I hear you! Honestly, I don't even watch the news anymore because it's depressing; but on the down side, I also feel like I might be living under a rock since I'm sure I miss a lot of important info. I just feel like every time I turn on the news it's all about shootings, and just twisted world events. With the Amazon fires, I heard about that on social media, but I honestly haven't heard anything about Aussy, which is surprising because it's such a beautiful country.
Def hope Aussy get's enough rain to stop the fires.
Another thing I failed to mention, even a lot of Aussies don't know this.
We have a few species of bird we call "Firehawks" that actually pick up burning sticks and place them in a dry open paddock away from the main fires.
This is to flush out and feast on the plenty rodents and reptiles that have taken refuge under the tall dry grass areas.
So, when it comes to large bush fires, mother nature works against us in several ways being heat, drought, dry lightning strikes and firehawks.
Current estimates are that 18,000,000 acres in NSW alone,have been burnt and that does not count areas that they cannot get into yet.
Just to clear it up California is half the size of NSW.
Many think we're just some quaint little island burning away.
The smoke from the Victorian fires drifted across the Bass Strait and smothered Tasmania yesterday, they have their own fires to deal with.
edit:
A pool of aluminium found beside a burnt out fire truck took over 600 degrees Celsius to melt.
One man took refuge in his metal rain water tank and evidently boiled to death. They found his body a few days ago.
A father and son were inspecting the parameters of their property. Riding along together at either side of the fence, the father on a quad bike and his son on a trail bike when a huge fireball instantly incinerated the pair.
Their charred bodies where still on the bikes when found.
Some more good news.
An Australian Comedian Celeste Barber has been rallying for donations and is up to nearly $24,000,000 (24 million ) AUD which is a hell of a lot to go towards our local fire service https://www.facebook.com/donate/1010958179269977/
It started off with a target of like 30,000 , and expected to reach 30 million.
If it helps any, I was thinking of setting up a thread dedicated to donations, if anyone is interested in helping out. Do you guys know of any good donation sites I can link to so people can donate?
I would like to donate as well!
Just saw the facebook link purple posted; is that a good source for donations, or do you guys have any other links you would like to share\recommend?
There's a US model who is sending nudes in exchange for donations to charities. It's very lucrative. Maybe RyBack and Criminal can put the stash they've accumulated of one-another to good use? :P
I don't have links to any charities, but I've heard NSW Rural Fire Service, Victorian Country Fire Service, and Red Cross are good ones.
The major fires have eased up and as far as I know they are either contained or totally doused.
I haven't been on Facebook or any media for a while so I'm not 100% sure, I'm only going by hear-say.
Western Australia had flared up as too has French island in Victoria but we've had a good downpour of rain lately for most parts so I think we've got it all under control.
The "Keep AccA drunk" fund is still open for donations. :P
It comes with a million dollar guarantee. Donate a million and I guarantee to get drunk. lol
But seriously, the three charities Smithy mentioned are all good and trustworthy.
My sister escaped property damage (except for vegetation), thank goodness.
It seems that the Government is backpedaling on it's promised relief funds to all who were directly effected by the fires. Typical. :/
Thank you for your kind thoughts, prayers and well wishes.