I’ve already had great news this New Year.

I have friend and family over there. So far all Safe. Thinking of you all concerned. Such a terrible time.

It breaks my heart every time I see the news bulletins from Australia. It is such a tragedy and it seems there is no immediate end in sight.
I'm pleased for those families whose loved ones are safe and hoping that those who haven't heard from theirs yet, get good news soon

My son showed me a map of the UK where a map of the fire affected area had been overlaid. It is literally covering an area the size of south east England from about Cambridge in the north and Oxford in the west. It really hit home as to the scale of it.

Anything can cause a bush fire, a spark, a piece of glass acting as a magnifying glass, and I understand that the one which destroyed a heritage building a while ago in NSW was caused by a carelessly discarded cigarette butt.

Yes, they are constantly on our minds; my DC are not in Sydney although I have other relatives there. The fires were near us, further north when we were there a couple of months ago and I am worried now as there appear to be fires up the east coast to Brisbane and spasmodic fires all over the place.

I remember the fires around Sydney and the awful smoke pollution about 15 years ago but this is worse.

We're praying for rain and more rain but the forecast was for warm and windy weather.

I hope all your relatives stay safe.

I have no relatives in Australia, but so feel for these people
I think their Government are doing too little, too late..

still awaiting the military I understand

and no one,, that I have heard have considered that these fires will assist the climate change, will affect the rest of the world..
methinks we are all living in cloud cuckoo land as to the awful, imo irrepairable damage we are and have done to this wonderful planet...

I pray for everyone affected directly by these fires, I understand that New Zealand is covered with the smoke etc.

I lived in Victoria when the Ash Wednesday bush fires happened and even though I lived several miles away from them, it was still pretty scarey.
Bush fires are so unpredictable they don't always burn in a straight line, they can jump several feet so your property can be left standing, but your neighbours demolished.
Despite the fact that in NSW fires have been burning since September, it is only now that the PM has decided to call a special meeting and a state of emergency declared in NSW. I have to wonder why it has taken so long for this to happen.

Dear Sarahmob
I am in NSW. Some areas are having communication and other problems due to the fires - loss of power etc.
You might try register.redcross.org.au/
It is a website run by the Red Cross and supposed to help re-unite families during this time.

The air pollution in Sydney is horrendous.Young people who breathe it in now will have respiratory problems in later years.The Prime Minster will not recognise climate change.My family live in Perth which at the moment has the high temperatures but not the out of control bush fire

This has been a worry for well over a month now (son and fiancee live in Sydney). It's just going on and on - I so wish for a great monsoon of rain to come along and put the fires out.

PamelaJ1 I am so relieved for you. It is almost impossible to imagine the plight of those in Australia with the raging fires. I pray for them and for the wild-life. It certainly stops me moaning about how much rain we have been having.

To all GNetters with family in Australia or living there, I send you my love and prayers for your safety and hope that this tragic and terrifying situation will soon stop. My son-in-law is Australian, which brings this close to me and he worries about his parents and sister. Please God let it stop. Good luck to you all, we are thinking of you.

My sister-in-law and husband live in NSW, haven’t been able to contact them and are very concerned.

My D and family are in the Sydney suburbs and GD and her partner are in Bega where I know has suffered fires. It's so devastating to see these places burning and to think that many were deliberately caused, one by a very person who volunteers to put them out, a firefighter !

Juliet, my DD also lives in the Sydney suburbs but they went down the coast to their holiday house.
The Princes highway is now open again and the fires are under control.
Helicopters used the lake and water bombed it. A 737 was also involved.
Unlike here with all our floods it was certainly an advantage to have a water source.
Over here her cousin was giving birth! We’ve had an eventful few days.

I’m another mum with the same concerns. Both my son and daughter live in the Sydney suburbs. Ok so far but I’m constantly looking at the ‘fires near me’ site. I’m glad your families are safe. I feel so sorry for all the losses and how hard the firefighters are having to work. I’m amazed how stoic people sound.

Trouble is I’m not sure that they are, at least I’m sure they are safe but I think they maybe are cut off. There is only one road out to the main road and I think it’s closed. As they were there for New Year I’m sure they have beer ? so they will not get dehydrated ?

There is a fire watch site that I’m following. It shows fires in the area but not much detail.
My DD’s mobile seems to have run out so haven’t heard for a while.
???

Such a terrible time for the people of Australia and no sign of the fires abating as yet. Good to hear your families are safe Pamela and Calendargirl let's hope things get better soon.

I so feel for these poor people.

The air pollution in Canberra is terrible.

Been speaking to my DD this morning who lives in Canberra but their own home in NSW is very close to these terrible fires. OK at the moment, they were extremely worried yesterday, and certainly the danger is very prevalent, but keep hoping things get better.
Terrifying times.