Smoky Haze
Regular readers of this blog will know that during this past Australian summer Tasmania has had many bushfires. In January after a big storm hit, there were lightning strikes all over the place and fires started. They were hard to control as many started in inaccessible forests and before long populated areas were under threat.
A haze of smoke hung over our valley for weeks and as the fires spread the air quality deteriorated. Many people left their homes even if they were not in the at-risk areas because of the difficulty in breathing.
I went away when it seemed that the fires were coming too close to Geeveston but the haze was widespread because there were other fires burning too so there was nowhere to get away from it really. I read that the smoke even reached New Zealand.
It is very frightening to think of what might have happened as the fires encircled Geeveston. A few homes were lost but no lives which is the important thing. Now the fires are finally under control and we are all recovering and trying to get back to normal.
I have included a YouTube video of some scenes from the fires.
Our Other Blog: Two Sisters and Two Points of View 
Shocking, Vanda. I am not sure how anyone would ever feel safe again after that.
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I think summer is going to feel different from now on.
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My doctor has noticed an increase in depression over the summer, Vanda.
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In the first weeks after the evacuees came home several people told me that they were having trouble adjusting to normal life again. I think I am OK but I think I will be more anxious about summer in future.
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Wow, thank you for sharing, so glad you are safe.
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I was lucky as the fires did not come near my house but I did have burnt leaves fall in my garden.
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I look around at our woods and am grateful that just this once, we aren’t all dried up. Fire is a really frightening part of living in a heavily-treed region and hope it doesn’t happen here!
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So do I. I’m very aware that if the fire had come closer I would not have had a hope of saving my house.
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