I was in touch earlier this week with Pilgrims - she told me she is safe, as are her family & friends.  Smoke has been difficult in Sydney area.  

A colleague also just returned last weekend from several weeks in Oz.  She said they drove through several burned out areas in the Blue Mountains - a usually gorgeous area - and felt very sad to see the extensive devastation.  She thought the Sydney airport had been closed for a while because of the smoke. 

Talked with my daughter this week too, whose partner is Aussie & she spent some time there a few years back.  Seems the fires are a recurrent phenomena - lots of rain one year triggers extra growth of brush etc. - followed by cyclic drought which then dries the vegetation & provides fuel for the fires.  This year it seems the fires have started earlier than usual, which is a concern. 

Thanks Kay, the worst is over for now.....

I say now because the state still has many fires raging out of control -and it's very early in the season to have such bad fires.

Over 200 homes were lost and one man died from a heart attack trying to defend his property - and a pilot also lost his life fighting the bushfires.

I live approximately 80 klms from the Blue Mountains, and I took this photo from my balcony (which faces east - and the fires were in the west.)

In Sydney there was a lot of smoke pollution - and there was a health warning for those with allergies and breathing problems.

what a wonderful view you have Pilgrims - and with a clear sky, I imagine even moreso.  Stay safe :-) 

I am thinking of you too,PP.Carolla tell us about your avatar . It is intriguing.(sp)

crazyheart - the current avatar is the one I use for Remembrance Day - a metal cross on a camoflage uniform.