VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, [4], 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 ]



[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 02:56:12 01/26/14 Sun
Author: Nettie
Subject: Inferno 3/3

Inferno 3/3

Disclaimer: Not mine but the mistakes are.

AN:Thanks to Bev, Joy and Shazam for your replies xxx
I won't post the sequel here again as it is 20 chapters but it is available on fanfiction.net under my name NettieC and is called 'From the Ashes'.

~~~

The wait to see Harm seemed interminably long as Mac walked the corridors with her IV pole and water bottle. With the goings on of the day, Mac knew everyone was working flat out and doing their best; that this small hospital was inundated with more patients, and family members, than they'd probably seen all year. Still, she was anxious and very little else was registering with her.

When finally she found her own way into Harm's room he was asleep and Mac gingerly settled herself into the armchair alongside the bed. Lifting her aching legs, she propped them up on the bed rail and leant back into a pillow which had been resting on the chair. From her vantage point she had the perfect view of Harm and the monitors attached. Every flicker across his face, every ping of some machine were within sight and with the comfort of him being so near and the exhaustion of the day, Mac fell asleep.

It was a gentle hand caressing her face which caused Mac to wake. At first she smiled before her eyes had even opened, then she frowned – Harm shouldn't have been out of bed!

When her eyes were opened she realised that it wasn't Harm at all, it was Frank.
"Sorry to wake you, sweetheart," he said quietly, tears filling his eyes. "It's just been a desperate day and I needed to talk to one of you."
"Oh, Frank," Mac replied, hugging the man tightly.
"Are you okay?" he asked once she'd let him go.
"Yeah, all minor stuff – too much heat, too much smoke," she answered. "Harm...well..."

Their eyes drifted to the man in question.
"Harm had a really serious cut to his thigh which needed surgery and some minor burns to his hands," she reported, struggling from her chair to get closer to him. "Doctor says he'll make a complete recovery though," she added for reassurance.
"How did it happen?" Frank asked and Mac related the details of their ordeal at the cottage in hushed and sombre tones.

When she was done, Frank took a deep breath and reached out for Mac's hand.
"While I'm glad the cottage is still there, it means nothing compared to the safety and wellbeing of you two. I just don't understand why you stayed there and didn't evacuate when you knew the danger."

Guiltily, Mac hung her head, tears burning her already sensitive eyes.
"It was all my fault," she whispered. "I was a little annoyed at Harm and took off for a run and he came after me...I had run so far and fast in the heat that I was really unwell and disorientated and by the time he found me it was too late to go anywhere."

"You're usually a very level headed woman, Mac," Frank replied. "Not to mention a very well trained marine. You must have been more than a little annoyed to allow yourself to get into that state." There was no accusation or reprimand in his voice, just concern.

"I guess..." she replied, looking over at Harm.

"What did he do?" he asked, his eyes following hers.

"Nothing," Mac answered; that was indeed the problem in a nutshell – she had wanted him, waited for him and he did nothing about it, preferring that stupid radio and then the newspaper instead.

"Mac?" Frank probed. "It doesn't look like nothing to me."

Her eyes floated from Harm to his step-father and whether it was his tone, or fatherly concern or just the need to get everything out in the open, Mac told him exactly what the 'nothing' amounted to and how it made her so blindingly angry it put them both in the perilous situation they had encountered and how she would never forgive herself.

When she had finished talking, Frank wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her head.
"You know something, Mac?" he started quietly.
"What?" she replied.
"That radio...it was my fault. I asked Harm to fix it as soon as he could because, as I told you over dinner the other night, there was a danger of fire in the area. As it's a battery operated one, you would have been able to hear the alerts and information even if you had lost power."
"Wouldn't it have been easier to buy a new one?" she questioned.
"Easier, yes," he agreed. "But that radio is very special to me. I know it's 32 years old but it was the first prize in a father son fishing contest that Harm and I won the year I married his mother. We have had our battles and struggles over the years and yet when I remember that radio it brings us together."
