Temperatures soared today with hot dry northerly winds. All our inter rows are parched grass inspite of the enormous amount of waters I am pumping everywhere.  It wasn’t so bad inside the house but when I went out to check the cherry orchard it hit me that this was going to be a seriously hot day.

When I returned to the shop some friends of ours from Cornwall reported that a fire had started at Four Mile Beach. This isn’t far from where we live and was one of the areas seriously affected by the 2006 bushfires.

Where was my fire plan was all that I could think of and why wasn’t it complete.

What does one take if one has to evacuate:

My summary so far is as follows:

1. start irrigating all paddocks and ensure that water is available in our tank at the top of the hill. Clean water filter and cover up any exposed plumbing on the supply side.
2. get the firepump connected to the main water system to take over when and if the power fails. Check that rooftop sprinklers are working and position portable sprinklers justically.
3. put personal documents including money/passports/ qualifications in a central position. Backup our computers if time available all documents and take back up device with you.
4. move tractors to a safe position. Relocate fuel and other flammable liquids away from house. Let animals out and unlock gates if need be.
5. clean around sheds and remove flammables close to the building. Mow or cut longer grasses if time permits.
6. start watering extensively around the building. redirect runoff onto roadways .
7. close all windows and tape across. put wet rags around doorways. close curtains and move furniture away from potential openings. Bring in any combustible furniture etc so as to reduce potential fuel levels.
8. and so on

Later in the day the coolroom broke down which only happens when it get seriously hot.

eventually though things cooled down as night fell.

We are still concerned as tomorrow’s forecast is for even hotter weather.