Victoria Ablaze

...and can let people know we're alive ...our neighbors and friends ....... not so lucky.

We never planned to stay and defend the home and warehouse since (our son) has come along ...., but had no choice as the fire was spotting 20 kilometers ahead of the front and moving faster than you could drive .....had no idea it was coming until too late to escape out of the valley ...We drove half way up our dead end road ...and like 100 locomotives roaring up the valley towards us ,the inferno was coming straight at us ..... we had nowhere to go except back to the house and take our chances ......after the main front went past 20-30 minutes #%*!*#!! ... the house started tumbling in on us , we managed to get to the creek and , covered in mud and blankets , we sat , with lyre birds beside us ... in the creek, and some how we made it ....with 4 other people , 2 kids and a few dogs that come to take shelter at our place .

...covered in mud and blankets , we sat , with lyre birds beside us ... in the creek, and some how we made it ....with 4 other people , 2 kids and a few dogs that come to take shelter at our place .

I am concerned that I hear calls for the army to provide emergency services. Whilst perhaps there is some need for army personnel as a second response unit, emergency services in country towns MUST remain in the hands of the community. SES CFA, Red cross along with sporting clubs are part of the social structure that bind communities. They can respond as needed without being tied up in red tape. If you have a problem you know who to call and who can get things done. I'll be very strident if things change.

Professional firefighter from the ACT killed near Marysville. a tree fell onto the fire truck he was working from.