Fire Update

[calissa]

So, yesterday proved to be a bit exciting. The fire generating the smoke plume pictured in my last entry got quite a bit closer. Within about 10km, actually. I had a clear view as it came over the ridges around 5pm yesterday.

No official order was given to evacuate, but there are a couple of traffic choke points that can make getting out of the area difficult when there are a lot of people on the road. We also wanted to make sure we got the dogs to safety. So we left early and headed to the in-laws, a few suburbs away. They'd just made dinner and had enough for us too, bless them. Sahaquiel and I had been too busy packing up to have a proper meal.

We stayed the night. By this morning, the alert had been downgraded from Emergency to Watch and Act. So, we've headed home again for the time being, Sahaquiel staying home from work. When we went to pack up the car at the in-laws place, we found it had a light dusting of ash. We found burnt leaves in the yard and on the stoop when we got home.

Although there's no immediate risk, the fire is still out of control. Temperatures this week are set to climb steadily. Today is expected to reach 35°C/95°F, ramping up to 42°C/106°F on the weekend. So we're not out of the woods yet. I'm monitoring news sources.

But first, a nap. All the fuss left one of our dogs quite anxious (even though he frequently spends time at the in-laws place). He was determined to sleep on my face, so I didn't get a whole lot of sleep either.

Fingers crossed for better luck from here.

Comments

[annarti]

That is a terrifying view, and the burnt gumleaf makes it even more real. Can't believe it's so close to Canberra. Can these fires just friggin piss off and give us a break? Geeze.

[calissa]

The leaf was certainly a bit of a reality check, for sure. It would be nice if 2020 just calmed tf down.

[kaberett]

Oh goodness. Thank you for the update.

[rmc28]

+1 thank you

[calissa]

<3

[calissa]

No problem! I figured people might be worried.

[sine_nomine]

Thinking of you, and hoping for it to be over soon (though I know that's not possible).

So grateful for update - and to know you all are okay.

[calissa]

Thank you! <3

[onewhitecrow]

It is good to know that the leaves would not be actively on fire by the time they reached your house at that distance; that prospect would worry me most. I hope it burns itself out by the weekend.

[calissa]

Yes, spot fires have been a big concern. At one point they were starting up to 5km ahead of the fire front. I'll be keeping my eyes open if conditions deteriorate again.