Just checking in to let all my friends know that my family and I are safe and well. Often when asked by blogging friends where I live, I describe it as Melbourne's outer east near the Yarra Valley. As you would all know by now the Yarra Valley is currently ablaze. The fires are moving in a north easterly direction away from our suburbs and we are in no danger.
It is hard to describe yesterdays sweltering heat. Melbourne recorded 46.4 degrees (115.5 F) - the hottest day ever recorded by the weather bureau. For many of us in the outer suburbs the mercury on our outdoor thermometers was reading 49 degrees.
In the early afternoon I watched in despair as my garden of 18 years finally shrivelled up in front of my eyes. After 12 years of draught and then last weeks heat wave there was nothing to protect the vegetation from the blistering hot, gale force winds. The heat was so intense that it felt like stepping into a furnace when exiting the house. By mid afternoon it was fast becoming obvious our worst fear had been realised. Sirens could be heard in the distance, a black plume hung over our house and the unmistakable smell of smoke filled the air. My garden is now of little consequence in the aftermath of a day now known as 'Black Saturday'.
Victoria is Burning
Fires previously confined to Kilmore, Kinglake and Murrindindi have now joined to form what is being referred to as the Kinglake complex fires, with a fire front stretching more than 100km wide.
Kinglake last night.
Authorities have begun to assess the aftermath of what are almost certainly the worst blazes the state has ever seen, with fears the death toll could rise dramatically as fires continue to burn. As I write this post the death toll stands at 35 but many fire ravaged communities are still inaccessible.
Amendment: as of 7:30 pm Sunday there are 65 fatalities
Update: Monday 1pm ~ 108 confirmed deaths
There are whole townships that are on fire. Helicopter pilots described Marysville as a 'disaster zone' that looks as if a cyclone has ripped through it with 90% of houses destroyed. Kinglake was called a 'Holocaust' with everything GONE!!
Horrific reports are now surfacing of people and families unable to outrun the blaze. Too many people are missing, so far 22 people being treated with significant burn injuries and hundreds with fire related injuries. Those that got our early are safe but have lost everything.
The blaze now extends from Kilmore in the west to Marysville in the east and has so far burnt through 120,000ha, closing the Hume, Melba and Maroondah highways. This blaze may continue to burn for many days yet as it enters national park.
Words cannot really describe the devastation our state is experiencing. I'm sure the news will get worse over the coming days as authorities are finally able to get into those worse affected communities.
Please keep these people in your thoughts and prayers.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
It is hard to describe yesterdays sweltering heat. Melbourne recorded 46.4 degrees (115.5 F) - the hottest day ever recorded by the weather bureau. For many of us in the outer suburbs the mercury on our outdoor thermometers was reading 49 degrees.