Climate Positive plantings left unscathed by Victoria's bushfires
Climate Positive's two biodiverse reforestation plantings have not been affected by bushfires in Victoria over the last few weeks.
The plantings are known as Balook, located in the Stzelecki Ranges, and the Bush Family Reserve, in East Gippsland.
The Balook planting was under imminent threat throughout Saturday 7 February. The fire started in Churchill, just 30kms to the north. Strong northerly winds pushed it right up to the site and 20kms beyond it until the winds shifted. Miraculously, the planting site was unaffected, as was the entirety of the Trust for Nature property.
Below is an extract from an email Climate Positive received from Balook's landowner, Richard, in the evening of Sunday 8 February:
"I finally got home today (day 2) to find the whole property had escaped damage- so far, as there are still spot fires and smouldering fire edges on 3 sides, but the weather has been far kinder today with a few drops of rain. The main front went another 20km past me and 9 people were killed and dozens of houses lost. My friends and neighbours stayed to defend their house and only just managed to save it, but lost everything around it. The intensity of the fire was horrifying and I saw some terrible loss and suffering, as well as some miraculous escapes, over the last 2 days. I think my place was saved by a wind change at the critical time, as well as moist understory in the rainforest park between me and the fire front due to some light, drizzly rain on top of the hill over the preceding days. I think I've used up all my luck in this lifetime!"
The Bush Family Reserve, located on the Perry River, while heavily affected by continuing severe drought, is safe from fire. In fact, it received 36mm of much needed rain overnight and at the time of writing it was still raining.
While thankful that both the Bush Family Reserve and Balook are unscathed, our thoughts are with all those Victorians who were not so lucky and especially with those who have lost friends and family during this dreadful time.
Thursday 12 Feburary, 2009
