Just watched the news here in NYC and was very disturbed to see all the fires ravaging Canberra. Truth now, how are things?

Go onto www.smh.com.au It gives a terrifying story of the Canberra fires.<BR>I am very concerned for the safety of friends in the Brindabella Valley. The phones are down.

My thoughts are with you and for everyone's safety there.

It's horrible. I'm in Sydney, and the heat hasn't abated. All of Sydney is under a cloud of smoke as well, but luckily there aren't as many fired (some in the north)

Hi Deb. <BR>Are there any fires up around the Coffs Harbor area? <BR><BR>Thanks, <BR>Mike

Hi All,<BR>Thank you all for the concern! I live in Canberra, on the south side. It was very scary - and of course, went to work to find collegues had lost their homes-everything. (I know the daughter of one of the people who died). It was horrific, and yesterday the northern suburbs were on highest alert - but no drama's. Unfortunately, finger pointing has started, there will be an enquiry of course, so see what that entails. Basically, there was nothing that could be done - even if they had 1000 firefighters in action, it was impossible to stop (the weather conditions, the pine forest just across the road) all contributed to this bushfire (which wasn't really a bushfire in the end, it was uncontrollable). I guess the scary thing was all the firefighters were trying to contain it in Duffy (that is the suburb that was destroyed the most) and there were not enough resources to assist other suburbs (we had to cross the road to help neighbours contain a spot fire that had started in the reserve behind their backyard). If the wind had changed, well, lets just say we're lucky. This was the case in a few other suburbs too. We have now got many firefighters from interstate so they are fully prepared and so are people (although a little panicky after seeing what happened). some of the suburbs neighbouring Duffy still don't have electricity and hot water but apparently everybody who lost their homes have somewhere to stay. They say it was an event that could only happen 100 years, but really I don't know how they make these presumptions because if the weather conditions are right, it wouldn't matter if it were 100 years or 10 days...anyway, time for recovery and rebuilding. Still on high alert as temperatures will sore to 40 degrees on the weekend....keep you posted. Cheers

Kristy:<BR>From one who has visited Canberra and fell in love with it, as well as the rest of Australia, I thank you for your report. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.<BR>John