The opportunity to see the true devastation caused by one of the fast-moving fires in south-west Victoria is only possible when the fight against the blaze has been won by firefighters.

A thick grey smoke covers the countryside and the air smells of ash and burning hay bales. The once-green paddocks are now black as far as the eye can see. Trees that have stood for decades have been felled by the heat of the flames. The fire near the small town of Cobden is burning within containment lines, but the howling wind means there is the constant risk it could spark back up. Locals starting to take in the damage, like Rebecca Jones, who is staring at the charred remains of her house, shed and car. She finds the strength to talk about the ordeal. "You looked out the front door of what is … was our house, and there was just the most beautiful skyline," Ms Jones said. Nearby, on a dead-end road, local farmers are back on the land, assessing the damage to property and livestock. Fences are down and sheep and cattle roam freely, mainly gathering around hay bales which are burning and letting off a smelly smoke. When you're hungry, food on fire is still food.

 

Source - http://www.abc.net.au