We had a bushfire burning nearby all day today.
Even now we have water bombers flying over.
The fire is a couple of kilometres away, but should
not threaten us. There is a big freeway between it and us.
Here's a view from our upstairs bedroom.
(http://www.australian-coins.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10113/Bushfire_28500x44029.jpg)
Frightening stuff Steve, stay safe and hope they put it out soon.
Embers in leaf filled gutters are a big residential threat but there doesn't seem to be too many trees around there.
Hope everything is under control.!!
Quote from: 'Unicorn' pid='40982' dateline='1391425578'Embers in leaf filled gutters are a big residential threat
Heh, a few weeks back I spotted a tall sapling growing in the shed guttering. Climbed up and hauled it out, and I swear it had twenty feet of matted roots which completely filled the gutter. This kind of thing happens a lot I reckon, and if its anywhere near a bushfire, its real bad news.
Air conditioners are also a big problem, they suck the embers straight in.
All good today though. It seems the fire didn't make it across the freeway.
Bush fires are nice to look at but that is all. They are one of the most dangerous things nature can throw at us. Good luck and best wishes to all in close proximity to these nasty things and thank god for the Firees who try their best to control/put them out. All of them are heroes as far as I am concerned.
Quote from: 'Goldseeker' pid='41015' dateline='1391472778'Bush fires are nice to look at
Been there, done that, and I have to utterly disagree with you. There is nothing nice about a bushfire. Nice is a cozy fireplace with a couple good logs in it. Bushfires are violent, nasty, horrible things with no redeeming qualities other than vermin control perhaps.
Quote from: 'Goldseeker' pid='41015' dateline='1391472778'All of them are heroes as far as I am concerned.
Yup. Know a few, worked with some, and a finer bunch of selfless defenders of life, limb and property couldn't be found anywhere outside of masked superheroes in comic books. And they do it all for less than free, putting in huge personal resources on top of the risks they take.
Quote from: 'Goldseeker' pid='41015' dateline='1391472778'thank god for the Firees who try their best to control/put them out. All of them are heroes as far as I am concerned.
Agree with you 100% there.
I heard today, that 6 houses were destroyed.
Not too bad considering how much area was burnt out.
Still a disappointing loss for the owners though. Hope they were insured.
Quote from: 'Triggersmob' pid='41042' dateline='1391503146'Hope they were insured.
Hope they were insured with someone who won't screw them. Most victims never get what they're entitled to.
Then again, others get the insurance AND public donated funds that was given to help bushfire victims.
Possibly the authorities should only allow a claim against one and not against both parties. (IE: Insurance or donations).
I might be harsh but fair is fair in my books.
Quote from: 'Goldseeker' pid='41058' dateline='1391560698'Then again, others get the insurance AND public donated funds that was given to help bushfire victims.
In my mind, insurance is to replace tangible assets. Your car, house, coins, whatever. If you lose them, you've paid someone to replace them. They do their utmost to renege on the deal, with fine print, low assessments etc. You never get what you thought you were entitled to.
Donations on the other hand are a completely different matter. I don't donate to buy someone a house. That was the job of their insurers. I donate to help with the anguish living through such a disaster causes. The effects are long felt, sometimes permanent. Long after the world has moved on, people continue to suffer. Be it loss of irreplaceable items, marriage breakdowns, mental and physical health issues, or simply quality of life. THAT's what the help is for. And I'm happy for people to receive both, though obviously those most in need should get more help.