I've been watching and read somewhere its believed some of the fires were started by arsonists. I hope they catch them but I can't think of a sufficient punishment short of execution. Too many human lives lost, too many homes, too much wildlife. My prayers are with all of you.

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I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers so far...

Gatchamania crashed on me last night when i tried to post this response.

"Safe, but mentally and emotionally struggling to process it all, and consequently kind of numb.

I wanted to explain more about what it's like here and how I feel, but it became a very long post and I wasn't really explaining it well. So I changed to bullet points.

I am safe.
My loved ones are safe.
Fire does not threaten my home, place of business or family.

The area already destroyed by fire is unfathomably huge.
Homes have been burned to the ground.
Businesses have been destroyed.
Lives have been lost.
Thousands have been evacuated from their homes.
Communities have been cut off.
Fires are still burning.

I have so much gratitude, respect and pride in the people who have fought and continue to fight these fires, including NSW Fire and Rescue, the police, the Ambulance Service, the military and especially the volunteers of the Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Services who are often the first to respond.

I have had months of smokey air and a dusting of fine ash over everything. I feel like it's been ages since I saw a clear blue sky, and I miss it - it's getting me down.

But so many are suffering sooo much worse. I can't begin to imagine what it must be like to evacuate, watch the sky blacken until daytime looks like midnight, or face walls of fierce flame reaching far above the highest treetops.

I dread the next few months because summer has just begun, so we are expecting to endure more days of "catastrophic fire conditions."

Sorry for rambling - like I said, hard to process"


Ebony, I'm glad you and your loved ones are safe. I think almost everyone in this state can say they have holidayed in, visited or driven through at least one of the towns or villages that have been all but wiped out. The fires have destroyed so many of our beautiful tourist destinations and holiday (vacation) spots. And for the towns trying to rebuild the loss of tourism income will come as another blow.

Becky, yes some fires have been deliberately lit by arsonists and idiots who ignore total fire bans. They tend to be fires close to populated areas, quickly accessed and controlled. As far as I'm aware the really big, fierce fires have all been started by more natural causes - some by lightning strikes (during "dry thunderstorms").

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"First things first, but not necessarily in that order." 4th Doctor

I'm glad to hear you're all okay. That must have been frightening, Ebonny, to have the orchard burn across the road.

What ever happened to seeding clouds to make them rain?

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I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers so far...

KT1972-- The smoke has been on the extreme in places. Canberra has had readings of the worst pollution in the world.

I don't feel we have had a day without the smell of burning leaves outside. I woke up one night in a panic, the smell was sooooo strong I had dream of the house burning. (Wasn't real of course, but I got up, and did a sweep, closed windows. Put the air con on to filter it out.)

To clarify Becky-- I don't live in Bilpin, my house WAS NOT in danger, and I'm more suburban. I have friends who do, and the place I mentioned is a regular stop when we go to visit the area. We spend a lot of time around Windsor. (Maps would show the locations.)
My friends were the ones who are still trying to deal with trauma from the fires in the area.
(BUT the teenage goon, next-recruit-for- Galactor- next door decided on a catastrophic day to set fire to my hedge, and we were putting out embers flying into the gutters of my house as we rushed to put it out. That was in November.

My in-laws however live on a farm in the Hunter Valley, and a fire started 2klms from their home New Years eve, we were at the farm. The awesome RFS got it under control within a few hours, so we didn't have to leave. It was a moment of wondering how to get a stubborn old farmer to leave the house, cause he was staying no matter what happened.

To understand Sydney, is see how much bushlands are a part of the city. We love our bush!

There is a lot of recovery to come.

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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.

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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.

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“There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them." --Ray Bradbury

I hope the seminar goes well.

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I'm writing a book. I've got the page numbers so far...

The rain has been great. My farming relations finally have a few dams full of water for the first time in years.
Some parts of the country are still waiting for the rain..
My friends in Hawkbury went from preparing for bushfires, to a full on flooding of their property within a week.


Busier times ahead.

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Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up- Pablo Picasso.

One year later and here we go again . . .

For those who don't know, over the last few days Western Australia has been hit by (a Covid outbreak and 5 day lockdown) bushfires that have destroyed more than 80 homes, and now floods.

GGO I hope you are safe and well.

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"First things first, but not necessarily in that order." 4th Doctor

Dear Aussies,

Thinking of you... keep well!

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They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Naturally, they became heroes -- Princess Leia Organa of Alderaan.