Post by Aussienot on Nov 22, 2006 3:40:26 GMT -5
The sky is dark at dusk and the air is heavy with ash. Gale force hot winds have been hitting the Blue Mountains all day. The uncontrollable fire that was laughably far away this morning spot jumped 25 kms and is now within 5 kms without a hope of control. From high points in the road you can see the flames.
I was casual and 'she'll be right' this morning; but a text message from the Rural Fire Service and a frantic mobile call from my neighbor sent me flying home in the late afternoon to block my gutters and wet my roof. There is a mountain philosophy of stay and protect your property if you are mentally and physically able to assist the Fire Service. Inhabited properties are protected if possible as a first priority; evacuated properties are optional.
Finn is standing at the front window periodically on alert to a danger he senses but cannot identify. No amount of jollying him out of it breaks his investigation. Luckily Sailor is oblivious as usual.
Water choppers Elvis and Sheila are droning overhead - what a lovely sound! - but they will be grounded when darkness falls soon. The winds are dropping and houses in Lawson are not in immediate danger at the moment, but we will probably be cut off from the only highway by fire overnight. I've been working so many weekends lately that my freezer is bereft of human food, but beer supplies are adequate for a few days, so it's all good.
I was casual and 'she'll be right' this morning; but a text message from the Rural Fire Service and a frantic mobile call from my neighbor sent me flying home in the late afternoon to block my gutters and wet my roof. There is a mountain philosophy of stay and protect your property if you are mentally and physically able to assist the Fire Service. Inhabited properties are protected if possible as a first priority; evacuated properties are optional.
Finn is standing at the front window periodically on alert to a danger he senses but cannot identify. No amount of jollying him out of it breaks his investigation. Luckily Sailor is oblivious as usual.
Water choppers Elvis and Sheila are droning overhead - what a lovely sound! - but they will be grounded when darkness falls soon. The winds are dropping and houses in Lawson are not in immediate danger at the moment, but we will probably be cut off from the only highway by fire overnight. I've been working so many weekends lately that my freezer is bereft of human food, but beer supplies are adequate for a few days, so it's all good.