G'Day from the Victorian Bushfires
Just returned only an hour ago from a 14 hour shift - frankly, I'm Bu**ered.
The fire raging near my home - overnight we managed to contain the fire, that is, the fire is burning inside the perimeter only. We have lost many farms and countless stock with only one fatality.
Our main task was "Asset Protection". Many farms escaped the fire but had trees burning at the base and especially in burning Hollow Trees. Our overnight task was to find and extinguish these trees to protect the farm houses.
Overnight temperatures were around 15 C which is quite common for inland but we still have a very strong wind which is fanning the fires here and elsewhere. Fortunately with night time and everything black, these trees are easier to find and you can see burning embers being blown by the wind
Task - Search and Destroy.
Blacking out a an area after a fire has gone through has the highest priority as in many cases, if not done correctly, fires can restart weeks later.
I was assigned as Driver. The 4WD fire truck weighs 10 ton and carries 3 - 4 tons of water. As the water level drops, any truck/lorry driver will tell you, there is nothing like a shifting load especially over rough terrain. It's my responsibility that when we reach a hazard to extinguish, that I place the truck in such a way that we can make a quick and safe escape. We had several of these cases overnight with trees falling as we tried to extinguish them - definitely keeps you alert but I keep my crews safe.
One property we entered where the very old homestead was burnt to the ground, we found hundreds upon hundreds of burnt sheep everywhere.
On exiting the property, a crew member noticed something moving at the base of a tree. It was a young Koala about 14 -16 inches high sitting quietly and shivering. These little fellas do not like humans so when you approach they usually shoot up a tree - but not this chap. He was severely dehydrated and his tiny little ears burnt. We picked him up in a fire blanket and took him back to the Staging Area where there were some Wildlife Rangers at hand - They told us that with a bit of care and attention, he will be okay and released into the bush elsewhere away from the fire ground.
Temperatures are about 15 to 20.C lower in the past 2 days but the fire hazard in Victoria and Southern NSW remains extreme due to the dryness and strong winds. It's these conditions that will keep the fire hazard here for quite some time yet.
Anyhow, I now have three days of work ( a rest period) before the next 4 days off where I'll more than likely be posted to another Strike Team and deployed to another Bushfire somewhere in the state.
Linda, myself and my crew would like to thank the forum for your kind thoughts and prayers as these fires will rage for some time yet. I just wish that we do not lose any more life..
Martin and Linda Doon Under
.............................................................These were a few lines to show and explain what the News media don't - for your insight.....................................................................................
P.S = A number of these fires were actually started by Lightening Strikes