After "Black Saturday" Photo

Photographer’s Note

Today the road to Kinglake is opened to the first time since “Black Saturday”. It’s been one month, power has been restored to most places, roads have been made safe, those that are not yet safe are blocked to traffic & most importantly people are allowed back to their property, for some it will be the first time.

Even in Australia, where people have learned to live with large bushfires (wildfires), February’s “Black Saturday” fires in Victoria exceeded all expectations. Of the hundreds that died, those who stayed had no time to prepare, and many who fled were overtaken by the fast-spreading flames and died in their cars. Multiple days of above 100-degree Fahrenheit (37.7 C) temperatures, extremely low relative humidity and 100 mile per hour (160KM) winds resulted in an unstoppable spread of the flames, 100-200 foot ( 30 to 60Meters) flame lengths, and fire intensity unlike anything ever before recorded anywhere on the planet.
Although these fires may have been deliberately lit the main cause of this colossal inferno appears to be the extreme dry conditions, up to 30 years of below average rain, combined with the extreme heat & wind conditions.

Italian

Oggi la strada è aperta a Kinglake per la prima volta dopo "Sabato nero". E già un mese, Elettricità è stata restaurata per la maggior parte dei luoghi, le strade sono state rese sicure, quelle che non sono ancora sicure sono bloccate al traffico, il piú importante è il ritorno delle famiglie alle loro proprietà, per alcuni sarà la prima volta .

Anche in Australia, dove la gente hanno imparato a vivere con grande bushfires (incendi), gli incendi "Sabato Nero" di Febbraio in Victoria superato tutte le aspettative. Tra le centinaia di morti, quelli che sono rimasti non avevano il tempo per prepararsi, e molti che sono fuggiti sono stati superati dalle rapide fiamme e sono morti nella loro auto. Con tanti giorni superati gli 100 gradi Fahrenheit (37.7 C), temperature estremamente basse di umidità e il vento a 100 miglia all'ora (160 km) ha risultato un inarrestabile diffusione di fiamme, 100-200 piedi (30 a 60Meters) alte, un fuoco di intensità mai visto nel nostro mondo.
Questi incendi potrebbero essere stati deliberatamente accesi ma la principale causa di questo colossale inferno sembra che sia la combinazione di l'estrema secchezza, e un circa 30 anni che la pioggia e sotto media, con il calore estremo e il vento.

bakes888, ktanska, phwall, delkoo, alftrek, trekks, BWJ trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

SteveH (3961) 2009-03-16 19:24

Hi Santo, I heard that the road had been opened and thought you'd be going up there sometime soon. Was your old house still there? On the image, it certainly shows the impact of the fire - nothing spared. Placement of the burn stump is good and inclusion of the road takes the viewer through the scene. cheers, Steve

delpeoples (6471) 2009-03-16 21:41

Oh Santo, this is a terrible yet poignant image. The blackened stump dominating the FG really says it all. The image itself is sharp and expertly taken. Great job, Lisa.

bakes888 (18295) 2009-03-16 22:06

Hi Santo. Though for the most part this is a natural occurrence the fires shocked and saddened all who saw the news bulletins, now we all hope for a timely recovery. Good catch to show the aftermath. I read you reply to Steve, pleased you house survived.
Take care, Paul.

Gundog68 (194) 2009-03-17 0:50

Santo

Interesting photo of a tragic event. Burnt out tree stump in the fore creates an interesting subject, and the forest behind sets a tragic atmosphere to the shot.

It is important to note that here in the Australian environment our vegetation is in fact adapted to fire; indeed encourages it; and following these extreme events is the regenesis of the unique Australian ecology

siamesa (13120) 2009-03-17 5:37

Hi Santo

Looking at this picture I have desire to cry. It's very sad to see the marks of the tragedy there.
Abraços
maria

ktanska (16681) 2009-03-17 5:52

Hi Santo,
Burned forest make odd and spooky kind of fascinating colour scheme. I hope all is getting better now. Good framing, that big black stump dominates the view well.
Kari

rodgerg (24631) 2009-03-17 5:57

Hello Santo,

A very impressive and poignant image. The black tree in the FG is a fascinating mark of this tragedy for the Australia.
Syampthy and friendship,
Roger

Miha2ou7 (4923) 2009-03-17 6:56

Hey Santo,

The fire did create an apocalyptic type of scenery. At least it`s good for loads of interesting motives, of what little use that is. In any case, I like the way you`ve composed it, with the road in it. The colors are like the motive: spectacular in a hellish-brimstone, kind of way. :)
Good work,

Best regards.

phwall (5691) 2009-03-17 19:36

Hi Santo,
A graphic image of the aftermath, such a devastating fire, with so much loss.
I'm glad your house is OK, some small comfort to those of us who have got to know you here on TE.
Re the photograph, I like your composition using the blackened stup and the road to set up the interest in the capture.
Thank you for the informative note to go with the image.
Warm wishes
Peter

Silvio1953 (42431) 2009-03-18 6:37

Ciao Santo, bella vista di questa foresta con il fantastico tronco carbonizzato in primo piano, splendida prospettiva, bravo, ciao Silvio

delkoo (34574) 2009-03-18 8:02

hi santo ,

this photo has a documentary value, I am sad to see that your country has been destroyed by fire.
It is an ecological disaster.

didier

pablominto (41084) 2009-03-18 23:00

Hello Santo,

A very dramatic image, but still not conveying the tragedy in depth, no image can!
An interesting composition with the burned butt as an eye-catcher, and the awesome repetition effect in the destroyed trees...
It will take nature some time to restore this, shown to the world in this fine documentary!

Greetings,
Pablo -

alftrek (2889) 2009-03-19 18:57

Hello Santo,
The first thing I am looking for in this series of your posting is that cottage. May be I will get to see it with my own eyes soon. I believe you may have lost some of your friends and ex-neighbours in this area. This photo tells a lot about the extend of the damage caused by the inferno, from the burnt stump to the BG down the road, what can can withstand the horrendous fire?
I also wonder this is the stretch of road that we drove when we were there.

take care
Alfred

Just read your reply to Steve after my comments, glad to know that the cottage is untouched.

trekks (14332) 2009-03-20 9:04

hi Santo

I read your comments and understand that your cottage is spared the fire. I am happy that you are 'protected'. And I do not believe any photo will do justice to the actual and real damage to human sufferings, although you have done a good share by presenting the scars of the fire damage here with a post of dry trees leaving to nature on how they are going to survive.

tfs, bill

BWJ (1775) 2009-03-24 13:41

Hello Santo,
The destruction by the fire is incredible and very appropriately emphasized with the large black stump in the foreground. As sad as this scene is, you have done an outstanding job with the photography. The POV, color, and DOF are excellent. It is good to read in your note that things are getting better there.
Kind regards,
Betty

daddo (11439) 2009-03-25 15:32

Ciao Santo. A very sombre testimony of what happened. The twisted metal and scorched timber speak of the ferocity of the fires. Great POV with the remains of the tree right in front and the view extending into the distance. Regards. Klaudio.