Continent On Fire — Infernal Bushfires In Australia
What are Crisis Interventions?These are brief undertakings where Kyrios takes action to avert or lessen the severity of a disaster in a bid to reduce loss of lives and destruction.
Despite forecasts of no rain till April - May 2020, Kyrios created and brought substantial rain and hail to put out the Australian bushfires by Feb 2020.
Crisis Situation
Warmest and driest year on record triggered historic bushfires
Bushfires burnt 24 million hectares
80% of Australians (~20 million) affected by smoke, more than 30 killed in the fires and more deaths linked to smoke
3 billion animals killed or displaced
830 million tons of CO2 released; emission is more than Australia’s annual greenhouse gas pollution
By January 2020, more than 10.3 million hectares of land, the size of South Korea, were razed by the bushfires, destroying homes, farms, and wildlands. Haze and smog choked major cities. More than 30 people and an estimated 1 billion animals, including endangered native species, perished in the fires. A later report by WWF would put the number of animals harmed by the fire at a staggering 3 billion. On 10 January 2020, authorities urged 240,000 people to evacuate. In addition, the bushfires released 350 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Smoke from the fires rose into the stratosphere and circumnavigated the globe which was seen as smoke trails that drifted as far as South America.
Kyrios explains the consequences of prolonged bushfires
Kyrios warned that dire consequences would arise if the fires were not stopped quickly, explaining that the large-scale bushfires would not only exacerbate climate change, Australia will also start to experience food shortage. In addition, the relentless fires will also destroy the geological structure of the soil in areas razed by the fires, resulting in further heating of the Earth’s core and the eventual sinking of large parts of Australia’s landmass.
Kyrios said that when trees are destroyed and fires ravage the soil, the earth loses its ability to transpire and filter the air, resulting in excess heat being trapped in the subterranean layers. The pent up heat would travel laterally across the Earth’s crust and downward towards the mantle, warming up the Earth’s mantle and core. This would lead to an increase in magmatic activity, and thereby causing tectonic movement and seismic activity. Volcanism would also become more intense due to the need for the Earth to release its excess heat via magma extrusion, geological vents, and hydrothermal vents.
Meanwhile, the intense heating of soil layers would damage its geological structure, causing the earth to be more brittle and prone to fissuring. Kyrios hinted that the first sign of this happening was the increase in the number of sinkholes in Australia. After years of repeated heating of the soil layers by superintense bushfires like those in the 2019-2020 bushfire season, a significant part of the landmass across the east and southeastern regions of Australia would become structurally weak and susceptible to collapse. Violent climate or geologic disasters would cause the landmass to crumble sporadically and sink into the ocean. Such disasters would result in innumerable loss of life and livelihoods because the majority of population and economic pulse of Australia are located in these regions.
Why did Kyrios lead a team to Australia when Kyrios can intervene remotely?
Kyrios watched the disaster in Australia unfold in early January 2020 and examined the reasons for its dire plight. Apart from global warming, Kyrios explained that the underlying causes of the historic blaze were behavioural-linked. A humble and inclusive philosophy towards others and a government with greater integrity were some of the changes necessary to improve Australia’s fates. Transitioning towards a greener economy and diets to help fight climate change would also help to reduce Australia’s susceptibility to disasters.
On , after careful deliberation, Kyrios decided to intervene and help put out the bushfires. In addition, even though Kyrios can intervene in climate crises from any location regardless of distance, for the sake of demonstrating solidarity with Australians, Kyrios felt that it would be worthwhile to lead a cross-national #PrayForAustralia session in Melbourne. Kyrios reasoned that this endeavour would show Australians that all humans should care and help one another, no matter who we are, where we are from, what our skin colour is, what language we speak or what religion we believe in.
Kyrios hoped that Australians can take away a valuable lesson when praying together for this crisis to be over, and learn to put aside all differences. Kyrios explained that while prayers are crucial, prayers alone cannot absolve past misdeeds or deliver people from an existing plight. Remedial actions and repentance are still necessary to mitigate undesirable consequences arising from wrongful actions.