"Oh," Mac replied before wiping away her tears. "I never knew...I'm sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry about, sweetheart," he said gently. "Harm feels the same connection to the radio as I do...I guess he's still not that good at opening up about his feelings."

Silence fell once more as they both watched Harm. Soon enough, Harm's eyes opened and he smiled wearily at the pair in front of him.
"Cottage is still there," he croaked. "A little damaged but still standing."
"I know, son," Frank said, moving to the bedside and taking Harm's hand. "More importantly, how are you doing?"
"A little damaged but still standing," he replied with a brief chuckle. "At least I will be," he added.
"You're a very lucky man," Frank said, leaning down and kissing his forehead. "Now that you're awake and I know things are good, I'm going to go and phone your mother."
"I'm surprised she's not here," Mac said, standing at the other side of the bed.
"Oh, believe me, she wanted to be," Frank replied. "But she'd already got herself into such a state that I didn't think it would be good for her...besides, her Asthma is playing up with the smoke so it's not ideal at all."

Once Frank had left, Harm lifted up his partially bandaged hand and caressed Mac's face as gently as he could.
"You doing okay?" he asked when he saw the fresh tears on her face.
"Yeah," she said, cupping his cheek in her palm. "Still standing."
"Can I give you a hug?" he asked and while he generally never asked permission, he knew she'd have to be the one who came and embraced him in the circumstances.

Leaning over, Mac rested her head on his chest while one arm slid behind his neck and the other rested on his arm. Harms arms wound around her waist and the heel of one wrapped hand made small circles on her back.
"I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry," Mac chanted in an almost inaudible voice.
"What are you so sorry for?" he questioned, trying to get her to look at him but failing.
"The run...the fire...the radio...the tank...your injuries...the whole thing," she got out between the sobs.
"There's nothing to be sorry for," he replied, kissing her head.
"There is!" she said defiantly as she pulled away. "I shouldn't have..."
"Mac," he said firmly, trying to keep a grip on her. "Fine, there are things you shouldn't have done," he said, agreeing with her and hating the look of hurt it caused. "But there are also things I should have done and I am so sorry I didn't do them."

His apology was unexpected and Mac didn't quite know what to do with it.
"What are you sorry for?" she finally asked.
"I heard you and Frank," he said by way of explanation. "You don't know how badly I wanted to come into your room last night..."
"Why didn't you?" she asked, not truly believing what she was hearing.
"Because, when we are finally in bed together it will be after having an amazing time together and not because I skulked into your bed in the middle of the night," he said as more tears appeared in her eyes. Mac dropped her head back onto his chest. "You, Sarah MacKenzie are not and will never be a booty call...or a one night stand. Do you understand that?" Mac nodded and Harm pressed a kiss to her head. "I'm sorry I ever made you feel that you weren't the most precious thing in my life. I should have explained, in some sort of way, that while I wanted you more than anything, I didn't want to fall into bed with you because it was a convenient time."

Nothing more was said as he held her as tightly as possible and tried to soothe both the physical and emotional wounds they had sustained. Eventually, Mac fell asleep in a very awkward position, her legs still dangling off the side of his bed, her upper body twisted around to hold onto him. It was in this position Frank found them when he returned half an hour later.

"Mac doesn't look too comfortable, son," he offered when Harm open his eyes.
"I know," he whispered. "But I can't move her from this position."

Gently, Frank moved Mac's legs onto the bed before pulling up the safety rail on the bed and draping a blanket over her.
"Thanks, Frank," Harm whispered as Mac snuggled closer to him.
"How's your leg?" he asked, taking a moment to run his hand over Harm's head.
"A bit of a dull pain...nothing I can't handle," he said, taking Frank's hand in his. "We were so lucky...how are things on the mountain?"
"Not good," he said sadly. "Death toll is six with another 12 unaccounted for...quite a few properties lost...not to mention the wildlife."
"We were so lucky," Harm repeated.
"Yes, we were," Frank replied. While it was Harm and Mac who survived the fires, he knew that had they succumbed his life would never be the same again.

After a short silence, Frank spoke again.
