After an eventful few days we are home safe and sound thanks to the work of some amazing people.
On Thursday we were given notice to evacuate due to a massive bushfire. The fire was uncontained and uncontrolled and due to the windy weather, it was unpredictable and fast moving. I had seen the updates on Wednesday evening but at that point it was 40km away from us and moving south.
Old Coast Road, Lake Clifton CREDIT: DFES
But on Thursday we got messages from the DFES that Lake Clifton was under evacuation, so we packed up and left. Heading to friends for a bottle of wine!!!! The sky was glowing red as we left our street, and although leaving was pretty scary, once we were on the main road and away from the fire zone, I felt much calmer. As horrible and devastating as our fire was last year, I know that we can rebuild and re-buy all the stuff. Having my family in the car and no where near this fire was really all we needed.
Over 140 people have lost their homes and sadly 2 people lost their lives. Such a horrible time for everyone involved. We left on Thursday and due to favourable weather conditions we were allowed to return home on Sunday afternoon.
Clifton Lake CREDIT: Grant EikelBoom
We were very fortunate, the fire had started to move north and was in the bush between the coast road and Clifton Lake, luckily though, thanks to the efforts of our firefighters it never made it to our end of the lake and we were able to return home to our rental and drive past our new house. Fingers crossed we will one day soon get to sleep in the new house!!! I can tell you that the thought of it being destroyed by fire AGAIN was something we tried very hard not to think about for this 4 days!
Old Coast Road, Lake Clifton CREDIT: DFES
So far it has covered over 71,000 hectares with a perimeter of over 230 kilometres. It is impossible to really comprehend it!
To give you an idea of the size of this fire I found some comparison maps, even living in the area and knowing the towns involved I found it hard to comprehend the area affected. But this London map really bought it home, just how massive this fire was!!! The inner blue is the area that was currently burning and the outer blue was the area that had burnt or was still under direct threat of burning!
CREDIT: Stephen Swain
And again this one of Washington!
CREDIT: Stephen Swain
Whilst the fire is still burning, the firefighters now have it contained, and it is no longer a threat to homes and lives.
What an amazing job they do! Some didn't sleep for more than a couple of hours over the 5 days and some had to just sleep on the grass by their fire trucks. Amazing heroes! We thank you x
CREDIT: DFES
Joni Condos says
Oh Claire ! We went through the lancefield fires here in Victoria last year, totally get it. Its the unknown afterwards that I found so very frightening (plus the lack of sleep doesnt help). All the very best and hoping your life returns to normal soon enough, as it does,even though it may not feel that way ! Joni x
Claire McEwen says
It was such a stressful time Joni, we are so lucky how many people worked to stop the fires! x
Mandy says
It is truly beyond comprehension what this must have been like for you all! All that matters is you and your family are safe!
Have a super day.
🙂 Mandy xo
Claire McEwen says
It was a very emotional time. In some ways we were so scared that we would lose it all again and in other ways we knew that losing everything could be overcome.
But yes, all being safe and together was really all we needed.
Thank you xx
[email protected] says
Claire! OMG, I am so glad to hear that you and your family are ok. You tribute to the heroes and the unfortunate is beautiful. I can't imagine how stressful it was. My thoughts are with you. N x
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Sweetie x
Ange says
I'm really happy to read that you and your family are safe and not in harm's way Claire....how traumatic to even be faced with that - again. Fire season is awful, we've also had some terrible fire activity on the coast here in Victoria. Very scary stuff.
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Ange. It has been a pretty stressful week. Every time the wind picked up the fire covered more ground and making it harder to contain. Even after we got home we got put on 'ACT Alert' so were ready to leave again.
The thought of losing the house again!!!! Thank goodness we didn't get to that! The fireys have been doing an amazing job!
It is horrid isn't it, seems to have been particularly bad this year!