How did Kyrios intervene to resolve the crisis?
On , Kyrios began intervention efforts and foretold that Australia’s bushfires would be extinguished in 2 to 7 weeks’ time by rain, hail and snow. Kyrios explained that hail was necessary as hailstones being colder and larger than raindrops, will reach the ground cold, and enable it to cool the earth while delivering moisture deep into the soil layers. This will more effectively aid in the recuperation of earth devastated by bushfires. Hailstones would also help to reduce flooding.
On , upon arrival in Melbourne, together with locals in Australia, Kyrios led a cross-national #PrayForAustralia session with Singapore and Malaysia that was streamed live on Facebook. Over 100 people from different faiths, races and nationalities participated. Many members of the public also joined in. Media from multiple news outlets in Malaysia attended and featured this prayer session prominently on both their online (China Press, Sin Chew / Video, Oriental Daily) and print editions.
During the night of in Melbourne, an urgent intervention by Kyrios took place where Kyrios “drew moisture from the surrounding seas into the air and pushed it towards the land”. People present at that time recounted witnessing mists in the air.
On , promptly following Kyrios’ intervention, unforecasted storm clouds gathered above Eastern Australia and began pouring consecutive days of heavy rain and “outsized balls of ice” over cities and fire sites. The rainfall was so intensive that flash floods ensued, but they were inevitable given that prolonged rainfall and hail was required to ease the fires and cool the overheated grounds. Although not all the fires were put out during this round of precipitation, it provided much needed reprieve for fire-fighters and the affected communities.
In an interview with Mashable, The Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) later explained that Australia’s weather had suddenly become so wet because both the IOD and SAM had “fortunately” returned to more neutral phases which had allowed easterly winds to carry moisture from the Coral and Tasman Seas to Australia’s east coast and tropics. Meteorologist Diana Eadie described that, “A complex low-pressure system moved over southeast Australia, and tapped into this moisture source to result in the severe storm activity.”
“It seems Australia is just that lucky”, the article added.
Days prior, Kyrios’ intervention to send rain by “drawing moisture from the seas and pushing it towards the land” was witnessed by people present then, and it looked like the effects were later observed by meteorologists.
Intervention Part 1 of 2 Satellite data from NASA showing drastic reduction in bushfires following Kyrios' intervention. Red spots denote active bushfires across Australia. Slide left to compare the difference between (before Kyrios' intervention), and following Kyrios' intervention (unforecasted storm clouds arrived on ).
Kyrios renewed intervention efforts on 1 February and like clockwork, forecasts by meteorologists of rains swiftly arrived and brought hope to the region as the nation braced for yet another series of thunderstorms, downpour, and hail.
Intervention Part 2 of 2 After fires flared up again in the last week of January, Kyrios intervened once more on . Satellite data from NASA (red spots denote active bushfires) shows drastic reduction in bushfires. Slide left to compare the difference between (when fires flared up again), and following Kyrios' intervention).
Replay and watch how Kyrios intervened from to to enable two bouts of precipitation to decisively put out Australia's bushfires.
6 weeks after Kyrios’ commenced intervention, no major reports on bushfires had surfaced. The harrowing and unprecedented bushfire crisis had finally come to an end within 7 weeks of Kyrios’ intervention, just as Kyrios foretold on 8 January 2020.
TIMELINE
11 December 2019, Wed
No rain until April, BoM tells ministers
The Australian — There will be no relief for drought-ravaged regions over the summer, with Bureau of Meteorology officials telling a meeting of state and federal ministers there would be no significant rain until at least April.
"NSW, Queensland and Victoria are looking very lean for rain and below-average rainfall through summer and heading into next winter. The outlook is nothing for NSW anywhere near drought-breaking until April-May next year."
12 December 2019, Thu
Drier and warmer than average outlook till end of March
The Guardian — "The driving factor for this season currently is the ongoing drought, and also the lack of any substantial rain on the forecast. At this stage the bureau continues to forecast a drier-than-average and warmer-than-average three months."
