A Currowan Fire Update / January 5th 2020

As predicted, Saturday 4th January was a very difficult day for all those in and around the fire grounds across the state and over the border in Victoria.
Temperatures were in the high 30s, early 40s and dry winds were gusting from the west.
In fact, western Sydney recorded their highest temperature ever, a staggering 48.9℃ (120℉).
We thought we were fairly safe but at 2pm the power went out and we noticed a significant smoke plume just over the hills to the north of us.
An unburnt area between Lake Burrill and Lake Tabourie had caught fire and was heading once again for the latter village.
Being surrounded by a now large fire break caused by the previous fires we were not in immediate impact danger but any wind change could bring an ember attack.

No power meant no pump so we didn’t have access to any high pressure water.
We spent a few hours watering down the roof and gutters of the house using my battery operated vine sprayer unit and listening to our national broadcaster, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, for fire updates on the car radio and enjoying a little aircon. The ABC covers much of Australia with city and regional stations and during emergencies dedicates those to providing updates and warnings. Despite all the modern methods of communication these days, old fashioned radio still comes through when the chips are really down. And a good battery operated transistor radio (remember them?) seems to still be essential equipment.

It became apparent from reports we were cut off both to the north and south but still had safe places to go in case the need be.
We were aware a southerly wind change was heading up the coast and arrive it did with a vengeance around 6pm. It howled through the area with gusts up to 90km/hr for around 20 minutes covering us in dead leaves, small branches, dust and ash. While driving the Tabourie fire away from us we knew this would cause problems for a whole lot of people on the northern edges of fires which from reports on Sunday morning it did.

Firefighter’s boots with soles melted off

So there we were again. No power, no mobile phone coverage, no internet. So it was another romantic candle lit dinner of a hard boiled egg and salad wrap, warm beer then early to bed.

I awoke around 3am and had a walk around the house in now very cool conditions to check for spot fires. There were ominous red glows on the distant horizons both north and south and the ash was falling on us like snow.
Today we are still cut off by road in both directions from our two major towns and await advice as to when power and mobile phone (although we do still have a landline) service will be restored*
* restored around 3pm today.