W is also for Victorian wildfires

 

This was from our truck window as we drove along the edge of the Longwood fire in Victoria, trying to head to the Melbourne area to get out of the fire zone.

To catch you up (the US has had its share of trauma, too), much of Victoria burst into flames a few days ago. We were in Dederang in the Kiewa Valley. Very hot, very dry air made for a combustable environment. We had temperatures 43-45C (110-113F) and lots of wind. Any spark from a motor or branches rubbing can set off a fire and many brush and grass fires did start. The biggest ones were on either side of us. In the fire map below, we were at the blue binoculars. The wind was blowing eastward so really we weren't too worried about the fire to the right/east but the one to the left/west (Longwood) was huge and growing. And also headed eastward. 

At that time, we were taking care of the dog, cat and two horses. There was a horse trailer but where would we take them? There was a dam on the property but no easy way to get water out to protect the house etc. The owners were due back that day, so we concentrated on getting out of town. I set up pet supplies in case we needed to evacuate before they came home but mostly we mapped our trip. We needed to head south to Melbourne for our next two sits. We were supposed to stay the night at Alexandra. The motel called in the morning to say they were cancelling all reservations. There was only one road open and they were taking it out of town. This warning below is from later in the day - this type of alert means it is too late to leave. Time to go hide in your home: 

Alexandra ended up right in the fire path. Loss of life has been low but lots and lots of property damage, mostly to the farm and winery country outside of the cities. 

When we left, the fire was south of us, directly where we needed to go. We wanted to drive on the west side so that it would generally blow away from us. The roads were open that way so we headed out as soon as the home owners arrived. (Had to apologize later; they didn't fully understand why and thought they had done something wrong.) I didn't realize at the time that big fires can make their own weather. This one did. More "dry lightning" and frequently changing winds. 

By the time we got to the highway, parts were closed. We went down a much smaller highway for much of the trip.That was fine (I had managed the Victorian highways before). We did listen to the emergency radio the entire day and it was heartbreaking to hear names of towns we had stayed in or passed near on our trips. However, as the Longwood fire grew and other fires started (it was still getting hotter and windier), the fire zones kept expanding. We were driving south on the main highway and you could see the smoke. I asked Scott to take pics so I could post. The first few were subtle. That didn't last. This one is not regular clouds:

This one was just a bit further down the road. I was actually concentrating on the road-- generally narrow, winding and full of traffic. 

By the time we reached Yea (really the only option based on where we were), the town was being evacuated. Police stopped us and asked our plans. We confirmed we wanted to leave town by the first available road and they said "easy!" and let us go. I was scared that the winds would change and we would be stuck in the middle of the fire in the truck. We obviously made it out and got to the Melbourne area. I collapsed. Shower came before food that night. 

The next days stressor was the fire near our new house. The fire in the nearby wilderness park (northwest of our house) was no longer in control and was headed southeast. Yup, directly toward the house. We knew the land was dry as a bone but also knew we could do nothing and at least no one was living there. This image is from today - the fire is bigger but not moving as much and is considered controlled. The house is at the binoculars. The yellow warning means stay tuned and be ready to move out but you don't have to evacuate.  The gray is the burning area. 

The house in Kiewa Valley ended up on the edge of the other fire zone but not in danger. The people and animals are fine, just lots of smoke. In the image you can see how the Longwood fire has moved over. In actuality, the winds shifted and it blew back over some of the same towns first 😔

Anyway, scary and very hot, very dry. We are fine, house seems like it will be fine (fingers crossed no more fires), the family we left in Dederang is fine. Our current sit is for two cavalier-poodles in Chirnside, Victoria. They are ready to bark at the drop of a hat and sleep has been challenging for a different reason; one we can live with. 

Here they are barking at the dog food commercial (one of their favorite activities)

These two ragamuffins also get to romp in the cemetery that houses the remains of Dame Nellie Melba, an internationally famous opera singer (apparently)

We have been out exploring and plan to meet up with another classmates of Scott's. Hopefully will post "Z" before we leave here!