NSW bushfires: State of emergency declared ahead of worsening conditions

[Matilda]

Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation

A state of emergency is in effect across New South Wales as authorities warn of an unparalleled fire emergency and a potential mega-fire across hundreds of kilometres.

Three large fires are burning in the Blue Mountains at Lithgow, Springwood and Mount Victoria, and the Rural Fire Service (RFS) is worried they could merge.

(snip)

Residents in some affected areas have been advised to leave ahead of deteriorating conditions over the coming days, with the worst of the weather due on Wednesday.

As of Monday morning, a total of 56 bushfires were burning across the state and 12 are out of control

Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-20/bushfires-state-of-emergency-declared-in-nsw/5034212

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These fires are definitely unseasonable - we expect bushfires from mid-December on, but not now, in Spring. And PM Tony Abbott is determined to push through the repeal of Labor's carbon tax, implemented to deal with climate change. Responding to calls for discussion of the bushfire emergency in relation to global warming, Abbott says this is "not the right time". Yes, Tony, it bloody well is the right time!

And (conservative) NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell earlier this year cut funding to the Rural Fire Services. Strange how the MSM are not asking him whether this was a smart decision. You don't have to believe in climate change to believe in bushfires!

Honestly, the sheer stupidity of conservatives continues to exceed my expectations.

[Skittles]

1. check out this video

sent from friend in Australia

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152026830644809&set=vb.357929370884874&type=2&theater

[Matilda]

2. Thanks for posting that.

You can see from the video that the wind is very fierce - very strong winds, and no recent rain, are a recipe for disaster.

I'm at work, more than two hours' away from the Blue Mountains fires, but the sky here is a dirty yellow colour, and there is an awful burning smell in the air. If it's like this so early in the season, what lies ahead?

[Skittles]

3. yes

it evolves like a horror movie, and that fireman reflected in the glass to the right gives it a super eerie feel........keep safe Matilda

[AverageJoe90]

4. What a disaster! Good luck to our fellows down in Oz.....

No speculation on whether climate change caused this particular event is necessary, really(though I'm leaning no at the moment, as there's no evidence to support such a conclusion, TBH, even if it can't be ruled out entirely, either.); just the fact that the Conservatives were foolish enough to cut funding to the vital fire-fighting services for rural communities is already enough to cause problems. Hell, that, alone, should be enough for our Aussie friends to get *really* pissed off.

[tblue]

5. An 11-year-old boy has just been charged with starting one of the bigger bushfires

Snip/

An 11-year-old boy has just been charged with starting one of the bigger bushfires in New South Wales. It's burning more than 50 square kilometres.

He's been refused bail and joins two 12 and 13-year-old girls already charged with arson.


Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/Arson-charges-over-spreading-NSW-bushfires/tabid/417/articleID/318147/Default.aspx#ixzz2iKpTIatn

[Judi Lynn]

6. Jeez, sounds like home! Along with the disaster, they get looters, too.

Apparently "it's an ill wind that blows no good."