Under fire threat, plantings in homemade self wicking tubs, a look at 2006 efforts to fight fire

I thought I’d bring an update on how we are doing with the fire danger where I live. It has eased considerably today, 8 days later. The Emergency App is one of the many tools I use to keep a watch out for our next move in our Fire Plan which is, LEAVE, when we see we need too. In 2006 we learnt the lesson which is, there are weather conditions when staying and fighting fire is useless. You just leave. Thank God in 2006 the fire didn’t come directly to us, it was close though. It went black as night during the day from all the falling ash. All bad signs we were to learn later! I think Peter & I would’ve burnt alive in 2006 if the fire did arrive at our doorstep. We’ve learnt a lot about fire planning & fire since then. Our plan now is LEAVE!!!

We’ve got light rain today which only hinders fire reduction efforts not improve them. As long as we don’t get strong winds from the north we should be ok. We need heavy rains all across my state of Victoria to put the fires out.

Weather for the coming week indicates winds from the east & strong at times. This should be ok for us but not so for all. I feel a heaviness and a deep sadness for those who’ve lost homes, animals, & pasture. One man lost his life when he decided to stay & defend his house & cattle. Those poor, poor animals and how tragic that one elderly man, I believe he was in his 80’s died from the fire.

My nerves are a bit strung out due to watching & observing the daily conditions of the fire for these past 8 days. It’s hard to explain but these sorts of fire conditions tires one out emotionally, as you’re always in fight & flight mode prepared. Our bags & van are still packed and we’ll leave them packed until the fire is out.

Hopefully if storms come no new fires start but I know deep inside that God keeps us from all harm despite how I feel. I know God is with us and it is unto Him I lift up my soul and it is in Him I trust. He will not let me be ashamed nor allow mine enemies (fire in this case) to triumph over me. Psalm 25.

Update on figures for houses lost after video released: 228 houses destroyed, 15 homes damaged, 770 structures damaged, 440 outbuildings damaged, 404k hectares burned.