Thread: NSW Fires

Well, thats another day under our belts. You would think they could have rustled up a bit more wind.
Was gusting here at 90kph mid afternoon and blowing in all directions. Dont know what would have happened if we didnt get rain last night. No damage done locally, but fire has spread further to the north east. Nice and cool at the moment with a light breeze. Bit lucky today.

Originally Posted by rustynail

Well, thats another day under our belts. You would think they could have rustled up a bit more wind.
Was gusting here at 90kph mid afternoon and blowing in all directions. Dont know what would have happened if we didnt get rain last night. No damage done locally, but fire has spread further to the north east. Nice and cool at the moment with a light breeze. Bit lucky today.

Good stuff Ken. Yep, I reckon Tueasday night and yesterday might just turn out to be pivotal in gaining the upper hand. Helluva long way to go yet, but at least only one of the three horror conditions eventuated. The max temp here was 26° and watching that rain swoop down through the Grose was magical. If you look at that radar map I posted, the northern limit of the rain was more or less around Bilpin. And it went right across Wilton as well. Plus the fact that it fell at night.

Mightily interested to see what the military will have to say. Reminds me of those two Sydney Water ######## in Engadine some years ago who thought a Total Fire Ban day would be a good choice to use an angle grinder on that waterpipe in the middle of parched bush - and then run. Watching Barry O'Farrell on the news last night when asked to comment on the military: "Yes, but don't forget all the good work the military has done since in fighting the fire". Yeah...nice deflection Baz. Betcha it gets buried and forgotten.

Thx Bret. See you in 'my morning'.

Containment went well last night


Dave

The Turning Cowboy

Well, that was a thoroughly odd experience. Picked up Dave from Lithgow, and for the entire drive to there (about 40k) there was zero evidence of bushfires. No black bush, sky as clear as a bell. Coming down Victoria Pass there were a couple of wisps of smoke that for all the world looked like those tiny patches of mist that hang off the sides of valleys.

When I got to Lithgow Showground the wind was like an ice knife. I haven't been as cold since mid-winter.....

Originally Posted by FenceFurniture

....
When I got to Lithgow Showground the wind was like an ice knife. I haven't been as cold since mid-winter.....

Jogging on the spot with some shadow boxing helps a little.

Originally Posted by Christos

Jogging on the spot with some shadow boxing helps a little.

Not with 600 Firies standing around just looking for something to do.

Heh heh. I forgot my cigarette lighter, but had the good sense not to ask if someone had a light.

Dave: "Where's Brett?"

Bystander: "He's over there under that yellow mountain of men."

Some good video of the Lithgow fires here. Don't be fooled at the end with that old building - it's been a ruin for ages.

Dave, those links:
Fires Map

Livetraffic

Oh boy, here we go again. Sirens up Bells Line Rd again. Total evacuation of Mt Tomah and Berambing on at the moment. No beauty sleep tonight. Fire to the north, south and west. Interesting times ahead.

Hope it goes good for you tonight. Looks like the sections our unit has been looking after are under control.

Hope the rest of the boys in other sections have a good night.


Dave

The Turning Cowboy

Driving into Lithgow at about 4.30 we could see a huge cloud out towards Bell. Because we were moving it was hard to tell, but it looked like a big cumulonimbus.

Nope, it was smoke.

All those wispy bits that I spoke of this morning were far more active (off the side of Vic.Pass).

I couldn't see what was wrong at first. Canberra, Sydney, Perth are all in the right spots. Country seems to be the right shape.

Ah, I see. Things are a bit warm down here.




The question is: where did somebody get that info from?? Surely they didn't just make it up as they went along.....

Well I'm home now. My three little kids are loving me and my wife too. Maybe I should go away more often lol

For those in Lithgow they have things under control. Seems not much left to burn. Couple of hot spots which they are getting raft teams onto. Hope the rest the fire effort goes well.

Sympathies to those who suffered lose.

Thanks to the volunteers who supported and fed us so well


Dave

The Turning Cowboy

Thanks Dave.