Good News And Bad News
While the number of fires still burning has been reduced to 8 and real progress is being made in containing them as the weather cooperates, Australian Broadcasting tells us: Victoria ‘could face worse fire danger next summer’
An expert in climate modelling says next summer could see even higher fire dangers for Victoria due to extreme temperatures.
It has been predicted that an El Nino climate event could hit Australia this year, causing higher than usual temperatures across the country.
Professor Roger Stone from the University of Southern Queensland has told ABC Radio’s AM program the added risk highlights the need for a risk-management approach.
“There’s probably about a 60 per cent chance of an El Nino developing mid-winter, and if that happens that will exacerbate the whole drought and therefore fire situation over a lot of Australia, not just Victoria,’ he said.
El Niño conditions in the Pacific affect Gulf Coast weather as well, so I watch for them to develop. With all of the shifts that are taking place, the presence of this huge patch of warm water in the Pacific is not good news for a quiet life.
February 15, 2009 5 Comments
Braeburn
Everyone made it to the first checkpoint at Braeburn [100 miles / 160 km]. Jon Little (18) now leads, but that’s based on taking a shorter break. The dogs of Martin Buser (8), current ranked 2nd, and Jean-denis Britten (3), currently ranked 6th, made the run in the best time, 9 hours and 54 minutes. They are the speed in the race, so it is down to strategy between them, because their dogs are definitely ready to run.
You can get Race Updates here.
February 15, 2009 Comments Off on Braeburn
