Sending the Australians condolences and well wishes

[luns101]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/ar ... AhFkv0-sGQ

I experienced something similar to this back in 2003 in San Diego. My church was involved in shoveling ash and debris out for victims who had lost their houses. It can really wear you down after awhile. What I remember the most is how hard it was to breathe, and having to wear a mask for about 4 days.

@ Aussies here on CC: keep safe and just wanted to let you know that we're wishing you well during this thing. If you have any links with more information on how to help out go ahead and post them here.

[PLAYER57832]

Our thoughts and prayers.

[deliaselene]

Its difficult to comprehend how many died on the weekend... the conditions Saturday were unbelievable a record high of 47.9C (118F) was recorded... I was fortunate that the initial fires burnt towards the other towns away from my town

latest news article

Bushfire toll climbs as crews battle blazes across Victoria

The death toll in the Victorian bushfires has risen to 108, the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) says.

Firefighters have worked through the night to battle dozens of fires that continue to burn across the state.
Kinglake 'fireball': survivors' tales

"There are seven or eight small settlements in the path of this fire and those residents have been urged to get their fire plans underway,'' Mr Russell said.

There were 31 active fires across the state as of 5.30am on Monday, the DSE and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) said.

At least 750 homes have been destroyed and more than 330,000ha burnt out, while authorities said some fires could take weeks to contain.

The latest death toll, announced by the DSE at 6am this morning, surpasses the toll from the 1983 Ash Wednesday bushfires, in which 75 people died in Victoria and South Australia, and the Black Friday bushfires of 1939, which killed 71.

The Murrindindi Mill fire has so far burned up to 93,000ha and is still burning in a northeasterly direction.

Firefighters are working hard to construct and consolidate containment lines around the west side of Black Range back to the original fire source, the statement said.

Strike teams are also working between Buxton, Marysville and Narbethong to clear access along roadsides into properties.

Community meetings are expected to be held in Yea and Broadford on Monday.

The DSE and CFA said the spread of fire in the Bunyip Ridge area has been halted, but authorities warned that there may still be increased amounts of smoke in the area and local road use could be hazardous.

The Princes Highway has reopened with reduced speed limits.

Fires have also broken out near Noojee, Erica and in Wilsons Promontory National Park and Little Desert National Park but neither fire is threatening communities at this stage, the DSE and CFA said.

Ninety-two firefighters from Tasmania will arrive to help the firefighting effort on Monday morning, in addition to the 150 NSW firefighters currently helping fight the Beechworth fires.

While the weather has cooled across most of Victoria, authorities warn that there remains a very high risk of bushfire.

"It may not always be possible for fire authorities to give warnings and people need to activate their fire plans early," Mr Glover said on Monday.

DSE state duty officer Graeme Davis urged people to stay away from fire-ravaged areas.

"Residents in fire-affected areas and those planning to visit these regions should stay away until fire agencies advise it's safe to return," Mr Davis said.

He said a number of roads had been closed as a safety precaution to protect people from being caught in a bushfire.

Nearly 40 schools in West Gippsland, central and South Gippsland are closed due to fire.

Our darkest day

http://www.theage.com.au/national/our-d ... ml?page=-1

VICTORIA has witnessed this country's greatest natural disaster. Worse than Black Friday. Worse than Ash Wednesday. That is the grim sum of a catastrophe that already exceeds all others — and which threatens to grow worse.

The towns of Kinglake and Marysville have been wiped out and around the state more people have died than in any previous natural catastrophe — one so lethal that authorities are treating it like a major terrorist attack.

The first of several interstate victim identification teams arrived yesterday to assist Victoria Police under a national terrorist contingency plan.

More than 70 people died in the Black Friday fires of 1939 — and 75 on Ash Wednesday in 1983, 47 of them Victorians. But as the official death list topped 93 last night, senior police sources told The Age they feared the final figure would be much greater.

So many bodies are scattered in fire zones around the state that it could take days to find and retrieve them all.

The names of those killed are only just starting to emerge. Among them were former Channel Nine newsreader Brian Naylor and his wife Moiree, at Kinglake West.

