Ping Swooper

Thanks Andrew, I am trying real hard.

Devastating is all I can say. I went through Ash Wednesday in '83, and the horrific 1997 fires which burnt around my home and claimed the lives of 2 friends. Back then I thought that was devastating. Compared to what has transpired over the last few days, makes the other 2 events seem like walks in the park.

Picture straff bombing, and the area effected is hundreds of square miles, nothing left. The death toll will eventually exceed 200,as there are towns they have not been able to enter to search as yet.

The most significant factor in the deaths was what ironically saved our area. When Melbourne hits 46 degrees C (about 115 F), and 100kmh winds, coupled with the drought, and our native eucalypt "Gum" trees, eucalypts (which explode due to the alcohol like properties of their leaves) it is a recipe for disaster. The original line was fuelled by this monstrous northerly, and was heading from the Valley (wine country) towards the mountain. The speed of it's approach was daunting, and if left run it's cause could have completely wiped out those hills we drove about when you visited. A severe wind change swung direction from the south, thus, whilst heading it away from our beloved hills, it turned back on itself and caught the towns in direct line of the turned around fire. Fireballs the size of city buildings were travelling at wind speed (100kmh) so no time was spare to escape. If you were in the line of fire, you were doomed. Entire townships have been wiped out. One of the town teams my local football club was to play against in 2009 is Kinglake. 35 dead, 3 or 4 houses out of

200 remain. Total devastation.

Some damage to Yarra Valley wineries have occurred (Yarra Glen & Dixons Creek areas), similarly, Beechworth is currently under threat further north. (The home of my fave aussie wine, Castagna's Genesis). Heathcote further west has been affected. I guess nobody is really looking at the single issue of wine/vineyard losses as the country is still coming to grips with the enormity of the tragedy. As we speak, the major township of Healesville is now being evacuated, as another wind change hits. On the whole, it seems very few wineries have been lost, but plenty of vines have been. It is however the least of the issues.

Regards Matt (swooper)

Vines can be replanted - houses can be rebuilt.

But the lives lost cannot be replaced.

300 NZ firefighters and police volunteers are on their way to help - the thoughts of 4 million NZers are with you all.

Cheers

st.helier