|
Welcome to the International Skeptics Forum, where we discuss skepticism, critical thinking, the paranormal and science in a friendly but lively way. You are currently viewing the forum as a guest, which means you are missing out on discussing matters that are of interest to you. Please consider registering so you can gain full use of the forum features and interact with other Members. Registration is simple, fast and free! Click here to register today. |
![]() |
#361 |
Observer of Phenomena
Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ngunnawal Country
Posts: 69,479
|
My son and I drove down to Bateman's Bay and Mogo yesterday. Everything was fine until we reached the top of the Clyde Mountain. For those not familiar with the geography, much of southeastern NSW is up on a plateau, known as the Southern Tablelands. There are only a few ways off the plateau and down to the coast - Brown Mountain, Kangaroo Valley... We took the Clyde. The good news is that Pooh Corner remains intact.
At the top of the Clyde, suddenly we were surrounded by a surreal landscape of black and brown. Views which are usually obscured by foliage were visible through the charred trunks. It was incredible to see the sheer scale of what burned. How much bushland died. We made the descent in relative silence, broken by the occasional "check that out" and "wooahhh". This was the case all the way down the mountain, and on into Bateman's. What was surprising was that there were still occasional little pockets of unburned green here and there. Tiny patches, no more. We stopped at the Boatshed for fish and chips (the only fish and chip place still worth going to, in my opinion) and then had a bit of a drive around Bateman's, seeing just how close the fires got to the town. For the record, it was very close. We saw a number of burned-down buildings in the south of the town. And many buildings where the fire must have been lapping up against the sides. Then we went to Mogo. Again, some good news. Contrary to the initial reports we had heard, it had not been completely wiped out. Many buildings had been lost, but many were still standing. Everything still smelled of burned wood, though nothing was still burning and there was very little smoke. Mogo has never been anything but a tiny village, with shops intended to entice people travelling down the Princes Highway. But the sides of the road were lined with parked cars. This was the first weekend the highways had been opened, and people like me and my son were there to spend some money. Lots of people. The coffee shop was still standing, so we sat and had cappuccinos. The ladies at the coffee shop asked where we were from and if we were passing through to somewhere else. We said no, we came here specifically to have some coffee. They responded with heartfelt gratitude. After coffee we had some ice cream, and then we went to Roman Leathergoods and Repairs. It was utterly gone. The proprietors had erected a canopy and were selling the last of their rescued goods from the back of a van. Of course I bought a belt. I'm wearing it right now. We didn't have cash, and they had no EFTPOS machine. The ATM had run out of cash on Saturday. Fortunately the guy at the petrol station was acting as ersatz ATM, so I was able to get enough that I could pay for the belt. We stayed a moment to talk, and we heard how Gaspar Roman, the craftsman, had come from South America with his grandfather's tools, and now he had lost everything. Including the tools. It felt good to be able to give them some money, however modest the amount. I'm tearing up again now writing this. As we left we could see which houses people had stayed to defend. There was one particularly notable location that was completely surrounded by burned trees, but there was a distinct island of green, with a house in it. Many weren't so lucky. At one point while were were walking around town, a pair of kookaburras started up, over somewhere in the burned trees. That made me smile. The Mogo Zoo is not open yet. But it survived. Zoo staff, including the new owner, took animals home with them to save them from the fires. It was nice to be able to see so many ACT number plates in the region. It looks like Canberrans have stepped up to the mark to lend a hand in whatever way they can. Bateman's Bay is known as a holiday town for Canberrans, since it's so quick and convenient to get to. It's been a couple of years since I've been there and it's all so different now. Weird. Surreal. The scale of the loss is tragic, but people are resilient. They'll get there. They're not giving up. |
__________________
Please scream inside your heart. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#362 |
Philosopher
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Gundungurra
Posts: 8,437
|
Up in the Blue Mountains we have had steady drenching rain for the last five days. All the fires around here - Gosper's Mountain, Grose Valley, Ruined Castle, Erskine Creek, Green Wattle Creek - are all under control or fully out. Further north fires - Little L Complex & Kerry Ridge - are coming under control.
|
__________________
...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015 |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#363 |
Observer of Phenomena
Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ngunnawal Country
Posts: 69,479
|
Pretty much all of the South Coast fires are either out or under control.
We just got a massive hailstorm. Large stones. Much damage. |
__________________
Please scream inside your heart. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#364 |
Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Waiting for the pod bay door to open.
Posts: 42,969
|
|
__________________
Continually pushing the boundaries of mediocrity. Everything is possible, but not everything is probable. “Perception is real, but the truth is not.” - Imelda Marcos |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#365 |
Observer of Phenomena
Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ngunnawal Country
Posts: 69,479
|
|
__________________
Please scream inside your heart. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#366 |
Gentleman of leisure
Tagger
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Flying around in the sky
Posts: 26,394
|
Lots of cars damaged in Canberra. I have seen several with broken or cracked windows. My neighbour showed me his car with dents in it from the hail. If you want to see video search Youtube for hail Canberra. Heaps to choose from.
