Fires around Sydney

[LittleFish1976]

1 hour ago, possum52 said:

That's not correct according to the EPA chief environemental scientist on an ABC report today -  'Though some of the smoke has come from fires in Victoria's north-east and East Gippsland, most of it hads actually drifted across from Tasmania, EPA chief environmental scientist Andrea Hinwood said.'

 

There have been bad fires in Tasmania for a while too and it is not unusual for smoke to drift over to Victoria.

 

I'm making sure I have my Ventolin with me too. Although haven't used it today but had to on Friday. But my eyes are stinging. 

 

Leigh

 

BOM representative on abc local radio this morning described the smoke as coming from the NSW fires - being blown south and then blown in a loop from Bass Strait up to Melbourne and surrounds. Whatever. There's a metric s--tload of smoke and it's from everywhere.

 

Below is from BOM twitter account.

 

'Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria‏Verified account @BOM_Vic

 

East to southeasterly winds are transporting smoke across the #Melbourne area from Gippsland and Bass Strait - these conditions are likely to persist for the bulk of Monday. For more advice @EPA_Victoria @VicGovDHHS

[possum52]

9 minutes ago, LittleFish1976 said:

 

 

9 minutes ago, LittleFish1976 said:

 

Below is from BOM twitter account.

 

'Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria‏Verified account @BOM_Vic

 

East to southeasterly winds are transporting smoke across the #Melbourne area from Gippsland and Bass Strait - these conditions are likely to persist for the bulk of Monday. For more advice @EPA_Victoria @VicGovDHHS

Which is almost the same as what I quoted the EPA chief scientist  saying, instead of Bass Strait she said Tasmania. She was also just on 7 News saying the same thing.

 

Leigh

[in rod we trust]

its been raining here in Sydney where I live  for at least 3-4 hours not heavy but a good downfall ..thanks god for the rain 

[Shayna1900]

Just now, in rod we trust said:

its been raining here in Sydney where I live  for at least 3-4 hours not heavy but a good downfall ..thanks god for the rain 

Wonderful news... hope it continues !!!! I wish I could ship over all the snow we’ve had today 🙂

[TLCOhio]

1 hour ago, in rod we trust said:

its been raining here in Sydney where I live  for at least 3-4 hours not heavy but a good downfall ..thanks god for the rain 

 

Good luck for Sydney and the other areas receiving rain and some relief, etc.  Sadly, discovered this weekend that these fires have seriously affected Kangaroo Island, just south of Adelaide, on the southern coast.  It appears to be very, very tragic in all of these areas.  From news reports, it appears that a third of this super scenic island/ location has been destroyed or damaged by fire.  Huge wildlife losses, etc. We super loved Kangaroo Island and its people, animals, sights, nature, etc., from our 2014 visit to Australia.     

 

From the Australian Broadcasting Company, they had this headline story: “Kangaroo Island fires continue as locals count cost of damage to infrastructure, animals” with these key highlights: “About 170,000, or a third of Kangaroo Island, has been burnt in bushfires.  SA Water estimates it could take two weeks to restore a water treatment plant after it was damaged. There are concerns for endangered wildlife recovery, especially for the endangered glossy black cockatoo.   The fires started on Kangaroo Island on December 20 but they spread rapidly on Friday when the temperature in Parndana topped 39 degrees Celsius and winds reached up to 80 kilometres per hour. ll buildings within the Flinders Chase National Park appeared to have been destroyed, apart from the Cape du Couedic and Cape Borda lighthouses on the far west coast.”

 

From the London/UK Daily Mail, they indicated that the famed and pricy Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island has totally been destroyed by this fire. Their story summarized: "The Southern Ocean Lodge on Kangaroo Island off the coast of Australia was razed by the ferocious fires on Friday afternoon.  The 21-suite accommodation was evacuated on Friday and staff were relocated to Adelaide and the small Kangaroo Island township of Kingscote amid threats of the oncoming bushfire.  The luxury retreat suffered structural damage and has been closed with no reopening date decided."

