FIVE YEARS ON AND I WILL NEVER FORGOT THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES, HOMES, PETS,LIVESTOCK,FRIENDS, FAMILY JOBS AND TOWNS..THOSE WHO FOUGHT THIS BEAST AND LOST AND THOSE WHO FOUGHT AND WON..THE WILDLIFE LOST THE LANDSCAPE CHANGED FOREVER ON THIS DAY.
ONE OF OUR DARKEST AND MOST DESOLATE DAYS AND A FIRESTORM THAT LASTED FOR OVER A MONTH….
THE DAY WE ALL REALISED THAT OUR LAND FIGHTS BACK AND SHE FIGHTS HARD AND INDISCRIMINATELY ..WE HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH MORE, WE HAVE PUT MUCH BETTER SYSTEMS IN PLACE.
SUMMER ARRIVES AND BRINGS THAT HEAT AND WIND AND WE REMEMBER THE DAY THE SKY WENT BLACK THE STREETLIGHTS CAME ON MIDDAY THE SUN WAS BLOOD RED AND THE SMELL OF BURNING EUCALYPTS …A HORIZON COVERED IN A PALL OF SMOKE AND BURNT LEAVES STICKS AND BARK LANDING ON OUR PORCH AND FINDING IT’S WAY UNDER THE DOORS INTO THE HOUSE..MY ANIMAL SHELTER CATTERY BOSS OPENING UP THE CATTERY AT 9PM AT NIGHT AFTER I RANG HER IN A PANIC , WAITING FOR ME TO BRING THE CATS IN FOR SAFETY..THE DOG’S STRESSING IN THE HEAT AND STRANGENESS OF OUR SONS HOUSE…GETTING THEM IN THE SHELTER THE NEXT DAY..PHIL AND I GOING TO THE LOCAL OVAL TO THE RELIEF CENRE ..SIGNING IN SO AUTHORITIES KNEW WE WERE ACCOUNTED FOR.PEOPLE AND ANIMALS EVERYWHERE ALL STRESSED HOT AND CONFUSED..US WAITING..WITH SO MANY OTHERS LISTENING TO THE LOCAL RADIO AND THE SCANNER..HEARING THE FIRE TRUCKS BATTLING THE SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE..IT SEEMED LIKE THE END OF THE WORLD..WE SAT WE WAITED WE CRIED …THE FIRESTORM MISSED OUR TOWN..SHEER LUCK, NO OTHER REASON AS WE HAD THREE MAJOR FIRES ON ALL SIDES..OUR LOCAL OVAL HAD BECOME A HELIPAD FOR FIREBOMBERS AND FIRE TRUCKS AND BULLDOZERS..HEAVY MACHINERY ..THE SKY WAS FULL OF THESE WATER BOMBERS..IT SOUNDED LIKE WE WERE IN A WAR ZONE..WE WERE LUCKY..SO LUCKY .
FACTS..TEMP 46C WIND SPEEDS 100KMPH
400 FIRES STARTED ON THIS DAY WHEN THE WIND CHANGED IN THE EVENING THE FIRE FRONT TURNED AND WINDS OF 120KMPH.
THE AVERAGE SPEED OF THE FIRE TRAVELLING WAS 12KMPH
THE RADIANT HEAT IN SOME PLACES ENOUGH TO KILL PEOPLE AT 400METERS AWAY
EMBERS WERE STARTING SPOT FIRES UP TO 35 KM AWAY
ENERGY RELEASED ESTIMATED AT 1,500 TIMES THE HIROSHIMA BOMBS
TOTAL AREA BURNT 1,100,000 ACRES
173 PEOPLE DIED 120 ALONE IN KINGLAKE
414 PEOPLE INJURED
2,100 HOMES DESTROYED AND 7,562 PEOPLE DISPLACED
IN READINESS FOR THE DAY DUE TO THE PREDICTION OF HOW THE WEATHER WAS
3,582 FIRE FIGHTERS WERE PUT IN STANDBY
5,000 IN TOTAL WERE DEPLOYED INCLUDING FROM NEW ZEALAND AND AMERICA
1 AUSTRALIAN FIRE FIGHTER WAS KILLED WHEN A BURNT TREE FELL ON HIS TRUCK.
NEVER FORGOTTEN AND ALWAYS IN OUR THOUGHTS.
