The Megalong fire isn't close but the smoke is so weird - the sun is a red ball in a grey black cloud. The light is really weird. The worrying thing is the wind, it's so strong and swirling the poor fire guys are in for a struggle. They are such incredible people and they're volunteers - we are so lucky to have such generous people in our communities.

hugs
fayee

Those guys (the firefighters) are true heroes.

Be safe.

Lil

<<<<<<< Kendaa >>>>>>>>>>

<<<<<<<<< Fayee & Hunter >>>>>>>>>>>

I always hope that the Australian fires won't come & every year they do It's awful when people DELIBERATELY start the damn things!

On a lighter note <EG>
http://www.geek-chick.net/archives/00001175.php

Wish I knew who made this one! The Aussie Windows edition <EG>

Yeah, you would have thought last year was enough for another 5-7 years (which seems to roughly be the cycle). But I think we all knew this would happen, given the drought. It's not nice to have been waiting, knowing something like this is more than probably inevitable come summer.

On a lighter note - LOL at Windaz for Aussies - total crack-up and yes, I do wish I had some of those features

Please stay safe. So sorry to hear about the fires and worst that someone(s) are starting them. Bad enough they start up most summers without the help of some idiot or two to help them along.




Hugs,
Shait

sounded quite bad. May you all be safe!

...Not again!

If these arsonists are soooooo bored, I have PLENTY for them to do, like pull down their pants so I can torch their GONADS!!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!

NOW THEN...WHERE IN THE HELL IS THAT RAIN?????????

{{{{Oz Mates, citizens, firefighters and critters!}}}}

One Mad Mermaid

that pretty much is what I'd like to do to the bleeps too, Mermaid.

Woke up this morning at 5.30 because of smoke. (I'm allergic to cig. smoke, so I suppose it figures I'd be allergic to any kind of smoke). Came out into the living room and there's smoke in the streets. Not a good sign. Just heading for a news site to see the latest. At least it's been cooler yesterday and overnight. I hope it's just smoke drifting this way and not a worsening of the fires.

The first victim of the fires circling Sydney - an 81-year-man - was found in a burnt-out caravan in bushland yesterday as a cool but vicious southerly change continued to endanger suburbs.

And in an ominous warning, the Rural Fire Service Commissioner, Phil Koperberg, said residents have just 72 hours to prepare for far worse conditions expected on Monday.

So strong were yesterday's howling southerlies, they pushed embers from the fire threatening Brooklyn across the Hawkesbury River, causing isolated spot fires around Patonga. But they were quickly brought under control.

Incredibly, no houses were lost across the state, leaving the official tally of homes destroyed since Wednesday at 19.

Homes were also threatened at Berowra and Cowan in the north, Menai in the south, Nowra and a stretch of the Blue Mountains from Wentworth Falls to Blackheath.


There were forced evacuations in Berowra as huge pillars of smoke towered over the city's northern outskirts.

The F3 freeway to Newcastle and the northern rail line were closed between Hornsby and Gosford, as was the Great Western Highway at Blackheath and the western rail line between Mount Victoria and Katoomba.

Important closed roads included the Pacific Highway, Ku-ring-gai Road and Bobbin Head Road; Heathcote, New Illawarra and Old Illawarra roads; and Cattai Ridge Road and Old Northern Road. Some had reopened by last night.

Twenty-two public schools were closed and thousands of people were still without power.

The dead man was found on a 104-hectare property at Maroota yesterday morning. Police took a call about 5.30pm on Thursday from his worried son. When the property was finally visited about midnight thick smoke and fire made a search impossible.

Repeating his view that these are the worst fires Sydney has seen in 30 years, Mr Koperberg said there was now an "unprecedented" line of fires stretching 25 kilometres along the Hawkesbury. The extreme dryness of vegetation was causing the 80-odd blazes throughout the state to
behave far more erratically than usual, he said.

Conditions today and tomorrow should be mild, but the forecast for Monday is strong north-westerlies and temperatures that could reach the low 40s.

Mr Koperberg urged residents to use their weekends to prepare their homes for the worst. "We have got 72 hours to do what is impossible to do in 72 hours and that's extinguish all those fires." About 4500 firefighters and 80 aircraft will be deployed across the weekend securing southern and eastern flanks against the feared onslaught from the north-west on Monday.

A fire at Moonbi, north of Tamworth, had authorities contemplating airlifts for some isolated residents last night and the New England Highway was closed. Fires near Dungog, Singleton and Buladelah also threatened properties.

An 18-year-old Glenfield man charged with lighting a fire in Sydney's south-west that caused about $1.5 million damage was refused bail at Liverpool Local Court, as Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown called for a national summit to look at controlling arsonists and pyromaniacs.

The Prime Minister, John Howard, said the Federal Government would donate $1 million to the 2002 Bushfire Appeal set up by the State Government.

The Premier, Bob Carr, has also promised $1 million. People who have lost homes will receive one-off payments of $10,000.

Thirteen fire crews battled a blaze that swept along the back of properties south of Canoelands Road before jumping the street and heading into the valley north of the hamlet.

A strong southerly change was predicted for yesterday evening. Firefighters feared it would push the wide fire front towards the Hawkesbury River and communities including Laughtondale and Singletons Mill.

The deputy captain at Canoelands Rural Fire Service, Ken Tucker, said the fires behaved erratically, driven by a severe swirling wind. "When they get to that stage they roar like a 747," he said.

