I have experienced first hand the terrifying and heart wrenching devastation of the bushfires where over 50% of this pristine Kangaroo Island has been scorched. Being evacuated to the Kingscote Football Oval last Thursday night with over 150 other vehicles, it was a very frightening and sleepless night as we watched ash fly through the floodlights like acid rain. Thankfully the township of Kingscote it's self was saved by the valiant efforts of both the CFS firefighters, Army and local community personnel.
Only yesterday did I venture out on the roads that were opened to allow property owners back to see what remained of their farms, stock and houses. It was a woeful sight to take in and although I personally have been spared any loss, many of my friends have lost farms and stock and livelihoods. (See some of the photos attached)
-- Edited by matildatraveller on Tuesday 14th of January 2020 05:00:39 AM
Hi Gwynne, So sad to see photos of roads that only a month ago we were driving on ourselves. So scary for you to be evac within your own town, It was bad enough for us to experience that from the farm we were sitting for.
I am sorry that we had to cut short our visit to the island, and sad to see the devastation, but glad that we did not get to experience the devastation first hand.
Keep your chin up, we saw the chinook helicopters flying in today!
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DUNMOWIN is no longer on the road and still DUNMOWIN!
Thanks for you're well wishes Possum 3 and Lorraine. It has become quite dramatic very quickly here in Kingscote on the weekend. The creek photo I supplied was where I caught the maron and now it's just a trickle surrounded by ash and dead sticks.
The fires are still causing problems for the CFS and local farmers as flare ups continue with another four homes burnt out since Saturday. Gwynne
Hopefully people (like yourselves) will still come to the Island and see the sights, spend some money and boost the economy at the same time. The Remarkable Rocks are still remarkable, the Seals will still be making an impression I am sure. The Chase National Park may look a little different, but the Stokes Bay Rock Pool & Western River Cove will still impress.
There are over 500 emergency personnel on the ground with the Army,CFS and local farmers doing a tremendous job making the Island safe, see you here in February 2020.
Gwynne
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'The self is not something one finds, it is something one creates.' - Thomas Szasz
I am very surprised of the ferry prices, someone on here recently said, it was very expensive, not to detract from regular users of the ferry crossing, I find that we could quite afford the trip, of 98 dollars one way with a vehicle, plus also similar prices per head. This has made our decision to come over this year a likely holiday, as apposed to going to QLD. The way the last poster was complaining of the cost, I thought the prices were up there with going over to Tassie, which put me off the whole idea, but my wife and I will make this trip this year, because we could quite afford the cost and have a great time, we even may come over earlier, as we are wildlife carers in our own right, and maybe KI carers may still need a hand then.
I heard on the grapevine that Sealink, to encourage visitors to KI, maybe considering offering special deals. You would of course have to discuss this with them to acquire up to date information on this. Also please PM me if I can be of further assistance. Burnt out area in the stripy lines and road closures in the RED lines. This map pattern continually changes as spot fires flare up or in other areas the fires are controlled.
Gwynne
-- Edited by matildatraveller on Tuesday 14th of January 2020 05:21:09 AM
Hi Gwynne, glad things have settled even if only a little. A little is better than none. I am still keeping an eye on the ones in the North East VIC area but it too has settled a little in the area I am watching closely. I'm sure the locals will have Skippy Island skipping along as usual or close too, sooner than soon.
Thankyou for your regular email updates over the last few days as well.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Tuesday 14th of January 2020 09:27:32 AM
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Hey Gwynne, I've not met you yet but one day out there somewhere who knows. Looking at that map you provided showing the burnt areas really highlights how bad the fire was/is. As ex farmer l really feel for the people there. Stay safe.
Many thanks for everyone's support and well wishes for the . Yes thr fires have been harrowing, but without the valiant efforts, courage and huge respones by CFS, Emergency Incident Response teams, farmers and our own community support, it could have been far worse. Every few days there has been a community meeting held at the Town Hall by the INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM to update all the islanders. Our rains don't arrive until April, but when it does the remaining ember fires should be extenguish and the beautiful greenry will return.
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'The self is not something one finds, it is something one creates.' - Thomas Szasz
As the danger seems to have passed & our ISLAND and it is open and ready for visitors once again the latest update is a very welcomed reprieve..
Hopefully all areas on the Eastern side of Australia are so lucky and free from danger too with the fires being controlled and receiving the much needed rains.
Warmest regards to all my Grey Nomads mates everywhere.