Dramatic pictures of five young children and their grandmother huddled together under a jetty in the Tasmanian town of Dunalley were captured by their grandfather Tim Holmes as the family took shelter from Australia’s wildfires in the water to escape the flames. The family was forced to stay in the water for several hours as homes around them were razed to the ground. The pictures, taken on 4 January have just been released. Click on the image for more
When Hani Ahmad left his home in Colorado Springs as the Waldo Canyon fire raced down the mountainside, he expected to return. When he did, the house where his family has lived for two decades was a smoldering hole in the ground. The only recognizable remnant was a melted hunk of stove. As the family rounded the corner for the first time, Hani’s daughter captured the horror on her phone. The family agreed to share the footage with Climate Desk, offering an exclusive look into the heart of the destruction.
Got five minutes? Watch this.
Fire crews continue to make progress this morning in containing several fires burning throughout Central Texas since Sunday, but thousands of residents remain evacuated.
Heavy smoke and haze is being reported in Austin, but officials say it is from fires surrounding the area. They are asking people to call 911 only if they see smoke or flames coming from a structure or brush. If you suffer from respiratory problems, avoid going outdoors for extended periods of time.
The American Red Cross of Central Texas has posted information on evacuation centers and how to donate on its website.
See more photos from the fires
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Photos by Jay Janner, Ralph Barrera and Laura Skelding AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Photos by Rodolfo Gonzalez, Jay Janner, Ricardo B. Brazziell AMERICAN-STATESMAN and Terry Hagerty BASTROP ADVERTISER
Fire crews continue to battle several fires across Central Texas Tuesday. Winds are expected to be lighter today, but low humidity could help flames spread quickly, forecasters say. There is no chance of rain.
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Photos by Jay Janner AMERICAN-STATESMAN
Wildfires have devastated parts of Central Texas since Sunday and firefighters continue to battle uncontained fires in several areas including Bastrop County and the Steiner Ranch subdivision. Get the latest updates on the wildfires here.
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As the Wallow wildfire charbroils more than 500,000 acres of Arizona, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) is blaming illegal immigrants.”There is substantial evidence that some of these fires have been caused by people who have crossed our border illegally,” McCain said Saturday, while declining to offer any such evidence.
Photo: CC BY NASA Goddard Photo and Video
I just… can’t even…
Perry Issues Proclamation Asking Texans to Pray for Rain [Politics] - Austinist
That’s my guv! (also, I wrote this)
Texas is on fire.
Several massive wildfires in North and West Texas continued to rage Tuesday, racing through parched fields and woods and adding to a sweeping acreage toll that has reached almost 1.2 million in less than two weeks.
Fed by gusting winds, a wildfire roared into residential streets in Oak Hill on Sunday afternoon, destroying eight houses, damaging another 10 and forcing hundreds of people from their homes. A homeless man has been charged in the incident after apparently leaving hot coals unattended.
Fires burned more than 60,000 acres back home in Far West Texas. The McDonald Observatory snapped this picture “from the catwalk of the 82” dome.”
More information on the blaze can be found on NPR. You can also find out how you can help the victims (many who have lost their homes) here.
