Bushfires Devastate Tasmanian Towns

[panopticon]

The conditions in Tasmania on 4 January 2013, with temperatures around 42 degrees Centigrade (107 F) and winds over 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph), have resulted in bush fires across the state breeching containment lines.

How can this be "contained":

http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/4453614-3x2-940x627.jpg

http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/4453560-3x2-940x627.jpg
Source (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-04/forcett-fire-places-homes-at-risk/4453038?section=tas).

Residents on the Tasman Peninsula (near Port Arthur) have taken refuge on beaches and the only access road has been closed due to fire. Boats have been evacuating people to Hobart. Remember that land line telephones will still work, if junction boxes haven't been damaged, even if electricity is out (just get a phone that doesn't run on electricity).

For more information on these fires:
http://www.fire.tas.gov.au/Show?pageId=colGMapBushfires
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-05/conditions-easing-in-tasmania-after-dunalley/4453674
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-04/bushfires-continue-around-tasmania-with-property/4453164
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-04/at-least-one-person-believed-dead-in-tasmanian/4453398
http://www.youtube.com/user/tasmaniafireservice

Just a reminder of what an ember attack can look like:
o3YSBHOboPE

We have a Do Not Defend sign for the front gate as there is no way we would ever want anyone to die or be injured trying to protect the property.
Kind Regards, :yo:
Panopticon

[sandy]

Prayers for Universal intervention soon panopticon :sorry:

[panopticon]

Prayers for Universal intervention soon panopticon :sorry:

Thanks Sandy,

It's all part of living in Australia.
It's a hot dry continent and the recent wet weather through Spring and early Summer has increased fuel for fires in Tassie.
Almost everyone here has a 'Fire Action Plan' and know where the safe points are to go (funny enough that's usually the local Pub).

The recent demise of Gunns Ltd. has decreased the number of crews available to fight fires so there are lots of Tree Farms with limited protection and fires just whip through them.

Tasmanian's are by and large a stoic lot so there aren't many sound bites of wailing screaming banshees. Probably why there isn't a great deal of video available on the web about what's happening.
-- Pan

[panopticon]

The fires @ Bicheno and Forcett have been re-classified as Emergency.

Here's another photo from last night in Dunalley:

http://pbs.twimg.com/media/A_xFrYTCIAEtDTa.jpg


About 30 per cent of the buildings in Dunalley have been destroyed by fire, with the structure losses at nearby Connellys Marsh estimated at 40 per cent.

Tasmania Police issued the grim assessment this morning as fire crews continue to battle three main blazes across the state.

The Forcett fire, which ripped through Copping and Dunalley in the state's south-east yesterday, has also affected the surrounding communities of Boomer Bay, Primrose Sands, Connellys Marsh, Susans Bay, Eaglehawk Neck and Taranna.
Source (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/thousands-flee-as-bush-fires-devastate-tasmania-one-feared-dead/story-fnejo58q-1226548107098).
Looking at continued dry weather into next week but winds are expected to drop off a bit.

Reporters have been trying valiantly to get emotional reactions and I haven't seen anyone do what was expected. Closest was the bloke who said he'd lost his Monaro and Harley, he stared off into the distance for a second then said that the RSL had been burnt out but the Pub was ok.

[panopticon]

The fires burnt right down to the water edge and many found that the only way to escape the heat was to get into the ocean (notice the boat trailer on the 4b):

http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/4453566-3x2-940x627.jpg

Here's a view of the fires on the 4th from the Tasmanian capital city Hobart:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/4453812-16x9-940x529.jpg

Here's another view from the Hobart side of Stormy Bay:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/4453806-16x9-940x529.jpg
Images Source (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-06/tas-residents-counting-cost-as-fire-fighting-continues/4454148).

Winds are dropping off today and the weather is a bit cooler (still hot and dry though) so it looks like the 4 major fires might be able to be managed before the winds pick up again later in the week.

BTW the Epping Forest blaze (now contained) wasn't that far from us so we've been watching the wind carefully.

-- Pan

[witchy1]

Poor tassie our hearts go out to all of them, the poor animals and the very brave fireies.

Its meant to be the hottest day in 50 years in NSW tomorrow Sydney expecting 45 ish and out west could get over 50C. (that over 122F) Its humid and oppresive atm.
All we need is lightening to start it (and that could easily happen in this mugginess.)




http://images.smh.com.au/2013/01/07/3935449/art-fire-620x349.jpg

Premier Barry O'Farrell on Monday made an emphatic appeal to all NSW residents to be fully prepared for the worst.
"Tomorrow is not just going to be in the 40s, it will perhaps be the worst fire danger the state has ever faced," he said. "Do what emergency services tell you, particular the rural fire service. Act early.
List of current incidents from the NSW Rural Fire Service:


View Larger Map (https://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&source=embed&hl=en&geocode=&q=http:%2F%2Fwww.rfs.nsw.gov.au%2Ffeeds%2FmajorIncidents.xml&sll=-33.796924,150.922433&sspn=1.739179,2.469177&ie=UTF8&t=m&ll=-32.75825,146.7235&spn=7.2915,13.2388)




Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/environment/weather/fires-blaze-as-state-prepares-for-heatwave-20130107-2cbto.html#ixzz2HI1pGVza

[panopticon]

Hey witchy1, the conditions in the SE are not looking good atm. Too much fuel from the wet Summer. Can only hope we make it past this wave without any more major incidents.

The bushfires in Tasmania have been horrific.

There has been 120,000 Hectares burnt and there are still ~40 fires ongoing.

http://www.fire.tas.gov.au/Show?pageId=colGMapBushfires

There have been many amazing stories of survival, mateship and compassion that have come out of this, as there always are following situations when people come together to face the odds.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/4454518-3x4-700x933.jpg

There's the story of about 20 people, 2 dogs and a parrot (yeah, sounds like a joke don't it) sheltering together under a boat ramp while flames jumped around them.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/4455834-16x9-340x191.jpg

There's the story about the Grand parents taking the grand children down to the water edge to escape the flames. They had to go out 'til they were neck deep and there was only about 7 inches of breathable air between the ocean and smoke. Grand dad went and got a dinghy from the scorched shore and dragged the dinghy, with the kids in it, against the wind around the head away from the flames and into fresher air.

There's the story of the people of Hobart who when they found out that food, water and clothing were running out on the Tasman Peninsula donated in droves.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/4455124-3x2-940x627.jpg

There's the story of the flotilla of small boats who formed an adhoc group and just started to deliver supplies to the Peninsula when they found out the roads where still largely impassable.

There's the story of the woman who rode her aged horse out before the fires and how the old horse skipped about and cantered to safety like a youngster.

Or how about the bloke who was driving his truck through the fire delivering water to the fire fighters. Yeah, trees explode when they're on fire...

trmT30VkokA
Fires are still active down here, big one over in the NW, another @ Lake Repulse in the Southern Central, not to mention there are still blazes on and near the Tasman Peninsula.

More strong winds and hot weather forecast for tomorrow throughout Southern Australia. Western NSW, Victoria (which I just heard has a fire out of containment -- I think it's the Drik Drik blaze) and SA look to be going to have a rough time of it.

How can anyone contain a blaze in high winds and 45+ degrees Centigrade?

I can only hope that people have a Fire Action Plan and understand that nature is not forgiving.
Kind Regards, :yo:
Panopticon

Update:
Just came across this story from the 7.30 report that might be of interest:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-07/dunalley-measures-tasmanian-bushfire-impact/4455786

[witchy1]

What amazing stories Pan, people are wonderful caring thoughtful beings.