The Aftermath of a Firestorm

The visiting brothers returned to their car and moved it inside the vehicle sheds for protection then emerged carrying loads of fire masks and protective gear for everyone to wear. One of them spoke to Willem.

“There are enough here to see you through the hours ahead so let’s see everyone is wearing one. Where are the boys we need to see they replace what they have with these approved outfits which will see us all through the worst of it much longer as they are fire service on loan from the office in town which will be adequately serviced and protected after the backburning we’ve done over the past few weeks. Smoke has engulfed the town, so businesses are closed unless urgently needed to be open along with schools and people have been advised to shut their homes and stay inside to try and avoid smoke inhalation health issues until mountain fires have been bought under control.”

The brothers spoke again.

“We hope you have some way of keeping the animals wet inside there as some animals on other properties have died from smoke inhalation and heat.”

Willem nodded.

“Liam and Noah are inside to keep them calm but obviously there could be casualties as there are no masks for animals. If you my brothers Arnold and I can patrol around the buildings to look for vulnerability with your firefighting experience and equipment that would be helpful. Eduard will keep power and water supply operational and Liam will patrol the inside of the vehicle shed ready for any embers that may fly inside. Maaike and Evi will patrol inside the house and verandas to see nothing ignites woodwork there. They have fire extinguishers and wet old blankets for that purpose.”

As well as constantly monitoring the inside of the house the women worked on food for the men working to protect them on the outside

They all looked up as the first of the water bombers flew over. There was too much smoke for them to see those planes and helicopters, but the noise helped them to identify which parts of the property were being attended to. There was a sudden change of wind direction, and an accompanying shower of lighted embers began to descend on the property. The men assigned sprang into action and began to patrol around the buildings while the others checked closed doors on barns and sheds to prevent those embers entering. It was going to be a long haul. Despite that those assigned inside duties noted smoke beginning to filter those shut areas and cattle and horses snorted in fear while those entrusted to their welfare moved to comfort them. The protective gear had spooked them earlier but with masks now firmly attached the animals were used to those but becoming mad with fear as the boys approached and it was with great difficulty Liam and Noah were able to control them.

Maaike and Evi were on the veranda of the homestead looking for lighted embers on wooden floors when there was a loud crash as a water bomber made a direct hit on the house. The verandas were awash with water much to the delight of the women. They were still alert but confident the home would survive now.

Hours passed as fire raged in the fields around them, but buildings remained protected during all that time as men outside patrolled all buildings rapidly. Occasionally the sounds of aircraft passing over was overpowered by loud claps of thunder and then to everyone’s delight there was a sudden deluge of water from the sky. The weary firefighters looked up in surprise. Was this a direct hit from the aircraft? But soon it was apparent this was a deluge from a thunderstorm, and it continued for an hour before settling down to light rain. Visibility began to improve as the rain continued and while some smoke lingered, they could eventually get a glimpse over their property toward the river. All the way to the river was a black smoldering mess. Willem strained to see whether trees surrounding the river had survived and could see smoke coming from their charred remains. He then turned his attention to the two green paddocks that the day before had been feeding his prize breeding stock. These had not escaped either.

Willem carefully removed his mask to talk with his brothers who’d joined him looking over the property.

“I guess we need to start over again. I’m glad we were able to get the animals to safety before that fire went through the property. A higher power intervened to send that welcome thunderstorm. I wonder if that means the drought is breaking. Let’s go check out the animals and see if they survived the smoke.”

They headed for the animal barn and opened the door, and the smell of thick smoke greeted them. Liam and Noah were opening windows and doors at the other end to let some of the smoke out as the atmosphere outside was less threatening now. They pointed to the animals. Some were dead and some in extreme difficulty breathing lying down on hay. Willem inspected his animals with a practiced eye. He turned to his brothers.

“Do you happen to have smart phones on you?”

Noah fumbled in his protective gear and came up with a phone showing it to his father who spoke.

“Take pictures, we’ll need those for insurance.”

Willem turned to his brothers again.

“Would you write a statement and sign it to indicate what you’ve seen so I can use that for insurance purposes too. The amount invested in these animals is huge and insurance will try their best to limit their reimbursement so we need all the witnesses we can get. It will be a long fight to get reimbursed.”

He then went and sat on a hay bail. The effort of fighting that fire had sapped his strength and he realized for the first time he didn’t have the stamina for this anymore. His animals were more than an investment to him. They were part of his family, and the animals understood that and interacted with all his family as if they realized that too. Now they were dead or dying.

To be continued.

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