Life has a cruel way of changing in a moment. I had planned to blog today about my Sunday luncheon with my family... for a change we decided to meet up at a location in the hills, rather than the beach. The last couple of days have been heaven, a perfect temperature, no humidity, sunshine, a top in the high 30's (80F's), although some gusty easterly winds. Yes we had a wonderful time, but ....
On the way home, a stop off at an orchard to buy some fresh stone fruit was planned. Driving in a westerly direction, through national forests, the horizon came into view and smoke covered in the distance. Arriving at the orchard shed, the owner was on the phone frantically talking to a family member. From the shed door a helicopter water bomber descended a neighbouring dam, sucking replacement water.
A fire fanned by the gusty winds was taking control. Evacuations. 35 houses already destroyed. 1o people and a firefighter injured. A close friend one of those evacuated with her family, dog and chickens.
Additional water bombing helicopters utilised, sucking water from the nearby Olympic rowing lake.
Extra fire resources being called in from country areas of Northam and Geraldton (about 480km away) being organised.
Unfortunately, the wind gusts are expected to be increase. As nightfall descends, the helicopter can't be used to get to the inaccessible areas.
It will be a long night for our firefighters and those families affected by the fire.
Hope the fire dies quickly and everyone is safe :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Chief, I hope so too.
ReplyDeleteIt really does make you think about how quickly things can change. The floods the cyclone and now bushfires have made me, for one think about what really is important.
ReplyDeleteI hope the fires are not so close to you as to be a personal anxiety. Stay safe over there!
And I know what you mean it's hard to blog about having a great time when others are having the worst days of their lives,hey.
On the spot coverage with photos! Great job. Hope all ends as well as possible.
ReplyDeleteThat is pretty scary! Hope everyone is safe and the fire gets put out quickly :)
ReplyDeleteIt certainly does IWBY, nothing more precious than the safety of family and friends... everything else can be replaced. Thank you, I will.
ReplyDeleteThank you Don, I hope it ends well too, without any lives lost and the fires extinguished quickly.
Thank you(and welcome)Lyndylou, it certainly is scary.
ReplyDeleteHere's to hoping the firefighters and the families stay safe.
ReplyDeleteAnd boy, you sure hit the nail on the head with the comment about life changing in a second....wow! I can only imagine the adrenaline you must have been feeling.
Some information about the fires can be found on perth NOW @ http://www.perthnow.com.au/
ReplyDeleteA tragic part of the Australian Summer that devstates so many lives
ReplyDeleteHoping you and your friends and family stay safe.
Hugs
Here's very much hoping Sandra, we just need this wind to drop!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the putting up the link Don.
Thanks Mynx. A very tragic part of our summers!
ReplyDeleteWow...I hope everything is ok. I'll keep everyone in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteIt seems you guys in Australia are having more than your share of bad luck lately! I hope that changes soon.
ReplyDeleteI've give you a "stylish blogger" award. If you choose to accept, ( and you don't have to, but why not?) visit my post "Oh so Stylish" at http://umseti.blogspot.com and grab the award image, post it and follow the basic rules of it. Then you get to pass it along to other bloggers. Good luck and happy blogging!!
as someone living in the freezing cold I read your post and thought "Wow i wish something around here would catch on fire"..probably not a healthy thought lol..SO ur blog is crazy awesome and Im gonna follow it..
ReplyDeleteCheck out mine sometime..I just wrote about being visciously and horrible attacked by a bunny..I bet it'll make you laugh!
htt://whatwouldjareddo.blogspot.com
Check it out!!
Oh no! Hopefully the wind will die down so the fire will not spread as quickly and the helicopters can fight it from above. Fires can move at astonishing speed. Hopefully everyone makes it out okay.
ReplyDeleteThanks JM, Umseti and Soapbox for your thoughts. The fire has finally be contained, and most of the area is safe for residents to return. There were over 70 houses destroyed, over 30 damaged, but importantly no-one lost their life.
ReplyDeleteWatching the helicopters was crazily, exciting Jared, it's just unfortunate it was because of the circumstance and wouldn't hope anyone has to go through that.
Thank you for the award Umseti I'll pop over now :). Jared your bunny story did have me giggling, oh and welcome to you both.