Work was scary. Water was leaking inside. Went home. |
__________________
This signature is for rent. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#367 | |||
Anti-homeopathy illuminati member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: NT 150 511
Posts: 46,324
|
Positively biblical.
It's when they get to the bit about "fire mingled with the hail ran along upon the ground" that it gets spooky. |
|||
__________________
"The way we vote will depend, ultimately, on whether we are persuaded to hope or to fear." - Aonghas MacNeacail, June 2012. |
||||
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#368 |
Observer of Phenomena
Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ngunnawal Country
Posts: 69,479
|
|
__________________
Please scream inside your heart. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#369 |
Observer of Phenomena
Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ngunnawal Country
Posts: 69,479
|
|
__________________
Please scream inside your heart. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#370 |
In the Peanut Gallery
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 46,836
|
Meanwhile, we are under water in Melbourne....
|
__________________
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#371 |
Observer of Phenomena
Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ngunnawal Country
Posts: 69,479
|
|
__________________
Please scream inside your heart. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#372 |
Observer of Phenomena
Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ngunnawal Country
Posts: 69,479
|
So there are two out of control fires near the Canberra Airport, which is closed. One of the guys I work with has just found out that his house is in a threatened area.
I'm not threatened - I'm closer to the fire here at work than I am at home, and the wind is not pushing it in this direction. The wind is from the west, the fire is in the east. However, the wind is strong and there is, in addition, an absolutely massive dust storm. The air is once again brown. Forecast rain vanished before it hit us. Here's a map showing the current extent of the fires. It was published less than half an hour ago. |
__________________
Please scream inside your heart. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#373 |
Observer of Phenomena
Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ngunnawal Country
Posts: 69,479
|
The two fires merged and are now being referred to as the Beard fire. This region is one of Canberra's few industrial areas (light industry) but it appears that a recycling centre there has been hit and is now producing a thick cloud of probably toxic black smoke.
|
__________________
Please scream inside your heart. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#374 |
Observer of Phenomena
Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ngunnawal Country
Posts: 69,479
|
Moruya, NSW
![]() Credit: Michael McGowan/Guardian Australia |
__________________
Please scream inside your heart. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#375 |
Illuminator
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,909
|
I am hearing from social media that a large air tanker may have crashed. Not seeing anything on the news yet.
Hopefully it just turns out to be a false rumor. |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#376 |
Observer of Phenomena
Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ngunnawal Country
Posts: 69,479
|
Nope, confirmed. Large air tanker downed in the Snowy Mountains.
|
__________________
Please scream inside your heart. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#377 |
Observer of Phenomena
Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ngunnawal Country
Posts: 69,479
|
|
__________________
Please scream inside your heart. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#378 |
Embarrasingly illiterate
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 19,666
|
|
__________________
"I mean, you've got the first sort of mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that's a story-book, man," Biden said. 2007 https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna16911044 |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#379 |
Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Waiting for the pod bay door to open.
Posts: 42,969
|
I was evacuated from work. No emergency but the fire was nearby and the power had already had a sustained period of instability where the lights kept flickering off and on.
|
__________________
Continually pushing the boundaries of mediocrity. Everything is possible, but not everything is probable. “Perception is real, but the truth is not.” - Imelda Marcos |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#380 |
Self Employed
Remittance Man Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,764
|
|
__________________
Yahtzee: "You're doing that thing again where when asked a question you just discuss the philosophy of the question instead of answering the bloody question." Gabriel: "Well yeah, you see..." Yahtzee: "No. When you are asked a Yes or No question the first word out of your mouth needs to be Yes or No. Only after that have you earned the right to elaborate." |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#381 |
Illuminator
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 3,909
|
Canadian and American. The aircraft was based in Oregon and the three crew members were American.
C-130's are "Large Air Tanker", not "Very Large Air tanker" like the modified DC-10s and 747s. There are a fair variety of large air tankers these days in the same size range as the C-130. The 130's advantage is easy convertibility. The suppression gear is in a modular unit that just goes in the cargo hold and dumps the retardant through a modified door. It takes less than a day to convert a 130 from cargo use to firefighting and even less time to convert it back to cargo again. A few of them crashed a decade or so ago firefighting in the U.S. The led to retirement of most of the large air tankers that were in service at the time. There was a pinch that lasted for quite a while as contracting issues and the demand for military contractor cargo aircraft in Afghanistan and Iraq cut down on the supply and remaining service lifetime of the aircraft available. Not that we've gotten past that, there are a lot of Large air tankers using a variety of airframes. |
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#382 | |||
Gentleman of leisure
Tagger
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Flying around in the sky
Posts: 26,394
|
A summary of the issues.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEOBu0r47YY |
|||
__________________
This signature is for rent. |
||||
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#383 |
Philosopher
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Gundungurra
Posts: 8,437
|
|
__________________
...our governments are just trying to protect us from terror. In the same way that someone banging a hornets’ nest with a stick is trying to protect us from hornets. Frankie Boyle, Guardian, July 2015 |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#384 |
Penultimate Amazing
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Port Townsend, Washington
Posts: 30,582
|
The USA, for whatever reason, has decided to avoid use of modern, purpose-built firefighting aircraft and instead rely on repurposed WWII and Vietnam era planes flying in conditions they were never meant to. This is the result.
