NSW bushfires: The Batemans Bay firefront was unlike any other bushfire I’ve ever seen

Batemans Bay is in danger of being attacked by the monster.

As the fire spreads in the industrial area, we watch. I had been there in the morning to purchase smoke masks. I later discovered that many of the factories I visited were in flames.

The traffic queues move out of the town to line up at the petrol stations. Many have fled to the north. This is the only way out. The firestorm picks up speed. Even though it’s lunchtime, everyone still needs to eat. It’s not how I expected I would spend New Year’s Eve.

My family and I had just spent the night on the farm’s riverbank, swimming, fishing, and getting ready for the new year.

I had been watching the flames on the horizon. Although it was far away, I had read all I could talk about hotspots, wind, and predictions.

It was slowly creeping forward, but later that night, the warning came that strong winds could mean that the village of Nelligen and our farm were in danger.

Under siege

My two children and I had decided to leave. I’ve seen enough bushfires to know I didn’t want them there. My mother and brother decided to stay and protect the property from an ember attack — my husband would be there.

I set out early in the morning with my children to drive to Batemans Bay.

My boss asked me if I was available as the news about the evacuation began to spread. My two children were young, and I hadn’t slept since. I was the only person in the newsroom who could make it for several hours.

My sister-in-law was already leaving town. She turned around and drove north to pick them up, so I returned to work.

Photographing the place I grew up was a challenge. The streets rang with the sound of sirens. The fire spread across Nelligen’s back, through Runnyford, and up to Batemans Bay. I was working alongside a local stringer. He was a good friend of mine.

Every step was unique. Everything about the day was different. It would take longer if the comms went down.

At the beach

We head to the sea with many others in Batemans Bay. This is the only way for many.

Interview with a man in Sydney on holiday with his family. His wife sits in the back with their baby. I offer them smoke masks. We can hear gas cylinders explode in the distance.

My grandparents lived near Beach Road. Sirens can be heard roaring toward Surf Beach.

The carnival, an annual event that symbolizes holidays in the area, is located down the street.

Spot fires are being started as the fire pushes through Catalina’s back.

Mum rings; Runnyford has lost a close friend. He spoke of “horizontal embers” and how he escaped by the river to my mom’s.

They are safe, but his house and the neighbor have disappeared. My mum prepares her holiday home for them. The guests could rebook their stay a few days earlier, following the RFS advice not to go south.

One woman told me that her factory was destroyed and five houses were damaged in her street. She is shocked. So am I. What was the family property? What should I do?

Surrounded but secure

The southerlies are brewing, and I am sure Nelligen will be threatened again. I call my husband; they are helping to put out flames at a neighbor’s property.

Communications begin to decline. The power has gone. Marine Rescue Batemans Bay volunteers lend their strength and phones to us so that we can tell the story.

My children returned safely to the north. They were okay but a little scared. Their dad and mum were also gone.

I have yet to return the family property. I know it is safe and that everyone is safe, but I am still without power and a phone.

But, I must see them and hear their assurances.