Hope Allan at Wallan Is OK-Fires- Allan is OK

[Allan at Wallan]

Hey everyone! Sorry my computer server has been off the air
for two days and could not check Emails or the Forum site.
I expected that the server had overheated because of the extreme
temperatures. I checked with my favourite Call Centre operator
and ended up hanging up on him. Had another try tonight and
finally had success.

What a couple of days. The extreme temperature and roaring wind
gave every indication of a calamity in the making. Sure enough the
sirens started and before long 104 appliances were despatched to
the start of the fire at Kilmore East. The fire was advancing South
of there to the small town of Wandong. My son and his family live
in the next area called Heathcote Junction.

I drove to the top of "Pretty Sally Hill" and took a couple of photos
along with about 50 others who had a good vantage point. I went
back an hour later and the fire had roared through Wandong,
mainly across the paddocks behind the main shops and homes
but nevertheless taking 30 homes and 4 lives.

My son and family were given orders to evacuate as they live in a
heavily forested part of Heathcote Junction with limited escape roads.
His next door neighbour and wife also took off with them and they
stayed at our home in Wallan for the next two days. Fortunately
the fire bypassed them but they were not permitted back until tonight.

The fire then advanced onto Mt Disappointment which we view from
our kitchen windows. Spot fires from embers, propelled by the
enormous winds, raced across the mountain into Upper Plenty
which is 5 minutes from Wallan. Friends of mine who owned
five acres of beautiful bushland in Clarke's Road lost everything.
Anyone who has travelled in there to their property, "Glenbillie
Gardens" would be horrified to see the ruins.

The fire then claimed more towns in its destructive path. Whittlesea,
Humevale,Kinglake, Coldstream, Marysville, Narbethong and others with a
massive loss of people, homes and livestock. Well known TV
newsreader Brian Naylor and his wife Moiree perished at Kinglake.
From our kitchen window we saw the mountain at Kinglake
roaring like a furnace and could only watch in amazement.

Many thanks to those who made enquiries re our welfare. The phone
has been ringing flat out from relatives, friends and the woodturning
fraternity. Thanks to Amos (Woodenink) and Noel (Watson) for
your calls and Emails from Barry (Hicks), John (Munruben) and
Ray (Wheelinaround). I appreciate the many comments from
other Forumites too.

Physically we came out of all this unscathed. Our
thoughts go out to all those who have lost loved ones and trust
they can successfully rebuild their lives.

Allan

[wheelinround]

Good to hear your ok Allan and great work helping others out in their time of need.

[PenTurner]

Allan, we are all glad you are ok, Amos Thanks for that detailed report.

[Allan at Wallan]

Going by the fire reports, Hidden Valley where Allan at Wallan lives, it is not looking good

Hope you are OK Allan

Hi DJ,

Thanks for your interest and I do apologise for seeming to be
pedantic but I just wanted to correct something.

Hidden Valley is nestled in a valley to the East of the Northern
Highway. Contrary to news reports the fire did not really get too
close to residents in that area.

I live on Pretty Sally Hill which is to the West of the Northern
Highway and therefore even further away from the firefront.

Hidden Valley is a "posh" part of Wallan - too many covenants
on the building of homes there - it has to be Tuscan style,
too many restrictions.

Regards,

Allan

[Allan at Wallan]

Just a couple of pics to go with this thread.

One is the first indication of the fire taken from the driveway
of my home. It was taken looking up Pretty Sally Hill
toward Kilmore East and Wandong areas. Hidden Valley
cant be seen but is to the right of the picture beyond the
tree line.

Second photo is of the unusual cloud in the sky that night.
I also took the same photo as Steve from Kilmore of the
orange coloured cloud.

Allan

[HandyAndrea]

in NZ are watching from afar with heavy hearts as this all unfolds. We are sending what help we can, in the form of expert rural firecrews, money, forensic staff and a huge helicopter with firebucket (which is normally used for logging and fire duties in the Central North Island). It just seems so little, when you see the news reports of the devastation. And what sort of a maniac goes around relighting fires which have already killed so many people and caused so much damage?

Our thoughts are with you.

[artme]

Great to hear that our fellow forumites are OK but what a gutwrenching feeling we all get when we hear that fires have been delibeately lit and that so much death and destruction has resulted.

[Claw Hama]

Glad to hear you guys are good, no doubt many of your friends and neighbours are not. We can only hope that anyone starting these horific events get what is coming to them. Stay safe guys and girls.