We put our fire plan into action, and Don and I confirmed that I would leave and he would stay. We had Marney, Gus and Sara with us helping to ready the place for the prospect of the worst. Gretch was in NSW attending a wedding.
At about 7pm when we were still packing treasures into the cars we saw a massive cloud of smoke (Hiroshima like) bulging up from the other side of our hill (Mt Disappointment). It was at this stage, Sara who stepped in and demanded, ordered, insisted that we GO! Don knew then by the smoke that this was not a fire that he could contain and came with us. The fire landed within 30 mins of us leaving and then we didn't return for 2 hours when we could only view the fire from 5km away. It was a racing fire, going up the hills and leaving trees and homes alight. We accepted then that we would not have anything to return to.
About 11 pm, our gorgeous neighbour, Neil, whose home was untouched, rang to say he would go and check on our place and ring back. We waited anxiously for that call. He said “you won't believe it but your shed behind the house has burned down but the house and pavilion are ok”! Amazing!
On inspection, the back shed with tools, machinery, fridges and furniture was ruined. The fire had burnt right to the fence around the house. The bunkhouse actually caught fire right at the edge of its verandah. The pavilion was saved and the fire went under the picket fence in one spot – thanks to drought affected short grass! It's black all around us – the oval is greenish. The gardens scorched but ok. Amazing!
We lost power on Saturday afternoon and until Tuesday evening. Good Samaritans, Andrew Richards and Ben Healy brought up a generator, lamp and tools on Sunday evening and stayed awake watching for spot fires while we caught up on sleep. Fires were burning in trees and ash was lighting up with the wind. The generator is currently with our neighbours who are worse off than us.
The phone is ringing constantly and neighbours have been calling in, some of whom still have no power, or parts of their homes. Yesterday the CFA and Police were calling in doing head counts. The NSW CFA were vigilant all Monday night and told us to sleep. Still today, Thursday, Police and CFA are patrolling around. There is still fire in a pine forest nearby and logs come alight with the wind.
Thanks so much to Geordie Taylor, Gordon McQueen for all their help in dismantling the shed and making it safe. And all the other jobs they have done. Gordon has led the refencing project with John Soccio and Phil, they have been clearing up burnt, fallen trees along fence lines and rebuilding and restringing wire. The wind was so strong, it was enough to destroy trees even without the fire.
Within the week we hope to have a family from Flowerdale moved into the bunkhouse while they rebuild. They have lost everything, their home, cars and their friends.
With no TV, just ABC radio, we heard nothing about Strath Creek – in total 12 homes burned.
What can you do to help?? So many people are asking. When the coast is clear, come up and enjoy all there is on offer in this region, please don't stop coming here. Give people encouragement and hope for a bright future.
WE ARE SO LUCKY TO HAVE OUR HOME AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.
PHOTOS:
first sighting of approaching fire
Tool Shed - Workshop
Shed so close to house
Back of pavilion - black hills in background
Strath Creek
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