 

Full stories at:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-05/firefighting-continues-on-kangaroo-island-on-sunday/11841610

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7850737/Southern-Ocean-Lodge-Kangaroo-Island-wiped-Raven-bushfire-killed-two-people.html

 

THANKS!  Terry in Ohio

 

Sydney to NZ/Auckland Adventure, live/blog 2014 sampling/details with many exciting visuals and key highlights.  On page 23, post #571, see a complete index for all of the pictures, postings.  Now at 227,777 views.

www.boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

[MicCanberra]

Yes, it has been and continues to be devastating. They will really need an injection of necessary funds to help rebuild and tourism (once the fires have been stopped) will certainly help.

[GUT2407]

Interesting light rain overnight has caused blackouts in much of NEWCASTLE as combining with ash on the wires has caused arcing.

[lucymorgan]

Australians are reeling from and reacting to this tragedy in so many different ways.  Whether they are directly affected by the fires, lives lost, homes lost, family animals, farm animals and wildlife lost, fighting the fires, trucking in water and supplies, evacuating or taking the terrible risk of trying to defend their homes and livelihoods, being turned back through road closures, searching and queuing for petrol, food and water, living in evacuation centres, camping at showgrounds and around lakes, suffering health effects from the smoke,  wondering how to help, donating money, food, water, free accommodation, free activities for children, animal feed, transport, organising relief efforts, checking on neighbours, supporting the vulnerable, bringing in P2 masks and air purifiers from other areas, ranting at our politicians of various parties, or being too overwhelmed by this to do much at all  ........  almost everyone in the country is doing their best (bar the small number of $%#@%@#$# looters and crooks trying to profit).  I see this in my community (Canberra) and in my social media.   It makes me so thankful to be Australian.   We appreciate the care and help from our friends overseas too.           

 

Here is an example

 

And another https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7858271/Sikh-woman-cancels-trip-home-India-cook-1-000-free-meals-day-bushfire-victims.html?fbclid=IwAR0IfWYMZyvCx0iqwuRCGu6UkgLZxerk1mEfNqVK-ld7Aav868flcu8laE0

 

For a tiny good news story this touched my heart https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/tiny-koala-brings-a-smile-to-a-truck-drivers-face-after-fires-devastate-australian-communities/news-story/a6604e3feb3fd354416bc84ac83765b2

Edited January 7, 2020 by lucymorgan

[MicCanberra]

I love how so many have stepped up when needed.

[Docker123]

I wonder whether the OP ever made it to the Blue Mountains.

 

[MicCanberra]

21 minutes ago, Docker123 said:

I wonder whether the OP ever made it to the Blue Mountains.

 

I hope they did.

[possum52]

1 hour ago, Docker123 said:

I wonder whether the OP ever made it to the Blue Mountains.

 

I hope they do come back to tell us of their time down under. They would be on their cruise now I think.

 

Just checked the OP's original post, they were arriving on the 4th Jan and spending 4 days pre-cruise in Sydney sight seeing.

 

Leigh

Edited January 7, 2020 by possum52

[IslandThyme]

I am wondering about the best places to donate. I have already donated to the Australian Red Cross, but would send more money if I  knew where it would do the most good.

Edited January 8, 2020 by IslandThyme

[GUT2407]

In my opinion Red Cross, is a great place, thank you.

[OzKiwiJJ]

10 minutes ago, IslandThyme said:

I am wondering about the best places to donate. I have already donated to the Australian Red Cross, but would send more money if I  knew where it would do the most good.

There are a lot of suggestions here https://www.theage.com.au/national/here-s-how-you-can-help-australia-s-bushfire-victims-20200104-p53ot2.html

 

I'd suggest donating to one of the wildlife appeals who are rescuing injured animals. 

[IslandThyme]

My heart breaks for the animals, but even more for the people. Those pictures from Mallacoota have me transfixed. I was just in Eden last October and it breaks my heart to think of it gone.

[cheznandy]

I can recommend our local Koala hospital for anyone that wants to support the injured wildlife.

It was featured on Sunrise this week, the weatherman Sam was there.

 

There are updates on their site on the burn victims (Koalas) We have lost so many in this area, the numbers are dwindling.

