Last night , or yesterday afternoon rather, was a toe-ey one for us. We knew this day would come, we just never knew when...it was a matter of time. Fire broke out up around the Dayelsford area. This meant my Aunt, Uncle and all my cousins were at risk. So far the fire is under control. It is a mild day today, but the wind will not be. The whole bush is so bloody dry, just waiting to ignite. Reports on ABC radio suggested the fire moved so quickly, and the trees were gusting with wind at a 45 degree angle... I rang my Aunt, and hubby had his trailer ready with a water storage cube and pump/hose.
My Aunt has my cousin bunkered down there with her 6 children and all of my 6 cousins, ready to protect the place. But, as my Aunt said, "We are not heroes, we have insurance, and our lives are more important than the house". Those words were all I wanted to hear.
I did not sleep well last night, not just because of having come down with a head cold, but because the images of the last fortnight will not go away. I am glad they had a day of mourning for the victims of the worst ever fires, but I had this feeling all the way along that it would not be the last worst fire...there is so much more dry bush areas untouched.
If only "they" would allow people to clear around their houses and beside roads which are the access/exit points from burning properties.. history may have a different scribe.
It is set to be warmer and windier by the end of the week, if this fire is not kept under control you will be reading more about it here.
In the mean time, check out my friend Will's blog for some apt sketches that really make you think.
8 comments:
God I hope you're wrong, but I too have a feeling you aren't and we haven't seen the worst yet.
I will keep Sky news on all day to watch the developments. I wish there was something I could do to help those people.
I agree with you re clearing and backburning. People do it around here, no matter what "they" say. We are lucky we aren't near bushland.
I hope your relatives' homes are saved, but as your aunt said, lives are all that really matters in the end.
I don't pray often, but I'm praying we do not see any more loss of life down there.
"They" really *DO* have a lot to answer for! Bloody do-gooders! all places need is a bit of clearing... it's not as tho it's striiping anything or anything, you know?!? we have the same problems here... "they" stop backburning... yet start screaming the loudest whever there's a bushfire out of control due to no backburning. asshats!
I hope your cousins are well and it will be rain.
I hope your relatives and their homes will be spared in the fires. We'll be watching the news and your blog for more information.
Cazzie, you've been so much on my mind. I will pray for your relatives and for the whole area.
I don't think there's any Victorian who doesn't know somebody effected by the fires, or somebody who is at risk in this coming week... Greenies must take their share of the blame, for not allowing firebreaks and backburns and other safety measures. I'm just anxiously keeping an eye on the Google map, and contacting friends/family in the effected areas to make sure everybody's ok... But I dread Friday...
Clearing around a home is all it takes to stop the tracks of a fire....we have green and trees cleared a lot every summer and then we logged too.....
Foxy, same here, and it is good to see that families have been taking notice and going to meetings and staying overnight in safety zones up near my Aunts. One is in Kyneton the other is in Dayelsford.
Mal, I so know what you mean.
Lucy, thankyou so much!
Betty, I am so glad to have your thoughts.
Ginnie, it makes me smile to know you are thinking of us abroad, as we do for you guys over there too.
Stace, I know, I dread Friday also :(
Rosemary, you are dead right there, and my grandparents always had a fire break, and my nan was avid with raking the leaves up and getting rid of ground cover.
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