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Bushfires 27-Jan-2006 At 9:01:55 PM almontyrat

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I just got back today after spending 6 days fighting the fire in the Grampians. Some bloody scary stuff and lots of horror stories that I will not relate here.

It's been a big week for me with 16 then 20 then 26 hour shifts on the fireline. The last two days were a bit shorter and we did some good work consolidating lines around the west of halls gap and defended some houses from a direct attack yesterday evening. I'm completely shagged now but have the weekend to get some rest in before possibly being sent back over on Monday.

Yes the CFA do a fantastic job and must be comended for volunteering their time and effort. Please also spare a thought for the other agencies and workers out there especially the contract grader & bulldozer dirvers and helitac pilots who saved our asses on more than one occasion. Yes the green overalls may be getting paid to be there but rest assured we more than earn it.

I talked to a DSE wildlife officer at breakfast this morning and did not envy his task of trying to help injured wildlife or end their suffering. There are some pretty devastated areas vegetation wise but other parts have faired better with only the surface fuels and lower shrubs being burnt.

I can't give accurate information about were the fire has or hasn't been as we were pretty focused on one particular area rather than the bigger picture. Roughly speaking, It was still south of Roses Gap road and north of griffin track (at a guess) yesterday evening. Well out into the farming country to the east and into the victoria valley to the west. I think the spot fires in the Victoria range were contained but I'm not sure. So yes, Rosea and Bundaleer are well and truly cooked I'm afraid as is a large part of the Serra range and most likely the Mount William Range.

I'm off to collapse and eat something other than muesli bars. Cheers, Alison