Regarding the Australia Fires

Sunday, January 19, 2020

 

It all began in June 2019.  Large, ravishing bushfires have been raging all across Australia; but especially, in the state of New South Wales.  To date, 46 million acres have burned; nearly 6,000 buildings have been destroyed (2,683 of them someone’s home); 29 people have died; and an estimated one billion (that’s with a “b”) animals have perished.  There’s a fear some endangered species may be driven to extinction.

The fires still rage.  Since December 20, 2019, fire has raged on Kangaroo Island.  Two weeks ago, on January 4th, another, fast moving, fire broke out.  Then another flared up January 9th and they both continue to burn.  The trees are blackened and still burn from the inside.  The earth is scorched and smolders.  Smoke fills the air.  Koalas and Kangaroos lie dead along the highways.  Trenches are dug to bury the thousands of sheep and cattle that have died.

Commerce and industry are in peril.  The yogurt and cheese makers have lost most of their stock to smoke damage.  The wineries have lost a large percentage of their vineyards.  Golding Wines on the outskirts of Lobethal was severely damaged.  And the bees….  Kangaroo Island is noted for its honey.  This is the world’s only pure-bred and disease-free population of the Ligurian Bee.  The losses are heavy but, if enough hives have been saved, then new hives can be generated.

Let me show a little bit of Kangaroo Island.  We were there in 2018:

In February of 2018 we anchored outside Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island.
In February of 2018 we anchored outside Penneshaw on Kangaroo Island.
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As we toured the island, we passed cattle in the fields. Dairy products are a major product here. Kangaroo Island is known for its cheese and yogurt.
We could see Kangaroos along the road!!!
We could see Kangaroos along the road!!!
We also passed sheep in the fields. Wool is a major export.
We also passed sheep in the fields. Wool is a major export.
We stopped at the Dudley Winery, It is the oldest on Kangaroo Island.
We stopped at the Dudley Winery.   It is the oldest on Kangaroo Island.
Our next stop was Cape Willoughby Light
Our next stop was Cape Willoughby Light
Cape Willoughby Lighthouse. And here's another kangaroo!!!
Cape Willoughby Lighthouse. And here’s another kangaroo!!!
And he stuck his tongue out at us!!!!
And he stuck his tongue out at us!!!!
The views are nice on Kangaroo Island.
The views are nice on Kangaroo Island.
The views were lovely driving back to town along the river road.
The views were lovely driving back to town along the river road.
Driving back to town along the river road.
Driving along the river road.
A view of the anchorage at Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island.
A view of the anchorage at Penneshaw, Kangaroo Island.

 

We have been visiting Australia nearly every year for the past decade!!!  We expect to visit again next year and for many more years to come.  Australians are a hearty and courageous people.  They will, without doubt, rebuild and recover from these losses.  We can all help by buying Australian products whenever possible (the wine is wonderful)!!!  Or by contributing to their tourism industry by taking a trip “Down Under.”  Meanwhile, I’ve just discovered a blog called Lambs’ Ear and Honey that I look forward to following.  If you’d like, you can see them at: https://www.lambsearsandhoney.com/bushfires-in-australia-supporting-local-food-producers/