What is going on with Genesee and Wyomings RR assets in Australia with the wild fires.

[M636C]

G&W's main asset is the Tarcoola-Darwin line in South Australia and the Northern Territory which is very distant from any of the fires. G&W operate the main lines in South Australia where the only fires have been away from railway alignments.

The other major G&W operation is the Hunter Valley export coal traffic in New South Wales which has been unaffected by the fires.

The worst fires in the Snowy Mountains, NSW South Coast and Gippsland in Victoria are away from operating railways, although there were lines in the affected areas that have long been closed.

The NSW main South line was closed at Wingello and nearby at least twice and but is operating again and the NSW North Coast line was closed by one of the very early (September?) fires, but that was rapidly restored.

THe NSW Main West line through the Blue Mountains has been closed down by the fires and has remained closed to the present.

Peter

[PJS1]

Deggesty

 There was a report today that some firebugs started fires in Australia. You can wonder about the basic intelligence of anyone who likes to set fires that endanger other people. 

According to the Sydney Morning Herald and the Age (Melbourne), which are highly reputable Australian newspapers, the rumor that 183 of the bush fires were started by arsonists is false. 

 

Only 24 people have been allegedly charged with starting a fire.  Allegedly means yet to be proved.  Another 47 persons have been charged for discarding a lit cigarette or match on land and 53 for failing to comply with a total fire ban.

 

According to the Victoria Police, there is no intelligence to indicate that the fires in East Gippsland and the North East have been caused by arson or any other suspicious behavior.”

 

According to the Queensland Police, it is possible that approximately 10 percent of the fires in Queensland were set by arsonists or people doing stupid things. 

 

Lightning strikes have been a major cause of bushfires this season, as has been the case historically, particularly in Victoria and South Australia.  The fires have been acerbated by drought, high temperatures, and strong winds.

 

Following the devasting fires of 1983, we implemented a robust program to clear the vegetation under and near our power lines.  Sparking from the power lines can cause a fire. 

 

Australia would have to clear all the vegetation in Victoria, NSW, and Queensland if it were to totally prevent bush fires. 

 

Australians have faced many challenges.  Not coming back from these devastating fires is not in the cards.  Australia is one of the most dynamic countries that I know of; they will rebuild.  

[tree68]

divebardave

The claim is that Australia has had record rainfall in the last 7 years leading to a growth of the bush which in turn lead to more fuel for the fire. Australian Provinces are supposed to clear the excess bush to prevent wild fires.

This is known to be a problem in southern California from time to time, so no real surprise there.

[divebardave]

The claim is that Australia has had record rainfall in the last 7 years leading to a growth of the bush which in turn lead to more fuel for the fire. Australian Provinces are supposed to clear the excess bush to prevent wild fires.

[Murphy Siding]

I saw a headline yesterday that ranked high on the dumb scale: "Australia will rebuild after devastating fires".

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

divebardave

Discussing Politics,Religion and Now Climate Change (formaly known as Global Warming) are now prohibited at my corner dive bar.---(So is discussing the Boston Red Sox which is a radical religion unto it self with rampet violent extreamisim. )

 

Perhaps you should go on the wagon and avoid seedy saloons.

[Convicted One]

Flintlock76

They're a lot smarter than most people think they are. 

I think that one thing many people mistake, is they insist upon seeing obedience as an indicator of intelligence.

Often not the case with people, and often not the case with animals.

With these firehawks in Australia, It looks like there is no dependable way to mitigate any threat they might start fires all over again?

[Flintlock76]

Birds of prey using fire as a hunting tool.

Just when you think this world can't get any stranger. 

On the other hand I can tell you never underestimate the intelligence and adaptability of wildlife.  They're a lot smarter than most people think they are. 

[Convicted One]

Deggesty

There was a report today that some firebugs started fires in Australia. You can wonder about the basic intelligence of anyone who likes to set fires that endanger other people.

3 species of birds have been known to set fires to flush out their prey in Australia for thousands of years

https://www.sciencealert.com/birds-intentionally-set-prey-ablaze-rewriting-history-fire-use-firehawk-raptors

 

https://www.inverse.com/article/40018-australian-birds-light-prey-on-fire

[BaltACD]

divebardave

Discussing Politics,Religion and Now Climate Change (formaly known as Global Warming) are now prohibited at my corner dive bar.---(So is discussing the Boston Red Sox which is a radical religion unto it self with rampet violent extreamisim. )

Red Sox just followed the Patriots in their cheating ways.  Will the Bruins and Celtics be the next to be exposed?

[tree68]

Deggesty

You can wonder about the basic intelligence of anyone who likes to set fires that endanger other people.

That's not a consideration with such people.  They just read the reports in the news and think "I did that!"

[Deggesty]

There was a report today that some firebugs started fires in Australia. You can wonder about the basic intelligence of anyone who likes to set fires that endanger other people.

[divebardave]

Discussing Politics,Religion and Now Climate Change (formaly known as Global Warming) are now prohibited at my corner dive bar.---(So is discussing the Boston Red Sox which is a radical religion unto it self with rampet violent extreamisim. )

[divebardave]

[divebardave]

https://www.theage.com.au/world/europe/i-am-so-qualified-meteorologist-responds-to-craig-kelly-s-insult-20200108-p53pnd.html   Even Down Under its all Trumps Fault...but back on track here Australian Railroads and US investment in them starting with WC and going with GW has been a thing for 20 lus years. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Transport_Network

[PJS1]

divebardave

 and there is no word from mainstream news why the wild fires are so bad this year as opposed to other years 

I lived and worked in Melbourne, Australia for five years.  Bush fires are a constant threat in Victoria.  Melbourne is the capital of Victoria.

As reported by numerous sources, i.e. nbcnews.com, cbsnews.com, foxnews.com, etc., Australia has been experiencing unusually high temperatures this year.  Coupled with a long-standing drought and higher than normal winds, the fires this year had been particularly virulent. 

Here is a good source if you want an Australian perspective: 

 https://www.theage.com.au/  

[Convicted One]

divebardave

there is no word from mainstream news why the wild fires are so bad this year

I read where there were a few  awards recipients at the Golden Globes who shared their theories. 

[tree68]

We got all their rain in the Great Lakes basin...

Seriously, though, I suspect that it's been a dry year.  We get the same thing here in the states, particularly on the west coast.

[divebardave]

and there is no word from mainstream news why the wild fires are so bad this year as opposed to other years