Biznik member Klaus Jaritz escapes deadly Australian wildfires
I got a note from Terra Vita this afternoon, asking me to share the news that Biznik member Klaus Jaritz, a documentary filmmaker from Colo Heights, Australia, has survived the deadliest blaze in the country’s history. The death toll currently stands at 108. We’re glad you’re OK, Klaus. I’d like to share this note from him, for those of you who know him:
This time we just got away. We were standing by waiting for hell. At night the red sky came closer. We could smell the fire, eyes burnt from smoke. Then, within an hour, the temperature dropped 20 degrees Celsius. And it rained. Relief! We were hugging each other and laughing again. Yet, you feel so guilty. You are glad it didn’t get you but others.
Lost close people in fires. It stays with you. It haunts you at times like now. Could spend the whole day crying. Crying also for the animals that can’t fly or run and burn to death. Or drown right now up in Queensland.
I understand something of what Klaus is feeling right now. I spent five years as a US Forest Service smokejumper when I was in college, and lost a buddy on the infamous South Canyon Fire, which took the lives of 14 firefighters in Colorado in 1994.
February 10th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Thank you so much for posting this. It shows that as large as biznik is, we are a community/tribe/etc. small enough to care for a person half a world away. It just sums up so simply and elegantly why I love biznik!
February 10th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
Thanks for the post, Dan. My last communication with Klaus he’d mentioned the heat, and then I heard about the fires. It’s good to hear that Klaus is safe.
-Ari
February 10th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
Klaus, my mother and sister lost their home in the Oakland Hills fire in Oakland CA in 1992. I understand it to be a harrowing experience and yet, both of them have been able to put the incident behind them and move on. From what I know about you, this is nothing but a temporary setback and that you will be back stronger and continuing on your mission to make this a better world. I can’t wait to receive another one of your amazingly beautiful cards.
February 10th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Klaus, You and your mates have been in my prayers for days. ! There is no sense to who is spared adn who is not, but know this: Your work is important and so is your light! Your strength and attitude and compassion will carry others through this harrowing, grief-filled time.
Hang in there.
and keep on creating… the words needs you!
February 10th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
wow. whew. So glad you are ok Klaus.
And yes, we are a business community…and we are a family too. Part of getting to know each other and support each other in our business endeavors can mean watching out for and taking care of each other in personal life as well. We are all human with personalities and emotions, which are important facets to who we are as the faces behind the businesses.
I think one of the reasons many of us are here is because we like the human part, the part where we are community that cares for each other.
Be well all.
February 11th, 2009 at 11:59 am
It renews the human spirit to know we are connected to something bigger than just our “self”. The fires in Oz touch many people I know and, even though a world away, I and others are sending love & light to you in this time of trouble.
Blessings,
Gretchen
February 11th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
I just want to thank everyone for your compassion in reaching out to Klaus. I was very touched that Dan would post this and that so many great people responded. Now that we know it is an arson, it makes the pain a little deeper and your kindness even more appreciated.
Kind wishes to everybody,
Terra Vita