A couple of days ago, we had some good news: the status of our bushfire has changed from ‘out of control’ to ‘being controlled’. Isn’t that wonderful? The fire is huge so the fight to put it out is far from over. But the change in status is very encouraging.
So far this week, the weather has been mild. I’m sure the RFS (Rural Fire Service) is grateful for the lower temperatures and the lack of strong winds. They’ve been able to continue back burning the bush to protect local communities.
So it’s been a quiet few days. If it wasn’t for the smoke, and the occasional hum of a helicopter and the sighting of a fire truck, we wouldn’t even know that a fire is still burning in our bush. It would be easy to believe that the crisis is over. Life can get back to normal.
But we still have more hot weather to contend with. We’ve been advised to keep monitoring the fire and stay prepared.
Last Saturday was a hot and windy day. The RFS issued a warning for our nearest town and the surrounding villages. Residents were advised to relocate for the day. Many people must have heeded the warning because, when I picked Gemma-Rose up from work, the town was eerily quiet. There were hardly any cars on the road. Many businesses didn’t open or they closed early. Perhaps we shouldn’t have been in town either. If the roads had been closed because of a fire, we would have been cut off from home.
We needn’t have worried. The bushfire didn’t race towards our local communities as everyone had feared. We were all safe. But other people weren’t.
Around 11 pm, our telephone rang: did we know that some members of our family were in danger from a fire? A quick look at the fire map showed a bushfire threatening the villages on the opposite end of the shire from where we live. Homes were under threat from embers that flew ahead of a huge fire that’s burning to the south of us.
Do you remember how, a couple of weeks ago, we evacuated our home when the bushfire reached our village on a catastrophic weather day? We packed our cars with people, cats and dogs, and a few belongings and headed into town where it was safer. As soon as we arrived in town, an emergency warning was issued for our village:
It’s too late to leave. Seek shelter.
We’d left just in time.
While we were thinking about what to do next, I received a message from a friend:
If you need somewhere to evacuate to, we are here!
Soon the girls and the cats were on their way south to our friend’s home. They spent the night somewhere safe.
It’s hard to believe that last Saturday night, this safe place became unsafe. It was our friends’ turn to face the danger. Some residents fled and others took shelter as fires roared through the village where my girls had stayed only two weeks before.
I spent that night listening to the RFS radio, trying to piece together what was happening. Were our family and friends safe? Would they lose their homes? It was a frightening night. The next morning, we heard that some homes had indeed been lost, but there was no loss of life.
In my post Mother on Duty, I wrote:
I’m fed up of the whole bushfire situation. I just want life to return to normal. I bet the firefighters want to return to their normal lives too. They must be exhausted.
You know what? I think I’ll stop complaining.
Yes, things are much more difficult for the firefighters than they are for us. They are out there on the front line risking their lives. And their families? Imagine the uncertainty. Will loved ones return from fighting the fires?
My friend’s family belongs to the RFS. Because of their willingness to face life-threatening danger, we are safe. So is our home.
There’s a sign at the entrance to our village. It says:
Thank you RFS
Every time I drive past it, I say those words.
In particular, I want to say thank you to Michael and Helen and their family.
Also, thank you, friends, for your prayers for everyone affected by the bushfires. Please continue to pray for those who have lost their lives and for their families as well.
And thank you for your love.
Love: it connects us together, doesn’t it? It’s the reason we can do difficult things. It’s why people risk their lives on the front lines of life. How would we survive without love?
Hi Sue,
Glad to hear things are a little better at the moment. I was thinking about you last evening and hoping you would post update on your situation. We will continue to pray for you and your family. God bless the firefighters; they must be totally exhausted. A petition came in my email two days ago requesting a signature for a letter to our government officials to send help to our friends in Australia battling these ongoing fires. I would urge all of your readers in the States to sign the petition to send help ASAP to our friends in their time of need.
Stay safe Sue,
Love,
Deb
Deb,
It’s very kind of people in your country to want to help us. We’ve had firefighters from America and Canada helping fight the fires. It’s wonderful when we help each other in times of need, isn’t it? And praying for each other. Thank you for your continued prayers. We are very grateful!
Sending love and thanks to you and your family xx
I just heard on the news that Australian firefighters help during our wildfire season on the West coast, and that we have American firefighters there in southern Australia now. It is such a dangerous job and much different than containing housefires. They are all heroes!
Kristyn,
There is no doubt that our firefighters, American and Australian, are very skilled. Some firefighters, like those belonging to the NSW Rural Fire Service, are volunteers which makes their efforts even more extraordinary. The other day, I saw a superhero drawing. Alongside Superman and the other heroes was a firefighter. He is definitely a superhero too!
I have no words, Sue. I can’t begin to imagine how difficult it is to be in this situation for so long. Like the news person said, it is like a war. And here in Michigan we have a flood warning for the next several day. I wish I could send my “up to 3 inches of expected rain” to you! Continued prayers.
Kristyn,
I hope you are okay and weren’t affected by any floods. Too much water or not enough. Yes, it’s a shame we can’t post water across the world!
Thank you for watching the video and ‘meeting’ my friends. And thank you very much for your prayers! xx
Sue, it’s good to know you’re all safe at the moment, I’ve been thinking of you all and sending much love your way. It must be such a stressful time. You’re in all our thoughts.
Lucinda,
We’re doing okay at the moment. The fire is still burning fairly close to us, but we’re not being affected. And we have some cooler weather which is lovely after Friday’s hot and windy conditions. Thank you for thinking about us. Sending love to you too! xx
You all continue to be in our thoughts and prayers. We are so thankful to hear you are all still safe, Sue, as well as being thankful for the work of the RFS and their dedication, commitment and bravery in this very testing time. I really appreciate you keeping us all informed of how you are going!
Blessings,
Alison
Alison,
I’ve been thinking about you! I was hoping that you aren’t in a bushfire area too. This morning, we heard that another firefighter has died. It’s heartbreaking. Yes, we are very thankful for the dedication and skills of the RFS.
It’s so lovely to exchange comments with you. Thank you for your Christmas letter which I enjoyed reading. I hope you and your family have been able to enjoy some restful days after the busyness of Christmas. God bless!
We had a few bushfires south of our town a few months ago but nothing around us now. We often have smoky days though, which certainly reminds us to pray for you all!
I’m glad you enjoyed our Christmas letter. We have been able to rest in the New Year and I’m looking forward to catching up with the girls individually this week to hear the plans they have for what they are interested in learning and doing this year. 🙂
Alison,
Most people complain when they have smoky days. But you use them as reminders to pray for us? That is so kind! I’m glad you haven’t got any fires near you. I hope it remains that way for the rest of the summer.
I love Christmas letters. I used to write them. I always enjoyed looking back over our year and then picking out the highlights. Unfortunately, I haven’t found the time to do that for a while. Maybe it’s a tradition I need to resurrect!
Praise God for your good news! We will continue to pray for the many families yet affected by the fires, including the firefighters. Thank you for letting us know that your family is safe!
Staci,
We are so grateful for your concern. We feel so cared for and loved. Thank you! We appreciate your prayers very much and will pray for your family too. May God bless you!