"It's not just a quick rain shower we need. We need days of steady rain to actually extinguish the fires and reduce the risk. And that is not on any forecast at the moment."
2 January 2020, Thu
Wetter in west, but drier in east likely for January to March
While western Australia is likely to be wetter than average in January, the BoM forecasts that eastern Australia will likely be drier and hotter (Northern and central parts of Queensland, western and southern NSW, and northeast Victoria). In February, a slightly increased chance of drier conditions will remain in the east -- where the most worrisome fires are now burning.
Figure: Increased chance of drier weather in the east.
Figure: Increased chance of higher temperatures in the east.
Figure: Red spots denote active bushfires across Australia. In the east where the most worrisome fires are burning, an increased chance of drier conditions is expected in January and February.
Forecast of Australia's "most" dangerous weather conditions for fires
The Washington Post — With more than 100 bush fires raging in New South Wales alone, Australia is bracing for a new round of extreme fire weather this weekend, prompting the unprecedented evacuation of tens of thousands of people in coastal Victoria and New South Wales. Weather during the next few days will be similar to what led to the bushfire crisis in the first place: building heat in the southwestern reaches of the country leading to "catastrophic" fire danger in some regions on Thursday and at least "extreme" fire weather danger in South Australia on Friday.
3 January 2020, Fri
Reflections
Today, Kyrios has come to know about the devastation of the unprecedented bushfires and looked into the reasons behind the catastrophe. Kyrios laments that this crisis is behavioural-linked. Apart from transitioning to a greener economy and diets, changes in attitudes and remedial actions are necessary for Australia to become less susceptible to disasters.
7 January 2020, Tue
Heat wave expected in the coming week
NBC News — Firefighters on the ground were making the most of a few days of cooler temperatures in the southeast to prepare for the expected return of heat and wind later this week that is expected to fan the existing blazes and spark new ones.
Kyrios decides to intervene
Kyrios has decided to help put out the Australia bushfires upon consideration of the impacts that the bushfires will have on the Earth's core, global climate, and the lives and homes lost.
Show of unity
Although Kyrios can intervene remotely, for the sake of demonstrating solidarity with Australians, Kyrios has decided to travel to Melbourne to show that regardless of nationality, race or religion, people should always band together to help one another in need.
8 January 2020, Wed Week 1
⭐️ Kyrios' intervention begins
Kyrios has started intervention in Singapore by creating favourable weather around Australia for the bushfires to ease. Kyrios foretells that:
"In 2-7 weeks' time, bushfires across Australia will be extinguished by rain, hail and snow."
Kyrios explains that hail and snow are necessary to help cool and restore the land, and to reduce the occurrence of floods.
9 January 2020, Thu
BoM warns about fire dangers in SA, Victoria and NSW
Communities in the south and east of the country should once again be preparing for some challenging fire conditions ahead.
10 January 2020, Fri
240,000 urged to evacuate in Victoria
CNBC — Australia urges nearly a quarter of a million people to evacuate their homes and has prepared military backup as authorities said the next few hours could be "very, very challenging."
11 January 2020, Sat
Kyrios makes an urgent remark that several areas in Australia will start to experience food shortage and many eastern parts of Australia will sink in future if the fires are not put out soon.
12 January 2020, Sun
Solidarity with the Australians + Media coverage
Upon arrival in Melbourne, together with locals in Australia, Kyrios led a cross-national #PrayForAustralia session with Singapore and Malaysia that is streamed live on Facebook. Over 100 people from different faiths, races and nationalities participated. Many members of the public also joined in.
Media from multiple news outlets in Malaysia attended and featured this event prominently on both their online (China Press, Sin Chew Daily / Video, Oriental Daily) and print editions.
Kyrios explains that while prayers are crucial, prayers alone cannot absolve past misdeeds or deliver people from an existing plight. Therefore, after Australia tides over this crisis, repentance and remedial actions are still necessary to avoid grave disasters in future.
