It's not a Happy New Year here in Australia

Hello, everyone. Greetings from Australia

I hope you are all doing well wherever you are reading this.

As I'm sure you've heard, things are not so good here in my part of the world.

2019 was Australia's hottest and driest on record. Our 2020 started, as the last century ended, with a New Year inferno. Devasting bushfires, record temperatures and air pollution at critical levels have made news across the world.

A massive thank you to all of you who have contacted me with love and concern asking how you can help with our current bushfire disaster.

We live in harrowing times, our news is filled with images that are sometimes beyond belief. My family and home in suburban Melbourne are all fine. For us, other than disrupted holiday plans, and the polluted air, we are largely unaffected. 

Except that sometimes everything seems to have changed, 

and at others, life goes on. It is the weirdest of times.

It is the saddest of times, especially for those who are directly affected by these tragic fires. As things currently stand, at least 25 people are dead and more than 1500 homes have been destroyed. 

The bravery of the firefighters and volunteer Fire Services is immense.

Fortunately, fatalities have been massively reduced, following learning from the Black Saturday fires in 2009 where 173 people died. Technology helps humans and we can set up alerts to keep informed for fire risk developments.

To share with you the extent of the disaster, international media tells us the 2018 California fires burnt 2 million acres; the 2019 Amazon fires 2.2 million; and the 2019 Siberian fires 6.7 million. As fires continue to burn across the land we have lost 12 million acres across the country. I can't even begin to talk about the loss of wildlife...

Every time it is the wildlife that is injured or burnt to death 

that is the tipping point of my anger.

This week we had some reprieve, and by this, we mean the weather has been cooler and there has been some rain. However, there are still fires burning in 6 states and 130 fires burning in New South Wales. We are heading for extreme heat again on the weekend... 

Right now I am in regional Victoria and I am using the Vic Emergency App.

You set a location and receive alerts for Warnings and Incidents

My App tells me that in my current location (Northern Country) 

has is a VERY HIGH fire danger today.

I receive a text message every time there is a bush fire warning. 

Last night the phone pings and there is a fire at Kangaroo Flat.

I can see four fire engines are responding and where it is in relation to me.

It is reassuring in scary times.

I mean how has life come to this?

We are also closely monitoring Air Quality. Due to my Bangkok life where I live with a constant issue of poor air quality. I already had an App for this!

Who would have ever thought though that our air quality in Melbourne, Australia would be worse than in Bangkok? Canberra's air quality has been the worst in the world. 

I have brought my Bangkok mask to Australia. What I don't have are the air purifiers for inside the home like I have in Thailand... How long will it be before every house is being built with built-in air purifiers?

We are all in this world together.

As our friends in New Zealand will tell you who live over 4,000 km away and are now breathing in our polluted air, we all breathe the same air.

We are currently in the Summer holiday season in our part of the world

 and we still have the most intense heat month of February ahead and to contend with. Heaven help Australia.

The extreme heat and the accompanying swirling winds have been like opening a fan-forced oven. I hope they don't come back... The speed that these fires can travel is unbelievable. 

The world's compassion and support have been immense.

Many of you have recounted your visits to Australia and your wonderful memories of trips far and wide across the land. We know your countries are sending Firefighters, Troops and Aid. We see everyday people and celebrities making generous donations and saw how Climate Change took centre stage at the Golden Globe awards.

I am reading so many heartfelt comments through my social media accounts.

I wanted to thank you for each and every one of them.

To the people who send their best wishes and have donated to the relief funds Thank you.

If you would like to read Buttercup's post: 
My heart and prayers are in Australia click here
Melbourne's Daily: Bushfires click here
Life Images by Jill: Australia is Burning click here
Making Animal Pouches With Love click here
50 Shades of Age: Australia has been burning click here
Traveling HoneyBird: Should you travel to Australia click here

From Pat: MilleFioriFavoriti
It would be remiss if I did not mention how sad I am for the terrible fires occurring in Australia during this their summer season, and the concurrent destruction of human life and property and wildlife. I visited Australia in 2011 and enjoyed all its beauty.  One of the highlights of my trip was visiting Taronga Zoo--click here to see that post--and where I had the chance to hold this koala bear, as well as do a "walkabout" with kangaroos. Wildfire is always a danger in the United States West, so I truly sympathize with all the people of Australia and I hope and pray all the fires will be resolved very soon!

For those who love to Knit and Sew amongst you check out how you can help here

Linking with thanks to all the hosts at Our World Tuesday, Mersad at Through My Lens

 and to Betty at My Corner of the World

I'd love to connect with you further, you can find my contacts below!

Little Wandering Wren wrensrambles@gmail.com https://littlewanderingwren.com Bangkok - THAILAND | Trip Advisor - Top Contributor Not all those who wander are lost - J R R Tolkien