OT: Oz Bushfires

Hi folks from abroad...
Spare a thought for us downunder this weekend as the drought driven fire crisis hits a crisis point tomorrow. Hasn't rained more than a shower or two anywhere in Southern Australia for months.
Not too bad here so far in Tassie - 14 bushfires burning at this point - but 32C (90F) forcast for tomorrow with high winds. Could get interesting.
But worst hit so far is Victoria - some 70 fires burning and 40C (104F) weather and gale force winds due to hit within 24hours. There's talk of the fires merging to become a 600,000ha big fire, with a dozen towns under threat.
Some info for those interested:
http://www.theage.com.au/flash/alpinethreat/
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/towns-on-alert-as-fires-rage-in-states-east/2006/12/07/1165081088356.html
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/fire-situation-quite-grave/2006/12/08/1165081121451.html
Will keep folks up to date with more URLs...
Spare a thought for us downunder this weekend as the drought driven fire crisis hits a crisis point tomorrow. Hasn't rained more than a shower or two anywhere in Southern Australia for months.
Not too bad here so far in Tassie - 14 bushfires burning at this point - but 32C (90F) forcast for tomorrow with high winds. Could get interesting.
But worst hit so far is Victoria - some 70 fires burning and 40C (104F) weather and gale force winds due to hit within 24hours. There's talk of the fires merging to become a 600,000ha big fire, with a dozen towns under threat.
Some info for those interested:
http://www.theage.com.au/flash/alpinethreat/
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/towns-on-alert-as-fires-rage-in-states-east/2006/12/07/1165081088356.html
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/fire-situation-quite-grave/2006/12/08/1165081121451.html
Will keep folks up to date with more URLs...