[Offtopic] 46.1 C and climbing

[Roland Gesthuizen]

Temperature in Melbourne outside right now is 46.1 C and climbing.
Humidity is 5% and wind speed is gusting at 41 Km/h. Crazy weather
again this January that is breaking all sorts of records. Classic
bushfire conditions with a cool change in a couple of hours to make
things worse for the smokies (fire fighters) with wind changes.

If I can describe the skies above me .. it has turned a pale orange
with some ash falling. Here is a picture of Mt Dandenong just before
the smoke hit us from the North. No danger for us from the alert page
although a fire has sprung up in the bush behind us (downwind) in Fern
Tree Gully. Good thing that the hills around us have been
progressively 'cool burned' to reduce the fuel loading. We are under
no direct threat, just on alert .. listening to the ABC Radio
National.
     http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/incident_updates.htm#1476638354625

Just came back inside after watering down the windows, walls and
testing the sprinker system on our eaves and roof. Another two good
trees are dying on my property, both 80+ years old. These gum trees
have survived previous droughts and even a bush fire .. but not these
conditions. Even plants we are watering in the evening are burning dry
from the heat and hot wind. I might thump the next climate change
denier that I meet that doesn't listen to scientific reason.

Inviting two good mates over for dinner (home made sushi). They have
offered to help stand guard if things change and we activate our
fire-plan.

Regards Roland

-- 
Roland Gesthuizen - ICT Coordinator - Westall Secondary College
http://www.westallsc.vic.edu.au

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world; indeed it is the only thing that ever has."
--Margaret Mead
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