Worry

[flexibeast]

Yesterday a near-clear-sky lightning strike started a major fire within kilometres of my parents' place. Within the last 24 hours or so, it's already burnt around 7000 hectares; and it's moving through rough country, not easily accessible.

Fortunately, the fire is currently moving away from them, but ember attacks are still a major concern. Also a concern is the fact that some of their neighbours have decided not to stay and defend - and in fact are interstate at the moment - which obviously provides increased opportunities for a fire to reach my parents' property.

Police-enforced roadblocks have been set up to prevent people travelling through the area. This isn't a problem in itself, but it is a problem when even family members aren't allowed to enter the area to assist their family. This has meant that my sister, who lives nearby, cannot assist my parents in defending their place; and even more stupidly, a roughly 80-year-old couple who asked police to let their son through to help them defend their place were refused. It's ludicrous.

And i'm very worried.
 

Comments

[ruth-lawrence.livejournal.com]

I don't blame you, it's truly awful.

The police sound up to their usual unintelligent (at best) standard.

[flexibeast.livejournal.com]

Sadly, the police are actually following rules/regulations or some such. Of which there are now so many that my father, who has many years of fire-fighting experience - including being a regional communications officer for the CFA - is not allowed to provide advice and/or suggestions as to how to combat the fires, because he's not accredited or something. :-/

[ruth-lawrence.livejournal.com]

Well, they are being over-literal, I imagine, or else the beuaracrats and/or politicians lack sense (nothing new there, either).

[flexibeast.livejournal.com]

*nod* i suspect it's the latter. :-/