Just a quick heads up for anyone heading towards this beautiful part of Australia. As of tonight about 20,000 hectares affected.
Cooler but windy conditions tomorrow so still very unpredictable.
Posted by
TX, USA
4918 posts
Oh no! Wildfires are scary scary stuff!
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14865 posts
Oh my! My Australia geography is pathetic but I looked this up and it looks fairly close to you! 100 miles or so? I hope you don’t have a bunch of smoke from it and that it can be controlled quickly. Sending you rainy thoughts.
Posted by
OP
Kamarooka
436 posts
It was a little hazy here this morning but a strong southerly has cleared the haze for now.
The major tourist hotspot of Halls Gap is being evacuated. HG is typically crazy crowded over the Christmas/New Year period.
The fire has increased in size overnight. Currently about 500 ground crew and 25 aircraft are attending. At this stage it is predominantly burning in inaccessible wilderness.
Unfortunately Pam I don't see any rain forecast between now and February. We have a forecast of 43C and strong winds on 26th of Dec. Not ideal!
Posted by
OP
Kamarooka
436 posts
Update on the Grampians fire. Currently close to 80,000 hectares (larger area than Singapore) affected. Expected to burn for a number of weeks.
I would think the Grampians will be off limits for a few months.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
11972 posts
80,000 hectares
For some comparison-- That is approx 310 sq miles . The land area of Rhode Island is a bit over 1000 sq miles.
That is truly nasty.
Hopefully no one is killed in the fire fighting effort
Posted by
OP
Kamarooka
436 posts
Recent conditions have helped with some level of containment. Significant backburning has been done in recent days.
Posted by
TX, USA
4918 posts
That is quite an increase in the affected area in 10 days. That makes me sad. Hopefully conditions will be cooperative for the firefighters, even without rain.