Bunyip/Drouin Fires (7th February 2009)

It was always going to be a difficult day. With a predicted temperature of 46 to 47 degrees celsius (about 115 Farenheit), gale-force winds and tinder-dry land having had little rainfall for a while, all the elements were there for a catastrophe in the making.

The fire that had been under control in the Bunyip State Forest jumped containment lines. At noon it was wreaking havoc for locals and the fire and support crews with the CFA (Country Fire Authority). The above photo was taken at the end of my street at noon.


Thick smoke was enveloping the landscape. Embers were falling, creating spot fires as they travelled ahead of the fire front.






By 6.00pm (from almost the same vantage point) the situation was diabolical:






Our hearts go out to those affected in this fire or any of the nine major fires currently burning in the state of Victoria, Australia.

Thankyou to our fire-fighters and volunteers.

For more of the detail leading up to our local blaze, here is a link with The Australian newspaper: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25020071-5013404,00.html