43 thoughts on “The Question On Everyone’s Lips”

  3. Sorry to hear the fire challenges continue. Is the Australian military part of the fire fighting effort? We hear so little about which Australian government agency Federal, state. Municipal is managing resources? I hear many of the firefighters are unpaid volunteers? My heart goes out to you and your family.

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    1. No idea what the military are doing. Firefighting is a responsibility of the states, rather than national government. Mostly very well trained volunteers. But they can’t be everywhere and they must be tired and the winds are unpredictable. Another volunteer firefighter was killed last night when the truck he was in was picked up by the wind (a fire tornado) and flipped. It happened to two trucks. This type of fire event was first reported in the 2003 Canberra bushfires. Incredibly dangerous. We owe these firefighters a huge debt. Another family grieving.

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      1. BBC says today that the Australian Navy will be sending two navy ships and helicopters to the beach in Mallacoota with supplies and help. Television pictures are showing scenes of fire devastation. When Canada had wildfires a state of emergency was declared and military resources were deployed.

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      2. There are people all along the vast coast that will need that sort of assistance and more. You see here the climate change tipping point and the ignorance that goes with it. This should be a lesson for the whole world. We all wait on news of family and friends.

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  5. It seems it will get worse before it will get better. We have 42 degrees forecast for Saturday and Sunday, and no rain for a month. I hope you’re going ok with the breathing.

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      1. Hi Tracy, I had to look Tomakin up on a map as I had never heard of it before. I see the fires are closing in there. Sorry to ask so publicly, but I wondered if you had heard from your Dad and if he’s OK?

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      2. Just this moment hung up from him. He and his partner, Deidre, are okay. Their bit is suburbia. No power, Town water working again. Lots of people camped out there. Guerilla Bay and Rosedale taking a hit now. Those areas are heavily treed and the houses are tucked amongst them. Lots of choppers getting water off Barlings Beach (his beach) and dumping it on those areas mentioned. Elvis too.

        People being urged to leave, no power means no bowsers and they’ve run out of diesel in some areas. Also, cash is king due to electronic payment systems being down. I hope people have evacuated those other areas because you can’t defend there.

        I’m relieved. He’s staying though because of uncertainties on the road back to Canberra. No direct route.

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      3. I’m glad you’ve heard from him Tracy. It would be very difficult to evacuate now due as you say to difficulties getting petrol.

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    1. My 80 year old father is down the coast, Brian. They are cut off and need to head to the beach, which for him is just a few hundred metres. There is also an aged care facility near him. Its surrounded by bush. Further south, Mallacoota people have been told to get in the water. Canberra’s turn will come again, It’s inevitable. The cynic in me thinks it is no wonder the NSW and Federal government are preparing legislation to prevent environmental legal action (ie. people who don’t want a coal mine built next to them, etc, etc). Those governments, and Queensland’s too, are ignoring scientific advice which IMO is, if not criminally negligent, certainly morally negligent. I must pack some things. It will be a good distraction.

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      1. That is not good for Dad Tracy. I hope he mobile to make the dash if required. There is an agenda for sure Tracy. The aftermath will see that. The company that removes vegetation that affect powerlines has come through my place and taken down “dangerous” trees. I questioned the cutter about some trees and he agreed that they wouldn’t fall on the powerlines but they were marked and numbered so he had to cut them down. Also removal of trees along the roadsides has been very overkill. Yes some have been quite burnt but others…..
        Yes pack the vitals and get ready. I am glad I did even if it was weeks before. The hallway was stacked with things that wouldn’t stand the heat in the car and were last minute things to grab. Some stuff was in the car which went to town a few times loaded.
        Good luck and stay safe (I began to hate people telling me that lol)

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      2. My family thinks I am a catastrophiser. But I have it on good authority from someone who ought to know about these things that I am not. Good idea about the hallway. Other garden preps are being made here at my insistence. And of course, we have put water out for the possum in the garage. 🙂

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  9. The silence from those who should be front and centre to lead and comfort folks is deafening. I thought it was a bit slow in getting the troops out to help when it is such a dire emergency. My heart goes out to those volunteers who must be exhausted. It is terrifying to watch. Didn’t realise it is so close to you Tracy. May it all pass without incident for you and your family. Much love from the West. Dawn

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    1. Not close, Dawn. Was about 50km. There is one to the southwest, which is of concern, when the wind changes on that one. We’ve been warned to prepare. Our city has a lot of bush. And as we know from our 2003 experience, things get out of hand quickly. There is a lot of tinder dry national park between us and the southwest fires. If that goes …. 500 homes lost in one day and several lives lost in 2003. There just isn’t the firefighting resources to go around. We are all definitely on edge.

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      1. Yes, it can be very unpredictable. I remember the 2003 fires. My sister lives in Canberra and said it was pitch dark at midday.
        I’ve had to stop looking at the news because it is so distressing and I feel helpless other than donate.

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      3. There’s a pic of a little one in mum’s arms in news. You can see the trauma on his face.
        Smell can be a big trigger for some.
        I’m trying to avoid watching the news. Those thirsty and injured koalas broke my heart. 😢

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