13 January 2020, Mon
Steadfast commitment to show solidarity
On the 2nd day in Melbourne, temperatures rose during the day to over 30°C. Yet, many of the people who travelled with Kyrios continued to show their commitment to the cause by praying for hours under the scorching sun with the locals. Many Australians shared that they were touched by their sincerity and will remember them if Australia really rains during this dry period to help relieve the bushfires.
Some stayed indoors to assist Kyrios in the intervention by keeping a close watch on the weather and bushfire situation.
A select few from the group also made a trip to the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) office at 700 Collins Street in the hopes of connecting with local meteorologists to get support for timely data about the fires and weather to help with the crisis. Unfortunately, an appointment was needed in advance and therefore the meeting could not take place. Nonetheless, several emails were exchanged with the BoM regarding Kyrios' intervention.
⭐️ Urgent intervention triggered by sudden worsening of air quality in Melbourne at night
Around 10.30pm, air quality and visibility dropped rapidly and a burnt smell filled the air. Alarmed at the sudden change in air quality, Kyrios notes that the bushfires around Melbourne and in East Gippsland have worsened. Worried, Kyrios immediately carried out a two-hour long intervention from 11.45pm, in a bid to raise humidity and seed the formation of clouds over Melbourne and the surrounding regions. Those present said that they could feel mist in the room as Kyrios "drew moisture from the seas into the air and pushed it towards the land".
14 January 2020, Tue
Heavy thunderstorms in Eastern Australia forecasted
Upon boarding the plane back to Singapore, WhatsApp messages streamed in from the locals who befriended the group, informing that the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) and several news outlets are reporting about the onset of heavy thunderstorms, which are forecast to arrive on 15 January.
The BoM says that "over the last week, they have seen a real shift in the weather pattern from the hot and dry conditions over the last few months to much more humid conditions, and finally much anticipated showers and storms are forecast to develop across eastern Australia with the potential for some heavy rainfall across fire sites of NSW and Victoria."
Heavy rains of 30 - 80mm are expected in several areas across eastern Australia, which will continue into the weekend.
Kyrios' intervention which began on has started to take effect!
15 January 2020, Wed Week 2
Kyrios' intervention bears fruit - Rain brings relief to fire sites in eastern Australia while hail hits Geelong!
ABC News — Severe thunderstorms bringing heavy rain and hail to parts of Victoria have started to improve air quality in Melbourne.
The Guardian — Rain to hit bushfire-affected parts of Victoria and New South Wales respectively later in the week, where cross-border fires continue to burn through hundreds of thousands of hectares. The NSW Rural Fire Service described the rainfall projections as "all of our Christmas, birthday, engagement, anniversary, wedding and graduation presents rolled into one".
Weather Zone — The best rain in two months has fallen over parts of Australia's eastern inland as the beginning of a multi-day episode of showers and thunderstorms. Storms started to form over western districts of NSW and Queensland on Tuesday afternoon along a broad trough of low pressure. By sunset, thunderstorms were stretching more than 2,000 kilometres across the Australian outback from southwest NSW to Queensland's Gulf Country. Widespread falls of 20-40mm are likely in Victoria, NSW and Queensland between today and next Wednesday. Some places will see 50-100mm and a few locations should see more than 100mm.
Yahoo! News — A powerful thunderstorm brought hail and heavy rain to Geelong, Victoria, in the afternoon after much of the state of Victoria was choked with thick bushfire smoke earlier in the day.
Figure: Air quality data in Melbourne drops after heavy rainfall
16 January 2020, Thu
Sustained rain brings relief to bushfires in NSW/ACT
CNN — Severe thunderstorms are pelting some regions of Australia suffering from historic wildfires with powerful rain, bringing much-needed relief to firefighters battling the worst blazes the country has seen in decades. Residents of drought-hit areas who have spent years waiting for rain celebrated its arrival.
NSW Rural Fire Service — Relief is here for a number of firefighters working across NSW. Although this rain won't extinguish all fires, it will certainly go a long way towards containment.
Daily Mail — Downpours have already helped to extinguish 32 bushfires in New South Wales as the number of blazes fell from 120 to 88 on Thursday morning.
