Bushfires in Australia

[rob love]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

Harry, a dumping of snow for Christmas would be just the ticket, Mate!

I have tried to send snow before, but the post office always seems to bugger it up. All that is ever received is a torn open box with nothing in it. Fortunately, I always insure it to the max.


Sorry to hear about the perils and losses you and your neighbors have faced.

[Mike Cecil]

Tony,

Gut wrenching to see all your hard work gone up in smoke.

Praying for snow!

Not much of a Christmas for you, but you know we are all thinking of you and yours.

Mike & Krystii

[hrpearce]

Most of Yaven Creek has been burnt out with some houses lost. The fire has raced past us one range of hills over and now has turned and heading back towards Batlow. Been on the dozer all morning hoping to protect the new house.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by hrpearce

Most of Yaven Creek has been burnt out with some houses lost. The fire has raced past us one range of hills over and now has turned and heading back towards Batlow. Been on the dozer all morning hoping to protect the new house.

I've been thinking about you and your situation. Glad to hear the fight isn't over yet.

[Keith Webb]

Wow, that's really bad - I've been following Vicki's posts on Facebook, glad you and the boys are safe - and hope the firebreaks are effective. Have any of the apple orchards in the area been damaged?

Originally Posted by hrpearce

Most of Yaven Creek has been burnt out with some houses lost. The fire has raced past us one range of hills over and now has turned and heading back towards Batlow. Been on the dozer all morning hoping to protect the new house.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Watching the news, I see the Australian bush fires are all but under control

Here's hoping our MLU members and their families and friends come out of this alright and the damages are "only" material.

Hang in there and let us know if there's anything we can do.

Hanno

[Lynn Eades]

The headlines here say that they expect things to get worse this weekend.
In New Zealand, the Glaciers down south have gone brown and on Wednesday the sun was just a very red orb in the sky for the last 10 minutes before sun set. It was so dull it was easy to look directly at. Yesterday morning was dull and cool like a cold winters overcast day and any sunlight that came through was particularly yellow. We have an elevated view out to sea. It has been hazy for several weeks.
We are hoping the rest of you guys In Australia don't cop it like Tony has.

[hrpearce]

We have been evacuated they say Batlow will be undefendable tomorrow glad we are out of town and have a chance. Taking Mum to Canberra to sit it out.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

The headlines here say that they expect things to get worse this weekend.
In New Zealand, the Glaciers down south have gone brown and on Wednesday the sun was just a very red orb in the sky for the last 10 minutes before sun set. It was so dull it was easy to look directly at. Yesterday morning was dull and cool like a cold winters overcast day and any sunlight that came through was particularly yellow. We have an elevated view out to sea. It has been hazy for several weeks.
We are hoping the rest of you guys In Australia don't cop it like Tony has.

In the 1980s Mount St Helens erupted on the northwestern tip of the Continental US. There was so much ash and particulate in the air that the weather that summer was frighteningly wet and cold. If you are downwind of the fires, expect changes to predictable patterns.

Fully sympathize with our fellow Rusty Old Trucker brothers and sisters in their time of peril.

[maple_leaf_eh]

Originally Posted by hrpearce

Most of Yaven Creek has been burnt out with some houses lost. The fire has raced past us one range of hills over and now has turned and heading back towards Batlow. Been on the dozer all morning hoping to protect the new house.

https://www.tatimes.com.au/batlow-un...ergency-alert/ January 4, 2020, 1:24 pm

Gulp. Robert and Vicki have a brand new house near Batlow.

Batlow is once more under an emergency warning. It came into place at about 1.10pm when the fire jumped a containment line west of the town.

The RFS advises that if you are in Batlow and surrounding areas, it is now too late to take shelter as fire approaches.

Firefighters are continuing to work to slow the spread of the fire and protect properties.

The RFS said fire activity is increasing in the area.

[hrpearce]

Just confirmed we still have the house, tractor and dozed, all sheds burnt, don't know if anything is salvageable, no access for me some friends still in Batlow sent pictures, not pretty.

[jack neville]

Originally Posted by hrpearce

Just confirmed we still have the house, tractor and dozed, all sheds burnt, don't know if anything is salvageable, no access for me some friends still in Batlow sent pictures, not pretty.

Have the fires in your area passed Robert?

[hrpearce]

Passed us but still burning out of control, Tumbarumba could be attacked from another direction tomorrow.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by hrpearce

Just confirmed we still have the house, tractor and dozed, all sheds burnt, don't know if anything is salvageable, no access for me some friends still in Batlow sent pictures, not pretty.

Really sorry to hear that Robert, I assume the Blitz was in the shed. At least your new home survived and you are all safe.

best regards,
Richard

[lynx42]

30th December 2019 is not a day one would normally wants to remember, but it is one which I will never forget. Some time ago I had a very rare item donated by Hookways Airlines to our Museum. Hookways had purchased all of the Australian Navy's Grumman Tracker Sub-chasers when they were retired many years ago. As well as the planes there was the complete Link Trainer for the Grumman Trackers. It consisted of two 40 foot semi trailers. One had the fuselage of a Grumman Tracker and studio, the other the computer to operate it. Whilst we were preparing to establish it at the Museum it was stored at a mates place. Unfortunately the fires on the 30th. put paid to that dream and completely destroyed both trailers. Fortunately my mate and his wife survived the fire at Sarsfield Vic. as did all their animals. I am so, so glad that my mate Pete and his wife Jen were unhurt in what must have been a terrible experience. It is a bit disappointing that the trailers were destroyed but no one was hurt, so I will put the museums loss down to bad luck. Here are some photos taken today and some before of this unique and rare item which will now no longer be kept for prosperity.

First views.

IMG_8531a.JPG IMG_8473a.JPG IMG_8479a.JPG

Fuselage trailer

IMG_8515a.JPG

Computer trailer.

IMG_8510a.JPG

More to come.