Residents of Faulder, Australia returned to their properties after nearly three weeks away due to the Bald Range wildfire. The fire destroyed over 100 structures, including the homes and belongings of many residents. Ashley Jestin, a resident who lost her home, estimated it will take up to two years to rebuild and expressed concern about finding temporary housing for herself and her dogs. The article focuses on the emotional and practical challenges faced by Faulder residents as they begin the process of rebuilding their lives after the wildfire.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-28,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Residents of Faulder, who had been away for nearly three weeks, were allowed to return to their properties after the Bald Range wildfire. For many, including Ashley Jestin, it was a painful homecoming as they saw what was left behind. Their homes and belongings were largely destroyed, with only a few structures remaining. The Jestins' house, which sat on five acres, was completely gone, along with three older Ford trucks and her husband's motorcycle. However, a small tractor miraculously survived the fire and was still operational. The wildfire damaged or destroyed more than 100 structures in the Faulder and Meadow Valley areas. The destruction has left families searching for rental housing while they wait to rebuild, which may take up to two years, according to Jestin's estimate.
Written for “Bald Range Fire Devastation” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
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No political leaning scored for article 2994 · logged 2026-08-28
After nearly three weeks away, residents of Faulder were finally allowed to return to their properties, getting their first chance to walk through the areas hit by the Bald Range wildfire.
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residents → allow → wildfire
For many, the return was not about going home.
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return → go → many
It was about seeing what was left.
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what → see → ?
Ashley Jestin pulled into the driveway of the property where she and her husband had lived their for more than a decade.
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she → pull → decade
“Oh wow, they are gone.
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they → go → ?
Nothing is there, just the tin roofs,” Jestin said.
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Jestin → say → ?
As she walked through the property, she pointed to the places that once held pieces of their everyday life.
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that → walk → life
Over there was our workshops.” she said.
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she → say → ?
The house, which sat on five acres, was destroyed.
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which → sit → acres
It had a big yard, It had a mobility bathroom, and to find that somewhere else is impossible,” Jestin said.
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Jestin → have → that
One thing did survive: a small tractor.
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thing → survive → ?
“It’s not dead.
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It → ’ → ?
It’s making a noise.
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It → make → noise
I think that’s good!”
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that → think → ?
Jestin said as she turned the key and the tractor made a noise.
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tractor → say → noise
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More than 100 structures were damaged or destroyed in the Faulder and Meadow Valley areas during the wildfire.
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structures → get → wildfire
For those who lost their homes, returning to their properties marks the beginning of a difficult rebuilding process.
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returning → lose → process
Jestin estimates it could take up to two years to rebuild, leaving families searching for rental housing while they wait.
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they → estimate → housing
“I don’t know where we will live yet.
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we → know → ?
We have two dogs and with me on crutches it’s hard to find a place that has a bathroom that works for me,” she said.
The financial burden is also immediate.
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burden → have → me
Some residents have started GoFundMe campaigns to help cover expenses that insurance may not fully address.
uncertain
insurance → start → that
“I still have pay a mortgage even though there isn’t a house there, and my income was home-based,” Jestin said.
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Jestin → pay → mortgage
And while returning home provided some closure, it also made clear how much work lies ahead.
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lies → return → closure
I don’t even know what I am going to do next week,” Jestin said.
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Jestin → know → what
For Faulder residents, the day was a chance to finally return to their land.
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day → return → land
Now, the long process of rebuilding their lives has begun.
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process → rebuild → lives