FOZZIE.M 
We like to think we understand what you’re talking about but hope we never truly do. The shock and awe of that power and destruction must be appalling. Keep safe all of you.
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Thanks Annie we do…we never ever forget what happened and will always just go.. you can’t fight that sort of power. Seeing how these people have rebuilt their towns on the news every anniversary is an amazing but very sad thing..some just gave up, suicides were and still are a real problem, addiction problems, divorces..such a huge ripple…You have a great day..i have a bloggie to work on for the surprise in the mail 😉 hugs Fozziemum xxx
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Such a tragedy in our history…I remember that morning early, having a horrible anxious feeling and rang up my old dad who lives down South. He was driving on the hwy, going under Bridge, showed temp. already 46*. I told him to take care. I had no idea just how bad the day would get.
Our hearts go out to all fire victims and their terrible losses.
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Nobody knew how bad it was going to be…we were pretty naïve …I have the paper from the Sunday saying 11 dead….so wrong..It’s a dark day in our history indeed.
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Just sending a big hug!
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Thanks Basil 🙂
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How incredibly devastating that must have been and of course it’s always a threat for you with the fire season…..thank God you were alright but of course so many others were not…..I think of all the human tragedies AND the animals as well – almost overwhelming for you all I’m sure……well, let’s hope there’s never another day such as that. We know you’re prepared for whatever comes but let’s hope it doesn’t!
Hugs, Pam (and Sam)
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Indeed and thankyou Pam and Sammy..it was a day we will honour by never being complacent, we will honour those who lost their lives by respecting ours and the need to just walk away…so much work has been done since then, but people still think they can handle a fire …I will never put any of our lives at risk over material goods..and they are really pushing people to be more aware that it can happen again..this season is so much like that summer..we keep our fingers crossed we never see this horror again! Hugs Bev xxx
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We agree with AC. That video brought a tear to our eye’s. It’s just so terrible, we watch the news and our hearts break but to live through it. I can’t imagine. Stay safe my friend xxxoxxxx
Mollie and Alfie
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We will sweet Mollie…we will never be as naïve as we were then…my heart aches for these people and the way their lives will never be the same..hugs and loves Fozziemum xxxxxxx
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this breaks my heart..
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Incredibly sad indeed fredrieka…we can only learn to respect the power of such fires and honour those lost by listening to the advices given…we hope this summer hurries up and goes…very similar condtions and very eerie.
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where I am at we have had a drought for 5 years. Kids set fire in one area the firemen respond as they are working to put it out the kids go five miles down and set another just to see the chaos ensue. If they are that bored they need to go into the Military.
This winter has been more snow and very cold temps. I am hoping Spring and Summer will bring the normal amount of rain to bring us out of this. We have lost a great deal of forest. I live in the US Michigan to be precise
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You are generous in saying they should join the military! we get arsonists too and if I had my way they would be dropped in a fire zone and made to fight it..i think the ones we have who have had a history should have monitors on them all summer or be locked up for the season..murderers they are. Drought is horrid and we have had a bad one..we had a cold but not really wet winter here and the conditions although we had a break for a while in the drought are very much like the year these horrid fires started.
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It is heart breaking.. Yes generous indeed..
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Think we all have little care for these people…
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Such a sad day to remember and we feel for all those who lost loved ones and property. Sending you a big hug.
Best wishes Molly
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Thanks sweet Molly..we think of them and hope we honour them by learning to not be complacent.
Big hugs back Fozziemum xx
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That was a horrible day. And it’s always so sad to see the pictures and to hear about while we can’t help. I cross my paws that the summer 2014 will not end in such an inferno.
