and probably another 2 million before it's done, this will be the largest combined set of bush fires Australia has seen in modern times. Where we are at, the fires are set to reach our mountain ranges in the next three to four days. Me personally (and the fam) aren't necessarily in harms way as we live in the center of town, but the rural area's about to be affected will be in harms way severly. Just our bush fire that started in the Wollemi National Forest, is more than three times that of all the fires in California combined... this does not include any of the other fires currently burning.
This image is of our back yard. The town is about two miles in diameter, and you can only see about 100 yards away, if that.
Originally Posted by Nickhead:
I learned something today regarding mines and operations. There are huge converyor belts that transfer the coal to the power plants and washeries. In transit, this coal will bounce dust below the conveyors. Over time this dust becomes a literal 'wick'. If luck would have it, and the fire reaches a mine, or the transfer line, it 'could' spark out like lightning strikes to other areas. Not that it will, but you never think of things like this. They have suspended operations at one of the mines and will probably make two by tomorrow. Again, you never think of it, but with such poor air quality to circulate air to the miners, and risk of ember ignition underground. you can't mine.
This has been a horror season so far. We have been much luckier down South, but fires seem to be far more common than seasons past. The air pollution in Sydney has been horrendous due to the fires apparently. [Reply]
time to batton down the hatches. embers are now lighting spot fires. got the sprinklers going on the yard closest to the house for the next day or two. it's amazing how nice it was this morning with the westerly wind. in about twenty minutes time, it shifted easterly and the area is back to covered in smoke. a couple of our employees was working the local mine and they booted them off the property, and are in full fire mode. there is an out of control grass fire within a half mile of where i work. it started shortly after we finished for the day. before the night is over, we will cross the 400,000 hectares burnt mark. :-)
well, the fire finally made it here. a couple homes lost. the fire is actually on two fronts. the next front could make it to our mountain ridge in the next couple days.
