Bush fires & asthma

[mccarudd]

Hi all

as I've said elsewhere, I'm on my way on Jan 3rd, arriving the 5th. A new work colleague is kindly putting me up in Glen Huntly for a couple of weeks. I'm hoping I'll be able to get a flat in town in that time.

A few questions. Much as I'm excited, I'm a bit worried about the smoke from the bush fires, as I have asthma. I'm a keen sporty type, so am a bit worried about running outside. How bad are things? On sporty subjects, any gym tips for that area would be welcome!

Does anyone know how long the fires are likely to be a problem?

On another matter, I've the familiar dilemma of havig my stuff ready to ship but no address to ship it to. I guess this will mean if I do get a place, I'll have to make do with furniture for a while. Can you rent basics short term in Melbourne?

Thanks
Andy

[Fraser]

Originally Posted by ali

I'm a bit worried about the smoke from the bush fires, as I have asthma. I'm a keen sporty type, so am a bit worried about running outside. How bad are things?

Bush fires are..well... out in the bush for the most part 9currently Gippsland, east of Melbourne) we have seen smoke haze on some days, butvthe prevailing winds here are westerly / northerly and keep most of it away from Melbourne.

There was an interesting radio article on this just the other day... despite the fact that warnings are regularly issued for people with asthma or bronchitis tio stay indoors in smokey comditions, they said that studies have not shown any significant increase in asthmatic attacks during bushfires...seems that the particles are too large to get into the brochia in most people.

There is a famous jogging track in Melbourne called "The Tan". People have been jogging there every day..just as usual.

[mccarudd]

That's interesting, since things look really bad on television over here! The England team seemed to be training in a haze (calm down, everyone...).

The Age seemed to think it was a big deal also.

Thanks for the reassurance-obviously media hype!

[Fraser]

Don't get me wrong... These are big and serious fires... that will likely burn (in way shape or another), for weeks, if not months....

..Australia, however, is used to such things every year... it is just that this is a biggy, in bushfire terms... and affects an area that lots of people would have gone on holiday to over Christmas and new year... The Victorian High Country and the Gippsland lakes.

Locals in these areas often depend on either agriculture or tourism for income... and this year both will be hit severely.

Although there have been some some villages threatened, there are currently no bushfires close to major cities or towns in Vic at the moment (...a few houses were lost in Scamander in Tasmania week before last)...

..unlike last year when bushfires were tickling the outer edges of Greater Geelong and the northern suburbs of Melbourne... and a few years ago took out a suburb of Canberra.