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Thank you Easy..we all hope we are spared the horror of that day again…beyond tragic…
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Wow this should not be forgotten 😦 so sad
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No my sweet it shouldn’t..i cry everytime think of it..those poor people and animals..the shelter I was a vol at had dogs and cats come in who were never collected..their families dead….they had to stay in their for months until it was determined if their owners were alive or not…when it was worked out they were adopted out…leaking at the eyes typing this….:(
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WOW OMP (Oh my pig!) That is so horrible my friend. I just never knew how fires were so bad in Australia. It’s so horrible. I worry about ya’ll!! Please be safe. XOXO – Bacon
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We always bunk out Bacon..no fools here..we will never stay and fight a beats that can’t be fought! Do you know that Police still have no real power to enforce a person to evacuate!! some people still refuse to go!! and they risk everyones lives by having to be saved….and yes our country particularly Victoria is on a par with Californoa as deadliest fires…. hugs Fozziemum xxx
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This is so very scary. Please do be careful my friend. XOXO – Bacon
I can send daddy to your Australia to help out. I’ve heard him in the bathroom and let me tell you, he has a good long stream 🙂
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BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAH oh lordie Bacon I am sure he would love to ..however he may get a touch singed 😉 Hugs Fozziemum xxxxxx
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Snorts – It was worth a shot to help. Double snorts. XOXO – Bacon
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Oh dear you are a naughty porker 😉 Fozziemum xxxx
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Hate fire,scares me too much,stay safe,xx Rachel
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Rachel I agree they are terrifying so unpredictable and unstoppable..we always err on the side of caution and just take our pets and go! Bev xxxx
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This is a scary story. And all that much scarier since it was true!! Sad. Sad. Sad.
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Indeed incredibly sad..our Great Southern Land can be harsh….we hope their deaths have taught us more..indeed we have had many positive outcomes form the Royal Commission into not only the day but the lead up and the terribly poor communications and follow up help..still some old timers disregard warnings and become complacent…we never will be..we will simply leave with our animals.
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bev….I can’t even begin to imagine the horror, confusion and fright everyone, animals included felt that day….I will be blessed 100 fold if I never have to experience anything like that…with dad being a fire fighter, I’ve heard stories….my thoughts to you and your family as you remember a day you would just as soon forget…and I hope you and your country never experience the like ever again…xxxxxxx
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Thankyou Laura..your dad and firies like him are just heroes to us all here …the day will be never forgotten and even after Ash Wednesday when my aunt lost her house a pet doggie and all her worldly possessions some people still did not understand ..until this day..i too ill be lucky if I never see or hear these events again..we have bad days ahead weather wise and I am over it! xxxxxx Bev
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OMG!!! I can remember here about this on the news, but to see the videos and here from the people who were in it brings it to life. Such a tragic day.
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Sue it was like a nightmare…those poor people..i will always think of them in summer..horrid just horrid.
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oh my this gave me shivers just reading about it. Thank God all of you were ok, I can’t imagine what it has to be like to live with the threat of it occurring again
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It’s pretty horrid and still had a bit of a cry last night watching the news..i don’t know how these people rebuilt their lives in the Kinglake and Marysville areas..and all the other areas as well…I know we wouldn’t have. I hate summers when they are like this..and can’t wait for it to end..we have bad risk days again..i am a tad over it!
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Having a quiet weep and I will be glad when this weekend is over. My warbie friend has evacuated to Frankston with 5 dogs and has bought a place in Seville East. Hopes to move over autumn. Beautiful post fozziemum.
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I know it always makes me cry just thinking of it..Seville East is lovely ..bit easier to get out of too if needs be…At least the highway then becomes two different roads out..either through Mt Evelyn or Lilydale..Thankyou . xx
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I lived in Colorado during the fires and will never forget how devastating that was. I am so glad that you guys were all right but I do know how horrible it is. I am worried about you guys again this summer down under and hope for cool weather for you every day
Marty’s mom
Kelly
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Kelly thankyou..we take no risks and Colorado has had more than it’s fair share of fires and bad ones…they are horrible and never to be taken lightly. We also hope this summer just goes…so over it! Bev
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Horrible. It seems the fires get worse and worse every year. We lost 19 firefighters in ours last year.
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I know we were in tears over that too…it’s damn hard and getting harsher..really wonder at how many more summers in the bush I can take!!
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Wow that must have been so frightening. Fire is terrifying to me. Judy
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And to me..we were lucky and even though or town was fine to see the destruction…mind blowing. hugs Bev
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