"Your mom sends her love," he started. "She wants me to bring you two home...now."
"I'd like that," Harm said. "Any idea how long I have to stay here?"
"Overnight at least," he replied, having spoken to a nurse before he returned. "After that, they will either transfer you somewhere closer to La Jolla or let you come home. They need the beds."

Harm nodded and gave a small smile. He couldn't remember the last time he was so eager to return to the family home – it had always seemed like a chore before. This time he couldn't wait to see the house, hug his mother and spend as much time as possible with them.

By the time Mac stirred, Frank had left for home, wanting to give Trish a full account in person, but he promised he'd return first thing in the morning and help Harm convince the doctor that home was the best place for him.

Mac snuggled a bit deeper into Harm's arms before she realised where she was and what she was doing. She also realised that moving backwards wasn't an option, thanks to the safety rail, so she propped herself up on one elbow and looked at Harm.
"How are you feeling?" she asked as she studied his face, pleased his colour was coming back.
"I'm doing okay – last set of obs was good, pain's manageable, breathing is easier," he reported. "What about you?"
"I'm doing okay," she replied, surprised she'd slept through the changing of her IV bag. "Feeling a little hungry."
"Now, that's a surprise," Harm chided and Mac playfully punched him on the chest before laughing.
"You hungry?" she asked him and he shook his head. "Did they feed you already?" she asked, scanning the room for evidence of a dinner.
"No," he answered, "I'm just not hungry."

Studying his face, Mac decided not to push things; after all, she never wanted much to eat after surgery.
"I'll press the buzzer and see if they can get you something," Harm offered, feeling behind him for the cord.
"No, don't," she replied, pulling his hand back. "I'm fine."
"Mac, if you're hungry you need to eat some food," he said, watching her.
"Hospitals don't serve anything resembling food," she joked. "Besides, I'm okay."
"I had money in my pockets, maybe you can get something from the vending machine. I'm sure they have chocolate," he offered and Mac nodded; that sounded better.

The first obstacle she faced was getting out of the bed without knocking into Harm. The safety rail made it awkward to go backwards and Harm's injured leg made it problematic to go forward. In the end, she scooted down to the foot of the bed and slid out between the rail and the foot plate.

Grabbing her IV pole, she faced her second challenge, finding Harm's clothes. When they were nowhere to be found, she frowned. True, Harm wouldn't be wearing them again due to the damage but they were still his and they should be here.

Opening the cupboard beside his bed, Mac found it empty. When she opened the drawer, she found a small wad of money wrapped in a band with Frank's business card enclosed. Written on his card was 'Just in case...' Mac smiled, Frank really was one of the most considerate men she'd ever met.

Using the opportunity to go to the bathroom first, Mac used the facilities before washing her face and raking her fingers through her hair. Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror, something she was trying to avoid, Mac shook her head. It would take a lot more than some water and a makeshift brush to make her look human.

After raiding the vending machine, Mac returned to Harm's room and found a male nurse in with him. Standing by the door, Mac waited while the nurse made his observations and redressed his leg. It was both of their first times looking at the wound properly and while Harm wasn't fazed by it, Mac felt sickened by the sight.
"It's not that bad, Mac," Harm said, catching the look on her face.
"It's so big," she replied, looking at the stitched up angry wound.
"Hope she's still talking about the wound," the younger man said with a laugh and Harm chuckled as Mac's eyes widened.

Without any suitable comeback, Mac just stood there and watched as the fresh dressing was placed across the area and Harm's thigh was re-bandaged.
"How's the pain?" the nurse asked when he saw Harm grimace.
"Bearable," he replied, giving Mac a quick smile.
"I can get some stronger pain relief for you, Harm," he offered, taping the bandage in place.
"It's fine," he said. "Got everything I need right here," he added, holding his hand out for Mac.
The nurse smiled as Mac came across and took his hand. "How about we see if we can get rid of this now?" the nurse said as he tapped the IV tube and Mac nodded.