Victoria's morgue was full last night — with hospitals and universities being asked to store bodies until formal identifications could be made. Some of the many injured people in hospital were not expected to survive.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd yesterday promised help from the army, which has sent bedding to Warragul and heavy equipment to cut fire breaks near Yea.

"Hell and all its fury has visited the good people of Victoria … many good people now lie dead," Mr Rudd said. "Many others lie injured."

Premier John Brumby launched a bushfire appeal fund in partnership with the Federal Government and the Red Cross. He said the weather conditions that spawned 400 fires across the state were "much worse" than those that produced Ash Wednesday or Black Friday, and he hoped never to see it again.

Schools at Strathewen, Kinglake and Marysville have been destroyed and dozens more will be closed today.

Worst hit was the once-pretty alpine town of Marysville, reduced to a tangled mess of smoking rubble and twisted iron. Most residents were evacuated to nearby Alexandra — itself under threat from fire last night. But some of those who left too late or stayed to fight the fire lost their lives.

The fire that began at the old Murrindindi sawmill near Yea earlier on Saturday destroyed the hamlet of Narbethong and then Marysville, house by house, street by street.

In an hour, Marysville was no more. Every public building including the police station, post office, telephone exchange and much-loved guest houses and a hotel, had been destroyed.

Worse was that some of the gutted cars and buildings had bodies in them. The few locals who stayed and survived talked numbly yesterday of one firefighter's family being killed, of a pensioner dying at home and of several cars with human remains in them.

Local builder Leigh Jowett saved the old house in which he had grown up — then helped his neighbours save theirs. "There might only be 15 or 20 houses left in Marysville," Mr Jowett said. "There's only three left in Falls Road — and the whole main street is gone apart from one motel."

Former Marysville resident Graham Haycraft was distressed to hear his old family home had been destroyed but counts himself lucky to have moved out.

"Marysville missed out in 1939 and on Ash Wednesday, but not this time," he said last night. "My heart goes out to people who are part of my life." He expects to return for funerals.

There were similar scenes and stories at Kinglake, at Churchill in West Gippsland and at Bendigo.

Stories of offhand heroism emerged yesterday. Reluctant teenage hero Rhys Sund declined to be photographed after driving a tiny tractor and trailer across country behind the fire front at Chum Creek, near Healesville, to save his sister Rhiannon and a group of frightened women and children from an isolated farmhouse.

"I'm so proud of the young bloke," Rhys's father Mark Sund said yesterday. "He cut down the fences in his way and went in.

"Rhys hasn't been to bed yet. He's been fighting the fire all night."

Channel Seven reporter Norm Beaman last night was celebrating his wife Annie's escape from the Kilmore East fire while he was stopped at a police road block several kilometres from their isolated Mount Disappointment property. Beaman praised the bravery of a local policeman, Peter Gough, who drove a police sedan through burning bush to the farm while Beaman was forced to stay at the roadblock after returning from Melbourne to tackle the fire.

"Annie put up an incredible fight by herself," he said. "She wet down the house and garden with fire pumps then when the shearing shed and machinery shed exploded she left. She told me on the mobile that she was going to jump in the dam, but she changed her mind and drove to a burnt-out paddock with the neighbours, where they wrapped themselves in wet blankets. That's where Peter Gough found her. He's a very brave cop."

Although the worst might be over, the danger is not past.

The Bureau of Meteorology has predicted dangerous conditions for much of the week, warning of further lightning strikes and strong winds. Fire danger would still be "very high" from midday to 6pm on most days.

Last night the 30,000-hectare Beechworth fire was causing concern and none of the major fires burning across the state had been contained.

A containment line was still being built around Alexandra to protect it from the fire.

The Kinglake fires were hitting around Glenburn, with concerns for homes along Melba Highway and Yea River Valley, towards Murrindindi.

The Churchill blaze covers up to 33,000 hectares, the Bunyip fire about 25,000 hectares. And a 15,000-hectare fire has started in national park near Dargo.

[e_i_pi]

It's our worst bushfire death toll ever I believe. Just got to work this morning (I'm in Emergency Services) and the operations board is like a thesis, that much information over it.

