Hellfire…
My thoughts tonight are with Gem and all those experiencing horrendous temperatures (I have heard reports of almost 50 degree Celsius) and terrible bushfires down in the southern part of this country: New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. To the north, floods are inundating towns and homes.
I have not heard if any lives have been lost in the tropical deluge (and I fervently hope they are not), but news reports say that the sky-rocketing temps down south may have taken up to 30 lives already and fires have killed 14 so far – this shocks me completely. I cannot imagine enduring that kind of heat day after day. My heart is with those dealing with it and the fallout from such scorching heat. It has been warm at here Granite Glen, but 34 degrees is positively balmy compared to the thermometre readings our fellow Aussies are feeling.
…
While I have shared with you our use of fire (controlled burning) as a tool here, I do understand how truly frightening and dangerous bushfires can be … in my previous life (as a news photographer) I covered many such blazes in the Riverina region of New South Wales and around the thickly timbered hinterland of the Sunshine Coast. Wild fires can move quickly and can wreak utter devastation in minutes. They leap roads like they aren’t there, crackle through tree-tops like rolling orange waves, and roar through undergrowth like freight trains. Anything caught in the path of this fiery fury is left charred, smouldering. …
It can be up to the whim of Mother Nature (with her choice of wind direction and precipitation) what gets scorched and what stays untouched. I have seen terrible things, watched others lose everything they own. And worse.
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My father is a firm believer that regular, regulated fires prevent the threat of bushfires, clearing the undergrowth of fuel before it builds too much and provides the means for a really hot fire that does real long-term damage. His favourite line is: Common Sense Must Prevail.
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I have heard both sides of the “to control burn or not” argument, and understand the points made by those who attest to the need for matter to sit and rot and provide nutrients. But when news like those currently dominating our headlines becomes an annual event, you have to wonder if my old man doesn’t have a bit of a point?
Wherever you stand, join me in praying for those facing the hellish fury of bushfires and the energy-draining force of serious Summer heat tonight. And pray for the morons who (police suspect) deliberately lit some of the fires responsible for such terrible carnage.
…
Somewhere in my prayer will be a line I say often:
Dear God, let it rain.
And please, send it where it needs rain the most.
15 Comments
•´.¸¸.•¨¯`♥.Trish.♥´¯¨•.¸¸.´•
I am praying too .
It must be terrifying to those caught in the midst of scorching heat, intense smoke and with flames threatening to burn homes or worst.
Today it was only
42c or 107.6 in Fahrenheit here!
The skies around us are smokey and you can smell it.
Tomorrow it is expected to reach 44c.Thankfully not the almost 50 of western NSW.
Hal Johnson
Ouch. We live in forest fire country, and I feel for those folks. Here’s hoping that mother nature will offer some relief soon.
Debby
You folks have had a hot, hot summer there. I wish that I could send you our snow.
I received a BBC alert about the fires down south, and the death toll and was shocked.
Praying in America!
Jayne
I agree with your Dad about controlled burn offs, BB, but too little, too late here in Vic.
Cactus Jack Splash
We are sending our prayes from here too. Hope things take a turn for the better soon
Kate
Prayers are being offered up in Utah too! I live in fire country as well and last year most of our wildfires were lit by morons. Morons who cost lives and millions in damages. We are a controlled burn kinda state and i believe it helps. I am praying for relief, rain and for the families who have lost so much. Dear God, please let it rain!!!!!
sues2u2
Prayers from Arizona, USA are being said as well. Our state does controlled burns too, & since we live on a mountain that the illegals set fire to in their haste on numerous occasions I very much appreciate the state's watchfulness.
It's winter here of course so we're only expecting to get up to 21 C or 70 F today. But luckily we're going to get some rain next week as we're very dry here as well.
Be careful down there.
bigSIS
When I first saw the headlines, my first thought was of you and the other bloggers I know from Australia. I’m glad you are out of harms way and I’m praying for those that are down in the path of the fires and those who have already lost homes and family. I was having a really difficult day with my oldest son but reading about the loss of life and property really puts things into perspective.
I can’t believe the temps y’all are having. But I suppose it’s the opposite end of the spectrum for our below 0*F here. It’s finally warming up so maybe it will cool off for you!
A Novel Woman
Well, it sure puts all my whinging about snow in perspective. I hope you get your rain and cooler weather soon. Gosh, our planet is in dire need of some tender loving care.
jeanie
In his words “Fire is a good servant, and a harsh master”.
I just saw the news. Oh. My. Goodness.
I am feeling very blessed at the moment. We are alive. We are not living with water rushing through our living rooms. We are not having to chose which of our precious belongings to fit in the car. We are not fleeing. We are not in danger.
Pencil Writer
I heard the dire fire news early this morning, but didn’t hear just where in Australia, so had to figure that out. Prayers here from Louisiana for those in the path of fire or flood in your beautiful country. Would be nice to send the floods to the firey devastation. Glad to know you and your family members are not in imminent danger from either source. I think controlled burns are a good idea. I struggle to understand the sickness of those who deliberately set fires under those conditions where lives and excessive property are destroyed. And I have a bit of pyromania in my blood!
Mary Paddock
Glad to hear that you guys are safe. Horrible, horrible news for so many others. Every place has it’s worries, doesn’t it? Tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, ice storms, and fires . . .
QuJaBaKa
Every sunset and sunrise that is tinged with that smokey colour reminds me of the fires. I pray that the rain falls soon, a nice wetting rain that won’t wash everything away. Keep safe.
Reddunappy
Reminds me of the California fires we had last summer. Godspeed to everyone and stay safe.
Bush Babe
I shall make Gem aware of all your thoughts and prayers… not sure she has had time to check this blog. But she HAS checked in on her own to say she’s OK – but many around her are not.
Check out her post: http://highonawindyhill.blogspot.com/2009/02/update-we-are-ok.html
Of course, it’s not over. And many will take years (if ever) to recover. My heart aches for them.
Thanks again for stopping by and caring…
BB
PS Trish: “only” 42 degrees? Gads…