Burning Palms (almost!)

The spring of '00 will certainly be remembered for the large number of bushfires in the southeast Queensland region. In September alone there were over 1000 reported outbreaks. On September 27 a bushfire started about 1 kilometre from my property, and gradually burned a path through the eucalypt forest that backs onto my place. With temperatures of 34C (93F) and no rain in several months, the bush was tinder dry, and there was nothing to stop the fire front from advancing towards my garden. I could just imagine my plant collection all burned to a crisp after years of collecting the seed and seedlings, and nurturing them until they could fend for themselves. Luckily I have a creek running through my property, and although it was almost dry, it provided a narrow firebreak. The local fire brigade and bush-fire brigade were out in force, with about 15 trucks in attendance and a hundred or so 'fireys' fighting off the flames, as well as back-burning the surrounding areas. All in all, the fire lasted for 12 hours and was stopped inside my back fenceline. Talk about a close call!
The following day, another fire started in the vacant property opposite my place and that burned for several hours, with flames reaching higher than the power poles. Unfortunately I had run out of film the night before, so can only display the first fire on this page. Hopefully that will be as close as I ever get to another bushfire! Last updated September 29 2000

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