|
__________________
Cum catapultae proscribeantur tum soli proscripti catapultas habeant. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#385 |
Embarrasingly illiterate
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 19,666
|
|
__________________
"I mean, you've got the first sort of mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that's a story-book, man," Biden said. 2007 https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna16911044 |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#386 |
Quester of Doglets
Moderator
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Sunny South Australia
Posts: 2,928
|
Very sad, nonetheless...
Meanwhile, our seven day forecast is predicting 40°C here next Thursday. Hopefully this doesn't mean that everything starts up again. |
__________________
We would be better, and braver, to engage in enquiry, rather than indulge in the idle fancy, that we already know -- Plato. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#387 |
Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Waiting for the pod bay door to open.
Posts: 42,969
|
More smoke, more fires, another heat wave coming our way.
|
__________________
Continually pushing the boundaries of mediocrity. Everything is possible, but not everything is probable. “Perception is real, but the truth is not.” - Imelda Marcos |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#388 |
Anti-homeopathy illuminati member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: NT 150 511
Posts: 46,324
|
Just as I got in from orchestra practice this evening it started to snow heavily. I'd rather be here.
|
__________________
"The way we vote will depend, ultimately, on whether we are persuaded to hope or to fear." - Aonghas MacNeacail, June 2012. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#389 |
Observer of Phenomena
Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ngunnawal Country
Posts: 69,479
|
We've had some pretty clear days over the last few weeks, but the smoke's back. There's a new fire in Namadgi National Park, just south of Canberra. And yes, we're going into heatwave conditions. Again. 35 today, 36 tomorrow, 39 on Thursday, 41 on Friday and Saturday, with rain forecast (50% chance so I'll believe it when I see it) on Sunday.
|
__________________
Please scream inside your heart. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#390 |
In the Peanut Gallery
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 46,836
|
|
__________________
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#391 |
Observer of Phenomena
Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ngunnawal Country
Posts: 69,479
|
Canberra bushfire upgraded to emergency level as heatwave bears down on capital
Quote:
![]() |
__________________
Please scream inside your heart. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#392 |
Gentleman of leisure
Tagger
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Flying around in the sky
Posts: 26,394
|
|
__________________
This signature is for rent. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#393 |
Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Waiting for the pod bay door to open.
Posts: 42,969
|
Quote:
![]() https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-...ening/11907438 That's all it takes to start an out of control fire, not even a spark or flame, but a bright light. |
__________________
Continually pushing the boundaries of mediocrity. Everything is possible, but not everything is probable. “Perception is real, but the truth is not.” - Imelda Marcos |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#394 |
Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Waiting for the pod bay door to open.
Posts: 42,969
|
Just drove home from Canberra city and I can see flames in the hills in the distance. Night time so the water bombers have to stop work.
|
__________________
Continually pushing the boundaries of mediocrity. Everything is possible, but not everything is probable. “Perception is real, but the truth is not.” - Imelda Marcos |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#395 |
Anti-homeopathy illuminati member
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: NT 150 511
Posts: 46,324
|
I remember previous years with what seems similar news. One year was really bad and at the time I had a friend in Sydney and I actually phoned him to see if he was OK. That must have been the early 1990s I think.
Is this really unprecedented? |
__________________
"The way we vote will depend, ultimately, on whether we are persuaded to hope or to fear." - Aonghas MacNeacail, June 2012. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#396 |
In the Peanut Gallery
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 46,836
|
|
__________________
A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject. Sir Winston Churchill |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#397 |
Observer of Phenomena
Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ngunnawal Country
Posts: 69,479
|
|
__________________
Please scream inside your heart. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#398 |
Observer of Phenomena
Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ngunnawal Country
Posts: 69,479
|
The smoke is very bad again where I am. The AQI reported as at an hour and a half ago is 130, but it's got a lot worse since then. This is like just after Christmas, when it was up in the 800s.
I brought my mask to work today - looks like I'll have to wear it home. |
__________________
Please scream inside your heart. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#399 |
Director of Hatcheries and Conditioning
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Waiting for the pod bay door to open.
Posts: 42,969
|
|
__________________
Continually pushing the boundaries of mediocrity. Everything is possible, but not everything is probable. “Perception is real, but the truth is not.” - Imelda Marcos |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
#400 |
Observer of Phenomena
Pronouns: he/him Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Ngunnawal Country
Posts: 69,479
|
This is the view from my office window from a few minutes ago.
![]() Hashtag no filter. It's really that colour. |
__________________
Please scream inside your heart. |
|
![]() ![]() |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
|
|