Yesterday 7am death toll was 16. Today 7am it's 108. Entire towns are gone, and this is in rural areas where a family of 3-4 generations all live in the one town.

I've saved you from graphic content, here's some pictures of what's going on:







...and ABC news, as always, has a good photo gallery.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/photos/2009/ ... 484555.htm

Photo #'s 10, 18, 25, 27, 36, and 39 show how massive the fires are.

I remember during the bushfires we had several years ago, we had to evacuate our farm, because trees were exploding and showering embers as away far as 500m (550yds), starting up new spotfires. The speed at which the fire travelled was amazing. It's not so much the flames that travel, but all the embers and ash.

[e_i_pi]

In case anyone in Aus is playing CC when they should be evacuating:

Bushfire information

Road traffic information - http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

Victoria Bushfire Hotline - 1800 240 667

Family Enquiries - 1800 727 077

Donations - Red Cross - 1800 811 700

Offers of help in Victoria - http://www.abc.net.au/melbourne
Follow the "How can I help" link

[PLAYER57832]

Thanks for the "how we can help" links.

The only good thing is that Australia does have a good fire force and plenty of trained people. Even so ... there is NO country that can properly prepare for a fire like this. It just is not possible.

[radiojake]

Saturday's weather was fucking crazy.

After that other thread I started about how hot it was, well that all pailed in comparison on saturday. It broke Victorian weather record books as hottest recorded day. (47C) There was a nasty, nasty hot wind that made everything unbearable. Weirdly enough it was only hot for that one day as the next day dropped to 25C, but all the damage was done. I'd never encountered such a dry, hot heat before. When i went outside (which wasn't much) I had to walk along under shade, standing out in the sun I could actually feel myself getting sunburned

[PLAYER57832]

The worst part is the smoke. I can remember fighting fires near a town. Several of the (idiot) townspeople did not evacuate. They had small kids. Here we were walking around with masks, and STILL coughing and the kids were just being carted around like nothing.

Shortly afterward a pile of masks "strangely" "just appeared" near the kids ... and I think not too long after the fire chief had some terse words with the parents.

DON'T try to tough it out if you are affected. Drink lots of water, stay indoors if its not too bad, but leave if you start coughing a lot.

[radiojake]

The worst part is that arson is suspected for most of these fires...

sadly i think that is the norm for bushfires

[cairnswk]

In the '94 wildfires that ruptured in Lane Cove National Park in inner Sydney, my Dad and i were preparing to evacuate our unit because of the "crown-top" fires that threatened Lane Cove that summer.
That was nothing compared to this devastation, but i do have an understanding of the fire threats that arise in the southern states each year.
While three Australian states burn, we get flooded out in the tropics. It has been raining for three weeks in Cairns. My prayers and condolences to all those who have been affected.
Thanks to those non-Australian CCers who are concerned by this tragedy, and to those Aussies for the links above.

[CrazyAnglican]

Our prayers and condolences are with you.

[jonesthecurl]

Absolutely.

[luns101]

Donations - Red Cross - 1800 811 700

Offers of help in Victoria - http://www.abc.net.au/melbourne
Follow the "How can I help" link

Yeah, this is what I was hoping for. Thanks for posting these, e_i_pi

Jake, take it easy and keep us informed.

[SEAsportsfan]

Prayers and condolences. I wish all of you in Australia safe days ahead.

I haven't watched the news in a long time, so I had no idea that this has happened. I can't believe it.

[e_i_pi]

Prayers and condolences. I wish all of you in Australia safe days ahead.

I haven't watched the news in a long time, so I had no idea that this has happened. I can't believe it.

To make matters worse, the fires were deliberately lit. New South Wales has sent 300 firefighters to Victoria last I heard. Now a large part of NSW is in Total Fire Ban - 46 fires, 7 out of control, 2 near the large town of Bega (popn approx 4500, largely dairy industry). At least in NSW, 2 people have been arrested for deliberately lighting fires - a 15 year old, and a 31 year old. Kids do stupid things sure, but you gotta wonder how a 31yo can reason that lighting a fire during a TOBAN is a good idea.

