Tack, when we lived in far east Gipps, it was the same and Orbost was nearly burnt out because of it. But that's years ago. Noel
Yes, we've been around a while and I anyway, have enjoyed it. I hope not surprisingly, you are aware that I bet the same way. Let's get real about it and less chatter. I read an interesting article about Murdoch. It tried to explain why/how he can control elections around the world, with some of his action possibly contributing to the current fire situation. Noel
Tac, perhaps one of the 'positives' that could come from the fire catastrophe will be greater power given to the RFS/CFS to circumvent the red tape that restricts them from making good judgement decisions in a timely manner. Bureaucrats at any level of government, be it local, state or federal should not be calling the shots when it comes to public safety issues, they have no experience or expertise and rarely get it right. Jeff
Back to square one with our opinions Jeff. Agreed. It has long been my belief that the wrong people make too many decisions, including those involving safety, as in this particular fire issue. 'Biro pilots', who may have read some circulars, will never be a substitute for people of the land. I'm perhaps wrong but in my opinion, even as volunteers, many people of generations of farmers, understand both fires and the land better than anyone else. I do not see that involving indigenous elders in the matter is going to be advantageous either. There is another issue that is perhaps ahead and for some, no longer ahead. It has arrived: The potential to run out of water. We live on the driest island continent on the planet, also one of the driest countries in the world. I can't quote facts here but understand that something like a mere 3% of our entire country is actually arable. It's highly likely (to my simple mind) that we could soon have a situation wherein our country can no longer support it's population with food and water. Perhaps one could add; 'at an affordable price'. There are many on the earth who desperately need to leave where they are for various and justifiable reasons and we accept thousands per month as perhaps we should. But in summation, Our major problems are not fire, floods or droughts; 'population' is becoming 'the' major problem. In fact, the world's biggest problem is population and unfortunately, the poorest, least educated countries are much of the cause. Unfortunately, they are also often the least capable of feeding their own people. Noel There's a rant and a half.
Good rant Noel, but I can only give you a score of 9.5 out of 10 on the Diesel Rant Meter. I deducted half a point for an incorrect statement: 'We live on the driest island continent on the planet'. Antarctica is the driest and Australia the 2nd driest but we are the driest permanently inhabited continent. I fully agree with your view on population and without sounding callous and nasty, it would benefit the planet to let the coronavirus cull the human species by a few billion starting with the country where it originated. Jeff
I apologise for my blatant error Jeff. I really did once know that was the case. At the time I did no homework, which would have corrected my mistake. Perhaps this should be a post in its own right, not one that derails an existing post. Yes, initially many would see your comment as callous but the reality is-it's impossible to continue to increase the planet's population at its current growth rate. We must also remain aware that it's not at a constant percentage rate; it's a compounding factor. Trump creates the impression that he would like to be the big hero (as usual) and build the first town in space but for that to happen, we have to first discover somewhere to do it, to say nothing of how to get people and supplies there. After that initial location discovery and getting people there, establishing them might, for a long time, be like the first convicts coming here, but on a greater scale. Years of hunger and hardship were suffered before the first settlers adjusted to the climate and learned what food they could create, starting from scratch. It's likely too, to be many lifetimes away with the exacerbating problem continuing here. The Trump, like us, will never see even the beginning of such a dream. Noel Ranting or raving?
The bush down your way is really thick whith lots of fuel noel I would guess it is harder to do a controlled burn there, I remember being on a couple when I was a kid at batehaven I thought it was great riding around on a fire truck lighting fires. it does seem there is not enough burning off being done and not enough nice wide firebreaks . I object to the fire trails being blocked off whith boulders, cables and gates why do they do this it is dangerous some firefighters have lost their lives because of this.. I think it is to stop people going in there having a bit of fun motorbike riding fishing, camping etc. I have heard of a bloke who fishes up the snowy and is well equiped whith bolt cutters etc and if he sees an unauthorized gate etc blocking his intended path he quickly removes it, he is in government and knows what is and isn't allowed or authorized to be gated, I will hand him a case of whatever he likes to drink if I ever meet him.