Ten minutes later, the male nurse returned with the female one Mac had seen earlier in the day. With a dozen questions and another set of observations, she declared Mac fit enough to lose the IV but gave her a list of instructions and pamphlets on dealing with the after effect of fires and trauma.

"So..." Harm said when they were finally alone. "What did you get from the machine?"
"Four different chocolate bars, a Pepsi and a Mountain Dew," she replied, gesturing to the goodies sitting on his side cupboard.
"You don't like Mountain Dew," he said with a smile.
"You do," she replied. "Thought it might taste a bit better than all that water."

Mac opened the bottle for him and helped him hold it to his lips. A few sips and he pulled his head back. As the cold rivulets trailed down his throat, Harm grinned, it was much better than water.

The following morning, Mac awoke before Harm and shifted carefully in the narrow hospital bed they were sharing. Mac had argued she'd sleep in the armchair but Harm had been insistent. After he'd exhausted all the logical arguments, he conceded that Mac should sleep in the chair if she wanted too, but he wouldn't sleep while she was there. To give strength to his claim, he forced himself to sit up in the bed and folded his arms. With Harm looking decidedly uncomfortable, Mac gave in immediately and climbed into the bed.

"Don't go," Harm muttered, as Mac tried to pull away.
"I need the bathroom," she whispered in reply.
"Don't go," he repeated, still in the realms of sleep.
"Harm," she replied, reaching up and kissing his cheek. "I'll be right back...I just need the bathroom."

Eventually, Harm let go and, true to her word, Mac was back quickly. Instead of climbing into the bed, she sat alongside him and watched him. It wasn't long before she noticed she wasn't the only one watching him.
"He's doing well, Frank," Mac said with a smile. "He slept well and his pain is controlled."
"And how are you, sweetheart?" he asked, moving around the bed and greeting her with a hug and a kiss to the head.
"Much better than yesterday," Mac said. "It all seems like a bad dream."
"I know," he agreed. After watching the footage of the fires on the late night news when he arrived home the previous evening, Frank thought it looked very much like the things nightmares were made of.

After phone calls, reports and arrangements had been made, Harm was given permission to travel to LaJolla on the explicit understanding that he report to the Naval Medical Center in San Diego at 3:00 PM the following day. Knowing it was the only way he was going to be released, Harm agreed and soon he was sitting in the back of Frank's BMW, his leg outstretched along the seat. Mac was sitting in the front with Frank and the conversation on the hour drive back to La Jolla was minimal as the events of the day before hit home.

When they reached the Burnett house, they were greeted by a very tearful Trish. She had been desperate to see her son for herself. Too often, Harm had downplayed injuries and illnesses and, given the utter devastation of the day before, she wasn't all that convinced he was really alright.

"I'm okay, mom, really," he said as she tried to embrace him before he had gotten out of the car. "It's okay." This didn't seem to alleviate her stress and it wasn't until Frank came around and hugged her that Harm was able to get out. Reluctantly, Harm used the walking stick the hospital had insisted on to support his injured leg as Mac helped him into the house.

Once they were all inside and seated in the living room, Trish excused herself to get them lunch. Noting the tears in his mother's eyes, Harm eased himself from the sofa.
"It's alright, son, I'll go," said Frank, placing a hand on his arm,
"It's okay, I think this is something I need to do," he replied, covering Frank's hand with one of his. "But thanks. Maybe you and Mac could sort out the spare beds; I think I'm going to need a long nap after lunch."

Limping, Harm disappeared into the kitchen and found his mother with her hands leaning on the kitchen sink as tears streamed down her face. Quickly, he hugged her.
"I'm really okay, mom," he reassured her, placing a kiss on her head. "A little battered and bruised but I'm okay."
"I know you are," Trish replied with a sniffle.
"Then why are you so upset?" he asked, pulling back and wiping her tears with a bandaged hand.
"The Morrisons'...you know, Jack and Mary..." she started and Harm nodded.
"They have the next cottage down the track from Frank's," he said and Trish nodded. "What about them? Did they lose the cottage?"
Trish nodded again.
"Are they alright?" Harm asked, concerned by his mother's demeanour.
