The Currowan Fire / Part 2

When the winds pushed the fire north and away from us we were anxious to get home but weren’t allowed. We tried a number of times at the road block but were refused. When we heard on Sunday that some residents were being allowed to return we tried again. We came up against an officious cop who said ‘no’ initially but was finally convinced to let us through.
Why they had officials at the road block with no local knowledge of where places actually were, I will never know
Kudos to the co driver who was able to keep my latent lack of respect for police in general (result of 60/70s Vietnam War protest clashes!) in check. My knee is still bruised from all the squeezing.

And lucky we did get through as when we arrived home we found fence posts and a large tree very near our house on fire. If it hadn’t been initially quelled by us and finally put out by the RFS who arrived quickly, I think the house would have been in real danger.

So then with the help of neighbour Bob the highway boundary fence was repaired to a suitable state and an electric fence as back up put in by the co driver and me.
Then we brought the hungry and thirsty cattle back home.
The shed had a lot of tools, power tools, hardware, fishing gear, farm chemicals, paint, a newish stove, my two surfboards (one from 1964) and the daughter’s childhood memorabilia in there. We have been in to check what is salvageable. Not a lot. And the structure is a bit wonky to work in. It creaks menacingly in the wind!

The insurance assessor came on Tuesday and did the survey so now we wait for the nitty gritty on the claim.
In the meantime it is a matter of cleaning up what we can. I really can’t start the fence repairs because of the danger of falling trees and branches. We hear them crashing down in the bush around us on a regular basis. The Australian eucalyptus (gum tree), especially when fire (and drought) weakened, is not called the ‘widow maker’ for nothing.
This fire is not out. It is only contained.
So far it has burnt 86,000ha (213,000 acres)
We were told it could double in size until we get substantial rain. None is forecast until early next year.
It was indeed a sobering community update meeting with around 500 affected attending as the emergency began to subside.The two minute standing ovation for the fire and emergency services at the end of the meeting said it all about the way we all felt about the way they had gone about their business.

Notable for their absence at any of the fire grounds in the state, where so far over 2,700,000ha (6,700,000 acres) has been burnt and 6 lives and 720 homes lost, were the country’s Prime Minister* and the state’s Premier**. But as both lead climate change denying conservative governments what do you expect? Not that we needed to actually see them in person sprouting 'thoughts and prayers' platitudes but some acknowledgement of the dire situation some people have found themselves in would have been appropriate.
A pox on both their houses!

In the meantime, thanks to Mark and Steph up the back, Bob and Jude across the road and Ralph down the way a bit. Their help looking after our property and animals during our enforced absence is much appreciated. Also a shout out to Les who defended our road bridge from the flames in the early hours.
To the two Susans, Warwick and David, your hospitality and empathy for the two evacuees won’t be forgotten. Thanks also to Marg (and her firefighter husband, Tony), Marcia and Annette for their support.
The Evacuation Centre in town organized by the NSW government ran like clockwork and am sure those that took full advantage of the services offered (refuge, food, medical care, pet care, counselling etc) would have no complaints.
The whole community really came together during this crises and the generosity of local businesses and residents was outstanding.

As for the men and women volunteers of the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) and in particular the Calderwood Brigade, you are heroes!
This was my fourth fire in the area and by far the worst.
Hopefully it is the last.
Update: 21/12/19
*The Prime Minister snuck out of the country unannounced for a family holiday in Hawaii during this emergency leaving the dullest tool in the shed, National Party leader and deputy PM, Michael McCormack in charge.
Public outcry has shamed him into returning.

Compare and contrast

**The Premier meanwhile has become more visible and connected as this catastrophe develops.