TOO COLD!

[Europa]

Craig, as you very well know odd weather is commonplace in South Florida. We just experienced close to freezing temperature yesterday (overnight) and today it's in the 60's, and tomorrow its expected to be in the 70's.

[adrians]

by adrians on Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:50 am
Curly,

I hope you're ok with all the Bushfires going through your area ! !
Just been watching the reports on the morning NEWS.

by Curly on Mon Feb 02, 2009 11:06 am

Thanks for your concerns, the Gippsland fires have destroyed more than 30 homes around the lovely hamlet of Boolarra about 25 miles southeast of here. We've had plenty of smoke and a crimson glow over the hills in the evenings. We're on a 3-acre bush block ourselves with hundreds of towering eucalypts not far from the house and garages . In this freakishly hot, dry weather fire is always on our minds.
The heat wave has passed for the time being , but now the dog thinks she able to spend her life indoors.

Curly are you still ok ?

Just saw the morning news 108 people died in the Victorian fires in the past 48 hours.

[ga.spyder]

I have been watching the situation in Oz with interest.We hope and pray that all our friends down under are ok.That is an awful situation,similar to the outbreaks in Cal. last year.

[Curly]

Curly are you still ok ?

Just saw the morning news 108 people died in the Victorian fires in the past 48 hours.

Still hanging in here, thanks for your concerns.
Saturday was horrific, searing heat and gale force winds blowing burnt debris all over our property from a massive fire to our north west. We had hoses and pumps at the ready, but at the same time we were prepared to evacuate if the situation got out of hand. Thankfully a wind change saved our community and we're now out of the woods so to speak; but it was too close for comfort with a large grass fire on a farm less than 1 km away.
Things are much better today, the wind has dropped and temperatures are less than half of what they were on the weekend. The main fire near us is still not under control, but it's moving away and the authorities will be trying to contain it in the next few days while the weather is manageable.
The loss of life and property damage still being discovered throughout the State is unprecedented and devestating. Our thoughts are with those many communities still under threat as well as those who have lost homes and family.

[rlux4]

We're relieved for you Curly. We also feel deeply for those who have lost so much during this time.
Ron

[So Cal Mark]

glad to hear you're okay, and I hope everyone else is spared. When the wildfires came through our town a few years ago they came within 1/2 mile of us and it was quite an experience

[pope]

Mark, was that the one that burned down Susanne Summers house?

[So Cal Mark]

uh, yeah. she lives next door

[Europa]

http://www.boston.com/news/world/austra ... australia/

This image provided by NASA shows a large plume of smoke spreading southward from a fire (outlined in red) that appears to be burning in a small area of forest west of Churchill in Victoria’s Gippsland region.



From the Huffington Post... you can literally feel the heat!

[Nick]

Its been very cold here lately too. It is winter I suppose. Just took the Fiat out for a drive the other day, ran nicely and all. Still too cold to put the top down or drive it much more, so we're hard at work upgrading and tuning it for when Spring rolls around. I can't wait!

[racydave]

I enjoy the early spring like weather we are having now. The snow is melting, and it has been near 60 for a few days. But winter will return! Also, I can not imagine going thru one of thoes fire storms! Ill stick with the Tornadoes! Hope everyone down under is surviving this outbreak.

[Curly]

The death toll continues to rise as police and emergency services gain access to the towns and their surrounding areas which were completely obliterated and laid bare by the fires. At present the toll stands at 173 but nobody expects it to stay there for long. This morning we found out that 3 of our local car club members perished in the fire at Churchill. That fire as well as many others continue to burn, but the fire fighters slowly seem to be making headway and have been working tirelessly to build control lines while the weather remains moderate. This is now officially the worst natural disater ever to hit Australia.
The US and NZ Governments are sending trained fire fighters over to relieve our local contingent and our defence forces have been mobilized to provide assistance as well.
I thank you all for your thoughts and prayers in these tragic times.