News: New Zealand wildfires prompt hundreds of evacuations, Australia having wildfires too

[Arcadia]

"WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Hundreds of people in the New Zealand city of Christchurch were evacuated from their homes Wednesday as wildfires threatened some suburbs.

At least one home was burned down in the Port Hills.

The mayors of Christchurch City and the adjacent Selwyn District declared a state of emergency. Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton said changing winds had made the fires unpredictable.

...

New Zealand's military has been deployed to provide water tankers and engineering equipment as well as firefighters and other personnel.

A helicopter pilot died in a crash Tuesday while fighting the blaze." http://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/New-Zealand-wildfires-prompt-hundreds-of-10933316.php#photo-12374558

 

More details here http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11800093

 

For Australia

"Rural areas of Australia's New South Wales (NSW) state have been evacuated as wildfires rage across the state, threatening homes and closing roads.

Some 97 fires were burning across the state, with 37 uncontained, the Rural Fire Service said.

One person had been flown to hospital in Sydney after suffering burns, the authorities said.

A heatwave has seen temperatures in some areas hit records while fast winds from the desert were fanning flames.

More than 2,000 firefighters, many of them volunteers, were battling the fires." http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-38948669

Edited February 15, 2017 by Arcadia in CA

[Rosie_0801]

That's summer in the Southern Hemisphere...

 

[Ausmumof3]

It felt odd reading the NZ news. The response to a 500 hectare fire is 20 units and 120 firefighters. That would be the response to a 1-2 hectare fire here. There's some terrain that could be scary over there.

 

I think things are settling down in NSW? Anyone know?

[Rosie_0801]

NSW: http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/fires-near-me

[Ausmumof3]

Oh wow... 😟

[Grover]

The hills are terrifying to look at right now.  We are well away, but still smoky here.  About 40 houses gone so far, and lots more at risk.  We just don't have the people to fight something on this scale.

[nansk]

That sounds scary.  :grouphug: Hope it subsides soon.

[Ausmumof3]

The hills are terrifying to look at right now. We are well away, but still smoky here. About 40 houses gone so far, and lots more at risk. We just don't have the people to fight something on this scale.

Hugs ... Stay safe there.