A Victorian bushfire shows climate change is no longer abstract, writes Dr. Rosemary Sorensen.
When you hear that alert on your phone, your heart races. You look outside and see dark smoke rising against a scorching 43-degree sky. Suddenly, everything you’ve heard about climate change feels very real.
We live in Barkers Creek, close to Harcourt, a small town in Victoria that faced devastation on January 9. The fire started just near us. We could see the smoke gathering but thankfully not the flames at that moment. The wind was strong, making it hard to know our fate.
Earlier that day, we had begun preparing. The fire rating was “disaster,” and that’s not a term to take lightly. We packed our two cats into their crates and even moved three hens into cardboard boxes. Our beloved rescued bantam roosters had to remain behind.
As we drove down the road, the wind seemed to carry the fire away from us. We passed emergency vehicles telling people to evacuate. It was around 3 p.m., and we drove to Castlemaine, hoping for safety. We watched as the fire raged toward Harcourt, destroying homes and climbing Mt. Alexander, taking down communication towers in its wake. Nearly a week later, it’s still burning.
There’s a lot to take in. During these tough times, I’m amazed by our community’s spirit. Some individuals rise above the chaos, showing incredible resilience. One man near our road worked tirelessly, putting out spot fires and coordinating with emergency services.
This situation is constantly changing. Alerts ping on our phones multiple times a day. Just days ago, a flare-up occurred nearby. Within moments, helicopters were overhead, carrying water to combat the flames. If no one had seen that smoke, we might’ve had to evacuate again.
Despite the chaos, our home stayed intact. However, we lost power for four days before it was restored. We’re on tank water, and luckily, a local water carrier helped us during this time. I’m now pushing for better water access points in our area. There are only three for the entire shire, and none are in Harcourt. This needs to change.
Today, the sky looks relatively peaceful, though there’s a haze over Harcourt. But another alert warns of a “very dangerous thunderstorm.” It feels surreal to talk about our relatively unaffected lives while others around us have lost everything. One local postie is now in emergency housing because their property survived but their outbuildings did not.
On a positive note, the CFA units have been outstanding. Local heroes have set up relief centers, showing the best of our community. But, amidst the chaos, there are always a few people drawn to the drama. Some want to sightsee in affected areas or donate used clothes to those who’ve lost everything.
As close as we came to disaster, I know we are fortunate. But the threat remains ever-present. Climate change is real, and we need to acknowledge this new reality. We can’t afford to ignore the clear signs. It’s time to hold our government accountable for action to prevent these disasters from worsening.
In 2021, a report showed that Australia is experiencing more extreme weather events due to climate change. According to the Climate Council, our heatwaves have become hotter and more frequent, posing serious risks to communities across the nation. This data reinforces our need for urgent action.
We love our beautiful home, but the landscape has changed since we arrived. This threat won’t go away, and it’s essential that we take steps to prepare. Let’s not wait for a plume of smoke to alert us to the danger.
Dr. Rosemary Sorensen is a journalist and founder of the Bendigo Writers Festival.
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