tiabunna's photos with the keyword: bushfires

It may not be totally obvious, but this burnt roadside sign in the scorched landscape reads "REDUCE SPEED WHEN WET". I think everyone here would be delighted if there was enough rain to make this relevant! :-) In the PiP, an image of some of the damage to timber shops in the tourist village of Mogo - too depressing to add more.

Looking northward across Batemans Bay from near the evacuation centre. There is a major fire to the northwest, but the real concern was a fire just to the left of centre of this image (I suggest viewing large). This fire threatened to engulf residential areas (including ours) further to the right of the image and helicopters were busily waterbombing. As I mentioned with a previous image, the situation also was helped enormously by gentle coastal sea breezes opposing the spread of this fire.

Looking through the evacuation centre (and past our tiny camper trailer at left), with a fire to the south creating a cloud that sheltered us from the sun. Very hot conditions and strong north westerly winds were driving the fires, but we "escaped a bullet" because of opposing coastal sea breezes, which helped the firefighters. This day, Canberra (Australia's capital city, about 100km inland) reached a new record temperature of 43.6. I am glad to advise that we now are home again and all is well with us. I also have written an article on the fires.

Looking across part of the evacuation centre, which covered several large sporting fields. People stayed in all manner of camping arrangements, those without their own accommodation were able to sleep in the sporting complex building which served as the headquarters for the centre and also provided the catering. All these services were free, provided by volunteer workers and food donated by local businesses and charities.

We can only hope that 2020 will bring better days in many ways. Not least an end to the huge fires that are causing so much damage at present in Australia - the smoke in this image is from a large one nearby. Best wishes for 2020, everyone. Footnote AM 31/12. The fires have spread enormously overnight and this one now is classified as an "Emergency" level threat to local communities.