Fires in Australia
09 February 2009, 09:32 AM
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It's awful isn't it? I was watching the news last night and saw how some people died in their cars as they tried to escape. The fires came so quickly.
When I was in California last year a wild fire sprang up next door to our hotel and the speed at which they take hold is so scary
When I was in California last year a wild fire sprang up next door to our hotel and the speed at which they take hold is so scary
09 February 2009, 10:59 AM
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I feel very sorry for those who have suffered or worse-been burned to death.
The bad news we hear is that the fires were started deliberately by some deranged or vicious people.
Les
The bad news we hear is that the fires were started deliberately by some deranged or vicious people.
Les
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09 February 2009, 01:26 PM
#8
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Although it's hard on those who have lost their lives and property, I am struggling to sympathise with them to much.
They chose to live within range of forests that were designed by God to go up in huge conflagrations on a regular basis, they aren't going to stop doing that just because humans now want to live near them
Although, if they do discover that some of them have been set deliberately, the ba5tards deserve a slow, painful death
They chose to live within range of forests that were designed by God to go up in huge conflagrations on a regular basis, they aren't going to stop doing that just because humans now want to live near them
Although, if they do discover that some of them have been set deliberately, the ba5tards deserve a slow, painful death
09 February 2009, 04:46 PM
#10
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Actually cster, they probably were 
Eucalyptus trees are very oily, and the vapour (which can be seen as a blue mist in sunlight) is highly flammable. It is widely know to combust of it's own accord in the right temperature conditions, causing the oil within the trees themselves to vapourise, which in turn causes the trees themselves to literally explode
Additionally, there are certain types of tree in Australia whose seed will not germinate until they have been subjected to the extreme heat of a forest fire
Australia may seem a strange place, but Mother Nature definitely intended it to be that way
Eucalyptus trees are very oily, and the vapour (which can be seen as a blue mist in sunlight) is highly flammable. It is widely know to combust of it's own accord in the right temperature conditions, causing the oil within the trees themselves to vapourise, which in turn causes the trees themselves to literally explode
Additionally, there are certain types of tree in Australia whose seed will not germinate until they have been subjected to the extreme heat of a forest fire
Australia may seem a strange place, but Mother Nature definitely intended it to be that way
09 February 2009, 04:48 PM
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09 February 2009, 05:35 PM
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Actually cster, they probably were
Eucalyptus trees are very oily, and the vapour (which can be seen as a blue mist in sunlight) is highly flammable. It is widely know to combust of it's own accord in the right temperature conditions, causing the oil within the trees themselves to vapourise, which in turn causes the trees themselves to literally explode
Additionally, there are certain types of tree in Australia whose seed will not germinate until they have been subjected to the extreme heat of a forest fire
Australia may seem a strange place, but Mother Nature definitely intended it to be that way
Eucalyptus trees are very oily, and the vapour (which can be seen as a blue mist in sunlight) is highly flammable. It is widely know to combust of it's own accord in the right temperature conditions, causing the oil within the trees themselves to vapourise, which in turn causes the trees themselves to literally explode
Additionally, there are certain types of tree in Australia whose seed will not germinate until they have been subjected to the extreme heat of a forest fire
Australia may seem a strange place, but Mother Nature definitely intended it to be that way
09 February 2009, 06:11 PM
#14
Actually cster, they probably were
Eucalyptus trees are very oily, and the vapour (which can be seen as a blue mist in sunlight) is highly flammable. It is widely know to combust of it's own accord in the right temperature conditions, causing the oil within the trees themselves to vapourise, which in turn causes the trees themselves to literally explode
Additionally, there are certain types of tree in Australia whose seed will not germinate until they have been subjected to the extreme heat of a forest fire
Australia may seem a strange place, but Mother Nature definitely intended it to be that way
Eucalyptus trees are very oily, and the vapour (which can be seen as a blue mist in sunlight) is highly flammable. It is widely know to combust of it's own accord in the right temperature conditions, causing the oil within the trees themselves to vapourise, which in turn causes the trees themselves to literally explode
Additionally, there are certain types of tree in Australia whose seed will not germinate until they have been subjected to the extreme heat of a forest fire
Australia may seem a strange place, but Mother Nature definitely intended it to be that way
It is true that various species such like the Wattle do need fire to germinate, but these types of fires are far in excess of that requirement.
Last edited by cster; 09 February 2009 at 06:14 PM.
09 February 2009, 06:14 PM
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It's dreadful. I was watching this on the news this morning. People losing all their possessions and homes because some sad sack decided it would be fun to start a fire
10 February 2009, 01:43 AM
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Even in summer, there is a remarkable volume of fuel that accumulates on the ground.
10 February 2009, 03:23 AM
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Very bad fires down south (VIC) - still not out
Very bad flooding up North (QLD) - still not recedded
In fact was it last year that they had very bad fires in SA, Port Lincoln area ??
And flooding up north as well, last year ??
Oh, and dont forget the Cyclones. (One just off the WA coast, called Freddie)
The bad news is, (according to Lateline on ABC) these fires are predicted to become more frequent, due to many factors.
They reckon there will be a repeat of this (the worst Aussie fire EVER in terms of human deaths) within 10 years, whereas previously it was a "one in fifty" year occurance.
Their comments, not mine.
10 February 2009, 04:40 AM
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I believe that well-intentioned but foolish enviromental laws now prevent the construction of physical fire breaks and the cutting back of bush for the same purpose too...
10 February 2009, 07:13 AM
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Apparently, just on the news tonight, Police have suspects for the Gippsland fires and that, potentially, 50% of the fires this w/e were started by arsonists.
Last edited by Klaatu; 10 February 2009 at 07:20 AM.
