Heat, Wind, Smoke and Fire
Ivy-Jane Christobel Gardiner (VK3IVY)
on
February 16, 2009
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As some of you know, there have been some very big fires over the last few days in the state of Victoria. Which still at this moment are still going.
Now most areas of the USA don't really get the same sort of wildfires or bushfires as we call them here, except for California.
Anyway last Thursday, we heard that the coming Saturday, would be the worst fire conditions for a generation. So knowing this I called my parents, as they are in one of the dangerous areas and that there was a fire that had been started by lightning the previous week which was nearby.
We talked about our fire safety plan, which was if the fire was near and had the possibility of moving towards their house, the only option was to leave. Here in Victoria Australia, the CFA (Country Fire Authority) gives people two options, get out early, or stay and fight.
We got to my parents on Friday evening, and on Saturday morning, set up the radio gear. Early in the morning I jumped on to an 80 metre net that I join most weekends, to have a chat. I spoke with one of my friends who is very knowledgeable about the forest near us (Bunyip State Park) and I asked him for some advice.
At this time I tuned to one of our local AM stations the ABC 774 (3LO) as during emergencies they start broadcasting information about emergencies, road closures and the like.
I set up my radio to scan through the CFA and DSE radio frequencies, along with my local repeater (VK3REC) and the 2 metre calling frequency.
Also making sure we had all of our batteries charged, and ready to go, as in fire conditions power supply is not a given.
Using the information gathered from the CFA and DSE, and 774. We were able to chart the progress of the fire using google maps.
Combined with the information from the Bureau of Meteorology we were able to see which way the wind was moving and the prevailing weather conditions.
As the day moved on, the fire move closer, but still far enough away. Then the cool change came, the wind direction was unpredictable the fire moved closer, and we then heard on the radio that they were assembling fire strike teams nearby.
The fires appeared to be ten kilometres away from us, or about six miles. With this cool change coming we decided to leave. There was no way to know which way the fire would move.
In the end my parents house was safe as the fire moved away from us. And we returned the following morning, so many were not lucky like we were. And I almost broke down on the club net the following morning.
But I guess what I'm trying to say here, preparation for any natural disaster is key. We were prepared listening to every source of information, to be able to make our decisions on what to do.
If you ever have to confront a situation like this make sure you have your safety plans created well in advance, make sure you have battery backup for certain systems, such as radios. And Be prepared!
VK3IVY
Ivy Jane Christobel Gardiner
VK3IVY
http://radio.carnagevisors.net
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Heat, Wind, Smoke and Fire
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by VE7REN on February 16, 2009
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its common sense............be prepared. dont know if this is a good article for eham.. maybe cnn or some other formal newscast. good luck.
ve7ren brent
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RE: Heat, Wind, Smoke and Fire
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by K0BG on February 16, 2009
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I can't speak for all of us over here, but my heart goes out to all of those who have suffered.
The sad part is, far too many, no matter which side on the pond you're on, are not prepared for a similar disaster. You'd think people would learn, but they don't. All one has to do is look around New Orleans, today, and things look much the same as they did before Katrina. It makes me wonder what will happen when the next hurricane heads right for New Orleans.
Alan, KØBG
www.k0bg.com
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Heat, Wind, Smoke and Fire
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by KG4TKC on February 16, 2009
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Nice article VK3IVY! It gives some of us a better feel for what you folks went through,something other than the FNN/CNN talking heads. I like how you had a plan and executed it in the face of disaster,and also how that plan worked in your parents. As folks age the fallout from emergencies affect them more. Having a plan and keeping abreast of the latest info as you did will usually serve to protect in such emergencies. While you were struggling with fire in your world,near the same time halfway around the world,some of us were struggling with an ice storm. Fire and ice,mans oldest friends and enemies,,:) Thanks for the article,73 es GL-KG4TKC
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RE: Heat, Wind, Smoke and Fire
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by K9MHZ on February 16, 2009
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It's MOST DEFINITELY appropriate to share this on eham....thank you for reporting what's happened. The Aussie people are wonderful, and we hate what's happened to you there.
Good luck and Godspeed.
Brad
K9MHZ
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Heat, Wind, Smoke and Fire
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by AI2IA on February 16, 2009
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VK3IVY took time to make some good suggestions to others based upon firsthand experiences. This contribution is well taken and stands head and shoulders above the grunting, rants, and naysaying seen so often on eHam.net.
Portability, battery supplies, information gathering from weather stations and local broadcast stations combined with a previously worked out plan can indeed make the difference between life and death. It won't happen here is the worst attitude anyone can take.
