Just days into this new year and our country is ablaze. The beautiful bushlands of Australia are tinder dry and going up in flames on a scale that is just unfathomable. Each day brings news of more land burned to a blackened crisp, skies shrouded in smoke, lives lost, people missing and thousands displaced, whole townships and many hundreds of homes destroyed, livelihoods gone and animals perishing and suffering. Each day brings news of more to come.
Map image from Digital Earth Australia Hotspots
(Source: Geoscience Australia https://hotspots.dea.ga.gov.au/)
Bushfires have been raging in areas along our Eastern Seaboard for months and there is still so much of this very hot and very dry Summer to go. On the map above, the larger the dot, the higher the probability that the hotspot detected by satellite represents fire. It's a very sobering image and even more so given that so much of our population lives along the Eastern Seaboard.
Today, very dangerous bushfire conditions, with soaring temperatures and strong winds, are forecast in the states of New South Wales and Victoria and in the Australian Capital Territory. I just hope, come the end of this day and into tomorrow, that no more lives will be lost. If you live in one of the warning areas, I hope you are somewhere else and safe. Xx
Our iconic Aussie kookaburra in a bushfire-blackened landscape.
(Photo credit: Adam Stevenson.)
After these fire emergencies are over; after the weather cools and the rains (hopefully) come and green shoots appear among the cinders, there will be many lives and many, many towns and properties to rebuild. That won't happen in a day, a week or a month but over many months and across years. The scale of recovery is unfathomable too.
May warm and caring arms continue to closely hold those impacted by bushfire. May we all give what we can, if we can. (ABC News Bushfire Relief: How You Can Help link) May those who have lost everything be supported in finding a way to begin again.
Meg
We watch in the UK, stunned at the horror of the fires, hoping for the rains to be heavy and to come soon.
ReplyDeleteMay those rains come, Marlene, and soon!
DeleteMegXx
Oohh Meg isn't it tragic.
ReplyDeleteSuch devestation we saw as We drove through tge mountains to Wollongong on Wednesday and back home yesterday,
My heart goes out to allthose affected in many ways.
I thank my lucky stars that we at this point are out of harms way but we are being extremely vigilant in these horrible weather conditions.
Take care Meg
Cheers
Jane.
Take care down your way, Jane. I hope you remain out of harms way. MegXx
DeleteA gentle sensitive post Meg. I have no words for the devastation across our country.
ReplyDeleteIt's a national tragedy, Nanette, and I think we all share that feeling of devastation and sadness at what is happening. MegXx
DeleteIt's heartbreaking. X
ReplyDeleteIt's a very dire situation, Jules. So very sad at the scale of destruction and loss. MegXx
DeleteAround the other side of the world we've watched with horror the news of the tragedy in your country. If only we could send you our rainy days we would.It's going to take so long for people to recover.
ReplyDeleteOh, how Australia desperately we needs that rain, Sue. I think, when it finally falls, many will rejoice in the much-needed water but also in the hope it will bring. MegXx
DeleteThese fires are terrifying. I live in California, and we have had intense fires here, too. I feel much safer up in the mountains with all of the snow. The drought conditions make certain parts of the year extremely dangerous. My prayers are with you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your prayers, Stephanie. I think people around the world are sending their love and care and prayers towards Australia. MegXx
DeleteAs you say once these fires are over probably after at least another couple of months then where do these people live while there homes get rebuilt which could take a minimum of a year. I am very proud of the head of the RFS in evacuating whole areas so people are safe and all the volunteer RFS people who have been working for days, weeks and months. Here's hoping to get some rain and not all at once in the coming months.
ReplyDeleteThere are many people who are working so incredibly hard to fight these fires and to provide support to those who so desperately need it. They are heroes in every sense of the word. MegXx
DeleteI saw videos and photos of the fires, and it was really frightening. My heart goes to people who have lost everything. I hope there will be enough rain soon.
ReplyDeleteStay safe, Meg. XX
Thank you, Nil.
DeleteMegXx
So sorry! Prayers are needed! Andrea
ReplyDeleteThank you, Andrea. I think people all around the world are sending their loving thoughts and prayers to our down-under country. They are very much needed. MegXx
DeleteNZ is hazy from Aussie fires. The temperatures there must be unbearable too. Planning to make animal rescue pouches and donations this week.
ReplyDeleteSurviving wildlife in these areas need all they help they can get, Anne. Warm and soft pouches will provide safety and comfort for them. MegXx
DeleteMeg, rebuilding is going to take a long time. Even in Townsville some places still haven't recovered from the January floods. I pray for those in the firezones today that there won't be any more loss of life. The footage on TV of the fires is unbelievable. So very sad.
ReplyDeleteI think it will take years, Chel, given the scale of the devastation. It's just incredible! I really hope that everyone who needs support can be helped through such tough times. MegXx
DeleteYou are so right, it certainly is ablaze and hopefully we'll get some rain where it is needed. Here in Adelaide we have 0.7 millimetres on the gauge, not much but every little bit counts I guess.
ReplyDeleteEvery little bit does count, Rosie, and glad you have at least something in your rain gauge. While we need a whole lot more, 0.7mls is a beginning! MegXx
DeleteWell said Meg 🙏
ReplyDeleteI know you are very sad about what is happening, Cheryl, and especially on the south coast where you grew up. Much love to you. MegXx
DeleteWe had brush fires come within a few miles of our property a decade or so ago, and it was unnerving. Prayers for all who have suffered loss or fearful that they may yet. When rebuilding can begin, resources and skilled workers are stretched so thin. Many, many prayers now and in the long recovery.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your prayers, Kath. So many people have been impacted and the kindness and care of others, here in Australia and from all over the world, means such a lot. MegXx
DeleteThese fires are terrifying and there seems to be no end in sight. I cannot begin to imagine how frightening this must be for the communities affected. It is wet and cold here and I wish I could parcel some of this up and send it to where it is most needed.
ReplyDeleteOh, how we'd love some of those wet and cold days, Christina. All around Australia, people are hoping it falls soon. MegXx
DeleteI have been thinking about all the Australian bloggers I have connected with over the years, hoping that you are all keeping safe at this really really difficult time. I cannot begin to imagine what it must be like wherever you live in Australia, my heart goes out to you all xx
ReplyDeleteIt's such a difficult time for so many people across such a wide expanse of our country. Thank you so much for your caring words. MegXx
DeleteMeg, we see this every night here on the news. My heart aches for all those that have lost their homes or even worse, their lives. It's a dreadful situation and I hope it's resolved soon.
ReplyDeleteIt has been very hard to watch the nightly news and to see what has happened to our beautiful country, Cherie. I hope that rain comes soon to bring relief and hope. MegXx
DeleteIt has been heartbreaking to watch, let alone imagine going through it. Our beautiful Kangaroo Island in South Australia has had half of it burned out. Some of our lovely camp spots we've frequented are gone, goodness knows when we can return. But return we will, with no supplies, so we can buy from the folk on KI to help rebuild their economy.
ReplyDeleteWe are somewhat lucky down in the Lower SE of South Australia and haven't had any fires threaten so far. My daughter lives in the Adelaide hills now so that is a bit scary for them.
I just cannot believe the magnitude of it all, in NSW & Victoria. :(
Very glad to read that you are safe in your part of South Australia, Joolz. So sad what has happened on Kangaroo Island, as it is throughout all of the fire zones. It's going to take a mammoth effort for communities to recover and get back on their feet again. MegXx
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