Its only October and the Bushfires have began in earnest

[sledgemeister]

Usually in Aus we have bush fires its part of life, just like you guys get twisters and tornadoes etc.
This year they have started early in NSW. Fueled by dry bush, 90-100kph winds and high temps 95-100F temps its created the perfect fire storm.
Hundreds of homes lost and its only the beginning of the bush fire season which will last to the end of March.
It certainly is going to make for an interesting summer, and springs just started!


some of the images






The number of bush fires currently just in NSW

[sledgemeister]

for those interested there is some live coverage being shown

[Solus]

Not available in this country.

they likely don't want to discourage tourists.

[sledgemeister]

Not available in this country.

they likely don't want to discourage tourists.

hehe most likely so

[Bic]

I feel for those in the fires path, we had a similar situation right here a couple of years ago. Fortunately my property was spared but there is certainly a feeling of hopelessness while watching the progress of the flames. I have a sister who lives just a little North of your map in a town called 'Mount Glorious' - hope it stays that way!

[Sponsor]

[sledgemeister]

I feel for those in the fires path, we had a similar situation right here a couple of years ago. Fortunately my property was spared but there is certainly a feeling of hopelessness while watching the progress of the flames. I have a sister who lives just a little North of your map in a town called 'Mount Glorious' - hope it stays that way!

We had fires down this away on the Tasman Peninsula early this year wiped out a whole town, mother nature doesnt take much to get pissed off with us mere mortals.
Lots of bush up your sisters way fingers crossed the fire god avoids it.
It will be an interesting season to be sure.

[Solus]

I wonder if underground homes designed for the fires are a practical alternative to having everything you own being eligible for becoming wild fire fuel?

[tombogan03884]

I wonder if underground homes designed for the fires are a practical alternative to having everything you own being eligible for becoming wild fire fuel?

I feel sorry for the people who lost everything in these fires, but I have to agree with Solus here.
These fires happen every year, same as wild fires in the American West .
Seems like some prior planning should be used before building.
Conventional methods certainly seem to be a failure.
Some one like TAB is bound to point out that other methods, such as "earth sheltered" are much more expensive, but the fact is that it's nowhere near as expensive as losing everything ,including, potentially, your life.

[crusader rabbit]

I spent a number of years living in the California fire area and there are a number of "realities" that must be faced if one wants to avoid the reality of replacing a home every decade or so...

The barranca as it is called, is the accumulation of dry vegetation that occurs naturally throughout relatively arid areas.  Add to this the natural adaptation of many plants out there that require a burn-off in order to properly propagate. 

When the burn occurs naturally every couple of years, the fire moves through rapidly without doing any particular damage. 

The problem is that man has built homes out there and he has built them out of flammable materials.  Shake roof shingles and white wood studs and rafters make for a quick starting fire.  Add to that the fact that small fires are generally quickly extinguished allowing for many years of build-up of dry vegetation throughout the area.  When the big blaze does come, it is catastrophic due to the tremendous accumulation of fuel.

Mankind has tried to force Nature to adapt to his desires, and it hasn't worked at all well.  Fire resistant homes, or homes built into the ground might be an answer, but it's hard to show off how much money you have when your home is underground.  Egos require McMansions.

Still, fire is a frightening reality when it is bearing down on your home, your town, or your place of business.  Those faced with this terror have my best wishes and deepest sympathy.

Crusader Rabbit

[TAB]

out west they have lots sprinkler/ foam systems.   i don't know how well it would work out there do to the lack of water.