My local bee joint is paying 4.50 a kilo for beeswax. To me that seems a lot, its about 2 bucks a pound! Of course, thats 4.50 aussie shells.
I would imagine that they are stocking up in expectation of an increase in demand for foundation after the hive losses in the fires and the need for beeks to rebuild.
ps How did you go in the fires?? I cant imagine how many hives would have been lost.