Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Australia Invents New Wildfire Warning Level - "As Bad As It Gets"

The Aussie state of New South Wales is having a vicious wildfire season.

Shane Fitzsimmons, commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service, said the forecast for Wednesday was worse than previously thought, making it the most dangerous day yet in the bushfire emergency that began last Thursday.

“The temperature will be in the mid to high 30s, humidity down to 10% and wind strengths of 80 to 100km/h,” he said. “The forecast and scenario for tomorrow is about as bad as it gets.”

All schools and childcare centres in the Blue Mountains will be closed, with Fitzsimmons urging residents to seriously consider fleeing their homes.

“If you are going to leave, leave early,” he said. “Leaving early is always the safest option. Know your fire safety plan and be decisive. Procrastination won’t be helpful,” he said.

 Even the greater Sydney area is under an 'extreme' fire warning.



Australia's newly minted prime minister, Tony Abbott, denounced climate change as "absolute crap" in 2009.  In many ways he's a kindred spirit to our own guy.

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