Tuesday, 15 January 2013

Fire and Rain Dance

I mentioned how we received a phone call Friday to say the farm, our home and property 1000acres was at risk with an uncontrolled  fire burning about 6km away .Our neighbour called to warn us not realising we were in Sydney ...and we could do nothing to prepare.

His girlfriend's father is involved with the local RFS - so it was on good authority. The fire was on a property with bushland/woodland scrub and dry paddocks separating them and us.

It was a 'mentally' terrifying 1.5hrs till we got word from family, website updates and Facebook that all was okay, the fire was out. Not even a whisker of smoke in the sky.


Then Sunday night we had an hour of thick smoke in the southern sky and we could smell it.The same worried neighbour alerting us that he was heading to a fenceline, that borders the State forest to check for flames. We summoned the water tanker trailer from FIL's property , called 000 and waited.

Thankfully, they called back to say it was smoke blowing in from south and nothing to be concerned about, at the moment.

Except we were with strong winds blowing all evening and an uneasiness about the raging fire at Coonabarabran.

Nearby, about 1.5hrs away - a  40,000 hectare (100, 000 acres) bush fire continues to burn in the Warrumbungle National Park , west of Coonabarabran. They estimate 33 Properties (inc homes) 50 farm sheds and large amounts of machinery have been destroyed , countless stock and native animals have perished. As well as Sliding Springs conservatory where the exact damage is not known.

Putting it in perspective - trying to imagine 40,000 hectares - 50 x the size of our farm and my FIL's put together - it is 5km from one side to the other driving the track through the middle. If we drive by main road 7-8km out to the highway, 15 km along the highway and 4km back in to his farm it is 27km.

Picturing that area by x 50 is numbing. Stark and scary.

Today, I am thinking of all the families affected and those volunteers out fighting to save lives and property trying to contain this ferocious fire. I cannot imagine their loss or the terror of being in the middle of it.

It's a bit cooler today in low 30's and my hub is carrying a fire extinguisher when working and driving the tractor.

It's so dry here and we are surrounded by scrub, dry grassland paddocks, and thick woodland in places. We are a km or so from a State Forest too.

The long range forecast , after a few more days of temperatures in 40's, is for some rain. We really need it . We are hand feeding our cows and our water tanks are emptying. Quality feed is getting scarce and will be scarcer still with the fire damaging crops and paddocks at Coonabarabran.

We have purchased water twice in 6 months for our drinking water tanks. The dams for stock (and native animals) are getting low too. 

I am praying for rain soon !

Anyone who says sunshine brings happiness has never danced in the rain.  ~Author Unknown

It is your responsibility to reduce the risk to your family and your home and
take actions to survive a bush fire.
The most important decision is whether you and your family will 
Leave Early or if you will Stay and
Defend your well prepared home. 

Check the NSW website - http://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/
If you are in NSW get updates here  there is also a phone app. Fires near me.

Do you have a plan to protect your family and your life - Download your Bushfire survival plan

linking up with Essentially Jess IBOT
 

Comments (22)

Loading... Logging you in...
  • Logged in as
Oh TrishOh Trish, like there has not been enough going on. How I pray for rain for you (as I am sure you and many others already are) Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses lovely
1 reply · active 634 weeks ago
thank you Rhianna
How terrifying for you Trish! I'm doing a rain dance right now! Hope the threat passes soon x
My recent post Week 12 Mummy Swap – Mother Downunder
1 reply · active 634 weeks ago
It was terrifying the thought of losing our pets, possessions and livestock. Thank you !
Bushfires are terrifying aren't they! I am so glad that your farm was ok. Praying for rain for the whole country :)
My recent post {Sunraysia Organic Giveaway} 5 School Lunch Tips
1 reply · active 634 weeks ago
Eleise we were thankfully not under real threat as some have been but the what if's were terrifying.
Wishing you thunder clouds and soaking rain.
My recent post The Finders of the Terracotta Warriors
1 reply · active 634 weeks ago
Thank you Jacana
Oh Trish! Praying for rain so hard! So glad your farm is okay x
My recent post In Conclusion: Moving Sucks
1 reply · active 634 weeks ago
Thanks Becky hopefully by the weekend would be nice or next week.
Crossing your fingers that it rains soon. Its hard to be away and get calls like teh one you received isn't it. We had 18 ml of rain the other day and enjoyed it however with rain usually brings lightening so we are all on edge watching another thunderstorm roll in tonight.
My recent post Mikala's Room Again!
1 reply · active 634 weeks ago
Yes, lightening has sparked a few fires and I'm glad you got 18mm. Stay safe.
Oh man that must be very scary having to carry around a fire extinguisher! I'm asking the universe for rain to all those that are desperate! Emily
My recent post Boobs – love em’ or hate em’ – they’re part of who you are and where you’ve been.
1 reply · active 634 weeks ago
It was more in case the tractor or tools he was using sparked a fire.
Keep safe Trish. Thinking of your family and community. Doing a rain dance now for you!
1 reply · active 634 weeks ago
Thank you Lisa
Oh Trish it is just so scary! I hate fire and don't think I could live somewhere like you do just for that very reason. I'll be praying the rain comes too.
1 reply · active 634 weeks ago
We got a brief spell of rain Jess, hopefully there is more to follow.
It is so scary, these fires. I've read a few bloggers close to the action and can't imagine the stress it must be. I also have a friend in Hobart whose brother lost EVERYTHING in the fires down there....I hope and pray the rains come and give relief to all the areas suffering. Glad your place is ok Trish x Aroha
1 reply · active 634 weeks ago
thank you Aroha , we aren't close to any fires at the moment and I hope it stays that way.
I have been in NZ so have missed all these details about the fires. It is very scary. My suburb was burnt down in Canberra 10 years ago and it still haunts me. It is so quick. My prayers are with you that your home is safe throughout the season.

Have been catching up on your blog. So glad that everything is looking positive for you Trish. Saw your pic with your lovely family at the zoo. You look great. Those boys sure have grown up. Gorgeous boys. Here is to a wonderful 2013.
My recent post Internet meet Daddy Long-Legs...Again
1 reply · active 634 weeks ago
Thank you , Lilly - we were very safe but watching along concerned due to the large amount of scrub and bushland around us.
I cannot imagine how the Canberra fires were for you - I heard the 10 yr anniversary was the other day.

Post a new comment

Comments by