Gwynne on KANGAROO ISLAND and some fire impact photos
matildatraveller said
11:52 AM Jan 13, 2020
Hi guys,
I have experienced first hand the terrifying and heart wrenching devastation of the bushfires where over 50% of this pristine Kangaroo Island has been scorched. Being evacuated to the Kingscote Football Oval last Thursday night with over 150 other vehicles, it was a very frightening and sleepless night as we watched ash fly through the floodlights like acid rain. Thankfully the township of Kingscote it's self was saved by the valiant efforts of both the CFS firefighters, Army and local community personnel.
Only yesterday did I venture out on the roads that were opened to allow property owners back to see what remained of their farms, stock and houses. It was a woeful sight to take in and although I personally have been spared any loss, many of my friends have lost farms and stock and livelihoods. (See some of the photos attached)
-- Edited by matildatraveller on Tuesday 14th of January 2020 05:00:39 AM
Hi Gwynne, So sad to see photos of roads that only a month ago we were driving on ourselves. So scary for you to be evac within your own town, It was bad enough for us to experience that from the farm we were sitting for.
I am sorry that we had to cut short our visit to the island, and sad to see the devastation, but glad that we did not get to experience the devastation first hand.
Keep your chin up, we saw the chinook helicopters flying in today!
matildatraveller said
06:10 PM Jan 13, 2020
Thanks for you're well wishes Possum 3 and Lorraine. It has become quite dramatic very quickly here in Kingscote on the weekend. The creek photo I supplied was where I caught the maron and now it's just a trickle surrounded by ash and dead sticks.
The fires are still causing problems for the CFS and local farmers as flare ups continue with another four homes burnt out since Saturday. Gwynne
We are booked to go to KI for a week on 11th February with some Swiss friends.
We will see what happens between now and then.
Cheers,
Peter
matildatraveller said
09:55 PM Jan 13, 2020
Hopefully people (like yourselves) will still come to the Island and see the sights, spend some money and boost the economy at the same time. The Remarkable Rocks are still remarkable, the Seals will still be making an impression I am sure. The Chase National Park may look a little different, but the Stokes Bay Rock Pool & Western River Cove will still impress.
There are over 500 emergency personnel on the ground with the Army,CFS and local farmers doing a tremendous job making the Island safe, see you here in February 2020.
Gwynne
Bicyclecamper said
10:36 PM Jan 13, 2020
I am very surprised of the ferry prices, someone on here recently said, it was very expensive, not to detract from regular users of the ferry crossing, I find that we could quite afford the trip, of 98 dollars one way with a vehicle, plus also similar prices per head. This has made our decision to come over this year a likely holiday, as apposed to going to QLD. The way the last poster was complaining of the cost, I thought the prices were up there with going over to Tassie, which put me off the whole idea, but my wife and I will make this trip this year, because we could quite afford the cost and have a great time, we even may come over earlier, as we are wildlife carers in our own right, and maybe KI carers may still need a hand then.
matildatraveller said
05:16 AM Jan 14, 2020
Hi Bicyclecamper,
I heard on the grapevine that Sealink, to encourage visitors to KI, maybe considering offering special deals. You would of course have to discuss this with them to acquire up to date information on this. Also please PM me if I can be of further assistance. Burnt out area in the stripy lines and road closures in the RED lines. This map pattern continually changes as spot fires flare up or in other areas the fires are controlled.
Gwynne
-- Edited by matildatraveller on Tuesday 14th of January 2020 05:21:09 AM
-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Tuesday 14th of January 2020 08:59:00 AM
Dougwe said
09:26 AM Jan 14, 2020
Hi Gwynne, glad things have settled even if only a little. A little is better than none. I am still keeping an eye on the ones in the North East VIC area but it too has settled a little in the area I am watching closely. I'm sure the locals will have Skippy Island skipping along as usual or close too, sooner than soon.
Thankyou for your regular email updates over the last few days as well.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Tuesday 14th of January 2020 09:27:32 AM
Radar said
12:45 PM Jan 14, 2020
Thank you for the update, stay safe.
JeffRae said
12:46 PM Jan 14, 2020
We are booked to come in June as part of The Ghan trip
STRETCH ARMSTRONG said
03:25 PM Jan 14, 2020
Hey Gwynne, I've not met you yet but one day out there somewhere who knows. Looking at that map you provided showing the burnt areas really highlights how bad the fire was/is. As ex farmer l really feel for the people there. Stay safe.
the rocket said
06:38 PM Jan 14, 2020
Hi gwynne,
thinking of you and sending my love. Glad you are safe.
rocket
JayDee said
08:38 AM Jan 15, 2020
Hi Gwynne,
I like so many of us really enjoy your posts and your travel blog.