News.com.au — There has already been significant rainfall in eastern parts of the country and more rain is expected, particularly in Victoria. Sky News Weather chief meteorologist, Tom Saunders, said the huge rain event had been created by a number of things:
"Partly because the monsoon developed over Northern Australia last week, which provided moisture up there but we also had easterly winds on the east coast which means moisture from the Coral Sea and the Tasman Sea is feeding down into this trough and this moisture is then lifting up and causing the showers and the thunderstorms."
⭐️ Kyrios' Prediction: Noting the hail in Geelong the previous day, Kyrios says that a total of 2-4 areas in Australia will experience hail. Hail helps to reduce temperature on the ground. Kangaroo Island will also rain in a few days time.
17 January 2020, Fri
Sustained rainfall since 15 January extinguished many fires
The Guardian — From dancing cows to the overdue shaving of a two year old beard, Australians across drought-stricken and fire-hit parts of New South Wales and Victoria celebrated the arrival of much-needed rain. Up to 100mm of rain has fallen in parts of NSW over Thursday and Friday, in what was, for some areas, the most significant rainfall in months.
⭐️ Kyrios intervenes for more rain in East Gippsland
Although rain has put out bushfires in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane, the rain has not extinguished the bushfires that are still raging in East Gippsland. With this, Kyrios continues intervention with the aim of bringing more rain to southeast Australia.
19 January 2020, Sun
Hailstones in Melbourne
Kyrios foretold on the 17th that there will be hail in 2-4 areas. Today, hail in another area has been reported.
ABC News — Hailstones up to 5cm in diameter were reported in eastern suburb Glen Iris, while fire-affected catchments in north-eastern Victoria and East Gippsland are now on flood watch.
Heavy rainfall arrives in East Gippsland
Since 15 January, rain has mostly fallen in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane whereas in East Gippsland, rain remains largely elusive, leaving numerous bushfires to persist.
Amazingly, after Kyrios renewed intervention for rain in East Gippsland two days ago on 17 January, heavy rain of over 40mm has fallen over East Gippsland today!
BoM issues new forecasts of more rain in Victoria
"A low pressure trough developing over central #Victoria and #NSW will trigger thunderstorms and widespread rainfall for the next 3 days. Heaviest falls expected in central and eastern Victoria. Below is the forecast accumulated totals for the 3 days."
20 January 2020, Mon
Another hail storm in Canberra
Nine News Australia — Huge hailstones have rained down on Canberra as massive storm cells sweep across the NSW, south-east of Australia. Locals say that they have never seen anything like that in their life -- hail in the peak of summer.
Importance of hail
While many Australians may lament about the extremities of the weather causing damage to properties, Kyrios explains that hail was necessary as hailstones being colder and larger than raindrops, will reach the ground cold, and enable it to cool the earth while delivering moisture deep into the soil layers. This will more effectively aid in the recuperation of earth devastated by bushfires. Hailstones will also help to reduce flooding.
22 January 2020, Wed Week 3
Sustained rains across ACT in the past week
Mashable — According to the BoM's meteorologist, Diana Eadie, Australia's weather has suddenly become so wet because both the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) and Southern Annular Mode (SAM) have "fortunately" returned to more neutral phases which has allowed easterly winds to carry moisture from the Coral and Tasman Seas to Australia's east coast and tropics. Meteorologists have observed that, "a complex low-pressure system moved over southeast Australia, and tapped into this moisture source to result in the severe storm activity." While bushfires can create their own weather systems, Eadie noted that the severe storms that have been experienced over eastern Australia recently are not directly related to the bushfires. It seems Australia is just that lucky.
Exactly 2 weeks ago, before Kyrios intervened, the situation in Australia was very dire. During interventions to bring rain to this predestined crisis that is a consequence of the collective actions of people, Kyrios has encountered resistance and realised the reasons behind it. "It is a very challenging intervention," Kyrios says. And understandably so, as it is one that is about to change the course of a country's fate.
