Fire update

[khiemtran]

As night falls, the fire is still officially "under control". However, the setting sun is making the smoke glow like giant flames. We're watching intently and listening for any word on the situation.




You can see real flames just over ridgeline. It's heading towards another settlement called Loftus. Hopefully, they've already prepared firebreaks (or maybe they're counting on the highway acting as a firebreak).



Lots of people are out on the street watching and others are driving up in their cars to take a look at the fire. Those clouds are going to all start glowing orange as the sun sets.



Edit: And there it is.

Comments

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

The second photo really makes it look as if the flames are practically upon you. And the colors of the flames against the night sky in that last photo--very dramatic.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

The flames are actually on the other side of a ridge, about 2km away. You can't see it, but there's actually a valley and a highway just behind those houses. We did see flames on the ridgeline jumping 30-40m into the air though, presumably as the big gum trees went up.

Ironically, the last picture actually shows that the fire is smaller than it looks. That time I was stuck earlier this year, it looked like half the sky was aglow.

[carl-allery.livejournal.com]

Great photos. Glad it seems to be moving away from you. Not sure I'd wish that photo op on anyone I know. :(

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I went along on the highway the next day, and I could see where the RFS had already burnt off ahead of the fire, so looks like it was all carefully done.

[green-knight.livejournal.com]

Yikes. They're fascinating pictures (and it's good that someone documents the fire) - but they're not an opportunity I would wish on anyone...

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Although I should point out that, although it looks spectacular, it's actually quite normal around here. If you don't burn off responsibly when conditions are good, it only leads to devastating fires when they're at their worst.