During the past weekend, residents near the Darawank and Minimbah bushfires were constantly warned to be cautious and on the lookout for burning embers flying through the sky.
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But, what surprised Seal Rocks resident, Keith Bishop was just how far these often dangerous embers could and did travel.
Walking along the beach earlier this week, Dr Bishop was amazed with the volume of bushfire debris which had found its way south more than 30 kilometres (as the crow flies) from fire hotspots.
An aquatic ecologist, Dr Bishop said seeing the material on the beach made him appreciate the frightening situation residents in the Darawank, Failford, Tuncurry and Hallidays Point areas had faced.
"I was very surprised to find the debris; very surprised particularly as immediately after the main fire activity on Saturday there were south-oriented winds and these should have taken the debris north," he said.
"My feeling is what happened is that the westerly winds on Saturday must have taken the material a long way out to sea and then the East Australia Current, which is currently moving south not far offshore, had 'fought' against the south-oriented winds keeping it in the drop position.
"Then the north-east winds start up and this assists the ocean current and it is pushed southwards down to Seal Rocks."
Dr Bishop said the dominant debris was singed Banksia and paperbark leaves.
"The banksias, particularly must have 'exploded' and the resulting updrafts must have been every powerful."
Also found among the debris were massive numbers of lady beetles, which had washed up on the beach.
"These must have flow away from the advancing fires only to tire and then fall into the ocean and drown."
While northern coastal parts of the Great Lakes have been experiencing smokey conditions for more than a week, the westerly and then southerly elements kept Seal Rocks and beyond smoke free over the weekend.
However, north and north-east winds have blown the smoke south in the past days.
The debris is clearly more than just embers; large burning sheets of bark for starters, Dr Bishop said.
"When the firies warn of ember drop take it very very seriously."
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Jeanene Duncan
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
Jeanene has more than 40 years experience as a regional and rural journalist starting at The Land Newspaper. She also worked for Stock Journal Newspaper (SA), McPherson, Fairfax newspapers and Rural Press, and contributed to various magazines.