A battle to save 60 Canoelands Road took place yesterday afternoon after fire surrounded the home before 3pm. Asked how long the fight lasted, Group Officer Jeff Cree said, "about three changes of undies".

{{{OZzies}}}}

I have been following this thread since it started. I send my prayers to all of you in harm's way. And special prayers for my snail mail pen pal, a firefighter in Lawson in the Blue Mountains. His name is John.

{{{My Australian friends}}}}

This is so scary - being so far away and seeing places I've been mentioned... The Great Western Highway, Katoomba, Wentworth Falls, Blackheath... yowie!

OK ya'll keep checking in, ok?

'shana

I was talking to Stripe the other day online. She told me what you all were going through...

Kate
katiegirl0831@msn.com

((((Tabby))))

Today they said there were some fires in Bullaburra the suburb next to Lawson so I'd be pretty sure John's busy, busy but safe.

(((shana))))

You and Lil would know all those places. If you remember the Liquor Store in Blackheath (as if you could forget that LMAO!!!!!) As you drive into Blackheath the fires gone through both sides of the road, it came up the valley and jumped the road, down into the next valley. Houses are safe but it's pretty awful - we had to go out that way this morning to pick up Joe's xmas present. We went real early so we were back and off the roads in case there were problems.

hugs
fayee

the liquor store or the cheesecake...

(Running now....)

Seriously, the wind has come up again here in Sydney, and if it stays around, that combined with the return of heatwave conditions tomorrow is going to make for a very distressing, sad and worriesome start to the week...

Thanks {{{fayee}}

I had a phone call from John last week before all this started, and even then he was telling me how dry and dangerous the fire season has been this year.

I so much hope that all of you stay safe!

cheesecake and liquour store!

I hope the fire didn't damage the beautiful mural in the parking lot across the street!

I just read that they were able to save the Hydro Magestic Hotel! <whew>! Great news!!!

'shana

that was pretty freaky, eh? Poor old Hydro Majestic. Those people who worked to save that and sooooo many other homes...they're just total heroes, including Tabby's friend John. The Seven Network's news people have been right in there with them, so we've been getting footage right from the thick of it, and I've got to tell you, it's very, very frightening stuff.

WE HAVE RAIN! At least, in Sydney we have rain :D

So this means fayee and Kendaa won't be joining the women in the Northern Territories in their nude rain dance in March??

Hey, I'm not making it up! I heard it on the news the other night! Honest!

On a more serious note, considering the very serious drought conditions and all, I think arson should be considered an act of terrorism. Then punish accordingly...

I can't thank all the VOLUNTEER firefighters over there for their unmeasurable heroic efforts.

Still Mad Mermaid

So this means fayee and Kendaa won't be joining the women in the Northern Territories in their nude rain dance in March??

Hmmm...y'know, I might just.... SLAP - what am I thinking? LOL! Seriously, at this point, anything that helps would be a good thing, even naked women dancing for rain, and ya never know...

I'm with you Mermaid - I think they should throw the book - and the bathtub, and a brick wall, and an ax, and a ten tonne loader and all the rest at those b*st*rds.

The firefighters are just...there really are no words for the greatness of those people's hearts. You know what gets me, though? A significant number of their employers make things so d*mn hard for them, even threatening dismissal and pay cuts because they're absent from work doing the firefighting. In my view, those people are every bit as bad as the arsonists. You really have to wonder about people in general today. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of goodness of heart or honour out there anymore.

Ok - I will if you will ....... get your butt down here and I reckon kendaa and I will do the rain dance with you Mermaid (I don't know anyone in the Northern Territory - phew!!!!)

I must've looked such a nerd walking along in the rain with a big grin on my face but come to think of it .... everyone else was exactly the same!!!

Two weeks to christmas - you wanted to know that didn't you?

hugs
fayee

{{{{{{{My Aussie sisters}}}}}}}
I fear for you all, and I pray that God will keep you all in his hands. Love you!!!!

And fayee, thanx for the reminder on how many more days 'til Christmas. Between you and Jared reminding me, I'm sure I won't miss it! LOL!

Much love to you all!!!

Thanks Wike:)

I'm sure Jarrod will keep you totally aware of such important things:) Bless his little heart:)

hugs
fayee

Guess I'll be working out a bit more at the gym!
I got 'till March right?

A little seft tanner won't hurt either...

{{{{{fayee}}}}}
Love ya' toots! :D

I'm so terribly sorry this is happening. You are all in my prayers.

I can't believe people could be so stupid as to commit arson. There is no justification for arson.

I take it you guys are still experiencing a drought. Has there been any at all rain where you are?

May God be with all of you Aussies in this difficult time.

Warm hugs and God bless.

We had around 1-2 days of rain several days back, and it helped enormously in putting out most of the current fires. Some of the farmlands got it too, but not nearly enough to break the drought. We're not in good shape, that's for sure. We have water restrictions in place across Sydney now, but it doesn't make that much difference, really, especially with those who just ignore it and do things like - wait for it - wash down their BOATS with running hoses, or water huge lawns in the middle of the day. And our dams are pretty much well under 60% full, so...

I hope fayee & Hunter, are OK, I hope they say something in this thread.

lasermn

Lasermn, thankfully this lot weren't near us - unlike last Christmas LOL!!!! We lower down the mountain but the area that did get badly burnt was an area Lil and shana visited when they were out here.

Thanks for your concern:) We've had some rain and some cool days let's hope things stay that way:)

hugs
fayee