Tabourie Memories Currowan Bush Fire 2019-2020
Like many other places on the South Coast of NSW, Tabourie was affected by the horrendous fires of November 2019 through to February 2020. We were fortunate not to have lost lives or suffered major property damage, however some fences and outbuildings were burnt which was very frightening for those residents.
Being the Christmas/January holiday period Tabourie was very busy with holiday makers. Traffic on the highway was clogged and it was very difficult to buy batteries, torches, gas cookers etc.
The residents were advised to evacuate on 3 December 2019 and could not return till 8 December. The fire raged through the area and residents that stayed to protect their own properties also looked after properties for the people that left. Fortunately, the wind changed to southerly at the critical time and the area was saved.
It didn’t end there though! The fire came back through on 2 January 2020 and once again evacuation was advised. Those that left had a difficult time securing accommodation through the evacuation centre set up at the Civic Centre, as the fire had gone through Lake Conjola on 31 December and those residents had been accommodated. Fortunately, holiday makers were told to leave on 1 January, so at least the highway moved freely.
Once again, some residents stayed to protect their properties by when it became too dangerous in the village, they moved to the beach for safety, some building “bunkers” in the sand to stay in until the fire passed over. Thankfully our village was saved again due to a wind change.
Described by one resident as the scariest time of our lives but we beat the beast. Everything people say about being in a big fire is true the sounds, the darkest, the smoke. We had a great team of brave neighbours who helped each other through.
Another Lake Tabourie resident said “The threat and impact of devastating fire”. No one will forget 2020 – lest we forget. How everyone just banded together. Native animal feeding that was so well managed. The regrowth of the forest and the return of the birds! The kangaroos and wallabies returned and of course, the reptiles. The two pythons that I know about, one which habitually inhabits the men’s toilet block much to the sheer terror of those that look up, live in harmony with the locals. The red belly blacks under the boardwalk pop out to sun themselves just to scare a few passersby.
Feature Photo: Tabourie resident Bill Barker in one of the Lake Tabourie Fire Bunkers on the beach © Dean Dampney
Tabourie Memories Currowan Bush Fire 2019-2020 pdf to come which will have fire maps and additional photos