Trish shook her head. "They...they...didn't make it," she said in a strangled whisper. "They couldn't get out in time...they died trapped in their car in their driveway...with their two young grandsons."

It was then Harm's tears fell as he gained the insight into his mother's anguish; four lives taken just like that...four precious lives whose loss would impact on so many more for many years to come...
"I'm so sorry, mom," he whispered, holding her tightly. It wasn't that she knew the family that well but she had to have been thinking that if they were dead, what hope did her son have when he was so close by. "I love you very much, mom."
"Love you, son," she replied, trying to stem her tears.

By the time lunch was ready, Trish was composed and put out platters of mixed sandwiches and fruit, she had poured freshly made lemonade in the glasses and had spurned any offer of assistance, needing the time to herself. Harm ate well, his mother's curried egg sandwiches as well as her salmon and herb cream ones were his all-time favourites. Added to that, he'd really had nothing substantial to eat in thirty six hours and he was starving.

Trish smiled at the sight of her hungry son, finally allowing herself to believe that he was really alright. Mac, on the other hand, wasn't eating. While she had food on her plate she was trying to get away with moving it around the plate and breaking off bits of the sandwich.

"I can make you something else, dear," Trish said, watching Mac play with her food. "I have some chicken..."
"No, thank you, Trish," she said quickly. "This is fine."
"Then why aren't you eating it?" she asked quietly.
"I'm sorry," she replied, tears filling her eyes. "May I please be excused?" she asked, a request ingrained in her from her childhood.
"Certainly, sweetheart," Frank said and Mac jumped up and disappeared from view.

Harm found her minutes later sitting on the back step, her elbows resting on her knees and cradling her head in her hands. When she finally lifted her head to face him he was surprised there were no tears.
"You okay?" he asked, gingerly sitting down alongside her.
"Yeah, sorry," she said with a sigh. "Just needed some air."
Harm studied her for a few moments. He was going to press her but in the end he decided that he'd just let her know he was there and let her talk to him on her own terms. Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he pulled her closer before kissing her head.
"Want me to sit with you a while?" he questioned, moving his hand down to take her hand.
"Nah, I'm okay," she replied, kissing his cheek. "You go finish your lunch."
"If I do, will you join me for a nap afterwards?" he questioned.
"Sure," she replied with a smile.

When Harm returned to the table without Mac, both Frank and Trish looked at him waiting for an explanation. When none was forthcoming, Trish spoke.
"Is Sarah okay?" she asked, putting down her coffee mug.
"Yes, she is, mom. She's just getting some air," Harm reported, picking up his juice.
"Is she feeling alright?" Trish probed.
"I think so," Harm replied. "It's just all been a bit much, I think."

Trish nodded. She definitely knew that emotion but after hearing Frank's explanation the night before about how they happened to be caught in the fire, she was also pretty sure guilt was also a key factor and playing happy families may have been the last straw.

Standing, she grabbed Mac's plate and emptied the destroyed sandwiches before filling it with a fresh selection and picking up her drink.
"Where are you going?" Harm asked as she rounded the table for the door.
"To see Sarah," she stated, continuing on her path.
"Look, mom..." he started but the stopped. Perhaps a woman would help her open up.

Trish found Mac just where Harm had left her and she sat down where he son had minutes before.
"I know you're going to say you're not hungry, sweetheart," she said, pre-empting Mac's words. "But it's not going to help matters. So, let's start with a drink." She handed Mac her glass and watched as she drank two mouthfuls."Now, which one would you like first?" Trish tilted the plate towards Mac. When Mac hesitated, Trish picked up a chicken salad one and handed it to her.

"Please humour me," she said and Mac took the sandwich. "Now, I know you've had a rough few days," she started, resting the plate on her lap while she took hold of Mac's free hand. "And right now you probably just need some time and space, but I'm sorry, I can't give that to you," Trish explained. "Right now, I need to hold you and feed you and watch over you until I can convince myself you are okay and you are safe at home with me."

Mac turned to face the older woman in surprise. Those words were something you said to your child, something she should be saying to Harm, not her; especially when you considered she had only met the woman for the first time in recent days. The look of surprise must have been evident.

