....of Fire and Water....

[DeskFlyer]

Have they been able to contain any of the fires? The last time I checked there was still 21 out of control.

6 still burning out of control with another 19 still burning, though contained.
85% of the Kinglake-Murrindindi complex has containment lines around it & two of the other larger complexes are close to being contained.
Healesville, just to the east of the city (and on the road to Marysville) has been under threat for more than a week now.

There's also the dams that supply Melbourne's drinking water - what little water that's left in them (something like 32% of capacity - same time last year was around 39% - you can do the math on how long that will last if the drought continues while the population continues to grow) is at risk of being contamined by ashfall.

I love a suncunt burntree
A land of weeping pain...

[Thunder Down Under]

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Alston. 'The West Australian' newspaper

TDU

[DeskFlyer]

Participated in a drive day over the weekend that took in some of the areas affected by the fires earlier this year.
I had been invited to go on this drive & it was originally scheduled to happen the weekend after the fires - for obvious reasons it ended up being cancelled.
It was a combination of a VW club & an Opel owners club with about 30 cars taking place, I was just the fly in the ointment.
Have attached a few pics of the area around Marysville showing the aftermath of the damage, and the regrowth that's taking place closer to the floor.

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hard to believe that only 4 months ago this area was in the middle of on onslaught from the equivalent of the energy released from 1,500 Hiroshima sized atomic bombs. Now there's snow lining the road.

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I will leave out the part where the group of cars I was following missed one of the turns leading us along an extra 140km round trip on a slippery grey dirt track through the 5 degree highlands with no phone coverage, more snow on both sides of the road & random mists. Though to be honest, with the traction control light lighting up the dash like a Christmas tree, even at 30kph in third gear, it was perhaps the most enjoyable part of the whole day

[Thunder Down Under]

Came down from Alexandra just over a week ago, DF. Was going to go into Marysville but after seeing the damage on the highway, changed my mind. (Didn't want to see other poor sods misfortune) Stopped on the top of Black Spur for a coffee. Whilst there, three jinkers went past. Got down the bottom to Healesville and there was the last one arse up, logs demolished a veranda on a house. Got the driver out and attended to him, just cuts and bruises, a lucky man. (Glad I stopped for coffee!)

As you can guess, am on a 'road trip'. In the high country at Omeo at the moment.

TDU

[Ancient Mariner]

jinkers, TDU?
Per

[Sir Gallivant]

Had me wondering, too, Per:

jin•ker
Pronunciation: ( jing'kur),
—n. Australian.
1. a sulky.
2. any of various carts or trailers used to transport logs and timber.

[DeskFlyer]

It's certainly a very sobering experience TDU. I don't think I will ever forget some of the views I saw, particularly when I had seen the 'before' shot only a week or two before the fires. I remember the wind & the incredible heat on the day down in the city, after seeing the extent & the scope of the damage it beggars belief to think what those caught up in it experienced that afternoon.
I had already been back to Kinglake since the fires - stopped in at the Pub there for a drink & a meal to do our very small part for the local economy, which felt more personal than making a donation did, if no less important. Didn't see any more than we could can see on the road in & out of town - anything else would have felt disrespectful, and at the same time, what you could see was enough. Some of the poor buggers are camping in tents & caravans while they go through the process of rebuilding - and it's been freezing lately. I did get a wry grin though out of seeing multiple large bonfires burning on just about every property that was still inhabited
Similar story last weekend - probably close to 50 of us gladly emptied our wallets at the bakery - one of the remarkably few buildings left standing in Marysville. Two of the girls along on the drive were actually from Kinglake also, and it was interesting to talk to them about their experiences & perceptions of 'visitors' to the area. They were pretty understanding of people's natural curiosity & as long as the visitors respect their privacy their attitude was very welcoming of people coming back through & supporting local businesses, and helping to make it feel like things are (slowly) returning to what they were.
I plan on heading back to Lake Mountain this winter too for some tobogganing action, Marty - you should take the girls up there if you haven't already been- might be a slightly longer drive out of the city than 'Mt Thebarton' is from Adelaide, but definitely worthwhile.

[B77W-QOTS]

One year to the day today of these devestating Black Saturday bushfires, I still remember that morning very clearly it was burning hot by 9am I drove upto Bendigo as it was my wifes best freinds Hens night that night, it is a day I will never forget

To the 173 people who lost their lives that day RIP

[Thunder Down Under]

.......Amen...

TDU

[B77W-QOTS]

This link shows before and after pictures as the regrowth has occured over the past year

http://specials-leader.whereilive.com.a ... thenandnow