BLACK SOIL FLATS

Looking out onto the horizon you are blessed with clear blue open skys, fodder that spans for miles as the wind blows through the homestead trees. Things have been different as of late, dinner discussion is held over a radio, and dinner is eaten by 11pm when luck is involved. A walk to bed involves looking out across all horizons to see if you can spot a glow.

Living remotely is beautiful, days are filled with open clear blue skys, clean air and a cool breeze. Recently days are filled with grey polluted skys, smoke and ash carried by winds that are never in favour. The nights we spent sitting around the dinner table telling yarns have turned into long hot nights bouncing around a paddock trying against all odds to put out or slow down a blaze fuelled with dense fodder and driven by strong winds.

"I can see a glow towards the west looks like it could be in Coolibah"

followed by

"it cant go anywhere all the surrounding paddocks are already burnt out"

8pm people trek off to bed following a long hot day working in the sun a fluorescent orange glow beams in the distance. From the second it is spotted adrenaline runs through the veins of the stockcamp, within ten minutes everyone is woken, dressed and pilling fire gear onto Toyotas. YETI's are filled and the radio hasn't stopped. The night ahead unknown, mother nature is blowing a gale reeking havoc for ongoing firefighters. The radio continues, directions are given, and a plan is made. For hours they work together tirelessly in attempt to box the fire in and save country from burning. Its not that simple, the fire has jumped the break and its right back to square one.

By 4am the flames continue to destroy the grass leaving behind nothing but ashes. Fire breaks have been jumped, redrawn and watched for hours. The final radio call at 4:30am

"Alright it all seems contained and boxed in I will do one more drive around to check, everyone else go home and get some sleep we will have a 9am breaky thanks for your work"

You can hear the sigh of relief from the homestead as ten VERY exhausted bodies bee line home overdue for sleep.

This is the reality of the 2023 fire season, the worst in years. As stock camps across the North finish their cattle work the firefighting has just begun. With little to no training crews have to learn on the job, the lack of external support means remote stations have their own fire fighting kits. Water tanks, firebugs, and human power all work together with one goal. Burn as little fodder as possible as safely as possible. Future rain is uncertain making grass the commodity.

Written with love

Jaz

*** I don't think you can truly understand the effect this crazy fire season has on the bodies of our frontline crew until you witness it first hand. The station does not pause or run itself while busy with fires, creating long days and even longer nights. Sleep deprivation begins to kick in and patience runs thin. Our crew here at Flora haven't had it easy, they have had their fair share of late nights/early mornings however ALWAYS walk through the kitchen door with a smile and good attitude ready to conquer the day ahead. No one has complained and together they continue to push through. Truly an outstanding team effort that deserves to be awarded.