Dundas

As we were leaving Esperance, we saw an electric sign board indicating that the Eyre Highway was closed due to a bushfire. Since, we weren’t planning on driving on the Eyre today, we made note of the sign and kept going.

It wasn’t until we arrived in Norseman, the mid-way point for today’s drive, to top off our diesel that we understood the serious nature of the closure.

The clerk at the cash register explained that the highway was closed from Caiguna all the way west to Norseman … some 225+ miles … the section we crossed on our last day on the Nullarbor … the area covered with the trees of the Great Western Woodland. The closure is expected to last at least three days. That news explained why there were so many road trains parked up in Norseman … the Eyre is the main east-went road in and out of Western Australia … really, the only feasible one for these road trains.

We have since learned that, the bush fire was initially reported on 7 February. In fact, we sensed the distinct burnt wood smell as we were passing the area on the 18th. We were told then that the fire had been contained. Unfortunately, the extreme heat and winds of the past couple of days caused it to flare up. The fire has now jumped the Eyre Highway and both sides have gone up in flames. The Balladonia Roadhouse, where we visited the museum, is under threat. The order has been given to “act immediately to survive.

This is not the only bushfire in Australia at the moment … the news tonight reported major fires in the states of Victoria and Tasmania as well.

Being fire-aware in Australia — especially at this time of the year — is the key to safety.Okumaya devam et

Im back! Nach 3 täg ohni Netz oder süsch irgend e verbindig zur usseweut bini wieder ide zivilisation. Es isch ungloublech wie viu Land die australier hei, de chasch hunderti kilometer fahre u es git kes einzigs azeiche vo mensche. Nur land, land und land. Nach guete 720km a eim Tag u devo sie sicher 146 eifach grad us gange, bini scho chle dürre gsi😅 z nechst mau nimi de e Tesla. Naja i ha ja wenigstens ä tempomat zur verfüegig gha - 1x iisteue und gutenacht😂 schlafe hetsch zwar e nid chönne we nämlich sone riese "Roadtrain" (Lastwage mit 3-4 ahänger) mit 110 sache nebe dir verbi rast de schüttlets die scho schneu dürre 🚎🚃🚃🚃🚃💨
nach guet de heufti vom Tag hets e tanksteu in "Belladonia" gäh wo ou no es museum gha het (Inkl. Tanke) dert hesch teili vomne spaceshuttle wo vode Amis i z'au gschosse worde isch und dert wieder abecho isch, chöne aluege.
Später no e gmüetliche Platz zum übernachte gfunde u dankbar das de Camper so guet louft. Zit hetme ou no müesse apasse - hani jetzt me oder weniger ferie oder glich viu hmm?🙃Okumaya devam et