Such a shame that there will be less and less volunteer firefighters, because everyone has to work themselves to death these days while trying to afford a house that might eventually burn down, because we won’t have enough volunteer firefighters. Hats off to them, it’s selfless to put yourself in such danger. They don’t do it for money, but for their family and communities. Nothing but respect for them, they’re doing amazing work
It’s fine. It’s very manageable. Look up close at a bunch of CFA firefighters - there’s folk of all levels of ability.
If you really don’t think you can keep up on a truck, there’s also an entire army of support people - firefighters need direction, planning, coordination, comms, food, etcetera etcetera. Someone’s gotta wash the vehicles, maintenance, keep member records, organise training. Genuinely the support system to keep the firies on the field is impressive. And they could use everyone they can get.
It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a response like this. Highly encourage you to give it a go.
I have seen people of all ages, shapes and sizes go through basic training. If you can follow and repeat basic instructions or ask questions when you are unsure about something you are good to go. Even if you can only commit to something once every few months, you are still helping.
We know A LOT about what causes fires to become very large. Here's a segment from a video about how fire size relates to overgrowth and the "cell" size or area of the bush:
...and we know that clearing away debris from the the ground around places helps prevent fires. I imagine anything that can section burnable areas into cells will help stop fires becoming large.
"Dry Lightning" was just mentioned on 774 ABC radio Melbourne as a partial cause. It's mentioned below too:
This change could, whilst bringing cool relief, also generate thunderstorms and dry lightning that could spark new fires in areas inaccessible by fire trucks. [Source]
I saw lightning too. There was a bit of rain but not much. Luckily I think the lightning was just streaking across the sky and not so much striking the ground
I almost got into a fight with my mum who lives with my brother in law, who is a CFA volunteer. She was saying “oh Yeha he said it’s the bloody greens, if they’d just let them burn fire breaks this wouldn’t be anywhere near as bad.”
Now I’m no expert so I’m looking for some back up. I just got up and walked out cause that seems like some absurdly stupid take.
They’re both constantly on Facebook and their political takes are awful.
We’re in one of the most fire prone countries in the world. No way that has any effect.
My mum grew up rural and my brother lives in a fire danger area. If I had a dollar for every time I heard 'the greenies are to blame for big fires' etc I'd probably have a better financial outlook on life. The brain rot is real.
Don't waste your breath coz you'll never win.
The all powerfull Greens with their 4 members in Vic parliament and 1 member at federal parliament cant be stopped. Believe it or not but the Greens are pro backburning.
Fires due to climate change are different. We have higher population with more people living in fire areas. Good luck starting a backburn without accidently burning down a ton of houses. Fire is incredibly hard to manage.
The conditions for doing a fuel reduction burn safely are incredibly tight. If it's too wet it won't burn properly. Too dry and it'll take off. A tiny breeze to help it trickle isn't terrible, but too much wind and again, you're looking at losing it. You've got to be in a certain range for a bunch of different factors that never like to cooperate, and then you need to be in that range over and over again or have and pay a shitload more crew than anyone is ever going to ever want to pay.
However, and I feel like I'm reminded of this every time we get this sort of shit happening, some people, for various reasons, really just should not live in the bush. It isn't safe for them, their neighbours, or emergency crews, but unfortunately there's really not much that can be done about it.
I sat through this shit in 2019. Town meeting in the snowies. Deputy PM, Police Commander and chef of the Brigade in attendance.
Old fart gets up and complains about lack of burns to appease the 'greens' and the Brigade commander called his shit straight up by saying 'The total amount of days in the last 12 months that fit criteria for reduction burns totalled 3. It also doesnt help when everyone submits insurance claims against the RFS every time you get ash on your pool cover' shit him and half the place right the fuck up.
Such a shame you can never do anything when not in government. Senator Pocock must be livid that he hasn't been able to get changes through to give government support for his bill. Oh wait a minute he has yet not in government.
I can't find links right now, but heard an i terrier with CSIRO types a couple years ago, propising less burn offs would generate pain in the short term, but benefit in the long term as the forest would become moister. I dressy it would have to be a very clever transition, with lots of strategic thinking. Something Australia is crap at.
We owe firies so much. Just incredible bravery fighting these fires in 70kph+ winds and 44 degree temps. Amazing people.
And to think these are the volunteers, absolute heroes!
Such a shame that there will be less and less volunteer firefighters, because everyone has to work themselves to death these days while trying to afford a house that might eventually burn down, because we won’t have enough volunteer firefighters. Hats off to them, it’s selfless to put yourself in such danger. They don’t do it for money, but for their family and communities. Nothing but respect for them, they’re doing amazing work
How difficult is the training? I have been meaning to do it but am a bit intimidated about the intensity of the task
It’s fine. It’s very manageable. Look up close at a bunch of CFA firefighters - there’s folk of all levels of ability.