"Whether or not you know it, or Harm knows it, he loves you very much," Trish said by way of explanation. "There was no way he would have taken you to the cottage if he didn't. In all the years, Harm has never taken a friend there – not even as a teen. He always said it was too special for just anyone. So, that said, it is no surprise he would never have left without you. He doesn't blame you, I don't blame you, Frank doesn't blame you and you shouldn't blame yourself. Now, I know that's easier said than done but you shouldn't feel guilty about anything. I'm sure that for you to run yourself ragged like that, my son must have done something...or not done something as the case may be. And I think that if you took some time to think things through, you'd come to the realisation that you love him too. No man can make you as infuriated as the man you love."

Without knowing how to respond, Mac just sat there a little stunned about the whole thing. Her main difficulty with eating had been the overwhelming sense of guilt she had been experiencing, particular when she looked at Harm's mother.

"You," she continued as she ran her hand over Mac's hair, "Are such a big part of Harm's life...you make him who he is...you are the one that makes him smile...makes him be his best. He's never as happy as he is when you're around and while you and I don't know each other that well, you are the woman I want for my daughter...the one I want for my son."

With her heart overwhelmed and threatening to burst, Mac gave into her tears and soon found all the comfort and solace she needed in the older woman's arms.

Waking from his nap later that afternoon, Harm wasn't at all surprised that the empty space which had been beside him when he fell asleep was now occupied by Mac. While he would have preferred her to be facing him, perhaps with her head on his chest, the very fact she was sharing his bed gladdened his heart. For a while he watched her, hoping she was finding some peace and comfort in her slumber. He didn't know the nature of the conversation she had had with his mother, except that it had been long and intense.

Stopping to watch them on his way upstairs, he was surprised at how natural the relationship seemed; his mother always seemed a little standoffish when it came to meeting friends of his. Granted, they had all been male friends, well, male since he last brought a girlfriend home in his final year of high school.

Eventually, Mac's eyes struggled opened and she reached backwards to try and find Harm's hand. When she did, she linked her fingers through his the best she could and lay there quietly. There was so much she wanted to say but right now she had no words...she didn't want to ruin the moment, she didn't want to jump the gun and so she lay there.

"Mac," Harm whispered when she hadn't spoken in ten minutes.
"Yes," she replied in equally hushed tones.
"I really care about you and I would like to start a proper relationship with you," he said honestly. "Not one where we jump into bed on the first date...although that would be nice," he said with a grin. "I just think we owe it to ourselves to see where this goes and sort through our issues together. That is, if you are wanting to," he said before falling silent.

Rolling over in the bed, Mac looked at Harm and studied his face. His words had been simple and heartfelt. There was no threat or pressure to his words, just Harm opening his heart and saying what he wanted – something she wasn't used to hearing from him.
"I think that's something I'd like to do too," she replied, squeezing his hand gently.

So it was, that in the aftermath of the inferno which had threatened them, claimed the lives of many, claimed the homes and livelihoods of many more, that Harm and Mac came to the realisation they had been blessed with a future, something which had been denied to others. More than that, they had made a simple agreement that the future was something they wanted to share together.

From the ashes of the inferno sprung new hope, a new beginning and the possibilities of so much more.

-Fin-

AN: I started writing this in 2009 after fires had devastated my beautiful state of Victoria. Then I stopped. It was very hard to catch the utter desperation and pain of the bushfire experience which became known as Black Saturday. I guess time makes it easier and while the scars of that fateful day will live on forever, writing has helped. I know I haven't captured the true nature and heartache of the day but then I don't think anyone could.

I am considering writing a sequel, 'From the Ashes' to follow their recovery, but we'll see if that materialises.

Much of the information below comes from Wikipedia, and while they don't always have the best reputation, as far as I can see, it's all correct.

The Black Saturday bushfires were a series of bushfires that ignited or were burning across the Australian state of Victoria on and around Saturday 7 February 2009 during extreme bushfire-weather conditions, resulting in Australia's highest ever loss of life from a bushfire. 173 people died as a result of the fires and 414 were injured.

