This one was closer to home and coincided with one resulting in a fatality.
Mid afternoon I got a phone call asking if the fire is affecting our place. I rush outside to find fires are burning on both sides on neighbors properties and the wind is strong and constantly changing direction. With this being the case its hard to figure out who to assist first because both are threatening.
Normally when there is a grass or bush fire everybody in the community that is available rushes in to lend a hand for a couple of reasons:
- These fires spread quickly and if its your neighbors problem it will be your soon
- Tomorrow may be your turn so lend a hand today, you may need that reciprocated tomorrow.
To top that I get a call from the guy down the road also asking for help and his house has a thatch roof.
Long story short there was all kinds of running around and much beating of flames and throwing of water etc. until a couple of hours later all fires were under control and all that was left were burning logs etc.
They do leave a pretty spectacle at night with sparks showering down everytime the wind picks up.
Turns out there were a total of 4 fires in the space of about 3 kilometers. Some hitchhiker that wasn't having much success trying to get a lift decided to liven thing up a little by setting fire to any patch of dry grass he found along the way.
I must say it made for a very difficult afternoon with all of us spread out and unable to help each outer like we usually would. It was also a day with very strong wind which makes fires ten times worse.