(no subject)

[calissa]

The air quality in Canberra has reached levels considered good and healthy for the first time this year. Everyone has breathed a huge sigh of relief. This morning I was able to open up the house and take the dogs for a decent walk.

It comes on a day when we're expecting temperatures of 39C/102F, so we're not out of the woods yet. The small fires burning 35km away in the state park were extinguished within the last couple of days, but larger, more established fires are expected to sweep in from the parks across the state border. Once again, these fires will have a fair bit to get through before they reach me, but I shall be keeping an eye on the situation. Fortunately, the weekend is expected to be at least 10C cooler.

Canberra has a lot of green corridors running through it. In dry seasons (and lately they've all been dry), kangaroos come out of the hills and follow these green corridors into the suburbs, looking for water. On my walk with the dogs today, I noticed that people had been leaving out containers of water along some of the nearby corridors--some massive tubs, some smaller buckets, many with sturdy sticks resting inside so that birds could perch to drink.

Comments

[winterbird]

I'm so glad the smoke has receded and you're getting a proper break, though it's taken far, far too long to get to this point. I hope it lasts as long as it possibly can. And that a lot of people have been leaving water out for the birds and kangaroos (and other fauna) is really heartwarming. <3

[calissa]

Thank you! <3

It has been lovely to see the community pull together in a variety of ways.

[starlightmagpie]

I'm glad that cooler weather seems to be on the way, even though "cool" is relative and that you can finally breathe freely. The leaving out of water is a lovely thing and I hope it brings much needed relief to all.

Take care, lovely <3

[calissa]

After nearing 40C, 28C feels quite delightful.

As for the water, I noticed some kangaroos (mothers with joeys big enough to be out of the pouch and on their own, I think) hanging around the park where there are some big tubs, so it seems like the effort has been worth it.

[onewhitecrow]

I don't know how anyone is alive at 39 degrees, but am very pleased to hear people have set out water for bush neighbours, and that you can breathe today. Breathing is good for you.

[calissa]

I don't know how anyone is alive at 39 degrees

I admit I wouldn't want to try it without air conditioning.

[pantha]

*hugs* Glad to hear you have had some respite.

[calissa]

*hugs* Thank you.

[wispywillow]

I'm so, so happy to hear that. So much of the world has been watching, helpless.