The recent devastation in Harcourt has left the community grappling with the aftermath of a catastrophic fire that has claimed more than 50 structures, making it the most destructive among the ten significant fires currently raging across Victoria. The Ravenswood fire erupted on Friday, and by Saturday morning, officials reported extensive damage primarily affecting Harcourt, situated northeast of Castlemaine in the picturesque Central Highlands of Victoria.
As assessments of the damage continue, authorities caution that the number of affected buildings may rise. Among the residents is David Fiddelaers, who lives in the northern part of Harcourt with his wife and their six children. When David became aware of the fire on Friday afternoon, he initially intended to assist the Country Fire Authority (CFA). However, as he observed the rising smoke, he quickly recognized that the flames could endanger his own home.
"The smoke was intensifying, and soon we spotted flames on the ridge on the western side of the Calder Freeway," David recounted. In a matter of moments, he bid farewell to his family, who packed essential items and evacuated, leaving him behind to safeguard their property.
"Initially, we were three or four kilometers away from the fire, but then the wind shifted, and it began heading straight for us," he shared, reflecting on the harrowing experience. "That made things much scarier—it crossed the freeway and entered our neighbor's paddock." Fortunately, just as the fire drew near, the CFA successfully established a firebreak that halted its advance, bringing the blaze to within a mere 50 meters of David’s property line.
Expressing relief, he remarked, "I feel incredibly fortunate, though there’s an unsettling atmosphere now; the fire is no longer visible, yet there are still wisps of smoke lingering in the air."
Describing the scene, Harcourt resident Judy Gleeson painted a vivid picture of the devastation. After the fire swept through the town and penetrated the dense bushland of Mount Alexander Regional Park, she referred to the aftermath as a "glowing mess."
"The undergrowth and trees are waist-deep in there," she explained. On Friday, Judy evacuated with her beloved dog, bringing only a cherished photo of her mother, her expired passport, and food for her furry companion. While her home and that of her neighbor were spared thanks to the CFA's efforts, she mourned the loss of the rest of her street.
"All the houses behind me are gone; I’ll be staring at a black hill from now on," she lamented. In a bittersweet moment, she acknowledged that her business, the Woop Woop Sculpture Park, remained intact. "That’s great, but honestly, the entire town looks pretty devastated," she remarked, her tone reflecting both relief and sorrow.
Bruce Rae, another resident of Harcourt, considers himself fortunate, having returned home on Saturday morning to find that both his property and cattle had escaped the inferno. He described the year leading up to the fire as "fairly dry," which contributed to the severity of the situation. However, he expressed deep concern for friends who were not as lucky.
"I have a couple of dear friends who have lost everything, and they’re really struggling right now," Bruce said, his voice tinged with emotion. "It was pretty horrific." He noted that one of the town's key employers, the Harcourt Cooperative Cool Stores, sustained significant damage, housing hundreds of thousands of dollars in supplies and products for local growers.
"It’s been a real mixed bag, but many buildings have been lost, and several farms have also been impacted," he explained. Areas like Coolstore Road faced severe destruction, with numerous homes and even a cafe being engulfed by the flames. "It’s quite devastating," Bruce concluded, reflecting on the community's challenges ahead.
