N. S. W. Australia Bushfires Intensify

[Spem in alium]

I like this picture and how these guys can afford to smile. Good idea too that if you live in the bush to also own a caravan just in case your house gets burnt down. Thumbs up guys.

 

Yeah, I'm really blown away by the stories of generosity. More here: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/uplifting-stories-to-come-out-of-the-nsw-bushfires-20131023-2w0ag.html

[Spem in alium]

Generous spirit: The Penrith Panthers (rugby league club) are putting up 800 interstate firefighters in a 'tent city', including serving them meals.  

 

[Spem in alium]

Heroes: Firefighters taking a well-deserved break. Most of the firefighters tackling the blazes in NSW are volunteers.

 

[cappie]

The Springwood fire just been downgraded to 'Watch and Act' in the last ten minutes. The RFS says it is still burning in the Faulconbridge and Springwood areas but "properties are no longer under immediate threat".

 

Only the Gateshead fire near Lake Macquarie remains at the 'Emergency' alert level this evening.

 

73 fires still burning across NSW

 

29 of the 73 fires burning across NSW remain uncontained, reports RFS commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons at Wednesday's media briefing.

 

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/nsw-bushfires-live-updates-october-23-20131023-2vzs8.html#ixzz2iXBxlZit

 

 

 Thanks for the prayers

 

 

[Catherine Therese]

Love some of those pictures y'all shared :)
Just a quick update that we're fine. We evacuated during the day as a precaution but the risk to our area has downgraded significantly and we are back under our own roof again already.

Thanks for your prayers... Please keep praying, and I'll join you, for all those for whom the risk or impact has not yet passed.

[Spem in alium]

Love some of those pictures y'all shared :)
Just a quick update that we're fine. We evacuated during the day as a precaution but the risk to our area has downgraded significantly and we are back under our own roof again already.

Thanks for your prayers... Please keep praying, and I'll join you, for all those for whom the risk or impact has not yet passed.

 

That's great to hear!
Apparently (and hopefully) tomorrow will be easier. Keeping up my prayers for you all. 

[AnneLine]

We're praying out here, too!

[Spem in alium]

Fireys enjoy a game of cricket after yesterday's efforts.

 

[Spem in alium]

BREAKING NEWS: The NSW Rural Fire Service have confirmed an aircraft involved in firefighting operations west of Ulladulla has crashed. Crews, including a rescue helicopter, are still responding to the scene. There is no further information available at this stage. 

 

Please continue your prayers.

[Catherine Therese]

Fireys enjoy a game of cricket after yesterday's efforts.

When I lived in the United States I taught a novitiate full of young religious sisters how to play cricket. :) You'd regularly hear them putting on British accents and calling out "Over!" - HILARIOUS.

[Catherine Therese]

BREAKING NEWS: The NSW Rural Fire Service have confirmed an aircraft involved in firefighting operations west of Ulladulla has crashed. Crews, including a rescue helicopter, are still responding to the scene. There is no further information available at this stage. 
 
Please continue your prayers.

Wow, I hadn't heard this report yet, that's awful! It must have been those terrible winds we we've been having all up and down the coast... the light aircraft have been struggling quite a bit with them. St. Joseph of Cupertino, pray for them! St. Florian, pray for them!

[cappie]

Rural Fire Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons: We've suffered a huge tragedy today with the crash of one of our fixed wing water bombing planes.Our thoughts & prayers are with the loved ones of the pilot who are now spending time with Rural Fire Service officers. There are 61 fires currently burning in NSW, 23 are burning uncontained.

[Spem in alium]

In addition to Fr Cappie's update:

 

BREAKING: With great sadness, news.com.au are reporting the pilot of a waterbombing helicopter has died after his fixed-wing plane had crashed while conducting fire fighting suppression activities in very rugged and steep terrain west of Ulladulla.

As a result of the crash, a fire has broken out near Charlie's Forest Road near Braidwood. Additional waterbombing helicopters are attempting to douse the flames.

Due to the remoteness and nature of the terrain it may take response crews some time to get to the site.

 

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BREAKING: The State Mine Fire has intensified this afternoon under strong and gusty south westerly winds. An emergency warning is in place.

[Spem in alium]

The Australian Defence Force has apologised to the Rural Fire Service and affected residents for accidentally starting the State Mine Fire near Lithgow during a training exercise using military explosives. It appears that the personnel participating in the exercise greatly exceeded the amount of explosive suitable for the exercise. The State Mine Fire has destroyed at least three homes and burned almost 50,000 hectares of bushland (which is around 193 square miles, I think).