Australia is currently experiencing record heat and numerous bush fires. This first video is a must see. It describes how a family fled their Dunalley, Tasmania home as a rapidly spreading fire approached, and took refuge in the ocean or a lake (I’m not sure which). Some of them remained submerged up to their chest for three hours while they waited for conditions to moderate. The video is about 10 minutes long, but worth it.
This next video was uploaded Monday, January 7 (Australia time), and describes the “catastrophic” fire danger that is predicted for Tuesday. It could be the most extreme bush fire burning conditions in decades for Australia, and features an interview with Rob Rogers, Deputy Commissioner of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service.
And last, the Premier of Tasmania, Laura Giddings, and Prime Minister Julia Gillard speak about the fires. The Prime Minister mentions the “great mate ship” with the people of Tasmania.
They took refuge in a saltwater bay off the Tasman Sea.