Farmer Reflects on Life-Changing Bushfire Incident

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Farmer Reflects on Life-Changing Bushfire Incident

Tim Haslam, a cereal farmer from nearby Popanyinning, saw one of the most frightening bushfires of his life erupt on December 20, 2023. In the escape attempt, he received third-degree burns over 38 percent of his body. He was left with life-changing injuries as well as a long road to recovery ahead of him. Even with all this, he considers himself lucky for the support he had and the great medical care he got.

On the day of the incident, Haslam was tending to his personal farm. He had on a very short pair of shorts and a short-sleeve shirt. The weather wasn’t too rough either, 12-kilometer hour winds. He exited his vehicle in the line of fire, which he would later call a big mistake. The impacts of this very bad decision were dire.

I jumped out of the ute and I just sprinted, maybe four or five steps. I stumbled and fell hands-first into the [scorching] barley stubble, Haslam recounted.

The Aftermath of the Fire

After the incident, Haslam had to be airlifted to Perth for immediate medical attention. As the days passed, he fell into a coma for seven days. He would go on to have an incredible 15 surgeries in recovery. He sustained horrible injuries and lost the tips of all his fingers. The tips of his mouth have grown together in a webbed fold.

Undoubtedly, I was given a second chance. So far, I’ve had 15 operations. I’ve burnt the tips of all my fingers, and the corners of my mouth have fused together. Haslam stated.

Haslam expressed immense gratitude for the care he received at Fiona Stanley Hospital, which he referred to as “by far the best burns unit in the world.”

“I was extraordinarily lucky to be in Fiona Stanley,” he added.

Community Support During Recovery

Haslam has access to the best medical care. Behind him too is powerful support with his wife Sally and the larger farming community. The true measure of their solidarity was revealed in 2023, when neighbors mobilized to help finish the Haslams’ harvest.

There were four or five headers, trucks. They all came out to help complete the harvest and swill my rum, Haslam recalled with appreciation.

This collective at-home routine offered both physical support and emotional uplift while making the best of a difficult situation. It’s true Haslam admitted he’s once again done Washington farm chores. He no longer works at the rapid speed he once did due to persistent pain and doubt as to whether I’m experiencing my injuries or age-related changes.

I do all my farm jobs. I do them pretty painfully and slowly but is that age, arthritis or burns-related? he pondered.

A Changed Perspective

The bushfire experience has deeply changed Haslam’s perspective on personal safety and safe risk practices in agriculture. Fry now takes a more cautious approach to the harvest, considering his upwind positions and navigable paths at all times.

Now when I am harvesting, I will never fail to check the direction of wind and where it is coming from, he emphasized.

Haslam similarly encouraged other farmers to make safety a priority by wearing high-visibility clothing during times when they are at the highest risk.

I really encourage everybody during the time of harvest to just wear long pants and a long-sleeve shirt,” he counseled.

Looking back on the accident, he urged that these kinds of accidents can occur in a split second and can alter your life forever.

“It happened in an instant and it could happen to you. It changes your life forever,” Haslam warned. He pointed out that we all need to be more vigilant because nobody thinks it’s going to happen to them until it is.

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