 

https://www.koalahospital.org.au/

[OzKiwiJJ]

21 minutes ago, IslandThyme said:

My heart breaks for the animals, but even more for the people. Those pictures from Mallacoota have me transfixed. I was just in Eden last October and it breaks my heart to think of it gone.

Yes, it's tragic. We spent a week at Gipsy Point, just up the river from Mallacoota a few years ago. Lovely place. Lots of kangaroos, especially in the early mornings and evenings. I haven't heard how it fared but I suspect it was wiped out in the fires. We went down to Mallacoota a couple of times for lunch.

Edited January 8, 2020 by OzKiwiJJ

[NoWhiners]

40 minutes ago, cheznandy said:

I can recommend our local Koala hospital for anyone that wants to support the injured wildlife.

It was featured on Sunrise this week, the weatherman Sam was there.

 

There are updates on their site on the burn victims (Koalas) We have lost so many in this area, the numbers are dwindling.

 

https://www.koalahospital.org.au/

 

I would like to donate but I have tried this link twice and it doesn't work.

 

Can you email me at [no-whiners at msn dot com] with more info.  I would like to help the animals (already helped the people)

 

thanks mate

 

ETA: their site has somehow broken and they can't take donations right now. I'll try and stay up with news, but would appreciate updates from all of you going thru this. My heart is breaking over the loss and destruction.

Edited January 8, 2020 by NoWhiners
changed info

[in rod we trust]

hopefully the insurance companies fork out the cash for those who have insurance , and not play games as some do..

 

and +1 the koala hospital and WIRES .. its heart breaking seeing just how many dead animals are on the sides of roads from the fires.. 

 

 on a bit of good news how great is this dog named bear 

https://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/animals/stories/bear-detection-dog-saving-koalas-australia-wildfires

[Stickman1990]

12 minutes ago, NoWhiners said:

I would like to donate but I have tried this link twice and it doesn't work.

 

 It's working - https://www.koalahospital.org.au/

 

 

[NoWhiners]

1 minute ago, Stickman1990 said:

 

 It's working - https://www.koalahospital.org.au/

 I just tried again, plus another site linked above. I can't donate. I think it might be because I am in the US.

 

Neither site works. Koalahospital says donations are paused while they try an figure it out, The Age site doesn't understand my address. This is why I think they can't handle outside-Australia donations. I understand but I wish it was easier.

 

I'll keep trying.

 

Good luck all.

[possum52]

ML,

 

Try this -  https://www.koalahospital.org.au/shop/donation

 

If no luck, may I suggest these organisations in Victoria  - https://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/?view=article&id=145:helping-wildlife-during-bushfires&catid=11:wildlife-information

 

https://www.rspcavic.org/services/emergency-assistance/helping-animals-affected-by-bushfires

 

It seems the Victorian wildlife organisations are missing out on donations.

 

We have donated to this appeal - 

https://www.communityenterprisefoundation.com.au/make-a-donation/?_ga=2.87997400.1758576337.1578461626-1124167398.1578128509

 

Also this one is for Gippsland - https://www.gerf.org.au/

 

Even the two boys donated some of their Christmas money ML. You can choose to which appeal to donate to.

 

Thank you!

 

 

Leigh

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 8, 2020 by possum52

[MicCanberra]

32 minutes ago, NoWhiners said:

 

I would like to donate but I have tried this link twice and it doesn't work.

 

Can you email me at [no-whiners at msn dot com] with more info.  I would like to help the animals (already helped the people)

 

thanks mate

 

ETA: their site has somehow broken and they can't take donations right now. I'll try and stay up with news, but would appreciate updates from all of you going thru this. My heart is breaking over the loss and destruction.

You are such a good egg. Thank you for your generosity.

[NoWhiners]

8 minutes ago, possum52 said:

ML,

 

If no luck, may I suggest these organisations in Victoria  - https://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au/?view=article&id=145:helping-wildlife-during-bushfires&catid=11:wildlife-information

 

Leigh

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leigh

 

Thank you!! I was able to donate to the one in the quote above; koala hospital still didn't work. I hope my small ($200) donation does some good.

 

Thank you for providing the link. I should have just asked you first 😁

 

ML