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hatrack

(59,442 posts)
Sat Dec 7, 2019, 11:32 AM Dec 2019

1,150 Square Mile Fire NW Of Sydney "Too Big To Put Out"; May Choke The City For Weeks Or Months

A wildfire blazing 37 miles northwest from Sydney, Australia has been determined to be "too big to put out," leaving residents to evacuate and the city with the prospect of months of heavy smoke.

The fire is currently 1,150 square miles across and is comprised of several fires merging into one. Called the Gospers Mountain mega blaze, 2,200 firefighters are reported to be out in the field battling the fire, with groups of Canadian and American firefighters said to be joining them soon. Walkabout Wildlife Park has evacuated hundreds of animals to keep them safe from the fire.

But the Bureau of Meteorology declared that some of the fires were too big to extinguish and would only be put out when the country received a good rain. Sydney may be blanketed in smoke for weeks—possibly months. Sydney has already been enduring higher smoke levels than normal, and hospital officials report a 10 percent increase in admissions. Health officials warn that those who inhale the smoke long term might see effects similar to smoking cigarettes.

EDIT

The fire risk is not set to abate, with Tuesday's temperatures set to soar over 104 degrees. Since October, a particularly dry fire season has resulted in six deaths and more than 700 homes being destroyed, spurring alarm and calling for a greater focus on climate change. Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania have all seen bushfires during this season, with 14.8 million acres of land burned in New South Wales alone.

EDIT

https://www.newsweek.com/fire-too-big-put-out-may-blanket-australias-biggest-city-smoke-months-1476020

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1,150 Square Mile Fire NW Of Sydney "Too Big To Put Out"; May Choke The City For Weeks Or Months (Original Post) hatrack Dec 2019 OP
Wow. We were there just in time .... ProudMNDemocrat Dec 2019 #1
This makes me especially sad ... GeorgeGist Dec 2019 #2
37 miles is awfully damn close. Bayard Dec 2019 #3

ProudMNDemocrat

(16,485 posts)
1. Wow. We were there just in time ....
Sat Dec 7, 2019, 11:47 AM
Dec 2019

To experience Australia before all of this destruction. I feel for the Country because of its beauty and mystery.

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