Black saturday anniversary

[Hodge]

Unfortunately some were deliberate too mate which is scary.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Definitely scary. What insanity drives a person to do that, is beyond me.
Fire coming so close to your place... Feeling would have been unimaginable. Take my hat off to ya.

I remember our initial venture up there, we had a large meeting, when we were being briefed by fieries and the cops, as to what were gonna see and where we may or may not go. The initial and only cause known at that point was just a " powerline fault". Naturally, the public anger was mounting towards SPI very quickly. Totally understandable ...

One a side note.
We drove through Strathewen recently and stopped at the memorial steel tree. A definite must visit if anyone is going through there.

[gubigfish]

All I can say over here is thank god its raining currently. Fires in the south eastern suburbs of Perth near Byford/Armadale and its been raining most of the day and apparently we're about to get 40-60mm rain overnight which is unheard of this time of year.

[NissanGQ4.2]

It was all over by the time the broadcasters got onto it.

Yep and that is were most of the problem lies, why are people in Bush fire prone areas or even close 2 bush relying on warnings from broadcasters, people need 2 keep aware of whats going on outside not just sit in front of a computer, TV or radio. While I listen 2 the RFS scanner and have the RFS fires near me map open on hot days, I also get outside and look for signs / smells of smoke......

[NissanGQ4.2]

I'm hoping NRMA get their Fire warning system prototype up and running and that it works

[Cuppa]

Yep and that is were most of the problem lies, why are people in Bush fire prone areas or even close 2 bush relying on warnings from broadcasters, people need 2 keep aware of whats going on outside not just sit in front of a computer, TV or radio. While I listen 2 the RFS scanner and have the RFS fires near me map open on hot days, I also get outside and look for signs / smells of smoke......

Totally agree with you. I hope that the bit you quoted from my post didn't lead you or anyone to think I thought otherwise. My point was really about people who had suffered every bit as much as those in the doco, but there was certainly a feeling in the area of having been 'forgotten'.

[NissanGQ4.2]

Totally agree with you. I hope that the bit you quoted from my post didn't lead you or anyone to think I thought otherwise. My point was really about people who had suffered every bit as much as those in the doco, but there was certainly a feeling in the area of having been 'forgotten'.

I doubt anyone was forgotten, yes I believe some things went wrong in getting messages out, and at of the day it is in most part a volunteer service that should not be solely relied upon.

If one wants 2 live near bush then be setup 2 defend your property / life without relying on others as your well aware fire fighters regardless if its paid fire fighters or volunteers they may not always be their 2 defend your house or save your life.

God help us if our fire seasons start 2 align with overseas, when that happens we will be left with no big aircraft helping out.

Anyway I'm rambling and in need of another beer

[AB]

Do we actually own any aircraft water bombers?

I know Elvis is brought in each season from the states but we have another one we use a lot too, can't remember it's name?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[NissanGQ4.2]

Do we actually own any aircraft water bombers?

I know Elvis is brought in each season from the states but we have another one we use a lot too, can't remember it's name?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thor and Elvis are 2 of the the main helicopters and there are a couple of large fixed wings @AB, and no we don't own any both a brought in each season from the States. They believe it is cheaper just 2 rent them each season then own our own

Edit: Thor is one of the fixed winged plains

Malcolm and Ichabod air cranes were based in VIC this fire season

[Cuppa]

I doubt anyone was forgotten, yes I believe some things went wrong in getting messages out, and at of the day it is in most part a volunteer service that should not be solely relied upon.

If one wants 2 live near bush then be setup 2 defend your property / life without relying on others as your well aware fire fighters regardless if its paid fire fighters or volunteers they may not always be their 2 defend your house or save your life.

God help us if our fire seasons start 2 align with overseas, when that happens we will be left with no big aircraft helping out.

Anyway I'm rambling and in need of another beer

I meant that after the fires were over & all the goodwill & help was being shared around that folk in my area felt they were relatively forgotten & other places had much higher 'profiles' - a direct result of 'missing out' on media coverage at the time. Not talking about what went on, on the ground, on the day. Like everywhere else affected there were many stories of people going beyond the call of duty, of heroes, of lucky escapes, of terrifying stories & of those lost. I wasn't there, we were were in WA at the time, so I'm just telling what folk said to me when we got home 9 months later. I guess the only reason I said anything was because that in that ABC documentary our area didn't even warrant a mention.

[NissanGQ4.2]

This is a great website on Fire Aviation in Australia, well worth a look at and watch some of the vids

http://fireaviation.com/tag/australia/