Haha, first I've heard about it but you just never know

Very interesting. Like Andrew it is the first I've head of it but you never know. Whilst travelling around Australia, I've often noticed raptors, kites etc. circling above fires. My thoughts were that the birds were waiting for prey ( lizards etc.) trying to escape the fire. A classic case out of the frying pan into the fire scenario. Anyway, that's my 1c worth. Cheers Tom
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Seen it meself. Last time I was home I watched a coupla old birds smoking up a storm out back of the local pub. Shoulda heard 'em squawking and yakking like a mob of galahs, smoke wafting above their well-coiffed crests. Strewth, mate.

I have seen the kites gathering around fires in the grasslands of western Queensland and were coming from miles around. We were stopped from going further along the road because of the fire and sat and watched the numbers grow. I figured there were probably 300-400 kites.
The Country fire service was attending the fire and were concerned that with the large number of the kites that one of them would spread it. They said that they needed to stay and make sure nothing was left burning as the birds were likely to start it going again.
This was a small roadside grass fire probably started by some idiot throwing a still lit cigarette out the window of a car.

Two Wheels Better wrote:Seen it meself. Last time I was home I watched a coupla old birds smoking up a storm out back of the local pub. Shoulda heard 'em squawking and yakking like a mob of galahs, smoke wafting above their well-coiffed crests. Strewth, mate.

  Now that you mention it........

Two Wheels Better wrote:Seen it meself. Last time I was home I watched a coupla old birds smoking up a storm out back of the local pub. Shoulda heard 'em squawking and yakking like a mob of galahs, smoke wafting above their well-coiffed crests. Strewth, mate.

  yeah we smokers are a dying race ...lol