In the line of fire -Summertime FOFT DSC_8484
Summertime in Australia
I tried so hard to do something light for this month’s FOFT challenge (“summertime” by the lovely Laszlo) given my last few challenge posts have all been on the heavy side and I tried not to write too much. But in the end I couldn’t do either.
I have spent the last few days in the country on my friend’s farm. I took images of kids jumping off the big rocks and swimming in the waterholes-typical Aussie summer fun in the country. Then on Friday we were blanketed with thick smoke as was most of Victoria and New South Wales. On Saturday, our Vic Emergency Apps sounded the alarm, telling us there was a bushfire near the tiny town of Euroa, not far from where we were staying. The smoke thickened. We decided to leave. I drove past the fires and got through without incident. Not long after, there was an emergency warning to evacuate and the highway was closed. Fortunately, the wind changed in the afternoon and Euroa was spared.
Other places are not so lucky and so much of East Gippsland and places far and wide across Victoria and other states are on fire. Almost 1 million hectares has already burnt in Victoria alone. I don’t think anyone can fully comprehend the long-term loss and devastation these fires will have on our ancient forests, their associated wildlife, the stock and all the communities dotted throughout these landscapes that will have to try to rebuild.
There are few words. I am heartbroken. I don’t have a monopoly on these feelings of helplessness. Images of summer once involved gorgeous sunsets, days in the pool, outdoor BBQs and games of Cricket. Ever since Black Saturday, the thought of summer now brings anxiety and the fear of fires.
However, as is often the case, in the face of disaster our communities band together and do the most incredible job of supporting each other. Millions of dollars has been raised (locally and overseas), food banks are being set up everywhere and people are donating their time, homes and machinery to help.
That is the heart-warming part of the story.
This image is a composite of two I took while away. The sheep in the smoke and the sun, made blood red by the fires. A light texture applied.
In the line of fire -Summertime FOFT DSC_8484
Summertime in Australia
I tried so hard to do something light for this month’s FOFT challenge (“summertime” by the lovely Laszlo) given my last few challenge posts have all been on the heavy side and I tried not to write too much. But in the end I couldn’t do either.
I have spent the last few days in the country on my friend’s farm. I took images of kids jumping off the big rocks and swimming in the waterholes-typical Aussie summer fun in the country. Then on Friday we were blanketed with thick smoke as was most of Victoria and New South Wales. On Saturday, our Vic Emergency Apps sounded the alarm, telling us there was a bushfire near the tiny town of Euroa, not far from where we were staying. The smoke thickened. We decided to leave. I drove past the fires and got through without incident. Not long after, there was an emergency warning to evacuate and the highway was closed. Fortunately, the wind changed in the afternoon and Euroa was spared.
Other places are not so lucky and so much of East Gippsland and places far and wide across Victoria and other states are on fire. Almost 1 million hectares has already burnt in Victoria alone. I don’t think anyone can fully comprehend the long-term loss and devastation these fires will have on our ancient forests, their associated wildlife, the stock and all the communities dotted throughout these landscapes that will have to try to rebuild.
There are few words. I am heartbroken. I don’t have a monopoly on these feelings of helplessness. Images of summer once involved gorgeous sunsets, days in the pool, outdoor BBQs and games of Cricket. Ever since Black Saturday, the thought of summer now brings anxiety and the fear of fires.
However, as is often the case, in the face of disaster our communities band together and do the most incredible job of supporting each other. Millions of dollars has been raised (locally and overseas), food banks are being set up everywhere and people are donating their time, homes and machinery to help.
That is the heart-warming part of the story.
This image is a composite of two I took while away. The sheep in the smoke and the sun, made blood red by the fires. A light texture applied.