VSalonistas Down Under and the fires

[Mark Kelly]

I should add that the peak threat is caused by a combination of a low to the south of the continent and a high to the east. This directs airflow from the hot, dry centre of the continent south east over the ranges, which is where the forests are. The time lag is often such that the hottest air mass arrives during the night, thus maximising average temperature.

One of these patterns is developing right now, due to peak Friday.

[BBB]

Here’s some more about the misinformation:

Police contradict claims spread online exaggerating arson's role in Australian bushfires | Australia news | The Guardian

[Mark Kelly]

Serious question here, is fire a part of the ecology of Australia ....

The answers to that question are very complex and would require a real expert to give a definitive answer. I'm not that expert ...

Some of the real experts have partially answered some of your questions in this article from The Conversation

[Too Tall]

Mark and Rich tell us where to direct our efforts with USDs. I'll certainly re-direct the Vsalon $$ we normally send to micro loans as well as dig deep into my own pockets. Giving is the important thing, how much is not important. TIA

[RichTheRoadie]

Mark and Rich tell us where to direct our efforts with USDs. I'll certainly re-direct the Vsalon $$ we normally send to micro loans as well as dig deep into my own pockets. Giving is the important thing, how much is not important. TIA

Apologies for the slightly lazy reply - it’s late and I should be asleep...

This article shares the organisations that are the most prominent causes to donate to - however it’s not clear how much of the money will be used effectively on this tragedy itself and how much will simply replenish coffers; but I guess it sorta adds up to the same thing and anything will be gratefully received regardless.

[zachateseverything]

Here’s some more about the misinformation:

Police contradict claims spread online exaggerating arson's role in Australian bushfires | Australia news | The Guardian

You guys realize you're arguing with a Russian troll account right?

[Blue Jays]

"...You guys realize you're arguing with a Russian troll account right?..."

Russia and Russian agents likely have minimal interest in global patterns of floods, drought, heat, cold, famine, etc.

[zachateseverything]

Russia and Russian agents likely have minimal interest in global patterns of floods, drought, heat, cold, famine, etc.

Russia has a strong financial interest in maintaining the status quo for consumption of hydrocarbons and a stronger political interest in sewing discord among western nations.

All I'm saying Comrade is that you seem to have yet to have found a conspiracy theory that you aren't willing to parrot back and pedal on this forum.

[Blue Jays]

"...All I'm saying comrade is that you seem to have yet to have found a conspiracy theory that you aren't willing to parrot back and pedal on this forum..."

Pedal. I see what you did there! LOL!

[Mark Kelly]

Serious question here, is fire a part of the ecology of Australia

Another facet of this I didn't touch was the fire management practices of the the Indigenous population, because I'm a whitefella so what would I know?

Indigenous fire practices have been used to quell bushfires for thousands of years, experts say - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

[BBB]

News Corp employee lashes climate 'misinformation' in bushfire coverage with blistering email | Media | The Guardian

This person will be disappeared for sure.

[Colinmclelland]

News Corp employee lashes climate 'misinformation' in bushfire coverage with blistering email | Media | The Guardian

This person will be disappeared for sure.

And when the alien inhabiting Rupert Murdoch's body moves on, Lachlan is said to be even worse.

[BBB]

Terrific. Just what the world needs.

Meanwhile the fires in NSW are about to link up with those in Victoria. Great.

[Mark Kelly]

To give you some idea of the insane weather that the firies are dealing with: it's 40 ^oC (104 F) where I am ATM, on the other side of the southerly front that is approaching it's 13 ^oC (55 F) at Warrnambool.

[BBB]

That's just nuts. It's dropped down to 22 in the CBD.

[RichTheRoadie]

More positively, I'm liking the ground-swell of folk on social media who are taking a stance on this - that stance being to make a pledge to visit the areas impacted by fire throughout 2020 with 'empty eskys' (cool boxes) and spending money in the affected towns to help them get back on their feet. i.e. fill your esky (cool box / ice bucket) with drinks from their shops, arrive with empty fuel tanks and fill up at their service stations, bring no food or produce and shop in their shops.

I like it because there's no guarantees that the donated funds will end up in the right places. This ensures it will re-ignite business and tourism, and will line the pockets where it is needed.

Of course it actually needs to happen and not just be a social media storm, but the potential is there and it is good.

As cyclists, we need to sign up for events in the affected areas (like this one) and encourage as many friends, club mates and followers to do the same. Sure, it's not l'Etape or a UCI event, but I did the linked ride last year and really enjoyed it; and it's in a lovely part of the world that will need support to get back on its feet.

[Blue Jays]

Donate $25.00+ to Australia fire relief to enter drawing for Crust Bikes frame and fork delivered worldwide.

[Mark Kelly]

More positively, I'm liking the ground-swell of folk on social media who are taking a stance on this - that stance being to make a pledge to visit the areas impacted by fire throughout 2020 with 'empty eskys' (cool boxes) and spending money in the affected towns to help them get back on their feet.

This has worked well for Marysville which was virtually wiped out on Black Saturday in '09. Many people decided to direct discretionary expenditure that way when possible eg in our case if we were going to have a weekend away Marysville was the first place on the list.

[slwrnu]

I will be donating a bit of money via a friend in Melbourne. He will know where best to send it. I spoke to him and he said the air quality in Melbourne is like pea soup.

[guido]

Australia fires: The viral false claim of 2 arsonists starting bushfires, explained - Vox