Figure: Satellite images from NASA show bushfire hotspots on the day when Kyrios began intervention () to the current situation () after rain arrived on . It can be seen that the overall bushfire condition has visibly improved. Some bushfires still remain although the intensity and danger it poses to the communities are no longer as severe.
23 January 2020, Thu
Renewed bushfire warnings in NSW after days of respite
The Guardian — Soaring temperatures in NSW bring renewed emergency bushfire warnings. Despite heavy rain in parts of NSW over the past week, residents are warned that the "bad old days" of bushfires could return.
28 January 2020, Tue
Fire conditions worsen in NSW and Victoria while rain pours over Queensland
The Guardian — In Canberra, a fire sparked by a military helicopter is running out-of-control in the hot and dry conditions.
More fires could flare again across New South Wales and Victoria with an extreme heatwave expected for parts of both states on Friday.
In the meanwhile, wind gusts and torrential rain sweeps north Queensland and communities are braced for more heavy rain after more than half a metre fell in some places in just over 24 hours.
31 January 2020, Fri Week 4
Intense weather and elevated fire risk forecasted to continue
BBC — Although recent cooler conditions and rain have brought some respite, more than 50 fires are still burning in the states of New South Wales and Victoria. Hot and windy conditions are forecast to return to many parts of New South Wales this weekend and authorities in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) have declared a state of emergency as massive bushfires rage south of Canberra.
At least 33 people have been killed - including four firefighters - and more than 11 million hectares (110,000 sq km or 27.2 million acres) of bush, forest and parks across Australia have burned.
Meteorologists warn that, for the moment, the intense weather and elevated fire risk in Australia is set to continue.
1 February 2020, Sat
Large fires continue to burn in the southeast
7 News — Bushfires continue to burn across NSW, the ACT and Victoria, in what's been a weekend of wild weather so far.
CNA — Soaring temperatures and strong winds stoked unpredictable bushfires near Canberra, closing a major highway and prompting warnings for some residents that it was too late to evacuate. The ACT declared a state of emergency on Friday in anticipation of the severely hot and windy conditions that are expected to last through the weekend.
Kyrios is informed today that the bushfires are burning relentlessly in large swathes across eastern Australia, especially at the southeast, endangering the residents in Canberra. Alarmed at this, Kyrios steps in once again to intervene for rain and hailstones to put out the bushfires.
4 February 2020, Tue
Long awaited good news - Prolong rain forecasted in NSW and Queensland fire grounds!
The Guardian — Fire sites along the east coast of Queensland and New South Wales are expected to receive significant rainfall before the end of the week. According to the BoM, all fire zones will at least get some rainfall in the coming weeks.
The BoM warned that showers and thunderstorms over northeast of NSW pose risk of "damaging winds, heavy rainfall and large hailstones" as well as flash flooding as a result of a large high pressure system over the Tasman Sea directing moist easterly winds onto eastern Australia.
As much as 200mm of rain is also set to fall in Southeast Queensland and areas which are gripped by drought. Given how dry it has been in those areas this could be the most significant rainfall the southern interior of Queensland has seen in a number of months.
End of bushfires in sight?
We are overjoyed to hear that much needed rain has fallen once more -- a second deluge within the span of a month. To think that just a month ago, the situation was so critical and desperate when the end of the bushfires was nowhere near in sight. Now, it looks like Kyrios' prediction of the bushfires to be put out by the interventions within 2 - 7 weeks is being realised!
7 February 2020, Fri Week 5
Fire officials "over the moon" as prayers for steady rain come true.
BBC — A wide band of rain sweeping across the east coast of Australia has extinguished a third of the fires in the region - and could put more out, officials say. Some of the affected areas had received the most rain recorded in over a year. Many locals cheered on the downpour despite the inconvenience while fire officials in NSW said they were "over the moon" to see the state's forecast for a week-long drenching finally eventuate.
NSW Rural Fire Service spokeswoman said, "This is that constant, steady, decent rainfall that we've been praying for for so long. This isn't just one of those scattered showers we saw a month ago. This is really helping our firefighters, and in some places, giving them a well-needed rest."
