...at least they didn't have to worry about sunblock while swimming PP.
Again, Tassy is a small state and although I do not know these people, they are friends of my mate who sent the OP photos.
He was telling me (and qualifies that while there are already numerous stories flying around some of which are probably bullshit he's heard this one from several sources and is inclined to credit it) that a group of diehard tasmaniacs decided to stay and defend their caravan. The fire obviously was beyond the scope of any domestic or normal agri water pipe and was about to consume them all in the caravan (last refuge) when they were saved by judicious helicopter water bombing.
My wife and I have since re-evaluated our position ( Mid coast NSW a suburban type house surrounded by national park and state forests with only one deep-bush winding road in and out, surrounded by full growth trees in a rough bush/rural setting) and we've realised running early is the only option.
We've already had one good fire just a few k's up the road (fortunately subdued by the rural fire service with the aid of fortuitous wind shift over a 24hr period) and I've since bookmarked the rfs updates to my menu bar.
If it's blowing southerly we'll bail for the ocean to the north of us, and if it's northerlies we've got an escape route planned to the great lake below us.
The water of life is apt (as your picture shows)
