Fire update

[dizzojay]

It looks like the Chobham common fire is out.  It was downgraded from 'a major incident' yesterday, and we've had rain on and off all day today, so that should help the fire crew's damping down efforts.  There are still some fire crews on site, but they're mainly doing preventative work now to stop any flare ups, and all the roads around the common are stil closed becausde of the threat of falling trees or landslips.

It's apparently been the biggest fire in Surrey Heath for seven years, and it's covered an area of over 500 acres :(  Kudos to our great fire crews who've really gone above and beyond these last few days.

Although I know heath fires are just part of life in this area, it still saddens me every summer.   I cant help thinking about all the poor little animals and birds caught up in it all.  Thankfully as bad as this fire was, it's miniscule compared to what Australia was enduring eafrlier this year, and what California is dealing with right now, so I hope that many of them found their way to safety.

When I go into the Country Park in our village, and climb to the top of High Curley, the tallest - and probably only - hill in Surrey Heath, (it's nothing to shout about, only about 100 metres above sea level), all I can see from there is green.  In every direction.  And I hate the thought of any of it burning. 

I don't know if this will be the last fire of the year - I truly hope so, but who knows. 

Comments

[metallidean-grl.livejournal.com]

So happy to hear that the fires have been contained. It is never a fun thing, fires. What with all the wildlife in danger and all, not to mention if the fires get anywhere near homes.

So, with the rain you have been having on and off, does that mean your temperatures have decreased? I remember you saying you have had it hot for the last several days. I hope you have had some relief. We are going into a hot spell here starting on Saturday for about 4-5 days. Not looking forward to it, AT ALL.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

Yes, the rain has done us a lot of favours over the last few days. Our days are down to low twenties now, which is about average for a southern English summer, and is just about perfect!

Hopefully it's dampened things down on the heath so that there will be no immediate danger of any more fires They had got so dry, it was just a matter of time before they went up in flames.

[amberdreams.livejournal.com]

Glad to hear it's out, but 500 acres is quite a sizeable area. I know heathlands are supposed to burn periodically as part of their life cycle, but like you say, it's terrible for the creatures that live there!

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

It's a big chunk of land, and I know it will recover in time, but that doesn't help the poor little beasties caught up in it this time.

[kiramaru7.livejournal.com]

I'm glad the fire's out! I hope all the lil critters that live in the area are okay!

(We can really use your fire department as California is still burning. XD)

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

I really hope your guys can get the California fires under control soon, and without any loss of life. It's been a horrible year for fires.

I'd love to think that our wildlife is all okay, but the fire took out 500 acres of vegetation, I dread to think how many animals were caught up in that. :(

[kiramaru7.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I do too! I know it's part of the natural cycle of things, but lives can & are lost, along with property & habitats. It sooo has!!

I hope they are & those that did survive are stronger for it! And those who didn't, I really hope they didn't suffer. :(

[cuddyclothes.livejournal.com]

Oh my god...those poor creatures!

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

I know, I don't want to think about it :(

[fanspired]

I have a photograph on my wall that my husband took of a tree on Chobham common when we visited it while we lived in Surrey. I wonder if it's even still there. Probably best I don't know :( I hope it recovers quickly.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

I can't believe you went to Chobham common. Depending on when it was, you were probably about five miles from my house!!

I think it's bet you remember your lovely tree as it looks in your picture - just in case.

Did you visit anywhere else while you were in the area. I remember you said you lived over by Box hill?

[fanspired]

I lived in Chessington for most of my life prior to emigrating in '95, so I've visited Box Hill many times, and pretty much been all over Surrey. I can't remember exactly when we visited Chobham, but I think it was probably in the late 80s/early 90s.

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

It's such a small world!!
So, now you've been down under for 2 years, are you considered an Aussie now? Or do the Aussies still view you as a Pom? :D

[fanspired]

You know, I don't know. I imagine strangers hear the accent and mark me as a Pom. I think friends just think of me as Karen (which is a category all by itself, and not the same as being a Karen, if you know what I mean :P) I think of myself as Aussie, most of the time :D

[dizzojay.livejournal.com]

That sounds reasonable. I remember the first time we went over to Aus to stay with Barry's uncle John who was one of the original £10 poms back in the 60's. He's been over there 30 years by the time we went, and somehow he'd managed not to pick up a trace of an accent. He said how he'd always been teased about being 'a bloody Pom'.

And I hate that 'Karen' meme. I know several Karens, and they are all perfectly nice, intelligent ladies!

[fanspired]

Yep. All the Karens I've met have been sweet and lovely. Maybe they're different in America :P