Ten Years On – OV Remembers Black Saturday

I remember Black Saturday clearly. We had organised a mountain bike event at Silvan, and it was a very easy decision to cancel it.  We went up there to notify competitors, and sat in the sweltering 45 degree heat, with smoke and ash hanging in the thick grey air. Later we went to bed knowing a cool change would come through overnight. We woke on Sunday to the horrific news of the worst fires to hit Victoria – friends and loved ones lost, homes and animals burned, communities devastated. Everyone tried to do their bit, but we all felt so helpless in the face of such huge losses.

Ten years on, we are in the middle of another baking summer, with fires just a few days ago reminding us again of what can happen in our tinder dry state. Our thoughts are with anyone who has been impacted by bushfire, particularly those who went through Black Saturday and its devastating aftermath.  For anyone out in the forest, or in a fire danger zone, please take all necessary precautions, and stay safe.                                                                                              Debbie