Bushfires

[Psyber]

On the ABC news station [AM transmission] today in VIC. there was a guy from the ArchiCentre talking about the desigh of a 3 metre square fireproof bunker they anticipate could be built for about $3000.
He suggested that with fires hitting quite suddenly with little warning it may be better if every home in bush terrain had one rather than build larger community bunkers people had to have time to get to.

[TroyGFC]

After Cyclone Tracy wiped out Darwin, I heard all the rebuilt buildings had a safety bunker built in middle of each houise.

[JAS]

On the ABC news station [AM transmission] today in VIC. there was a guy from the ArchiCentre talking about the desigh of a 3 metre square fireproof bunker they anticipate could be built for about $3000.
He suggested that with fires hitting quite suddenly with little warning it may be better if every home in bush terrain had one rather than build larger community bunkers people had to have time to get to.

Do bunkers really work or do they just give a false sense of security...as I understand it one of the main causes of death is suffocation because the fire sucks the oxygen out of the air so would they need a seperate air supply to be effective.

If they do work I'd suggest a mixture of both considering the speed with which some of these fires were reportedly travelling at. Each property should have one but also have some community bunkers in each town as a refuge for fire fighters and others caught in the area to retreat to if necessary.

Whatever is decided all they can do is make sure that people make an informed choice...you'll always get those who will sit on the roof with a hosepipe until the last minute and those who want to flee by car.

Regards
JAS

[TroyGFC]

Just a word of warning people in today's Tiser they are talking about banning online blogs with details of arsonist address.

[Amateur Footy]

Good point JAS, bunkers must be air tight or have an oxygen supply or you will suffocate.

Speaking of arsonists, there's been a few strange fires on the edge of Belair National Park. If we're not careful we could have the same situation as Vic if some prick lights that up. Crafers/Upper Sturt wouldn't know what's hit em.

[Psyber]

Good point JAS, bunkers must be air tight or have an oxygen supply or you will suffocate.
Speaking of arsonists, there's been a few strange fires on the edge of Belair National Park. If we're not careful we could have the same situation as Vic if some prick lights that up. Crafers/Upper Sturt wouldn't know what's hit em.

I think the guy from the ArchiCentre's line was that you would need to seal the bunker for only about 15 minutes while the firestorm passed, and there would be more than enough air sealed in a bunker that size for that long for an average family.

There are a lot more arsonists around than we ever hear of, I suspect. I agree Crafers/Upper Sturt is a highly vulnerable area.
The whole area from there out to Mylor looked fairly risky when I lived near Hahndorf.

[mighty_tiger_79]

well whatabout the complete and utter f******* that was lighting fires in the clarendon area over the last week, while a lot our crews are over in Vic helping out over there

[JAS]

Just a word of warning people in today's Tiser they are talking about banning online blogs with details of arsonist address.

They were saying on our news last night that Facebook has been asked to remove all mention too.

I know people want revenge etc but don't these idiots realise that they risk destroying the court case against the guy and surely that would mean that instead of going to prison, as he should if guilty, he will probably need to spend the rest of his life under police protection and cost all of you tax payers a bloody fortune.

Regards
JAS

[Squawk]

For overseas posters in particular and those who may have missed it here, there was a good overview of the bushfires in Four Corners last night. You can watch it on line at http://www.abc.net.au/tv/ . Also, it's worth watching this weeks "Media Watch" program (see the same website) to see some shocking examples of journalistic reporting that were utilised.

Finally, let's not forget that 62% of QLD is under water and NSW is now battling flooding as well.

[Q.]

Just a word of warning people in today's Tiser they are talking about banning online blogs with details of arsonist address.

They were saying on our news last night that Facebook has been asked to remove all mention too.

I know people want revenge etc but don't these idiots realise that they risk destroying the court case against the guy and surely that would mean that instead of going to prison, as he should if guilty, he will probably need to spend the rest of his life under police protection and cost all of you tax payers a bloody fortune.

Regards
JAS

Facebook is the least of worries. Deliberate police leaks to the hungry media to create an impression of guilt is what will get this bloke a permanent stay of proceedings. It will be the taxpayer funded police who cost taxpayers money.

[Thiele]

201 people dead now

[Thiele]

All the fires are now out

[Thiele]

Bump

RIP Sam the Koala http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 01,00.html

[JAS]

awwww poor little thing...but sounds like it was for the best.

Was certainly a heart warming moment amidst all that devestation and hopefully her global appeal at the time helped bring in more donations to the bushfire fund and maybe even some animal charities too.

RIP little Sam

Regards
JAS