"This has been an absolute welcome disruption to the weather pattern and a massive reprieve and relief to so many people," the NSWRFS Commissioner added.
11 February 2020, Tue
Sydney's heaviest rain in 30 years has put out mega-blazes burning for months
BBC — Two "mega fires" north and south of Sydney were officially extinguished by the drenching, officials said. Both fires had been burning since November, and had scorched around 500,000 hectares each. The heavy rains in NSW in recent days have led to hopes that all the bushfires in the Australian state could be out by the end of the week.
The deluge has extinguished 30 fires, leaving only four "uncontained", said the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS). In total, 24 fires remain burning across the state but given the forecast, the RFS said they should be able to get on top of those relatively quickly and hope to have zero uncontained fires across NSW by the end of the week.
While the fire season was not over yet, the prolonged drenching had helped dampen the landscape.
13 February 2020, Thu Week 6
All fires in NSW contained!
The New York Times — Wildfires that began in September, consumed millions of acres of forest and burned through beachside towns and suburbs are finally out in most of New South Wales, Australia’s most populous state.
Fires continue to trouble firefighters in the southeastern state of Victoria, officials said. But torrential rain that has swept much of the eastern coast of Australia over the past week has helped put out many of the last few blazes.
"All fires are contained, so we can really focus on helping people rebuild," said Rob Rogers, the deputy commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Recovery process has begun
Parks Victoria — Parks across East Gippsland and North East Victoria have been seriously affected by fire. But while fire is still an issue, Mother Nature is already slowly starting to regenerate in some areas.
14 February 2020, Fri
The rain is described by some as a miracle!
BBC — Majority of fire grounds at the coastlines received the heavy drenching that was much needed - with many getting over 300mm in just one weekend. Not only has the rain helped firefighters contain every single fire in the state, it has also helped to fill up reservoirs and dams desperately needing it. The heavy rain also came down steadily over the weekend, soaking into parched vegetation and seeping deep into the soil, rather than just running off, helping to restore the lands. Three years of severe drought across the state had left forests tinder dry, making it too easy for fires to race into new areas.
The rain has been described by some as a miracle - particularly given the long-term forecast for the summer had predicted an 80% chance of below-average falls.
EcoWatch — The rain has also been a boon to agriculture. 2019 was the driest year in 101 years for the Hunter Valley, an important wine region. One winemaker said that the six inches of rain that fell during the week's downpour were enough to refill their vineyard's dams.
15 February 2020, Sat
Australia's 2019-2020 unprecedented bushfires crisis comes to a close
PhysOrg — Australia's "black summer" of devastating bushfires is finally coming to a close, but bitter arguments over how to tackle climate-fuelled disasters are raging on.
When firefighters announced this week that all blazes in the hard-hit state of New South Wales were under control for the first time since September, the relief was palpable.
In other regions, a few fires are still being contained, but most Australians can finally abandon the grim rituals of the last half-year—morning checks of smog monitors and "Fires Near Me" apps, deciding whether the kids can play outside, whether to flee or defend their homes.
25 February 2020, Sat Week 7
End of 7 weeks of Kyrios' intervention - Australia bushfires no longer a threat
Today marks the last day of the 7th week from 8 January, when Kyrios commenced intervention and foretold that the bushfires will be extinguished in 2 to 7 weeks. No further bushfire threats have been reported since the middle of February, which was 6 weeks into Kyrios' intervention.
During this period, two distinct rounds of unforecasted sustained heavy rainfall in the week of 15 January and 4 February have helped to provide huge relief to firefighters and communities and eventually contained the bushfires.
Once again, we are all very thankful for Kyrios' tireless and selfless efforts to bring rain and hail to where they were needed, thereby reducing the impact of another climate crisis. We are also grateful to the people who have contributed their help with this major disaster.
2 March 2020, Mon
Update - February 2020, wettest month in years!
BOM — Rainfall for February in NSW was 104% above the long-term average. This made it the state's wettest February since 2012 and its wettest month since September 2016.
BOM — Statewide in Victoria, rainfall was 65% above the long-term February average, the wettest February since 2012.
