Fires

[motto (RIP)]

Fifteen homes have been destroyed in the last 24 hours. The Mickleham fire has travelled over 40 km in the same time despite the cool change yesterday afternoon.
Hard to believe that people only 20 km away have faced and are facing disaster while we had a quiet, comfortable night.
There but for the grace of God.

David

Latest update, at least 20 homes gone.

[Keith Webb]

We were watching the Warrandyte fire from the paddock behind our place, could see the water bombers in action.

[lynx42]

Yesterday the Gippsland Historical Automobile Club Inc. held its annual display day at Morwell. A stinking hot day (42C and a strong North Westerly blowing) and the numbers were down by about 2/3's.

I took the 1977 Leyland truck and as the presentations finished, the CFA (Country Fire Authority) raced into our Club grounds and ordered everyone to evacuate. The Morwell-Hearns Oak fire had broken containment lines and was heading past us to the south and a very strong south west change was imminent. Almost everyone scattered fast to the east through Morwell and within 10 minutes the fire was at the Club grounds

1623724_718072934891990_1015272747_n.jpg

1779148_718072908225326_108287841_n.jpg

This was the only road out and was blocked within minutes.

1604902_718072924891991_2030030987_n.jpg

One member and his grandson stayed at the Club grounds and managed to save the property. The pony club on one side, the archery club on the other and the motorcycle club to the rear of our clubs 10 acre block all suffered badly as did the gun club further down the road.

Thanks to Ron and Aaron, the GHAC Club rooms were saved.

We were quite pleased to head eastward and none of our group were injured. Thanks CFA for your advice to leave.

The main Princes Highway and railway towards Melbourne, westward, were closed and hundreds of people were to remain in Morwell and Traralgon for the night. Some of our members from the west booked out a Morwell motel as they couldn't get home.

We were glad to get home and find that all was OK in our area.

Regards Rick.

[Ryan]

Shit rick, that's close. Stay safe.

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by lynx42

Yesterday the Gippsland Historical Automobile Club Inc. held its annual display day at Morwell. A stinking hot day (42C and a strong North Westerly blowing) and the numbers were down by about 2/3's.

I took the 1977 Leyland truck and as the presentations finished, the CFA (Country Fire Authority) raced into our Club grounds and ordered everyone to evacuate. The Morwell-Hearns Oak fire had broken containment lines and was heading past us to the south and a very strong south west change was imminent. Almost everyone scattered fast to the east through Morwell and within 10 minutes the fire was at the Club grounds

Attachment 63400

Attachment 63398

This was the only road out and was blocked within minutes.

Attachment 63399

One member and his grandson stayed at the Club grounds and managed to save the property. The pony club on one side, the archery club on the other and the motorcycle club to the rear of our clubs 10 acre block all suffered badly as did the gun club further down the road.

Thanks to Ron and Aaron, the GHAC Club rooms were saved.

We were quite pleased to head eastward and none of our group were injured. Thanks CFA for your advice to leave.

The main Princes Highway and railway towards Melbourne, westward, were closed and hundreds of people were to remain in Morwell and Traralgon for the night. Some of our members from the west booked out a Morwell motel as they couldn't get home.

We were glad to get home and find that all was OK in our area.

Regards Rick.

Rick

Was that event held at Toners lane ? Mike

[lynx42]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

Rick

Was that event held at Toners lane ? Mike

Yes Mike. The GHAC has 10 acres with our Club rooms etc. It was Bl%%dy close, but thanks to two members who would not leave, all is OK.

Regards Rick.

[motto (RIP)]

The annual Picnic at Hanging Rock Car Show which was scheduled to take place yesterday, Sunday the 9th, was put off until a later date due to forecast weather conditions.
There is usually around 2,500 - 3,000 vehicles and 5,000 - 8,000 people attend.
The result of a fire racing through the area on the day like happened at the GHAC event doesn't bear thinking about.

David

[hrpearce]

The trouble with fire is even if you are well organised and have an escape plan you can't take everything with you and generations of history gets destroyed.
I hope we all get some rain soon to settle the fire season down as being put on stand by could ruin any plans for Corowa.

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by lynx42

Yes Mike. The GHAC has 10 acres with our Club rooms etc. It was Bl%%dy close, but thanks to two members who would not leave, all is OK.

Regards Rick.

I was listening on my scanner..the cops were going nuts because somebody was left behind in the fire at Toners lane ............ they were trying to get to him ... they called for backup . Anyway it turned out OK thankfully .

THE SMOKE IS very THICK HERE TODAY ..the sun is blocked out ..its a eerie feeling like armageddon mike

[colin jones]

I can't believe the weather here. The day before yesterday was 43C+ and today it's 23C with 85% humidity and my neighbour needs a boat to get around. Luck I built my place up. It's a shame this water can't be dropped on some of the terrible fires around the country.
Colin.