Bushfire! Read Free

helped the others carry several animals over to the van. They were taking Smokey, Spike, an eastern gray kangaroo, a wallaby, four lizards, a brush-tailed possum, and a brown snake back to the hospital. It was a big responsibility to look after these animals but the girls were up to the task. Tracy, Tanya, and Joe were staying behind to care for the next load of incoming patients.
    They were feeling that everything was under control when the rescue van turned a sharp corner and skidded to an abrupt halt.
    Everyone was thrown sideways. “Whoa!” Rosie called out. “What happened, Dad?”
    Richard turned around to check on them. “Are you okay back there?”
    â€œYeah, we’re fine. Just checking on the animals,” said Rosie as she looked over the mini zoo in the back of the van.
    Bindi nodded. “Yep, they’re all fine.”
    Richard hopped out of the van, slamming the door in frustration. “I don’t believe it!”
    Bindi looked out of the windshield to see that an entire tree was lying across the road. The hot winds fanning the fire had blown over an old gum tree. It completely blocked their path.
    This was really bad news!
    Bindi called out to Richard. “Can we go a different way, Richard?”
    Richard shook his head. “I’m afraid this is the only way out, Bindi.”
    Richard nudged the dead trunk with his foot. “We don’t have time for this. These animals need help now.”
    Rosie and Bindi looked at each other, frightened. All around them was smoke and charred bush. They seemed too close to the fire here. The girls knew all of the animals in the back of the van were relying on them to stay alive. What could they do?

Terri, Katie, and Robert were helping in the wildlife hospital when a voice came over the intercom.
    â€œWe’ve had a call from rescue van one. There’s a tree down blocking their path and they need urgent assistance. Critically injured animals need to get to the hospital as soon as possible.”
    Terri and Katie were already running to the reception area to get the details. Robert followed as fast as he could.
    Terri called over her shoulder. “That’ll be Richard, and he has the girls with him!”
    They reached the reception. Terri called out to the staff member on the phone. “Tell him we’re on our way. And we’ll bring chain saws!”
    Terri grabbed the keys for the second rescue van. She picked up the loudspeaker for the hospital intercom. “I need three volunteers who can use a chain saw to head out right now!”
    In no time a small group was assembled and ready to go.
    Robert tugged at Terri’s sleeve. “Mum, Mum, I want to come too.”
    Terri smiled. “You’re a brave kid, Robert Irwin. In you jump.” She held the door open to the van as the volunteers and Robert jumped in the back.
    â€œLet’s go!” The van pulled out of the parking lot and they were away.

    It was a tense wait for Richard, Bindi, and Rosie back near the fallen tree. The smoke was thick and the outside air temperature was super hot. It was uncomfortable just waiting in the van even with the air conditioning running. The animals really had to be kept cool.
    Richard crouched in the back and moved from one animal to the next. He noticed that Bindi kept glancing out the front windshield to see if help had arrived yet.
    â€œThere’s an old saying: a watched pot never boils. Let’s keep busy. I need you both to help me while I tend to this roo. His injuries are serious, he’s gone into shock, and his vital signs are dropping fast. I wanted to wait until we got back to the hospital but he needs help now.”
    Bindi was on the job. “What do you need us to do?”
    Richard was busily sterilizing his hands as best he could. “Well, he’s going to need some IV fluid.”
    Rosie and Bindi looked at him, wide-eyed.
    â€œThe surgery would have been better, but