Sitting in the CFA control centre in Shepparton again...today and most likely tomorrow! cheers Team Bender Sitting like a coiled spring!
We're fogged in again this morning but visibility is not bad enough to be dangerous. Haven't heard the planes in the air yet. Might be a bit thick for them. Our nearest fire is still about 6km away and at last count, out of control. It's not likely to impact Tuross as I see it. Noel
Hello Tack. If what I see in the second image is what you have; we have at least double that. Probably more than double. It has cleared a bit this afternoon as the wind has risen and it has swung to the west. Our visibility would be lucky to be a couple of hundred metres this morning. Put simply, we'd have trouble seeing the ends of the breakwaters. Noel Not allowed outside much today.
Yeah it's lite today we have had a reprieve for the last week to 10 days but before that at times visability was down to 170 odd meters ...... When it was thick I was taken in to the hospital for oxygen as my oxygen sats were only 86% and they put me on asthma meds for when it gets thick or when I have trouble breathing ......
That I can understand Tack. This morning we can see the smoke actually drifting past. It's pretty heavy and hard to remember the last day of sunshine. this has gone on for close to two months now. Our latest bad news is the loss of more homes this week. This shire is not heavily populated. By far the majority is native bush and forest. We have now lost close to 500 homes in this shire alone; a terrible price to pay. Some folk are screaming about the R soles who are reportedly claiming the $1000 support from the government toward immediate needs, citing curtains that smell of smoke. Nothing a wash or dry clean wouldn't fix. I detest the bas....s who capitalise on other's misfortune. It's the lowest of the lows. The reports are coming, supposedly, from all over, including a couple locally. Noel And still the fires burn
What goes around comes around Noel. People like that will suffer retribution at some stage whether it be from authorities or locals. I'm a staunch advocate of 'name & shame' when people stoop that low. Jeff
It seems to have died off a bit in the media, but what is happening with the money that is still being donated to the bush fire appeals.
While a fair question, to my mind it's an extremely complex question to answer Kev. The big question must be how and where to make the distribution itself. Basically, I'm in support of those holding the money. Their most important role is the fair distribution of funds to those most in need. The first thing that comes to my mind is another question. How can they make a decision on those most in need until the event is over? If they race in and distribute all the funds too quickly, people in even more need could arise and they'd be unable to help. If they held the funds and nothing changed; ie, no more 'most deserving' cases surfaced; they'd be crucified for not distributing the funds in the first place. We can be a most vindictive people. The analysis of who and where is a massive job, not to be taken lightly. I don't believe we should be too critical unless at the end, some were found to be 'nicking' some of the funds, then hell should fall on them. And I think that unlikely to be needed. Noel The event is certainly not over yet
Yes it is difficult. For those that have been hit hard, they can not wait. Clothing etc needs to be purchased straight away and no doubt it will be. The Red Cross has copped some criticism over their admission that they are keeping 10 cents in the dollar donated to them. At least they are honest but going by the large amount donated, they will be scoring a few million for admin costs for themselves. https://www.theguardian.com/austral...ding-10-of-bushfire-donations-on-office-costs 1317 hrs hours as I write this, I have been in the ICC since 11. Quiet so far today like it was yesterday. Overheard radio traffic yesterday for a job not far away. Camper decided he needed a campfire despite is being 42 degrees! Lights fire with jerry can of petrol which 'exploded'! Severe burns to 20% of his body. Was attended to by ambos and police who will charge him for lighting a fire on a day of total fire ban. cheers Team Bender A firm believer in Darwin's Theory!
Yes Jim, like many others, I was a tad upset when I read that but at the same time, when I gave it some thought, Red Cross are putting in funds as well that will help offset that by having staff out in the field and lots of vehicles etc in use that have high costs. They are not just sitting in an office counting money. I have faith that Red Cross will use most of that money quite wisely. The world has relied on them for an incredibly long time now, during war time as well as we all know. Noel Just my belief.