Thanks for you posting, Ivy. - AI2IA
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Heat, Wind, Smoke and Fire
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by W6VPS on February 16, 2009
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As others have said,our hearts and prayers go out to those who have suffered such loss and devastation in the brush fires. Your cautionary tale of having a plan and putting it to use serves as a fine reminder and good advice. It is amazing the number of folks who do not plan, do nothing for them selves yet scream save me.
Thanks for sharing your experience and advice.
Paul/W6VPS
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RE: Heat, Wind, Smoke and Fire
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by W6CAW on February 16, 2009
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Yup. Sounds like our new typical summer in So.CA, San Diego County. Our Hams here are used almost every summer and many have Red Cross or CERT or RACES training. In our 2007 Harris fire we lost hundreds of homes over 80,000 acres. Power and phones were out for up to 8 weeks in areas. To see how we prepare checkout our department website at http://campofire.org/campodisaster/index.html Good luck to all and be prepared!
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RE: Heat, Wind, Smoke and Fire
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by WI7B on February 16, 2009
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Ivy VK3IVY,
My thoughts are with you, your folks, and my mates in Victoria.
Good preparation! Being able to monitor the fires' progress via Google Maps from CFA is surely a fantastic resource. We have similar, ableit smaller, grass fires here in the desert of Eastern Washington state that rapidly engulf rural homes. A frightenning experience.
73,
---* Ken, ex-VK3BEC
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Heat, Wind, Smoke and Fire
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by N8QBY on February 16, 2009
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To VK3IVY: Thank you for sharing your experience with us, and thank God it worked out for you and your family. One cannot be over prepared for such emergencies. One should have a plan in place just for this reason, no matter what the emergency. We are not always prepared for such emergencies, so getting the family informed for such an emergency, ie, meeting place if separated, properly radio trained, licensed or not, etc, is of utmost importance. It doesn't take that long to put a plan in place, and will possibly save lives. 73
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RE: Heat, Wind, Smoke and Fire
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by N7YA on February 16, 2009
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My thoughts go out to all involved. My respect to those who stayed to fight the huge fires and i hope for a quick cleanup for you guys down there. Definately, my heart goes out to the families of those lost in the fires, thats just terrible.
I live in the desert, but theres nothing to burn here, we just get the smoke when California goes up in flames every year.
73...Adam, N7YA
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Heat, Wind, Smoke and Fire
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by K0DCH on February 16, 2009
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Nice article, Ivy.
During our summers I run a fire engine on wildland fires in the western US (everybody needs a hobby.) It was interesting to get the perspective of someone in a fire-threatened area.
Excellent advice; I wish everyone were as well prepared and thoughtful as you are.
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RE: Heat, Wind, Smoke and Fire
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by W5ESE on February 17, 2009
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> The Aussie people are wonderful, and we hate what's
> happened to you there.
couldn't say it any better!
73
Scott
W5ESE
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RE: Heat, Wind, Smoke and Fire
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by K5ML on February 17, 2009
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Great work, Ivy. Our heart goes out to you and many others who suffered through this catastrophe.
I had the pleasure of visiting Australia in the early '90's and loved it. Through visiting and via ham radio I know that the Aussies are the friendliest people in the world.
Someone put up this YouTube video of a firefighter giving some water to a very thirsty and dehydrated koala. It captures a remarkable act of human compassion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XSPx7S4jr4&feature=related
73,
Mickey, K5ML
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Heat, Wind, Smoke and Fire
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by TPELLE on February 18, 2009
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I am a retired fire chief from Kentucky, USA. Our wildfire hazard is not too severe in my part of the State, but I have fought some pretty big ones - it's pretty hilly here, and the speed that a fire travels, even without wind, is proportional to the square of the slope of the hill. They can go uphill faster than you can run!
We do have occasional floods, though ( we're near the Ohio river), and sometimes had to issue evacuation orders. We found that people would not immediately evacuate on our order, but would instead confer with other people who they trusted - a co-worker, neighbor, their minister, whatever. (Like their minister would have more meaningful advise than would the fire chief!)
I have a good friend who lives in San Diego, where they do have severe wildfires. I told her that, if the evacuation order is issued for her neighborhood, just GO! Don't call her mom in Michigan, don't ask her boss, don't talk to her neighbors - just GO!
On the other hand, I recall seeing this story on CNN about a guy in SoCal who had lost his house once during a wildfire. He decided it would NEVER happen to him again. So over time he bought a gasoline powered portable fire pump, some suction hose, some fire hose, and learned how to use it. He figured on using his in-ground swimming pool for water (an important factor, since water pressure in the mains likely will go down since the fire department is using all they can pull from the hydrants). When the next fire came, he and couple of buddies stayed behind and fought the fire around his house - they saved the house (the only one in the neighborhood still standing). The guy was vilified on CNN, however. Personally, I thought the guy had a good plan, and kind of admired him for it.
Take care down there.
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