joybells2's Blog

Our bushfire crisis nearly over
Oct 7, 2007 | 9:31 PM PST
Tag: Wollemi Pine

Day eight of our bushfires & they seem to be almost over. It rained for a short while this a.m. after a great deal of bluff & bluster of yesterday  afternoon's electrical storms which amounted to nothing. Typical, a lot of threats & bullying but no action. Today's rain certainly did some good, cleared the smoke from the air & no planes flying overhead, apart from a NPWS chopper. All in all, over 11000 acres of the National Park was burnt, more than a quarter of its total area. There was a total of 7 aircraft & 100 RFS volunteers, all working relentlessly. We owe them all a huge debt. Still, I know this is insignificant compared to the terribly destructive fires in Greece but it all matters, doesn't it & there was the potential for disaster.

Our Wollemi Pine may have benefitted from the smoke-laden air. Do not know whether it was because it is now used to its new pot & environment or it was the smoke (probably a bit of both) but it is now shooting out new growth, both at the top & at the tip of  a branch. Yippee, means it is happy. Fingers & toes crossed. It is our pride & joy & want it to thrive.

PS According to the TV news tonight, the fires are still alive & kicking. 85 firefighters are still in action!! Just goes to show, these fires have a mind of their own.