The fires

[pjmpjm]

Despite the RFS successes yesterday, the fires at Lithgow/Mt. Vic and at Faulconbridge continue to burn strongly within containment lines. Winds are very, very gusty today and there are worries around Chapman Parade (Faulconbridge) that the containment lines may be broken. A skycrane has just been brought in to assist. So it's still a very worrying time for people living around Springwood and along Bells Line of Road.

[pjmpjm]

Thanks for all the info. We've had similar fire situations in the western & southwestern USA recently. Scary stuff, and heartwrenching for those involved. Just last night Gram was looking at things to do in the Sydney area, and said she thought the Blue Mountains looked like a good place to visit... I just said check it out a little further, and all of a sudden she found the wildfire info and changed her mind!

We're all hoping that this present worrying event will be ancient history when you visit Australia in December. By that time, you'll probably be able to explore around the beautiful Blue Mountains without any danger whatsoever.

[tronador]

Except they may be black not blue.

[Bundyrumandcoke]

In all honesty, staying away is probably the last thing the local economy wants. Sure, stay away in the period during and immediately afterwards the fires, but once they are out, or the danger has passed, then there should be no worries.

Imagine, if you will, you are a tourist business owner, not affected by the fires. Your business relies on tourists and passing trade. Imagine if all your customers stayed away, simply because of the belief that everything has been destroyed, or blackened.

In the post disaster stage, the local business and economy wants, no needs your money to help rebuild the community.

[Taiko'sFamily]

We have been thinking of our friends in the mountains, and hoping you we're all unaffected by the fires.

For those who didn't know Taiko'sFamily moved to Tasmania about a month ago, and although we miss the mountains we are kind of relieved to be in the rain and cold here!

Hoping for a calmer and safer rest of the summer for you all

[Yurt]

Looks like a lot of rain falling in the Mountains at present. That's good news if there are no lightning strikes.

[rogerw3]

Sorry to say not that much rain around Lithgow a couple showers and some light drizzle. Not really enough to put out any fires, enough to dampen the ground but not much more.

[Toriaz]

And Springwood has only light rain as well.

In all honesty, staying away is probably the last thing the local economy wants. Sure, stay away in the period during and immediately afterwards the fires, but once they are out, or the danger has passed, then there should be no worries.

Imagine, if you will, you are a tourist business owner, not affected by the fires. Your business relies on tourists and passing trade. Imagine if all your customers stayed away, simply because of the belief that everything has been destroyed, or blackened.

In the post disaster stage, the local business and economy wants, no needs your money to help rebuild the community.

According to a news report a few days ago, tourist operators in the Mountains are loosing about $2million per day. Definitely don't stay away once the danger has passed.

And as an inducement to visit, pjmpjm has a cache series taking you to all the best lookouts in Leura & Katoomba, safe away from the fires.

[rogerw3]

The rain is starting to be a bit more consistent at present, not a downpour by any mean but better.
Let's hope it lasts through the night and that it spreads all over the Bluies.

[tronador]

Dry as a bone here, not one measly drop today or yesterday!!! Glad its dampening those fires though.

[Yurt]

Dry as a bone here, not one measly drop today or yesterday!!! Glad its dampening those fires though.

It's weird how it bucketed down on the northern beaches yesterday (30-60mm) and yet nothing here either.
Plenty of rain from the Central Coast to Newcastle today going by the radar.

[Gram&Gramps]

We are consulting with a travel agent who hails from N. Zealand and spends time every year in Sydney. She is suggesting we go out to Katoomba. She says all the fires will be out by the end of this week, the danger is over... The fire maps seems to show the Katoomba area as unaffected.

What is the local perspective?

Thanks, cYa, Jim & Chris

[JABs]

Hi Guys as an Ex Fire Fighter and Resident of the Bluies who has been through several large fires up there, my advice.

Go anyway. It is one of the most spectacular places that burnt or unburnt still holds about it magic and mystery.
True the main fire issue should be solved within the next week or two. But this can change and or new issues can
crop up as well. There is a chance that any issue can be present with anywhere you go from flood to fire or storm etc.

As it has been over two years since my last visit there I can't wait until my next visit early next year. There are many
places and spots that my family can't wait to get back to and visit again (Burnt or unburnt).

Enjoy your visit and take in the beauty of the area.
JABs.

[Richary]

On local radio this morning they were coming live from the mountains, and interviewed someone from the local tourist office. The mountains are definitely back open for business and they are encouraging people to go. All the main lookouts and tourist attractions (except Zig Zag railway) are open. Depending on the lookout you may see natural looking Australian bush, or burnt Australian bush. Either way it is worth seeing.

Lookouts south from the Great Western Highway are mostly in untouched country so natural, some of the ones north of the highway may be looking over burnt country. But it would be an interesting contrast as well.

Bushfires (wildfires) are generally a short lived event here (maybe a week maximum) though if they get into some of the wild country they may burn for weeks, but in that case they are well away from civilisation. You can check local traffic conditions and road closures in New South Wales at www.livetraffic.com, and fire information at www.rfs.nsw.gov.au if there are fires when you are here.

[pjmpjm]

We are consulting with a travel agent who hails from N. Zealand and spends time every year in Sydney. She is suggesting we go out to Katoomba. She says all the fires will be out by the end of this week, the danger is over... The fire maps seems to show the Katoomba area as unaffected. What is the local perspective? Thanks, cYa, Jim & Chris

Jim and Chris, the Leura/Katoomba area of the upper mountains (where I live) is just fine. There were never any fires here and there are no burned areas to be seen (apart from a bit of burning-off before the fire season started). In fact as long as you don't go as far as Mt. Victoria, you won't see any of the sad remains of the recent fires. There are still badly damaged areas to the north of the Great Western Highway, at Springwood and Faulconbridge, where a great many houses were destroyed (at Winmalee and Yellow Rock). You don't need to transit these towns to travel around and of course it's best to leave the hard work of re-building completely undisturbed. The fires behind Mt. Victoria and to the north of Springwood/Faulconbridge are still burning but are no danger to property now. They've been contained.

As someone else has written here on this subject, the merchants of the Blue Mountains area will welcome you and thank you. Business has been down since the fires and much of the economy up here is dependent on tourism.

This said, please remember that summer has not yet arrived! And we really haven't had any decent rain. Further fires could start and you should watch the news bulletins, many on ABC radio.

Of course, you'll immediately hear-fire related geocaching news right here . . .

I'm sure you'll enjoy your trip to the Blue Mountains! Have a great time!