A new video shows the unfathomable speed at which the Australian bushfires are spreading, completely overwhelming a firefighting crew in less than three minutes. It’s a stark example of why, for so many people, running from the flames is much easier said than done.
Filmed around 7 p.m. on Jan. 4, the clip shows the Dunmore Rural Fire Brigade set up to protect property in Tomerong, approximately 90 miles south of Sydney and home to over 1000 people. However, 62mph winds hit the area 10 minutes earlier than expected, blowing thousands of embers their way.
The extreme ember attack lit numerous spot fires, quickly overrunning the crew and forcing some to evacuate less than a minute after the wind changed — and less than a minute before the fire took over the road completely.
One truck was left behind, its dashcam capturing the horrifying footage.
The camera was able to continue filming because it was inside a truck equipped with a cabin protection system. This included cab sprays, as evidenced by the water seen running down the windows around two minutes into the video.
But for civilians facing an approaching fire, sticking around if you have the option to leave is generally ill-advised.
“People are reminded to adhere to the warnings when given from the appropriate services as this is not a pleasant place to be when a fire impacts at any time, especially at short notice,” the Dunmore Rural Fire Brigade wrote in the video description, displaying a remarkable talent for understatement.
Nearly have been destroyed by Australia’s bushfires, which are still burning despite the country having finally received some rain. Over 30 people have been killed and over 2750 homes destroyed, while experts estimating the death toll among wildlife to number over one billion.
