Catastrophic Fire Warning received via SMS

[glend]

I received a sms from the RFS warning about the catastrohpic conditions expected tomorrow with strong NW winds and even higher temps ahead of the late change. Forecast for the Hunter region is looking bad (80kmph winds). Being on the peninsula with only one road out ( and its to the NW), i am considering leaving for the day. Anyone else get this sms? Is it Hunter specific or state wide?

[el_draco]

News in Hobart says the threat is extreme in many areas. Hunter is a real flash point though. Be careful. I remember Ash Wednesday like it was yesterday and these conditions are much worse. Fire will move like an express train if it gets going. I'd get out if I were you Glen.

[Kal]

Pretty widespread with catastrophic warnings:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-11/nsw-fire-conditions-worse-than-black-saturday/8262500

[sheeny]

We got it as well. Just finished packing the photo albums, negatives, backup hard drive, etc.

We'll leave early morning and spend the day in town. Hopefully it'll all be a waste of time!

Al.

[hobbit]

hunter
greater western
north western regions are castastrophic

[glend]

Car is packed and i am getting the camper ready to carry my new mount, and a few antiques.. The dog has his usual spot in the car. Realistically the odds are pretty low (i hope) in my area here on the Lake but there is a very large bush conservation area right at my back fence and a fire would have a pretty clear run from the Watagans to my place, especially if it is spotting ahead pushed by the wind. Fortune favours those prepared.

[DarkKnight]

I got the SMS last night, four times. It certainly got my attention.

The temp hit 47C at my place at 4.45pm yesterday and it was still 35C when I went to bed at 1am, although the South Easter gave some relief shortly after.

Two days of 40C+ temps have everything tinder dry and hot to touch. It only needs an accidental spark, or a moron with a box of matches, to create that catastrophe.

@Al and Glen..... Better to be safe than sorry guys

[Atmos]

Far better to be safe than sorry. If worst comes to worst, house and contents can be replaced...

[Ric]

Stay safe out there guy's, this is shaping up to be a very bad day.

I've attended catastrophic fires, their speed and volatility is pure mind boggling.

If you have to go, go early. Colin is right material things can be replaced, lives can't.

[DarkKnight]

It is really crazy weather in the Hunter Valley today.

Local temps have hit 45C, at about 10.30am the wind swung around to the South for an hour, gentle breeze only, now it's blowing a hot gale from the North West.

Not a good looking prognosis.

[casstony]

Even in the middle of a regional town you need to keep the yard tidy and fuel sources minimal. It's quite unsettling when burned leaves start falling out of the sky from a fire miles away. Can't be too careful.

[alan meehan]

Best to play it safe glen I know were you are a lot of bush around ,we too got the message from the rfs going to the shopping centre for some relief iam surrounded by thick grass land its been lite before not very pleasent that's for sure
AL

[el_draco]

I kid you not... I've got sleet :eyepop:

[Wavytone]

All (in NSW)... watch the map at http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au for current data.

[Ric]

Just been put on standby for a possible deployment to assist crews up north next week.

Don't know where at this stage but it will be one of the big ones.

[PeterM]

Mate you are one of the real heroes as far as I'm concerned. Stay safe when you get out there.
Peter

[xelasnave]

I have received some second hand news that there was/is a fire at my place but its under control.
Apparently a number of teams attended and cut me a fire break around the house and fixed my drive.
So a happy ending it seems.
Alex

[glend]

You owe them a round Alex.

[The_bluester]

Not the first IIS member to do so either. Photo taken by me, three years ago this week. They have started popping up in my Facebook feed as a reminder of what happened, as if I needed it!

I really feel for the folks in NSW. The Black Saturday fires started pretty close to us and it was a very tense week while fires went on in all directions. Three year ago it was the Mickelham fire that went through our place. At least neither of those were deliberately lit and for us, this fire season has been relatively mild. But I look forward to the cooler and wetter months nonetheless.

[xelasnave]

Yes a keg maybe, small price to pay really.
Apparently there were teams from all over.

I have to get some facts. What does a keg cost for starters but I have to find out why there were folk from all over...if indeed that was the case.

I worry about fire all the time up there, its been through more than once, got me bad one year took everything I owned except the house. The contents was in a shed which burnt down. We were left with a bed, table and chairs a wardrobe and clothes.
Lost my library and all the treasures collected over a lifetime.


Alex