Tuesday the 19th of November
We made our annual visit to the township of Mathinna to enjoy the tranquility and friendship of the residents of the town. Mathinna township is nestled in the valley where you can see the peaks of Ben Lomond. We were aware they had bush fires in the plantations on the outskirts of the town. There was smoke evident as we drove along the highway into Mathinna though we could not see the actual flames.
When we arrived at the Rec Ground we were to see many fire fighting appliances and helicopters who were being refueled. In all there were fire fighters from the Tasmanian Fire Service, Sustainable Timbers Tasmania (Once known as Forestry Tasmania) and Parks and Wildlife. There would have been close to a hundred men and woman there to fight the fires in among the timber plantations. We set up close to the shed and toilets making sure we did not impede the traffic.

We were to have our lunch and then sat outside and read our books, whilst also watching the helicopters land to be refueled. We were to note the arrival of bull dozers, excavators and graders no doubt to put fire tracks in to allow the small and larger appliances to get to the base of the fires in the very hilly country.
At 3.30pm we walked up to the Mathinna Country Club, which is only a tavern there is no accommodation or golf course. The bar tends to be the meeting place of the locals every afternoon and whilst there I paid my membership to the club for next year. They were very busy in the kitchen area for they had to prepare food for all the fire fighters and equipment operators including the helicopter pilots and fueling crews. We were informed that the fires had been deliberately lit and they were working hard to contain the fire front for tomorrow in to be very hot and high winds. We were to come back to the motor home for our evening meal and were to note the very red sky's which made the fire front look very close to our camp. We watched television for awhile and then went off to bed.

Wednesday the 20st of November
There was a heavy Police presence for the arsonists had lit two more fires out towards Mangana and they were hoping to catch the culprits this morning. We watched the Police pull up a motorbike and they certainly gave the rider a good grilling before allowing him to leave. We had our breakfast and noted that only Sustainable Timber firefighters were the only firemen being briefed on this mornings plan of action. The day was warming and the wind was getting stronger. At 10 am the Tasmanian Fire Service arrived in their appliances for their briefing for they were relieving the fire fighters who worked on the fire front until early this morning. The helicopters arrived and they immediately set up their gear and were refueled and off they went. Two helicopters were dumping water on the fire whilst the third was flying higher directing them to the main sections of the fire. The helicopter spotter was also directing the ground crew as well, Tas fire service were in the helicopter directing.
There must have been in excess of 100 crew and over fifty trucks and smaller vehicles and they also had three large water tankers to refill the smaller appliances out on the fire ground.
We discovered that we knew a few of the firefighters that we had fought fire's with in previous years, that is five years ago. We had an understanding what was happening being that I used to be the second officer and Liz was the base station operator before we retired from our brigade. We both agreed that they are better resourced to fight fires than we were and also that all the different government departments fire crews worked as one. The Tasmanian Fire Service still has the larger and modern tankers and fire fighting appliances etc"
We went for a drive in our towed car and found that the fire had burnt into the gully close to Mathinna before they contained it we did not go any closer for we did not want to be seen interfering or getting in the way of their operations.
Back for lunch and read our books until it was time to go up to the Tavern for a few frothy's and wine. Same crew as yesterday and they were well aware that they had an arsonist in there midst or from out of town. We just hope the police get the arsonists before these people do.
We didn't stay long tonight as they were busy cooking to feed the hungry and tired fire fighters. Back for our meal and then into bed. We could hear the trucks coming and going from the water stand refilling and then out to the fire front again. Of course the helicopters are not allowed to fly after dusk or before dawn.

Thursday the 21st of November
Awoke early and at 6.30am the firefighters were being briefed on the days attack on the fire that have been deliberately lit during the night. They had bought the fires around Mathinna under control with a lot of personnel and fire appliances plus the helicopters. There were more water tankers arrive for the fires now have moved toward Mangana. There is still a heavy Police presence for they have not caught the arsonist/s who are still lighting fires.
Today they expect to be of high fire danger for the temperature is expected to rise to the high 30's with very high winds. They have bought in another helicopter making it now four to assist in fighting the new fire outbreaks.
We had our breakfast and said our farewells to those fire fighters we knew and others and we were leaving Mathinna bound for Launceston for a few days and to celebrate Liz's birthday with our children and others.
We were on the road towards Fingal and along the way we could see the cleared tree plantations and the new pine tree seedlings that had been planted. When we arrived at Avoca we pulled up and had a cappuccino at the cafe and noted the smoke was still this far along the highway. We then left for Launceston having enjoyed the company of the people of Mathinna for another year plus the beautiful eggs we purchased across the way will go down well.