My sister has evacuated due to the bushfire
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (339431)
Rockingham, Australia
February 3, 2021 4:25am CST
We’ve been waiting all day to hear from my sister. There has been a massive bushfire burning not too far from their place. She lives with her nephew on five acres north-east of Perth, capital of Western Australia. They have somewhere near 100 stud goats, and about 15 of these are currently being milked twice a day.
This afternoon, the wind changed and the fire began moving towards them. She just rang to say almost all the goats are now on a truck being taken to safety and my sister is evacuating to stay with another son back in Perth.
Other friends in nearby areas are still facing a dangerous situation as the fire is burning on a very wide front and has a 110km (68 miles) perimeter. Over 70 houses have been destroyed. Along with 10,000 hectares (24,710 acres) of land. Fire-fighters are expecting wind gusts of up to 70kmh (43mph) which will make the fire very difficult to contain.
Photo of several of their dear little goats.
42 people like this
50 responses
@DaddyEvil (137257)
• United States
3 Feb 21
I like the table decorations... 
Oh, wow! I'm glad she has somewhere to go and be safe.
I wonder how long it will take before the fire is under control or put out? I can't believe how much has been destroyed!
Oh, wow! I'm glad she has somewhere to go and be safe.
I wonder how long it will take before the fire is under control or put out? I can't believe how much has been destroyed!4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137257)
• United States
3 Feb 21
@JudyEv Wow! That's a long way for the fire to be blown like that!
I've heard there are birds there that will pick up a burning branch and drop it so they can catch the rodents that run to escape the flames. Or is that somewhere else and I am misremembering that?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339431)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Feb 21
@DaddyEvil I haven't heard of that happening here but I wouldn't put it past some birds.
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@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
3 Feb 21
that is really hard - sorry about that. Had to be tense for you for a bit.
3 people like this
@DocAndersen (54402)
• United States
3 Feb 21
@JudyEv well i am glad you got the call - had to really reduce stress!
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (105820)
• Marion, Ohio
3 Feb 21
Happy they have everything moved. Wishing the best that it dont get there
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@wolfgirl569 (105820)
• Marion, Ohio
4 Feb 21
@JudyEv It will be hard. But I am sure he will keep it done.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339431)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Feb 21
@wolfgirl569 He milked them all before they evacuated so, at a pinch, they'd be okay for 24 hours. He has probably taken his portable milking stand which would make life easier.
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
4 Feb 21
Hope the fire does not reach your sister’s home. We plant trees for ecology but on the other hand, the trees also pose danger of forest fire during the hot summer months.
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@JudyEv (339431)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Feb 21
@sunrisefan Yes, but there are some closer than that.
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@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
4 Feb 21
@JudyEv Probably a distance of a hundred meters from your house would be safe enough?
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
5 Feb 21
BTW, I just noticed now that the little goats standing on the small table are cute :)
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@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
5 Feb 21
@JudyEv Just like baby humans who want to play too :)
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@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
5 Feb 21
@JudyEv I just the saw video of a blogger, whose blogs I always view, the actual moment his goat gave birth.
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@buenavida (9984)
• Sweden
5 Feb 21
I hope there is something that can be done to stop those fires..
1 person likes this
@buenavida (9984)
• Sweden
5 Feb 21
@JudyEv At least the future paradise will change that, when God’ s will is done on earth .. Psalm 37:29 ...see more JW.org 
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121540)
• Gainesville, Florida
4 Feb 21
Such horrible news to hear, not only about the evacuations, but the fires themselves. I guess this is just going to be a regular thing now. Between our bad fires in California, and your bad fires in WA, it seems like the whole world is burning up.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (121540)
• Gainesville, Florida
5 Feb 21
@JudyEv But has it always been that way, or does it seem to be getting worse each year? In Florida, we had about 3-4 years of really bad fires back in the late 90s, and they said that was the "new normal" due to global warming. But thankfully, we haven't had bad fires here since then. Now California on the other hand, that's a completely different story. Their fires are getting worse and worse every year.
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@JudyEv (339431)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Feb 21
@moffittjc Ours seem to be more fierce and deadly than they used to be.
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@Fleura (30330)
• United Kingdom
3 Feb 21
What a nightmare for her. I can't imagine how anyone could evacuate themselves and all their animals at short notice. I mean surely no-one has enough vehicles to take all their livestock at once? And I imagine there must be high demand for rentals. Does her son have enough land for the animals? So many things to think about.
At least you know they are safe. It's hard for you too because there isn't a lot you can do to help.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339431)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Feb 21
They have quite a large trailer themselves but another goat person came with his truck and took the bulk of the goats. There is a 'Magic Millions' thoroughbred auction complex which has opened its doors to some 300 horses from all the different small farms and the goats have gone there and been put in loose-boxes. Hopefully within a few days the danger will be past. People really come together when something like this happens. A holiday resort has offered all their chalets free of cost for accommodation and volunteers are providing meals, bedding, etc at three evacuation centres. Others have arrived with donations of hay, chaff and pet food as well as food for people.
We know some of the endurance riders and know that friends not in crisis offered to pick horses up, provide agistment, etc. Sometimes a crisis really brings out the best in people.
1 person likes this
@Dhabie04 (46)
• Naga City, Philippines
3 Feb 21
Oh my God. That's terrible. @JudyEv We hope your sister is somewhere safe. Last year when I was working with Telstra in the customer service located here in Philippines we handled customers that were affected by bushfire. I thought the bushfire was gone.
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