Wild Fires

[F.C.]

Well, we had "some" rain over the past few days... most of it hit through the Cascade Mtn range which is where a LOT of those fires were at. Didn't snuff the fires but enabled the fighters to get more control on them. They were able to work ahead of the fires (instead of head on against them) and do control burns to reduce the available dead timber fuel it could feed upon which has slowed the fires advance considerably. They're not totally contained but what was only 10% contained is now closer to 50%. The winds that came with the rain showers (gusts up to 60 & 70 mph) pushed steadily north and NE on into the Indian Reservation. If it does happen to turn eastward again it ought to by-pass us if they can't get it under control. So, for the time being, the populated areas can now breathe a sigh of relief. At least now the air is clean again with visibility for several miles. Fingers still crossed.

[F.C.]

Weather cooled off considerably over the past three days, hardly any wind, cool and damp nights. Fires are settling down considerably. Visibility is as far as the horizon will permit. A genuine relief to those live'n in these parts. I believe we are on the down hill side of this situation as fires are reporting greater containment on a daily basis, well over 50% now. Thank God.

[mite5255]

Thats fantastic Frank, bush fires can be so damn devastating, it can take ages for people and the environment to get over them, has there been any loss of life

[F.C.]

Yes, Mike... several fire fighters have lost their lives getting encircled by fires on the front lines unexpectedly. So far I've not heard of any citizen losing life as the fire fighters were diligent and speedy at getting people evacuated. In one case a woman who remained in her home till the last minute tried to get out but rolling waves of fire engulfed her escape and she was forced to abandon the effort and literally thought it was her waterloo... then, through the rolling flames came a vehicle driven by a single fire fighter who hurriedly loaded her into his truck and he blew through several hundred feet of intense flames, again, to get her and himself back to safety. No surprise the man who took that risk of his own life refused to be interviewed on camera. The woman, though, has been interviewed a lot and she's made sure the public is aware of his courage and his commitment to the safety of others even though she admittedly considered her decision to remain against orders to leave was a stupid one. She said they couldn't see the roadway ahead due the intensity of the flames literally at ground level with heights of over 100 ft and that the man was going on instinct and memory of the turns and distances he memorized when he drove through it the first time and reversed the sequence on the return attempt of escape. Still, the man refuses to be hailed any kind of hero and continues to remain on the fire line. There's been no mention whether he was a local, or from an adjoining state, or one of your fellow Aussies. Just goes to show the resolve and commitment some people have at doing their job in the face of danger even to their own lives.