MASSIVE BUSH FIRES AGAIN THIS YEAR.....

Once again, we are in the midst of massive devastating bush fires which are burning uncontrollably along the Capricorn Coast... In the last 24 hours over 16 homes have been lost and there has been at least three deaths...  very sad.....

A HUGE thank you though to all the SES workers and Firies who are working around the clock to contain these fires...

In this country we live him, common sense needs to prevail, and we need to be able to burn off in the winter months to stop this terrible devastation from raging fires that burn out of control when the conditions fan them in the summer months. 

It is exactly 12 months since the horrendous fires that threated to burn through Gracemere last year.  The fires this year have cause more loss and this time, loss of life as well...

Views of the fire and smoke around Yeppoon yesterday,,,,

Views from a kitchen window over the coast....

Huge amounts of smoke choke the atmosphere

The main street of Yeppoon..

Even from the ocean,  the sky was eerie

From the beach front the fires look ferocious...

 The winds didn't die down much at all last night and the night sky was ablaze of orange as the fires burned out of control.  Most of the homes were lost through the night...

Fires burning out of control through the night...

  Then the harsh reality in the light of morning....

Homes lost..

countryside burnt out....

 And tonight the fires are still raging...  more evacuation orders have gone out... We are in for another few harrowing days as our SES and Firies try to contain these massive fires...

I found this poem on Facebook tonight and it sums up this country of ours...

I love a Sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains.
But I’ve gotta tell ya mate, I like it better when it rains.
The countryside is dying and there’s just no end in sight, and just to rub salt in the wounds, the bush has caught alight.
The landscape is on fire from Brisbane to the Gong
And everybody’s asking “where the hell did we go wrong?
But we can get through this one if we help each other out, take care of your neighbour , that’s what Aussies are about.
The rain is going to fall again , the good times will return. But living in Australia means at times it’s going to burn.
So if you need a helping hand, just give a mate a call. We’re all here to help you out and catch you when you fall.
The RFS, the SES, the Firies, and police, all put their lives upon the line to help to keep the peace.
So hats off to these heroes and thanks for all you do
And I hope when this is over we can make it up to you!
Troy Gerdes.