10 February 2009, 07:17 AM
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A land of extremes....
Very bad fires down south (VIC) - still not out
Very bad flooding up North (QLD) - still not recedded
In fact was it last year that they had very bad fires in SA, Port Lincoln area ??
And flooding up north as well, last year ??
Oh, and dont forget the Cyclones. (One just off the WA coast, called Freddie)
The bad news is, (according to Lateline on ABC) these fires are predicted to become more frequent, due to many factors.
They reckon there will be a repeat of this (the worst Aussie fire EVER in terms of human deaths) within 10 years, whereas previously it was a "one in fifty" year occurance.
Their comments, not mine.
Very bad fires down south (VIC) - still not out
Very bad flooding up North (QLD) - still not recedded
In fact was it last year that they had very bad fires in SA, Port Lincoln area ??
And flooding up north as well, last year ??
Oh, and dont forget the Cyclones. (One just off the WA coast, called Freddie)
The bad news is, (according to Lateline on ABC) these fires are predicted to become more frequent, due to many factors.
They reckon there will be a repeat of this (the worst Aussie fire EVER in terms of human deaths) within 10 years, whereas previously it was a "one in fifty" year occurance.
Their comments, not mine.
The fires in NSW were also started by people. One man arrested on Saturday for one fire, promptly released. Then arrested again, for another fire, on Sunday. Another man, young man, 17 I think, arrested for starting another bush fire in the Lane Cove national park (I think it was).
Last edited by Klaatu; 10 February 2009 at 07:20 AM.
10 February 2009, 11:48 AM
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It was stated that the difficult to cope with fires, apart from the arsonists who started them, were due to the unusually low temperatures over the Indian Ocean with consequent low evaporation from the sea thus causing a lack of cloud cover and rain in that part of Australia. This led to the high temperatures and the tinder dry conditions which caused the extreme nature of the fires.
Les
Les
10 February 2009, 11:52 AM
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Les, yes, that is a new study/report, I read it somewhere don't recall as there are so many now. In conjunction with a low cycle PDO, as well as being pretty "close" to the Sun too.
But, it's looking like many, far too many fires, were started by a person, a very sick person.
But, it's looking like many, far too many fires, were started by a person, a very sick person.
10 February 2009, 11:56 AM
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So this is another story that 99% of the public will be told is caused by MMGW, when in fact it is mainly because envionmentalists have prevented fire breaks being built?
If that's so it's just another mmgw lie that the public will soak up like a sponge.
If that's so it's just another mmgw lie that the public will soak up like a sponge.
10 February 2009, 12:06 PM
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Clear the "fuel", create fire breaks in fire prone areas (Australia is a fie ecology), "problem" gone. But the "problem" is, it's not policy.
Scary times ahead. This summer started cool, got a bit hot....no way near as hot as it usually gets for as long as it usually gets (Here in Sydney at least), and now, apart from being humid 95%, it's freaking cold outside (18c, Aussie summer???)!!!
10 February 2009, 08:43 PM
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For those that know people in Sydney, Sydney is not affected at all. There was a small fire far north of sydney around 90-100k's away but no real threat. Sydney is miles away from melbourne and therefor anyone stating they have mates in sydney who have snapped up photo's is talking ****e. We have these every year.
The big fires are in victoria on the outskirts of melbourne.
Yes lots of money is being raised however, these people choose to live out in the bush and therefor tough luck. Yes we feel for the kids and animals that really don't have a choice.
and yes, the greenies are a problem, then so is government policy for letting people build and live in such bush regions.
The big fires are in victoria on the outskirts of melbourne.
Yes lots of money is being raised however, these people choose to live out in the bush and therefor tough luck. Yes we feel for the kids and animals that really don't have a choice.
and yes, the greenies are a problem, then so is government policy for letting people build and live in such bush regions.
Last edited by 4_play; 10 February 2009 at 08:45 PM.
10 February 2009, 08:46 PM
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You are not wrong! We had "climate "scientists"" on TV last night, smugly stating that "We warned you this would happen!". You warned us at least 50% of these fires would be started by people? A-holes, in both camps!
Clear the "fuel", create fire breaks in fire prone areas (Australia is a fie ecology), "problem" gone. But the "problem" is, it's not policy.
Scary times ahead. This summer started cool, got a bit hot....no way near as hot as it usually gets for as long as it usually gets (Here in Sydney at least), and now, apart from being humid 95%, it's freaking cold outside (18c, Aussie summer???)!!!
Clear the "fuel", create fire breaks in fire prone areas (Australia is a fie ecology), "problem" gone. But the "problem" is, it's not policy.
Scary times ahead. This summer started cool, got a bit hot....no way near as hot as it usually gets for as long as it usually gets (Here in Sydney at least), and now, apart from being humid 95%, it's freaking cold outside (18c, Aussie summer???)!!!
Are you in Sydney Klaatu? Do you know my brother?
10 February 2009, 09:33 PM
#28
For those that know people in Sydney, Sydney is not affected at all. There was a small fire far north of sydney around 90-100k's away but no real threat. Sydney is miles away from melbourne and therefor anyone stating they have mates in sydney who have snapped up photo's is talking ****e. We have these every year.
The big fires are in victoria on the outskirts of melbourne.
Yes lots of money is being raised however, these people choose to live out in the bush and therefor tough luck. Yes we feel for the kids and animals that really don't have a choice.
and yes, the greenies are a problem, then so is government policy for letting people build and live in such bush regions.
The big fires are in victoria on the outskirts of melbourne.
Yes lots of money is being raised however, these people choose to live out in the bush and therefor tough luck. Yes we feel for the kids and animals that really don't have a choice.
and yes, the greenies are a problem, then so is government policy for letting people build and live in such bush regions.
