A tribute to the Nelson firefighters
Hazy summer days with brilliant bright redorange sunrises and sunsets. But drifting smoke layers and distinctive smell of ash indicate the cause of those colourful fiery skies is the fire raging over the hills to our east.
That’s the only way we are affected but our thoughts are focussed on the drama and trauma of that blaze and the many people involved.
I had other topics to write about but commenting on anything else seems insignificant and trivial when considering what families so near to us have gone through this past week.
It’s tough to loose stock and grass, have fences burnt and waterlines and troughs melted by heat. So much loss including a home and sheds. Forests in smouldering cinders and loss of jobs and income.
All those trees incinerated means loss of logs and loss of work for gangs. And obviously a whole lot of sleep lost, and worry about weather and wind. With such emotional times with stress, apprehensions and uncertainties there’s loss of routine and normality. Plus loss of work for all those volunteers away from their normal jobs and students unable to go to school.
Loss of ground with bulldozed firebreaks and loss of familiar landscapes with blackened hills and burnt tree skeletons. Loss of home while staying evacuated somewhere.
The most amazing thing though is that there’s been no loss of human life. Many lives won’t be same after this experience though. I can’t imagine the disruption of gathering belongings to leave in a short time and driving away without knowing what the outcome will be.
Many of us have had the discussion of what we would take if we found ourselves in that difficult position. Feelings of being not in control, being fearful and having so much happening around would be overwhelming.
Tribute to the hundreds of fire fighters who have battled this bush fire much bigger than most would have ever experienced.
Tribute to the whole team who have managed to keep most homes and property from going up in smoke.
Tribute to those at the top organising such a mammoth task over such a long period of time and making hard calls of where helicopters will have best effect and strategy for ground crews operations to have most impact while keeping everyone safe. Over 20 kilometres of fire front is a huge area to attack and prioritise.
Tribute to the hordes of volunteers working in kitchens providing good meals, and those standing in the heat manning roadblocks.
Tribute to police, Ministry of Primary Industries and army doing what needs to be done.
Tribute to the caring folk looking after animals dropped off at the showgrounds and others supplying food for these pets and livestock, and keeping track on who they all belong to so they can be returned to rightful homes.
Tribute to the generous people who have donated goods from supermarkets, cafes and homes responding to request lists on facebook providing items needed within one hour.
Amazing cooperation and amid all the bad stuff there is certainly some good and positive.
The outpouring of community support in times of trial, the support, kindness and acts of service are wonderful. Politics and opposing sides on issues are put aside as people work together and care for each other.
I am truly in awe of the skill, expertise and efforts of so many and the resilience of people. Cooperation just like it was after Cyclone Gita hammered our district one year ago this week.
There will be a long road ahead fixing, regrassing, repairing, regrouping and resettling routines.
Sure feel like we want to help but maybe later when families need a break away from the black, bleak clean up we can offer respite and rest at Kaihoka.
Meanwhile, I can support people over those hills to the east in my thoughts and prayers and continue my very ‘‘normal’’ daily life and routine and know why I am respecting the total fire ban.