Victoria’s Bush Fires
By theprofessionalhobo ~ February 8th, 2009. Filed under: Australia, Victorian bush fires.
Hi All.
This is a quick note written while I steal some precious internet time. Between the thick smoke, power outages, and overuse of limited mobile and wireless resources, access is limited.
The State of Victoria is on fire. Yesterday I evacuated my home with my laptop, passport, and clothes on my back and don’t know when I will return and what I will return to. We are currently running from a series of fires that are taking forests, homes, and lives. As I write, ash is settling on my laptop screen and keyboard, and I am at least 50kms away from the active fires.
As the fires come under control (which could be days yet), I will post the play-by-play that has lasted the last 28 hours…and counting. It is dramatic to say the least. Our limited reports are that Kingbilli, where we lived for eight months and where we just moved out of two days ago, is on fire.
Please pray for those who are fighting for their homes and their lives. This is a dramatic and terrible time in Australia. We feel helpless for not being able to do more than run from it ourselves, but trust that we can be of assistance in the aftermath.
This is our last view of the Taggerty intersection (the town close to where we live), as we turn right towards Alexandra, then Mansfield where I am writing this update. Reports just came in 20 minutes ago that Taggerty is under seige from fire coming from two directions.
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February 9th, 2009 at 1:01 am
Hi Nora, wow you do end up in bad spots at bad times, thinking of you and all the people you know around there. Over here in WA we can hardly believe what we see on the news, it’s a real tragedy. Stay safe.
February 9th, 2009 at 1:43 am
I had heard about these fires, but they were always sold as simply forests ablaze. I’d never heard about the human cost until right now. Thanks for enlightening.
February 9th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Was wondering if you guys were safe. Very pleased to hear you were able to get far anough away to be safe. This is a bloody huge disaster, shocking in its death toll and destruction.
February 9th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Hoping you are OK and made it out. I’m just a casual fan of your blogging. I can’t believe the news!
Where will you go? Will there be shelters and emergency services set up? Will it matter that you are a foreign national?
February 10th, 2009 at 4:07 am
I hope you and your friends are OK!
February 10th, 2009 at 11:30 am
*hugs*
truly a baptism of fire.
I hope you and and yours stay safe. the wishes and prayers of all australia are there with you.
February 10th, 2009 at 1:38 pm
Hi, just discovered this while I was reading the latest news; you poor things. I’ll link to you on another piece I’m doing. I’m in Eaglehawk at the moment – I’ve been back in Australia researching guidebooks and on the road for a few months so we just returned to my uncle’s the other day – we were very lucky, as the devastation is just over 1km away from where my family live. My thoughts are with you and others who have suffered far more greatly. Take care.
April 18th, 2009 at 7:53 pm
[...] sont difficiles à trouver sur la toile. Je n’ai déniché de référence à l’endroit que sur le blog d’une voyageuse canadienne qui a résidé là-bas après moi. Ses mots sont simples : « aux dernières nouvelles, Kingbilli [...]
June 6th, 2009 at 6:15 am
L’acte est vierge, m