Bushfires in Morton National Park - update

This evening I took my courage in my hand and dialled my friend Tony who lives on the edge of Morton National Park, south-west of Bundanoon. He lives on the end of Teudt's Lane, Bundanoon. Tony told me that the fires were about 2 Km south from his place, and perhaps a little to the east, which is good for him, as the prevailing winds are still north-westerlies.

Late afternoon view of the smoke - from my place.
The green patches are farms along
Myra Vale Road, near Fitzroy Falls

This link will take you to the Fire Hotspots site (focussed on Bundanoon). Click on the "roads" box in the top right hand corner to see Teudt's Road, relative to the closest fires. Use the " - " slider on the left of the image to zoom out to see all the fires in the wider district.

There is a possibility of a southerly change overnight, which could possibly cause problems for the village of Bundanoon. Lets hope not.

As sun set, the wind dropped.
That allowed the smoke drift to stay confined.
It makes a more dramatic photo.

As I mentioned the possibility of arson in yesterday's post, I ought acknowledge that Tony assured me that the fires were in fact sparked by lightning - last Sunday. Obviously it was a small localised thunderstorm, as we didn't receive it in Robertson.

Lets hope the predicted cool change brings some relief overnight, and to the bushfires generally across the State. Today's high (in Bowral) was 34.7 Degreecs C. Info. courtesy of Andrew and Anne-Marie's Weather Station Website. It is excellent!

According to the news, the NSW Rural Fire Service are using helicopters to water bomb the fires, which is good. They dd not do that when the fires which burnt through to Nowra in 2002 started out burning in similar country. I am all in favour of early intervention in bushfires in this wild country. In that bad fire, they waited for a week or more, and then brought in all the "equipment" when it was already well and truly out of control. "Phil the Hero" waited to the very last minute on that occasion. There is a different guy in charge now - thank goodness.

I wished Tony all the very best for the next few days. He is very well prepared for fires, (which is essential where he lives). He is a member of the local Rural Fire Service Brigade, and he also understands the need to seek shelter out of the forest - if necessary. There is nothing which I can do from here, except wish Tony and Carmen all the very best, and hope the fires spare them.