In the last photo I notice a pathway between the trees that sort of leads to HELL.
Given time the Island will recover and become a major tourist destination for us Grey No mads.
As the saying goes "Chin up old girl" our thoughts are with you and all the people on the Island.
Jay&Dee
matildatraveller said
10:01 AM Jan 15, 2020
Many thanks for everyone's support and well wishes for the . Yes thr fires have been harrowing, but without the valiant efforts, courage and huge respones by CFS, Emergency Incident Response teams, farmers and our own community support, it could have been far worse. Every few days there has been a community meeting held at the Town Hall by the INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM to update all the islanders. Our rains don't arrive until April, but when it does the remaining ember fires should be extenguish and the beautiful greenry will return.
As the danger seems to have passed & our ISLAND and it is open and ready for visitors once again the latest update is a very welcomed reprieve..
Hopefully all areas on the Eastern side of Australia are so lucky and free from danger too with the fires being controlled and receiving the much needed rains.
Warmest regards to all my Grey Nomads mates everywhere.
Hi guys,
I have experienced first hand the terrifying and heart wrenching devastation of the bushfires where over 50% of this pristine Kangaroo Island has been scorched. Being evacuated to the Kingscote Football Oval last Thursday night with over 150 other vehicles, it was a very frightening and sleepless night as we watched ash fly through the floodlights like acid rain. Thankfully the township of Kingscote it's self was saved by the valiant efforts of both the CFS firefighters, Army and local community personnel.
Only yesterday did I venture out on the roads that were opened to allow property owners back to see what remained of their farms, stock and houses. It was a woeful sight to take in and although I personally have been spared any loss, many of my friends have lost farms and stock and livelihoods. (See some of the photos attached)
-- Edited by matildatraveller on Tuesday 14th of January 2020 05:00:39 AM
Hi Gwynne, So sad to see photos of roads that only a month ago we were driving on ourselves. So scary for you to be evac within your own town, It was bad enough for us to experience that from the farm we were sitting for.
I am sorry that we had to cut short our visit to the island, and sad to see the devastation, but glad that we did not get to experience the devastation first hand.
Keep your chin up, we saw the chinook helicopters flying in today!
Thanks for you're well wishes Possum 3 and Lorraine. It has become quite dramatic very quickly here in Kingscote on the weekend. The creek photo I supplied was where I caught the maron and now it's just a trickle surrounded by ash and dead sticks.
The fires are still causing problems for the CFS and local farmers as flare ups continue with another four homes burnt out since Saturday. Gwynne
We will see what happens between now and then.
Cheers,
Peter
Hopefully people (like yourselves) will still come to the Island and see the sights, spend some money and boost the economy at the same time. The Remarkable Rocks are still remarkable, the Seals will still be making an impression I am sure. The Chase National Park may look a little different, but the Stokes Bay Rock Pool & Western River Cove will still impress.
There are over 500 emergency personnel on the ground with the Army,CFS and local farmers doing a tremendous job making the Island safe, see you here in February 2020.
Gwynne
Hi Bicyclecamper,
I heard on the grapevine that Sealink, to encourage visitors to KI, maybe considering offering special deals. You would of course have to discuss this with them to acquire up to date information on this. Also please PM me if I can be of further assistance. Burnt out area in the stripy lines and road closures in the RED lines. This map pattern continually changes as spot fires flare up or in other areas the fires are controlled.
Gwynne
-- Edited by matildatraveller on Tuesday 14th of January 2020 05:21:09 AM
A couple of useful links for road closure and current fire information.
traffic.sa.gov.au/
https://apps.geohub.sa.gov.au/CFSMap/index.html
They are updated regularly.
Cheers,
Peter
-- Edited by Peter_n_Margaret on Tuesday 14th of January 2020 08:59:00 AM
Hi Gwynne, glad things have settled even if only a little. A little is better than none. I am still keeping an eye on the ones in the North East VIC area but it too has settled a little in the area I am watching closely. I'm sure the locals will have Skippy Island skipping along as usual or close too, sooner than soon.
Thankyou for your regular email updates over the last few days as well.
Keep Safe on the roads and out there.
-- Edited by Dougwe on Tuesday 14th of January 2020 09:27:32 AM
Thank you for the update, stay safe.
Hi gwynne,
thinking of you and sending my love. Glad you are safe.
rocket
Hi Gwynne,
I like so many of us really enjoy your posts and your travel blog.
In the last photo I notice a pathway between the trees that sort of leads to HELL.
Given time the Island will recover and become a major tourist destination for us Grey No mads.
As the saying goes "Chin up old girl" our thoughts are with you and all the people on the Island.
Jay&Dee
So sad.
Brodie
Dry lightning strikes on an over dry landscape