January 2, 2006
Bushfires no longer threatening
Our valuables and a few clothes were packed. The cars were ready to go, just in case.
After the hottest New Year's day on record in the Sydney region a southerly change turned the bushfires, which had already claimed three Central Coast homes, in the direction of Kariong. ABC Local Radio was keeping us up to date with the latest information as it came to hand. The NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner had warned of 100 km/hr winds. As the news came that the fire was ten minutes from Kariong we weren't exactly panicking but I'd be lying if I said we were all calm.
When we moved here ten years ago we heard about the big fires of 1994 and how the whole suburb had been evacuated.
This time as the temperatures soared I knew that bushfires were on the cards and so it proved.
Fortunately by the time we went to bed at 1:30am it was clear that there was no direct threat to us and we could rest relatively easily. But it was a reminder that along with living in a place surrounded by beautiful national parks comes the danger of bushfires.
For now at least the threat has receded and the local fire is no longer impacting Kariong.
Posted to Personal by Keith Pitty