Not sure if you have seen this news story - it’s about the bushfires in Tasmania and how two grandparents saved the lives of their 5 young grandchildren (the young is 2) by taking refuge under a jetty for 3 hours as the fires raged about them. The grandfather took the photos (see new articles below) to send to his daughter to let her know they were ok. It’s a reminder how important photography is. These photos are also a stark reminder of the power and danger of fire in this country.
the power of photography indeed. I so glad that this family survived.Even though they might have lost everything they owned. Photos like this are documents of human tragedies( is that how you spell it?) and can show more than just a clip on the news
Thank you for starting this discussion and sharing the link
Australia is being hit by some powerful fires, these images are frightening. It is so pleasing to know they survived & the courage of the grandparents was amazing. I live in northern Tassie and we had one start up behind our property. The fire service didn't take long to get there, they did a remarkable job to save the properties above us. I packed up my little bloke & got out for the day. So lucky & the emotions you go through, ours was on a smaller scale to what these & other families have experienced through the fires. Thinking of them & just wishing for the rain they have forecast
@wenbow - I went through Ash Wednesday 30 years ago and know the fear. I almost lost my parents and the farm was completely burnt. Glad to hear you are all ok and hope you keep safe.
@joluise I have only seen all the big fires through media, it's an experience to have it at your back door. What an experience for you, though. I can only imagine
I currently have family around a out of control bush fire down near Cooma, and friend that has a sheep property up near Yass where farmers have lost over 10,000 animals.
Currently they are both looking OK but the forecast for the next 3 days is not favourable as its going to be 37, and 39 with 40km winds.
Only time will tell how the next few days pans out.
I think they are still looking for around 100 missing people in Tas? @wenbow
@joluise the look on the face on the child with the glasses, looking relaxed about the whole situation, but probably had too to help keep the younger ones calm.
What a terrifying experience to go through.
@agima - when the news say "no lose of life" I often think, what about all those animals that are dead or dying. Those farmers that have to shoot all the badly burnt sheep and cattle must be heartbreaking.
I do hope your friend is ok, because there is no end to this heat at present with tomorrow back up in the high 30'sC.
I think many of those "missing" are tourists that have moved on but didn't tell anyone.
@lrn - the girl with the glasses is the eldest sister and looking after her brothers. One very brave child.
I was 16 when I went through Ash Wednesday bush fires 30 years ago (a terrible group of bush fires that burnt 1000's of hectares of land and many many homes) and that still can bring tears to my eyes, it has a long term affect on people
@agima They reckon most of them where tourists that left the area, they have had the police dogs in & checked 90% of the properties
The mainland fires are fierce I was watching a story on TV last night, hope your family & friends keep safe
I just read about this and was going to post something, I thought it was such a powerful photograph. The fires look terrifying, I have family out there but I don't think they live in a high risk area. I only wish the same was for everyone, my thoughts with anyone facing the situation x
@joluise@wenbow Our farmer friend is going to a town meeting tonight but he was saying that the area has lost more like 30,000 animals and my brother just sits and waits for the coming weekend to be over and the wind to blow the other way.
@joluise Yes, we saw that truly amazing story here on the TV news in England. An experience like that will certainly leave its mark on the grandad and the children as you testify when you write about the Ash Wednesday fires you experienced. I also thought about the total devastation of wildlife.
@quietpurplehaze - more than 10,000 sheep have died in just one fire not far from me - and more will need to be killed as they are suffering. And that doesn't even take into account the wild animals that are dead and injured plus all the other live stock. So sad:(
@joluise It's rather hard to get one's head round those sorts of figures. And then there's the destruction of the plant habitat and all the minor creatures etc etc.
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Thank you for starting this discussion and sharing the link
Currently they are both looking OK but the forecast for the next 3 days is not favourable as its going to be 37, and 39 with 40km winds.
Only time will tell how the next few days pans out.
I think they are still looking for around 100 missing people in Tas? @wenbow
What a terrifying experience to go through.
I do hope your friend is ok, because there is no end to this heat at present with tomorrow back up in the high 30'sC.
I think many of those "missing" are tourists that have moved on but didn't tell anyone.
I was 16 when I went through Ash Wednesday bush fires 30 years ago (a terrible group of bush fires that burnt 1000's of hectares of land and many many homes) and that still can bring tears to my eyes, it has a long term affect on people
The mainland fires are fierce I was watching a story on TV last night, hope your family & friends keep safe