Fire in the Mountains...

[Chuck]

Warrimoo is in the headlines once again & for all the wrong bloody reasons.

Bushfire!

Had been staying at our youngest daughters property at Ilford, near Mudgee for the past week & decided it was time to head a little further east to check on the bricks & mortar in our names. Left there at around 1130 this morning & had just driven past Katoomba when we got a Fire Alert from the firies advising of a bushfire at Warrimoo - the blood went cold - then it continued on stating it was on the northern side of the GWH. Fortunately we are on the southern side. The blood started to warm up again.

About 15 minutes later got another alert from the firies saying if you have a plan to leave the area - DO IT NOW! Ice cubes were developing in the blood now!!

The bushfire was about 2-3 kays from us at that time & heading sorta north & east - parallel to the highway ... I think.

So far so good & the temp running east out of Katoomba was around 30c.

By the time we hit Springwood the temp was up to 35c & when we reached home it was showing 36c... a real nice temp to set up the van! Yeah right!!

Smoke could be seen about 2 kays away & it was being blown east - towards Penrith/Sydney.

Half way thru the van set up the choppers arrived, initially thought they would be the TV mob - 3 or 4 of 'em circling around up there. Then heard this deep, loud wop wop wop... looked up & there was Elvis or one of his clones heading towards our place, then flying over it... felt like I could reach up & tickle his dangly hose ( settle Dot! ) he then veered around behind our place & landed in the oval 300m from us. As the day progressed numerous other choppers arrived with the big cooking put under them.

The oval appears as though it's being used as a water filling spot for Elvis - big tanker there - also a refuelling spot for all the choppers.

I now know what it really means to have a continuous buzzing in your head !!

Most of them might have gone back to base for the night... locals talking of a bit of a storm later tonight - that could help if there's rain or really hinder the firies if its just a bit blow.

For the moment we appear to be ok - depending on the direction of the wind tonight.

Speaking of tonight... I'm pretty sure I'll be having few flashbacks to SE Asia in the 60's & me in a chopper with no tail rotor!!

The ground was very, very hard!

[T1 Terry]

Big winds heading your way Chuckie, came through here about 30 mins ago and they are strong gusts backed up by continuous strong wind. Pity help any poor buggers on the nth side of that fire if it's still burning.

T1 Terry

[Dot]

Put your straight jacket on at bed time old fella and tell the other half to be ready to drive if you have to.(she won't have time to undo the ties of your white jacket) Please reach up and give Elvis a yank for me, I won't tell. We have some rain starting so hope it gets to your area as well.x

[T1 Terry]

well, the winds have blown themselves out and it's nice and calm again, took the edge off the high temps so should be cool enough to sleep tonight, but what else would you expect in god's country

[Dot]

well, the winds have blown themselves out and it's nice and calm again, took the edge off the high temps so should be cool enough to sleep tonight, but what else would you expect in Terry's country

You now have me confused Terry and that ain't hard to do but don't you think your signature should be changed to (see above)

[T1 Terry]

well, the winds have blown themselves out and it's nice and calm again, took the edge off the high temps so should be cool enough to sleep tonight, but what else would you expect in Terry's country

You now have me confused Terry and that ain't hard to do but don't you think your signature should be changed to (see above)

I am not the messiah, just a very naughty boy Anyway, I think there is someone on the other forum who already has that title

[Dot]

What's happening in them there hills haven't seen a thing on the tv?

[Shirley]

Our news tonight said that the fire fighters had done a fantastic job & the fires were all under control, they had gone in on foot to do back burns today. The water bombing saved the day & much credit went to the pilots flying under very smokey conditions.

[Dot]

thanks Shirley, no news from Chuck today either.

[Shirley]

Rain here on Lake Macquarie this morning, so hope that they are getting it on the mountains too, would be good that the valley is burnt out prior to summer season.