Western Australia Fires

[hatcheckgirl]

In the start of a 5 day full lockdown to control an outbreak of UK variant covid, a large bushfire broke out just in the hills outside of Perth. So far it is still out of control, with very unpredictable winds challenging firefighters. There have been 71 homes loss, but thankfully no loss of life. It’s an area of farmland and equestrian properties, and 300 horses has been rescued. I don’t have any information on how the brothers are faring, but it most of the city was showered with ash and with thick smoke choking the air.

 

Its actually good that we are in lockdown since people were at home and were able to evacuate. So that’s one good thing. The Premier said of course the fire emergency takes precedence so evacuations are not in breach of lockdown. Masks have helped with the smoke too.

 

Anyone in Perth in that area, keeping you in my prayers. I’m in the foothills, so not directly affected.  Yet.

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-03/perth-hills-bushfire-number-of-homes-lost-revised-up-to-71/13115670
 

 

 

[BLEmom]

I hate the ravages of what man has caused on this earth. The destruction just from disasters is ridiculous and heartbreaking.  Our thoughts are with you. 

[rocket]

one of our wild fires this past Sept. had started a few weeks before the wind picked up.  During those two weeks it was only a few hundred acres and they were doing the minimal to fight it. when the wind picked up it eventually took out several towns and thousands of acres.

[hatcheckgirl]

2 minutes ago, rocket said:

when the wind picked up it eventually took out several towns and thousands of acres.

Wow!  I think that's what's happened here as well.  The terrain doesn't help, it's too hilly.

[James the Less]

I know that all brothers and sisters in one affected congregation were contacted by the elders and evacuated from their homes at 2:30 on Tuesday morning. None of them have lost homes however, and they are all either staying in hotels or with friends/family. I believe they have now been given the all clear to come back home.

[New World Explorer]

Thanks Lucy, yes saw the news ...please stay safe. 
These last days are like real “ride” COVID then fires... no break. 

[hatcheckgirl]

A sister in my cong has her parents in the fire area.  She just told me her mother is staying with her, but her father stayed behind.  The fire went at the back and to the side of where they live and their house is fine!  Good news! 

 

But the fire is being fanned from strong winds coming from the south and east, and is increasing in size.  More homes in its path.

 

 

WA's Department of Fire and Emergency Services warns people in the region north-west of Gidgegannup and east of Walyunga National Park it is no longer safe to leave and they need to shelter in their homes.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-03/perth-bushfire-emergency-live-conditions-worsen-strong-winds/13115932

[daydream]

https://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/perth-sydney-melbourne-forecast-heaviest-rain-in-months-set-to-hit-wa-storms-rain-in-east/news-story   Feb. 4. 2021

 

Quote

 

The “heaviest rain in months” is set to hit Western Australia, and Perth in particular, in the coming days. But it may not be enough to fully extinguish the raging bushfires.

In fact a tropical low heading Perth’s way could potentially make things worse if it fails to bring rain but only delivers strong winds.

 

Quote

“Over the next few days, winds will bring up cooler air from the south east which will see Perth below 30C  (86F ) for the first time in a week, but gusty winds will continue to hamper firefighters for the next two days,” said Sky News Weather, this morning.

Praying for folks affected by this unending cycle of calamities. 

 

[hatcheckgirl]

Today, still waiting for the rains from a tropical low up north....

In the meantime, conditions weather-wise are much better now, so hopefully the worst for the firefighters is over and they can contain the fire.

 

An interesting contrast between fires in the East and here in Western Australia:

 

Every summer is dry, increasing the bushfire risk. In contrast, eastern Australia typically has a wet, humid summer with rain spread throughout the year.

La Niña conditions have brought much rain to Australia's east in recent months. Western Australia had some La Niña moisture in November, but winter rain was below-average and the summer has so far been dry.

And as southwestern Australia continues to warm and dry under a changing climate, the period of bushfire risk is now getting longer. That means bushfires in spring and autumn will become more common.

And the shifting climate will bring make bushfires worse both in the west and across Australia. Bushfires may escape more quickly, burn more intensely, resist control and occur over a greater part of the year. Plants will have drier foliage, further increasing bushfire intensity.

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-06/as-perth-suburbs-burn-rest-of-australia-watches-and-learns/13125440

[Tortuga]

It sounds like you are describing California. The increase in fires around the world is amazing.

[hatcheckgirl]

Yes, I think West Coast of Australia and California have similar climates - Mediterranean.  As such, when things are not right with the climate, we are seeing increasing severity of natural disasters.  For you and me it's bushfires.  For others it's cyclones/hurricanes.  We also had flooding up north.  I think that's a bit unusual too as this pattern of overland cylone is not what commonly occurs - they usually form over the sea then dump on the land when they hit.  So, it's been a confluence of two disasters from the ex-tropical low bringing destructive winds and the Easterly strongly dry winds whipping up sparks and starting fires in tinderbox conditions.

 

A bit of info on the floods up north: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-06/western-australia-carnarvon-floods-gascoyne/13129042

WA Premier Mark McGowan urged people to remain vigilant about the weather risks.

"This week has been like none other, with the bushfires, our lockdown, storms, and now this severe weather warning," Mr McGowan said.

Edited February 6, 2021 by hatcheckgirl