Australian bushfires
[Warning: some of this content may be distressing]
Many around the world would have seen this this beautiful country is burning at the moment. I'm sitting here at my computer with every door and window closed as they have been for weeks to keep the smoke out. The air conditioner runs nearly non stop just to help filter the air inside. Outside it looks like the apocalypse and there isn't even a fire in my area. Visibility is at a low and for 2 weeks now we have been told to avoid going outside at all. Schools were closed and day-cares were confined inside to save the kids lungs.
For those at the coast things are even worse. At 9am it was as black as night due to the smoke that choked out the sun. People who couldn't leave flocked to the beaches as volunteer firefighters battled to keep the flames from houses, a battle they had no hope of winning. I was briefly with the RFS (rural fire service) and I can tell you we get training in what to do if we can't get out but nothing prepares you for living through a flash over.
The crew from Fire and Rescue NSW Station 509 Wyoming recorded this video showing the moment their truck was overrun by the bushfire burning South of Nowra. The crew was forced to shelter in their truck as the fire front passed through. #NSWFires #ProtectTheIrreplaceable pic.twitter.com/Hb0yVrefi9
This footage shows when another truck is over come with the crew literally running for their lives as residents look on. Please note no one was injured in either of these scenarios thank god.
But there have also been numerous lives lost from both residents who were unable to flee or the brace RFS crew who work tirelessly to save lives and homes.
Many around the world would have seen this this beautiful country is burning at the moment. I'm sitting here at my computer with every door and window closed as they have been for weeks to keep the smoke out. The air conditioner runs nearly non stop just to help filter the air inside. Outside it looks like the apocalypse and there isn't even a fire in my area. Visibility is at a low and for 2 weeks now we have been told to avoid going outside at all. Schools were closed and day-cares were confined inside to save the kids lungs.
For those at the coast things are even worse. At 9am it was as black as night due to the smoke that choked out the sun. People who couldn't leave flocked to the beaches as volunteer firefighters battled to keep the flames from houses, a battle they had no hope of winning. I was briefly with the RFS (rural fire service) and I can tell you we get training in what to do if we can't get out but nothing prepares you for living through a flash over.
The crew from Fire and Rescue NSW Station 509 Wyoming recorded this video showing the moment their truck was overrun by the bushfire burning South of Nowra. The crew was forced to shelter in their truck as the fire front passed through. #NSWFires #ProtectTheIrreplaceable pic.twitter.com/Hb0yVrefi9
— Fire and Rescue NSW (@FRNSW) December 31, 2019
This footage shows when another truck is over come with the crew literally running for their lives as residents look on. Please note no one was injured in either of these scenarios thank god.
But there have also been numerous lives lost from both residents who were unable to flee or the brace RFS crew who work tirelessly to save lives and homes.
Support is available for those who wish to help and for those seeking assistance:
Support animals affected by bushfire
Animal rescue craft guild - collecting crafts for our wildlife rescuers such as koals mittens (for burnt paws), kangaroo pouches and bat wraps.Organisations supporting bushfire victims
Supporting our RFS volunteers
Many people are choosing to show support to our volunteers. While brigades are provided equipment to protect the community, donations assist them deliver additional services to the community.
Other Support for Bushfires
There's a wide range of community groups which are providing support to fire affected areas, including Blazeaid and the Port Macquarie Koala Hospital.
