Scorched

We promise never to complain about 105F degree heat again. Not after yesterday. Topping out at 116F degrees, yesterday was the hottest day on record ever in Shepparton and Melbourne. It literally felt like a furnace outside. And to make matters worse, the hot wind was gusting up to 50 mph. To keep cool, we went swimming...twice.



Zach (seen here between swimming sessions) had a grand time and didn't seem too impressed by the fact that he was experiencing record breaking heat. By late afternoon, however, there were ominous signs that February 7, 2009 would be remembered in this area for more than just the scorching heat. The telltale orange/tan haze of smoke began obscuring the distant horizon in all directions around Shepparton and by nightfall, the acrid smell of forest fire smoke had drifted through the vents of our house where it was still nearly 90 degrees inside. This morning, news of the devastating bushfires (forest fires for those of you in the northern hemisphere) all over Victoria dominated the radio and television.



The sun was a salmon pink dot in the sky today and smoke covered the golf course beyond our backyard. Initial reports in the morning news were of 14 people killed by fires and 100 homes destroyed. Tonight the reality of what happened to a large part of our state is unimaginable. At least 76 people confirmed dead, with over 700 homes destroyed and they haven't even made it into the two towns hardest hit by yesterday's fires to assess the toll. Marysville, a beautiful tiny tourist town in the mountains to the southeast of us, where we had gone skiing in August and enjoyed a wonderful lunch was completely destroyed by a fire that rapidly whipped through town. Literally nothing is standing but brick chimneys. We had been planning to spend a weekend in Marysville next month. All this devastation happened in a single day of fires fueled by 115 degree heat and violent winds. Here's a picture of the magnificent eucalyptus forests that we drove through last August, in the very area that has now been reduced to ashes.



That's our friend Glenn standing next to one of the beautiful tree ferns and towering giant gum trees six months ago. Since we know the magnitude of these fires is reaching the U.S., we want everyone to know that we are fine. Here are a few pictures from today to prove it.

Mom's favorite boys smiling for the camera.

For those of you counting, Zach now has four teeth.

Thankfully, the weather is supposed to cool off for a few days giving all of us a reprieve, at least for awhile.