Thursday 12.45pm (now 4.40pm)

'Crews are working to contain the fire to the Buckland Road on the western side of the Buckland Valley. The spot-over that occurred on Tuesday has been contained. The terrain is unsafe for ground crews due to old mining works. There has been some backburning in the southern end of the Buckland Valley Sector between private property and the fire edge.'

The last para is us. Here's me thinking it was going to be a quiet day! No sooner had I written that last entry than it all took off. The CFA arrived in strength, three firetrucks, about 20 guys (and one gal), umpteen 4WD's etc - went through the house and property checking things off, where things were, what they'd do in an emergency etc etc... Very impressive. A real military operation. They expect the fire now about kilometre to the nth/west to come through soon - but it all depends on what the wind does when the change happens. There's another fire only barely in control about a kilometre to the south which they're desperately trying to keep from getting over the river and up the next steep slope. That's the Mt Mary fire that started a few days ago. There's another fire directly north (the very bad fire that's moved up and across MtBuffalo) that's come down the south slopes of Buffalo towards the Buckland bridge.

They have asked for air support but everyone knows they won't get it - we're just not important enough - we don't rate the news. So it's really a waiting game - very stressful. Julia and Adam have left with the trailer to stay in Bright for the night. That's a relief.

We've done all we can here, so now we just wait. The southerly change should arrive about 8pm tonight - it'll be the most dangerous time till then as the winds gust in every direction.

But on the plus side - the phone is back on!! And it's not too smoky either.

My elegant sprinkler system on the roof (and no laughter please). Looks weird, but wets the whole roof and fills all the gutters. I'm not planning to patent it.