The haze across the country continues. We woke yesterday to the eiry reminder of the destruction to our forests and wildlife. The news updates have become almost predictable as any temperature rise or increased winds send a tremor of apprehension through the Eastern communities.
As can be seen by the spy eye in the sky, the billowing smoke blankets the State and adjoining ocean in haze. Thankfully the loss of homes has not been extensive as the marauding flames have been beaten back into the bush by an army of firefighters from all over the world. One small mountain village which was all but wiped out a number of years ago, was this time attacked a number of times over the past six weeks. A resident was being interviewed on radio where she sobbed out her gratitude to the volunteer firemen from across the country who had stood with them the night before and stopped the flames 100 metres from the township. After feeling so deserted and desolated a few years ago, this woman said she was able to sleep through the night of the worst threat as these guardian angels had stationed a fire truck at each home. The reason she so desperately needed to sleep was because this small town had been on a knife edge for weeks.
And so we wait for more soaking rains to quench the earth and tame the beast that is ravaging the land.
