What will it be like?

There are new Fire Danger Ratings (eg High, Very High, Severe, Extreme and Catastrophic ) with advice about what to do for each of these ratings eg http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/residents/summer/firedangerratings.htm However, it is difficult to imagine what it will be like on some of the high fire danger days if we have not experienced them. Many people took video footage during the 7 February 2009 fires and these short clips can be used to give an idea of what fires on bad days will be like.

For example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uJUBQl9g-M  shows the Lower Yarra Strike Team 1364 at St Andrews - note how strong the wind is and how the smoke column is rapidly building towards Strathewen.

This video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp7Aucd4jJ8&feature=related shows the enormous flame heights over Strathewen, and how difficult it can be to know where to go during fast running fires, as this car evacuated up Bowden Spur to Kinglake, which was impacted by fire soon after. There is a lot of confusion during fires with many people finding themselves without transport, and not dressed appropriately for dangerous conditions.

This video  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXf-gBSAbXQ  taken at Strathewen also gives a very good idea of what it is like when a fire burns through an area.
OR MORE SIMPLY
It is difficult to imagine what it will be like on some of the high fire danger days if we have not experienced them. Many people took video footage during the 7 February 2009 fires and some of these short clips can be used to give an idea of what fires on bad days will be like. Some clips taken in Strathewen, and where our local Strike Team was working in St Andrews, give us a good idea about what to expect.

They can be viewed at:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uJUBQl9g-M  
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp7Aucd4jJ8&feature=related
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXf-gBSAbXQ