With 2020 finally arriving, my New Year’s wish is for sustained rainfall.
Because our beautiful country is on fire.
– ⋅ o ♥ o ⋅ –
Firefighters battling against bushfires near the town of Nowra in New South Wales.
Yesterday in Mallacoota, Victoria, 4,000 (or so) people huddled on the foreshore as the sky turned black then red as the fire closed in.
It’s hard to imagine, but this is real, it’s not a scene from a Hollywood movie. People are fleeing in fear of their lives as the fires eat everything in their path. Unfortunately, some people have not escaped the infernos. Twelve people have died so far since this disaster began, including three firefighters who have lost their lives protecting others. Other people are still missing and unaccounted for.
– ⋅ o ♥ o ⋅ –
I applaud those towns and areas who cancelled NYE fireworks but am still shaking my head this morning at those who didn’t. Last night, while FIREworks were enjoyed (?) by the masses, large (uncontrolled), aggressive and dangerous, bushfires were burning out of control across southern New South Wales and Eastern Victoria.
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While in Melbourne, celebrating Christmas with our daughters, we saw for ourselves just how dry the country is. Last time we were there, everything was so green and lush, however, with the continuing drought conditions experienced of late, those same lush green areas are the colour of straw – ripe fuel just waiting to explode.
And when authorities issued the call to ‘get out’ we were horrified at the attitude of some holidaymakers asked to leave the East Gippsland area. (That’s the bottom section of the above map – we were not in that area, but thousands of holidaymakers were.)
I applaud the authorities for doing this, for cancelling music festivals, for clearing camping grounds and areas, for asking people to move on, for putting peoples lives ahead of everything else.
– ⋅ o ♥ o ⋅ –
Australia’s catastrophic 2019 bushfire season at a glance.
(As at 9:56 pm December 31, 2019 – courtesy Andrew Banks, News.com.au)
NEW SOUTH WALES
* 11 lives lost, three in the past 24 hours
* One person missing
* 112 bushfires burning
* 3.6 million hectares burned, greater than the size of Belgium
* 911 homes confirmed destroyed
VICTORIA
* Four people missing
* 20 bushfires of significance burning
* 400,000 hectares burned
* 43 structures confirmed destroyed but this number is expected rise significantly
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
* Two lives lost
* More than 30 bushfires burning, six of significance
* 60,000 hectares burned
* More 90 homes confirmed destroyed
QUEENSLAND
* 27 bushfires burning, none threatening property
* More than 250,000 hectares burned
* 38 homes confirmed destroyed
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
* More than 40 bushfires burning, one of significance
* 1.2 million hectares burned
* One home confirmed destroyed
TASMANIA
* More than 30 bushfires burning, six of significance
* 8,000 hectares burned
* One home confirmed destroyed
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This is nothing short of heartbreaking.
So yes, my New Year’s wish is for sustained rainfall to bring an end to the bushfire devastation currently raging across our beautiful country.
* The Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) distributes Near Real-Time (NRT) active fire data within 3 hours of satellite observation from both the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS).
CLARE'S COSMOS 
So heartbreaking! Stay safe my friend… and prayers for rainfall!
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Hi Nancy. We’ve got a sky full of grey stuff this morning, so I’m sitting here willing it to the south where they need it more than we do.
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We worry for you all. Sending wishes for rain. Our little town here in the UK, was threatened by a dam breech, back in August. The reaction by some folk, to the police evacuation was astounding. They put other peoples lives at risk. Not sure how anyone in Australia could have wanted to celebrate anything last night, especially with fire works!
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Yes, I forgot to mention those putting other’s lives at risk, and I didn’t have the heart to celebrate (still don’t). There’s rain here this morning, now hoping it travels south to where it’s needed most.
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It is terrifying watching what is happening in your beautiful country, so hope rain comes before summer takes a real hold. Thinking of you xx
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Thank you Becky. And thankfully me and all of mine are safe and nowhere near the impacted areas. Camping is certainly out of the question, as is bushwalking for quite some time. I can’t even think about sunlight photos just now, but I’ll get there over the weekend I hope.
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Glad you and all of yours are safe. And totally understand about sunlight pics….simply stay safe and hopeful. I really hope the rains come soon so your 2020 is a good one xxx
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Just watching the evening news and (apparently) cooler conditions and some rain is on the way.
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Fingers crossed xxx
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This is so heartbreaking. Take good care my friend and may the weather change soon.
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Thank you Jen. Let’s hope it doesn’t get worst before it gets better.
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I hope so too Clare Be safe.
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Thank you 😊
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My pleasure 😊
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Clare some very thoughtful and yes, provoking, comments as they should be.
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It is so sad, Lesley. I feel such grief for people I don’t even know.
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