Tuesday night, and as I leave Bunbury on my way back to Perth I see a thick cloud of smoke…
In fact there are two fires and the helitacs – or whatever those fixed wing planes that drop water on fires are called – were flying between the two.
An hour later driving through Mandurah I see another thick plume of smoke. This time it’s in Port Kennedy so for the first time in my life I decide to turn into Secret Harbour… shhhhhh.
There, I join a bunch of locals on a low ridge and watch the flames as the bushfire burns through 500ha of Scientific Park.
It was a serious fire and some homes were evacuated, though in the end no houses or lives were lost. An interesting side story was that the park had been a bombing range in world war 2 and there is unexploded ordinance through the park. Firefighters had to stick to the existing tracks.
Meanwhile my photo journalism over, I was stuck in Secret Harbour. I’d got disorientated and spent twenty minutes driving into cul-de-sacs.
I can’t express adequately my delight at finally finding the highway home.
w00t.
{ 6 comments }
cool – you’re still shhhhhing at secret harbour!
great pics lady s!
very dramatic
great photography, but its sad it will effect on eco system.
The work of arsonists no doubt too… as with a number of other fires around Perth this week.
I’m not sure what the penalty is but I think it should be doubled!
amazing photos but terrifying all the same to have been that close.
I ma glad there was no loss of human life but sad for the environmental loss.
I guess that depends on the environment. Some species are actually reliant on fire for reproduction.
Helitacks are the big helicopters, the small ones are generally firebirds. Fixed wing planes are just bombers or air tractors.
Great pics.
oh, meant to say. The penalties for arson………. Not much point in increasing them when our court system doesn’t apply the penalties we have now anyhow :S. Personally I think arsonists should have the book thrown at them!