OT: My hometown is burning

Ash · Jan 20, 2003

http://www.cnn.com/2003/WORLD/asiapcf/auspac/01/19/austrailia.bush.fire/index.html

Hi Guys, just though I'd check in after a pretty rough weekend. Spent all of Saturday night on a CAT7 tanker fighting spot-fires south of Canberra.

Things are still pretty bad here, around 20% of the city is without power & drinking water in some areas may be unsafe. Phones are down in many areas & cell phone recpetion is variable to say the least.

Right now visibility is down to about 200 yards because of smoke, which is also keeping the fire-fighting aircraft grounded. Extremely high temperatures are expected over the next few days which will only complicate things.

We could all use some good thoughts.

Cheers

Andre

btice · Jan 20, 2003

You've got mine...in spades.

bt

Sylvrfalcn · Jan 20, 2003

Ash,
Hang tough and be careful. Wish I could send more than just prayers.

Sarge

Cuttin' Craig · Jan 20, 2003

Andre, you and your community will be in my thoughts and prayers. Take care!

-Craig

Aardvark · Jan 20, 2003

You've got mine, too, man. Heard about it yesterday. Incredible.

Bill Martino · Jan 20, 2003

I read the news and it wasn't good. Hang in all you Aussies. You've confronted worse and survived and you'll survive this.

I was going to say, "smoke going up for you," and then thought better of it.

Prayers going up.

MauiRob · Jan 20, 2003

Sorry to hear that Andre

Stay safe and prayers sent!

karels · Jan 20, 2003

I hope you and your family will be safe from harm,best wishes.
Greetings karels.

JUSTRIGHT · Jan 20, 2003

I just said a prayer for u and the families

KEEP U'R EYES OPEN

ed tank · Jan 20, 2003

Whatever prayers and good wishes I can send are on their way.

Pan Tau · Jan 20, 2003

I saw the catastrophy on tv yesterday. I hope and pray that the citizens and especially you and your family will be safe and that this desasaster ends as soon as possible. We have some rain here you would be glad to have I think...
Andreas

Yvsa · Jan 20, 2003

Stay safe!!!!
I hate wildfires!!!! When I lived in So Cal the slope of Mount San Jacinto burned. Firefighters have lost their lives on that mountain before and thankfully none were lost that time!!!!
I can't begin to imagine what it looks like to see a town burn and especially a hometown!!!!
Just thinking about it gives me a sick and hopeless feeling in the pit of my stomach.
Best wishes and prayers for all that suffer loss because of theis fire and if it was intentionally set may the offenders be punished to the full extent of the Law!!!!

Ash · Jan 20, 2003

Thanks guys,

My family & I are all safe. I know several people who have lost everything, going to be a tough few months ahead.

Current situation:

4 dead
approx. 300 injured
418 houses destroyed

Fires to the north of the city are still burning & an expected wind change this afternoon is likely to bring it back towards us. Most of the northern suburbs are now on high alert. There is also a large fire about 40km south which may move this way over the next week or so.

Yvsa: These were all started by lightning strikes in the National Parks that surround Canberra. We have been in a severe drought for the last 8 months which has only made the situation worse.

Cheers

Andre

Pappy · Jan 20, 2003

Prayed for the safety of you and yours and for just a bit of rain to help.

Hope you gents can get a handle on the blazes pretty soon. Take care!