If you really don’t think you can keep up on a truck, there’s also an entire army of support people - firefighters need direction, planning, coordination, comms, food, etcetera etcetera. Someone’s gotta wash the vehicles, maintenance, keep member records, organise training. Genuinely the support system to keep the firies on the field is impressive. And they could use everyone they can get.
It’s incredibly rewarding to be part of a response like this. Highly encourage you to give it a go.
I have seen people of all ages, shapes and sizes go through basic training. If you can follow and repeat basic instructions or ask questions when you are unsure about something you are good to go. Even if you can only commit to something once every few months, you are still helping.
Looking at the map I seem to be surrounded🤣
It’s pretty crazy.
Stay safe mate, leave before you have to
We know A LOT about what causes fires to become very large. Here's a segment from a video about how fire size relates to overgrowth and the "cell" size or area of the bush:
https://youtu.be/HBluLfX2F_k?si=MzXJwTAKkh35E2nA&t=1203
...and we know that clearing away debris from the the ground around places helps prevent fires. I imagine anything that can section burnable areas into cells will help stop fires becoming large.
"Dry Lightning" was just mentioned on 774 ABC radio Melbourne as a partial cause. It's mentioned below too:
Just saw some dry lightning like 40 mins ago (Or it could be heat lightning) Fortunately the area where it seemed to hit is normally is just dirt
I saw lightning too. There was a bit of rain but not much. Luckily I think the lightning was just streaking across the sky and not so much striking the ground
I almost got into a fight with my mum who lives with my brother in law, who is a CFA volunteer. She was saying “oh Yeha he said it’s the bloody greens, if they’d just let them burn fire breaks this wouldn’t be anywhere near as bad.”
Now I’m no expert so I’m looking for some back up. I just got up and walked out cause that seems like some absurdly stupid take.
They’re both constantly on Facebook and their political takes are awful. We’re in one of the most fire prone countries in the world. No way that has any effect.
My mum grew up rural and my brother lives in a fire danger area. If I had a dollar for every time I heard 'the greenies are to blame for big fires' etc I'd probably have a better financial outlook on life. The brain rot is real.
The greenies! meanwhile you could get a decent hay cut off their gutters. Nobody is stopping them from clearing that vegetation.
Don't waste your breath coz you'll never win. The all powerfull Greens with their 4 members in Vic parliament and 1 member at federal parliament cant be stopped. Believe it or not but the Greens are pro backburning.
Fires due to climate change are different. We have higher population with more people living in fire areas. Good luck starting a backburn without accidently burning down a ton of houses. Fire is incredibly hard to manage.
The conditions for doing a fuel reduction burn safely are incredibly tight. If it's too wet it won't burn properly. Too dry and it'll take off. A tiny breeze to help it trickle isn't terrible, but too much wind and again, you're looking at losing it. You've got to be in a certain range for a bunch of different factors that never like to cooperate, and then you need to be in that range over and over again or have and pay a shitload more crew than anyone is ever going to ever want to pay.
However, and I feel like I'm reminded of this every time we get this sort of shit happening, some people, for various reasons, really just should not live in the bush. It isn't safe for them, their neighbours, or emergency crews, but unfortunately there's really not much that can be done about it.
I sat through this shit in 2019. Town meeting in the snowies. Deputy PM, Police Commander and chef of the Brigade in attendance. Old fart gets up and complains about lack of burns to appease the 'greens' and the Brigade commander called his shit straight up by saying 'The total amount of days in the last 12 months that fit criteria for reduction burns totalled 3. It also doesnt help when everyone submits insurance claims against the RFS every time you get ash on your pool cover' shit him and half the place right the fuck up.
I'm down near the other end of the Snowy River. I suspect the attitudes are the same.
Just ask them questions such as "When were the Greens the government?"
Such a shame you can never do anything when not in government. Senator Pocock must be livid that he hasn't been able to get changes through to give government support for his bill. Oh wait a minute he has yet not in government.
The Greens would need to negotiate with the actual government to ban burnoffs, at which point you should just blame the government.
Indeed but the point is the idea that elected reps can't do anything because they or their party aren't in government is wrong.
Do you legitimately think the people blaming the greens for big bush fires understand the nuance of the political system?
Helping or hurting here Prawn
I can't find links right now, but heard an i terrier with CSIRO types a couple years ago, propising less burn offs would generate pain in the short term, but benefit in the long term as the forest would become moister. I dressy it would have to be a very clever transition, with lots of strategic thinking. Something Australia is crap at.
You didn’t close your quotation marks and I got confused lol
Hahaha good point, fixed!
Sometimes suffering the rage makes me bad at typing I guess?
The overt right wing politics in the firies is one reason I never seriously considered joining, now I’m too old and decrepit.
You should've come back with a witty remark instead, that way everyone else would've clapped.
stay safe, friends <3