Paula (Forgey) post this on facebook-
See the link for the updates from Brian Schmidt & Rob McNaught and pics of the damage.
http://alankerlin.blogspot.com.au/20....html?spref=fb
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Just a note to let folks know that I and all the other staff atSiding Spring Observatory are safe and well, following the major bushfire that went through it this afternoon. I was unaware of the threatand only became aware when I heard helicopers flying over my houseon the Timor Road some 10km from the observatory. Very quickly after,the smoke plume became obvious and was massive within minutes. Muchof our view is obscured by trees! Tanya and I evacuated with our dogswithin minutes and are currently staying in Coonabarabran.We are aware of damage to the Observatory. Apparently the Visitor'sCenter has been damaged (some reports say lost) and other buildings(specifically the Lodge as Dave said) have also been damaged. I haveno news about telescopes, but note that I can login to computersin the Uppsala office and the 2.3m building. The AAT should beunaffected as it is a very secure and well defended building. It isin fact the evacuation area on the mountain.Two houses on the Timor Road are known to be be lost. I understandthe fire went through our property so we can only hope. A highproportion of the Observatory staff have houses along this road andI met many of them in the evacuation center this afternoon orheard reports that they were safe. Once again, many hold fears thattheir houses are lost. We heard a lot of hair raising stories fromthe last few to drive down the Timor Road as it became engulfed inflames.I'll try to post an update tomorrow.Cheers, Rob
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