As many as 400 individual fires were recorded on 7 February. Following the events of 7 February 2009, that date has since been referred to as Black Saturday.
The fires destroyed over 2,030 houses, 3,500+ structures in total and damaged thousands more. Many towns north-east of the state capital Melbourne were badly damaged or almost completely destroyed, including Kinglake, Marysville, Narbethong, Strathewen and Flowerdale. Many houses in the towns of Steels Creek, Humevale, Wandong, St Andrews, Callignee, Taggerty and Koornalla were also destroyed or severely damaged, with several fatalities recorded at each location. The fires affected 78 individual townships in total and displaced an estimated 7,562 people, many of whom sought temporary accommodation, much of it donated in the form of spare rooms, caravans, tents and beds in community relief centres.

Overall statistics
• 450,000 ha (1,100,000 acres) burnt
• 414 people injured
• 7,562 people displaced
• Over 3,500 structures destroyed, including;
o 2,029+ houses
o 59 commercial properties (shops, pubs, service stations, golf clubs, etc)
o 12 community buildings (including 2 police stations, 3 schools, 3 churches, 1 fire station)
o 399 machinery sheds, 729 other farm buildings, 363 hay sheds
o 19 dairies, 26 woolsheds
• 25,600 tonnes (25,200 LT; 28,200 ST) of stored fodder and grain
• 190 ha (470 acres) of standing crops
• 168,000 ha (420,000 acres) of pasture
• 735 ha (1,820 acres) of fruit trees, olives and vines
• 7,000 ha (17,000 acres) of plantation timber
• 3,921 ha (9,690 acres) of private bushland
• 2,150 sheep, 1,207 cattle, and an unknown number of horses, goats, alpacas, poultry and pigs
• Over 10,000 kilometres (6,200 mi) of boundary and internal fencing destroyed or damaged
• Over 55 businesses destroyed.
• About 211,000 tonnes (208,000 LT; 233,000 ST) of hay destroyed
• Over 11,000 livestock killed or injured
• The electricity supply was disrupted to 60,000 residents
• Several mobile phone base stations and telephone exchanges damaged or destroyed.
• 950 local parks, 70 national parks and reserves, and over 600 cultural sites and historic places were destroyed
• The amount of energy released during the firestorm in the Kinglake-Marysville area was equivalent to the amount of energy released by 1,500 Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs.
• Loss of wildlife predicted at over a million.
• Bush fires which can travel up to 60km an hour were travelling that distance in 10 minutes.
• At one stage, one fire was burning on a 100km front – something which is uncontainable.
• The McArthur Forest Fire Danger Index had predicted February 7 would experience the worst fire danger ever in Victoria. According to the index, a figure of 50 was considered "extreme", but on Black Saturday it ranged between 120 and 180. In such catastrophic conditions, normal warnings became useless.
• Most of those injured during the fires only suffered minor injuries. The fire was so intense and fast that people either died or suffered only minor injuries.
Bless them all!

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]



Replies:

[> Thanks for reposting this Nettie and on where to find the sequel. I love re-reading stories so I'll be looking that one up on Fanfiction! As always wonderfully done! -- Ciara, 08:44:51 01/26/14 Sun [1]


[ Edit | View ]
[> Thank you Nettie and i think you did very well with this story as it was a devastating time and i think you did just great in writing this great story. -- Bev UK, 09:32:54 01/26/14 Sun [1]


[ Edit | View ]
[> Thank you Nettie for the repost. This story was so different but somehow so Harm and Mac. -- usmgrad, 10:03:34 01/26/14 Sun [1]


[ Edit | View ]
[> A heart wrenching story, moreso because it was REAL, thanks for yet another wonderful 'Harm and Mac' story that you do so well! On to the sequel! -- JoyZ, 10:09:31 01/26/14 Sun [1]


[ Edit | View ]



[ Contact Forum Admin ]

Forum timezone: GMT-5
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.