Australia.

[philw696]

Very Sad to see what's happening down there.
I see it daily from my NZ feeds and really Sad for many indeed.

 

[daverichardson]

My brother lives just south of Sydney
We are all very worried

 

[Wattie]

My brother lives just south of Sydney
We are all very worried

Understandable, but be assured that he will be fully informed of what’s happening around him if there’s any danger in his vicinity.

 

[Contigo]

Regardless of being informed those fires move quicker than any human and most animals too!

 

[allandwf]

Hard to comprehend the sheer scale. Thoughts with everyone and everything impacted by this.
I was always amazed though that Australia had plant species that would only flower or seeds would only germinate after a fire.

 

[Scaf]

Very sad indeed - thankfully loss of life has not been too great, although of course every death is tragic.

mist be so demoralising for the firefighters who are working round the clock but to no great effect - many firefighters are volunteers as well.

The scale is difficult to imagine, but picture half of England and apparently that’s about the size of it. here is hoping they get a break in the weather and can bring it to an end.

 

[philw696]

Clarkson should be so ashamed of himself.
He is just not what's needed.

 

[Lozzer]

These fires were predicted years ago, at the time as a counter global warming argument, growth was culled every winter ,an aboriginal trait I believe, Well done Greta et al.

 

[rockits]

Christ JC....it never ceases to amaze me as to how much of a tw4t he can be. I don't think the human race really needs idiots like JC chipping in with anything as useless as what twaddle he writes or speaks. Maybe they should take away his right to free speech as I'm not sure he has done enough good to have earnt it. Kn0b!

 

[happydaze]

I am situated in Bowral, NSW, Australia,between 2 out-of-control fires - less than 20km away. All I can do is water down the house, garage, and shed. My 10 cars (incuding the 3200GT) plus my son's 3 Lotuses are safe so far. No-one knows what is in store for us in the near future, though.

We don't need smart-**** remarks from Clarkson, or anyone else. Fortunately there are plenty of more intelligent, useful people here - such as the marvelous firefighters. Wish me luck...

 

[Wattie]

I am situated in Bowral, NSW, Australia,between 2 out-of-control fires - less than 20km away. All I can do is water down the house, garage, and shed. My 10 cars (incuding the 3200GT) plus my son's 3 Lotuses are safe so far. No-one knows what is in store for us in the near future, though.

We don't need smart-**** remarks from Clarkson, or anyone else. Fortunately there are plenty of more intelligent, useful people here - such as the marvelous firefighters. Wish me luck...

Good luck indeed. We’re watching this from the Gold Coast and apart from some poor air quality are totally unaffected. Hope you, your family and your possessions stay safe.

 

[BL330]

I drove to Sydney early yesterday to get a set of Michelin Sport 4's fitted to the wife's car. Left at 5.20am to beat the heat and possible fires. All done by 10am and returned to 42 degrees by 1 pm, that's 107 in the old money. Temperature climbed to 44 a record for here ( 111.2 ). That's a bit hot. Dense smoke rolled in last night again with a wind change, cleared a little during this morning but is back solidly again. All we can do is wait it out at home. Shopping centres have closed due to air quality. At least no fire threat here. Neighbour has a holiday house near Bateman's Bay. He went there over Christmas and at one stage had to drive 3.5 hours to get food as electricity was cut with the fires. A 2 hour drive home took 7.5 hours via a long southerly route.

 

[mas]

Very hot yesterday in Sydney with temp reaching 46c. Like many Sydney folks we headed for the nearest shopping centre.

Problem about 500mtrs from the house is bushland with tall gum trees and the ground under growth is heavily build up. The biggest concern are idiots with matches and smoking walking through the bushland. About 2 weeks ago while walking the dog through the bushland I saw 3 kids about 16yrs old smoking and using a cigarette lighter, I had an argument with them about the dangers but falling on deaf ears.
I immediately rang the police and was told as it was not a total fire ban today they could not do anything unless I saw them lighting the under growth. Just lost for words.

 

[Andyk]

That could be the final nail for Clarkson.......

 

[Wattie]

Pictures paint a thousand words.
half a billion animals killed its estimated.!!!

Edited to billion

 

[philw696]

It's more than that Wattie it's a half a Billion mate.
Really hoping and praying for all of you over there.
A picture from Auckland NZ at 3pm in the afternoon looks very eery indeed.

 

[Wack61]

I saw a father and son were killed a few days ago, I did look at the burnt out pickup and trailer and wonder, did whatever possessions they thought worth saving cost them their lives, time enough to load a trailer in that situation family photos, food, water and some clothing, out the door

 

[mjheathcote]

I saw a father and son were killed a few days ago, I did look at the burnt out pickup and trailer and wonder, did whatever possessions they thought worth saving cost them their lives, time enough to load a trailer in that situation family photos, food, water and some clothing, out the door

So sad.
In that situation 'bug out bag' already in the car and straight out of the door.

 

[allandwf]

So sad.
In that situation 'bug out bag' already in the car and straight out of the door.

As long as you have a road to somewhere :/

 

[Scaf]

I am situated in Bowral, NSW, Australia,between 2 out-of-control fires - less than 20km away. All I can do is water down the house, garage, and shed. My 10 cars (incuding the 3200GT) plus my son's 3 Lotuses are safe so far. No-one knows what is in store for us in the near future, though.

We don't need smart-**** remarks from Clarkson, or anyone else. Fortunately there are plenty of more intelligent, useful people here - such as the marvelous firefighters. Wish me luck...

I wish you and everyone else the very best of luck and pray that the fires come no closer, keep us updated !