Australian Residents Urged To Flee 18-Meter Flames - AFP

[hatrack]

Good idea!

:eyes:

A wildfire towering up to 18 metres (60 feet) high bore down on homes in Australia's western Outback on Monday, officials said, urging residents to flee. An emergency warning released at 5:00 pm Sydney time (0600 GMT) said houses in an area near Eneabba, north of Perth, will be in danger in a matter of hours as the blaze burns out of control.

"Homes in these areas will be impacted by fire in the next three hours. Embers are likely to be blown around your home," the Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) of Western Australia said in a statement.

"This means if you are in this area your best option for survival is away from the fire. If the way is clear, leave for your safer place now and take your survival kit with you. Relocating at the last minute is deadly."

Some 166 firemen using dozens of fire engines and aircraft were battling the flames, which have already consumed 22,000 hectares (54,000 acres) of land.

EDIT

http://www.terradaily.com/afp/100301070745.fdzwxsr4.html

[Dead_Parrot]

1. Hard to do when it's your home, though

If your family has been farming the land for several generations, but it's recommended you let it burn and live in the Oz equivalent of a FEMA trailer for a year or two...

...I can see why they stay. :(

[depakid]

2. Eneabba fire under control

A bushfire near Eneabba in the state's Midwest no longer poses any threat to homes. The blaze burning in Arrowsmith near the Brand Highway and Indian Ocean Drive intersection north of Eneabba has burnt more than 31,000 hectares of bushland.

Residents can stay in their homes but are being advised to keep windows and doors shut. Authorities have contained a bushfire in the southern Perth suburb of Wattleup that has burnt 47 hectares of bushland and private property. The blaze broke out between Moylan, Torgoyle and Russell Roads this afternoon and is now under control.

Firefighters have saved six homes in the area but two sheds have been lost.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/01/2833389.htm?site=perth§ion=news

[phantom power]

3. how much urging does one need for that?