Waiting for a Man
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382019)
Rockingham, Australia
December 17, 2016 3:49am CST
We're waiting for a man to call. We attended a fire awareness day a week or two ago and ticked a box asking if we'd like someone to call and inspect our place as regards to what we could do to reduce the risk of fire. He is due at any moment. We live at one end of a rectangular property of 18 acres. The main gate is at the corner diagonally opposite the house. There is another gate in the house corner which leads into the forest. So we have two exits which is always good.
But because we have a patch of bush either side of the track just before you get to the house, it is our understanding that the fire brigade won't bring their truck in to defend the house in case of a bushfire. We are sort of confident that our place is relatively safe in the event of a fire but it will be interesting to see what our visitor says.
It is my feeling that, because of the horrific fires lately, the authorities really don't want to be held accountable. In my view they have swung much too far the other way and if the weather is bad the advice is often to evacuate even if there isn't a fire. This is just ridiculous. Where are we all supposed to go for starters? And you can't defend your place if you're not there. And if the brigade won't enter the property then that's not a comforting thought either. I am going to keep my opinions to myself and my mouth shut. That's my plan.
Later: I don't think the guy is coming today as he's over an hour late now. I know there are several fires in the district so he's probably tied up with them. I'll keep you posted.
15 people like this
15 responses
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
17 Dec 16
I know a few things, clear back brush, keep good green space, use fire retardant things in construction, have hoses and water ready, etc
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382019)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Dec 16
We're lucky to have quite a cleared space immediately round the house apart from some (sort of) hedges, one of which is apparently not the best choice for fire-prone areas. We are thinking about pulling it out but the next question would be what do we replace it with.
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
18 Dec 16
@JudyEv well the hedge could be ok, I would guess IF it was green and kept really watered.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382019)
• Rockingham, Australia
18 Dec 16
@Jessicalynnt It's what called a 'golden diosma' and apparently they really blow up in a fire.
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43586)
• Denver, Colorado
18 Dec 16
Since I'm late on this, I hope he finally showed up.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153544)
• India
18 Dec 16
We often hear of bush fires in your country and the damage it does. Wonder what triggers the fire. Is there nothing they can do to search for triggers and arrest them?
1 person likes this
@Freelanzer (10782)
• Canada
17 Dec 16
Hope your man shows his face soon. Always good to have a second opinion from an expert especially where your safety is concerned.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382019)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Dec 16
That's what we thought. He didn't get here but that's okay. He'll reschedule when he is able. There are a couple of fires in our district so he's probably tied up with them.
@JudyEv (382019)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Dec 16
Our nearest neighbours are only several hundred metres down the hill but you can barely see them from our place.
@topffer (42155)
• France
17 Dec 16
It reminds me that I have the path of a not occupied house invaded by brambles
. 18 acres is a large property when it comes to maintain it. We are supposed to clean our bush/woods in the areas where there is an important risk of fire, but the firemen are doing all that they can do to protect any house.
. 18 acres is a large property when it comes to maintain it. We are supposed to clean our bush/woods in the areas where there is an important risk of fire, but the firemen are doing all that they can do to protect any house.1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382019)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Dec 16
Most of our acreage is pasture but there is a small patch of bush and if that catches fire I don't think the brigade would bring their trucks into the are where the house is. They will not put their men at risk just to save a house - which is very sensible really.
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
17 Dec 16
We lost our home to a house fire 20 years ago and we know for a fact that even with the firemen close there is no guarantee of a happy ending when it comes to fire.
@AbbyGreenhill (45490)
• United States
17 Dec 16
The house originally built on this property burned to the ground - they weren't home, neighbor said it went up in minutes. We have all vol fire so if they are not home or busy we are chit out of luck. if this place catches fire we are outta here fast.
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
17 Dec 16
We live in the country...at one time we had about an acre of bush directly behind the house...because the Emerald ash borer decimate the bush...last winter it was removed. This means we are more open to the winter winds, but less at risk of fire. The ara where we live is quite urban so a bush fire is not of great concern even this summer whe. There were burn bans every where. The drought affects the marsh much more. During the summer the fire department was busy trying to extinguish an underground fire in the peat bog.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382019)
• Rockingham, Australia
17 Dec 16
It's my understanding that once peat begins to burn, it can take months to extinguish it. And urban areas here don't seem to be immune from fire. We've had whole towns go up if conditions are right - right for fires that is, wrong for fire-fighters.
1 person likes this
@Gita17112016 (3611)
• Trinidad And Tobago
17 Dec 16
Hmmm, serious topic...you headline mislead me. Lol. I do hope everything turns out well. Fire or the threat of a fire can be a very harrowing experience. Take care of yourself and protect yourself well.
