When we were driving back from the Latrobe Valley yesterday, we were amongst the bush fires down in the district of Gippsland, east of Melbourne.
Today, I had to visit a client in Healesville in the Yarra Valley and as I drove through the Valley's wine growing district, the sky over the mountains to the north grew hazy with smoke from the fires in that region.
It seems Victoria has bush fires throughout the state and everyone in the rural districts are on alert.
On the way back from my appointment in the Yarra Valley, I made a stop for a light lunch and opened one of Melbourne's two main newspapers, the Herald Sun. Its not my favorite paper, a tabloid that in my opinion makes news when there is none - a gossip newspaper. This was not one of those occasions.
The cover below of the Herald Sun gave a good account of why the whole state is on alert.
The fires destroyed homes in what once were small rural towns four decades ago and today they are populated outer suburbs of Melbourne. Although being suburbs, they retain a wooded environment prone to adding fuel to bush fires. Below is a photo of Warrandyte - an environment that was one of my early cycling training areas.
Only yesterday the towns of Morwell and Hazelwood closed the main highway and it was only luck that we were to the west of those towns that allowed us to return home with out being diverted. We did however see the road closure of the highway for those travelling west from where we had come.
The photo below depicts the bush fire scene very reminiscent of the flag belonging to our indigenous people of Australia. One wonders how the original Australians survived these natural infernos not to mention the wildlife.
And as I write this post, I'm made aware of some of my northern hemisphere blogging friends having to cope with constant rainfall and flooding.
Today, I had to visit a client in Healesville in the Yarra Valley and as I drove through the Valley's wine growing district, the sky over the mountains to the north grew hazy with smoke from the fires in that region.
It seems Victoria has bush fires throughout the state and everyone in the rural districts are on alert.
On the way back from my appointment in the Yarra Valley, I made a stop for a light lunch and opened one of Melbourne's two main newspapers, the Herald Sun. Its not my favorite paper, a tabloid that in my opinion makes news when there is none - a gossip newspaper. This was not one of those occasions.
The cover below of the Herald Sun gave a good account of why the whole state is on alert.
The fires destroyed homes in what once were small rural towns four decades ago and today they are populated outer suburbs of Melbourne. Although being suburbs, they retain a wooded environment prone to adding fuel to bush fires. Below is a photo of Warrandyte - an environment that was one of my early cycling training areas.
Only yesterday the towns of Morwell and Hazelwood closed the main highway and it was only luck that we were to the west of those towns that allowed us to return home with out being diverted. We did however see the road closure of the highway for those travelling west from where we had come.
The photo below depicts the bush fire scene very reminiscent of the flag belonging to our indigenous people of Australia. One wonders how the original Australians survived these natural infernos not to mention the wildlife.
And as I write this post, I'm made aware of some of my northern hemisphere blogging friends having to cope with constant rainfall and flooding.
Fortunately to date we have no loss of life. Let's hope it stays that way.
Bushfires are our most regular, most destructive natural event ...most summers they threaten the dry-summer states: Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Tasmania. The northern states seem a bit protected by getting their rain in summer.
ReplyDeleteSo families who live in bush fire areas have to ask themselves whether they want to rebuild on the same land. Beautiful, rural, peaceful and green... but oh so dangerous.
Some good comments there Hels
DeleteToo much water or too many fires, both incredibly destructive. What is happening to our weather pattern, Stay safe. D & N
ReplyDeleteIt's the Global Warming that our politicians refuse to acknowledge. It may reduce donations from big business.
DeleteMakes me want to count my blessings. At least we can dry out. At least we have a roof over our heads and our animals are safe. It must be dreadful to have everything destroyed by fire. Vx
ReplyDeleteVera - agree with you thoughts. Human's like ants, build and then rebuild.
DeleteWe live in a built up area and instead of beautiful natural bushland, we have a bay that protects us from the fires and at the same time a fresh air area.