The Australian Federal Government has pledged to assist those affected. I'm not sure if this is just for people on Centrelink benefits, or for all people, but adults get $1000 each, every child (well their parents) $400, and those who have lost someone get $5000 to assist with funeral costs.

[muy_thaiguy]

My best wishes to you Aussies, and praying that no more people are hurt.

[deliaselene]

Most of you guys would not realise but our country fire fighters are actually volunteers....

CFA is one of the world’s largest volunteer-based emergency services. There are around 58,000 volunteer members supported by over 400 career fire fighters and officers and more than 700 career support and administrative staff.

Situated in Victoria, there are 2.5 million people and 150,182 square kilometres of land in the CFA area. This area includes more than 980,000 homes, and covers all of rural Victoria, and the provincial cities and towns (except State forests and National Parks).

The area also includes more than a million residents in outer Melbourne suburbs such as Frankston and Dandenong, and key growth suburbs such as Cranbourne, Melton and Werribee.

CFA divide the land covered into nine CFA Areas and 20 Regions. Across these Areas there are over 1200 CFA brigades across the state and they carry out a wide range of duties.

Our brigades respond to a range of different incidents and our broader activities include community education and fire investigation.

The ties between CFA and state government, local government, industry and brigades are essential to the successful operation of CFA. As a community service organisation, CFA brigades are strongly supported by their local communities in responding to meet Victoria's fire safety and emergency management needs.

[SEAsportsfan]

Prayers and condolences. I wish all of you in Australia safe days ahead.

I haven't watched the news in a long time, so I had no idea that this has happened. I can't believe it.

To make matters worse, the fires were deliberately lit. New South Wales has sent 300 firefighters to Victoria last I heard. Now a large part of NSW is in Total Fire Ban - 46 fires, 7 out of control, 2 near the large town of Bega (popn approx 4500, largely dairy industry). At least in NSW, 2 people have been arrested for deliberately lighting fires - a 15 year old, and a 31 year old. Kids do stupid things sure, but you gotta wonder how a 31yo can reason that lighting a fire during a TOBAN is a good idea.

The Australian Federal Government has pledged to assist those affected. I'm not sure if this is just for people on Centrelink benefits, or for all people, but adults get $1000 each, every child (well their parents) $400, and those who have lost someone get $5000 to assist with funeral costs.

Jeez, I can't believe that! That is absolutely horrible! Once again, my prayers are with all of you in Australia.

[Juan_Bottom]

Good luck guys, I was looking at some pictures today where it literally looked like the sky was on fire. Fire was hundreds of yards above trees.... I have no idea how to even imagine trying to stop that. Good luck.

[Iliad]

And I'm driving tomorrow from NSW to down Melbourne *gulp*

[PLAYER57832]

Watch all the warnings, Illiad!

Any fire is bad, but Eucalyptus burns like oil, literally. I am told it burns much hotter than pines and other conifers that are typical in the western US and much of the east, can be a lot harder to put out. Add in the dry conditions and we actually can be grateful even MORE people were not lost. In the US the worst fires in recent history have all been huge in dollar amounts, but not lives lost (thankfully). I am afraid to really think about the horror....


This is one case where I definitely think capitol punishment is too LIGHT for whomever intentionally started these fires.

[Juan_Bottom]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,489705,00.html

At least 750 homes have been destroyed across the state, and 3,733 people have registered with the Red Cross after evacuating their properties. The number left homeless is expected to be far higher, the Red Cross said.

It was confirmed that at least four children have died, but that figure would also be expected to rise as full details emerged.

A two-year-old girl was among 13 in intensive care in hospital. Twenty-two people with shocking burns were admitted to the Alfred hospital, the state's main trauma centre, wherestaff ran out of morphine trying to ease patients' pain.

Bushfire experts told news.com.au that blazes with a danger rating of 100 are considered uncontrollable. Saturday's fire had a rating of 400.

Wow.

[Joodoo]

[deliaselene]

the death toll keeps rising... and the fires are still buring

http://www.theage.com.au/interactive/20 ... arkestday/

[brooksieb]

I'm sorry to hear about this inferno that is going on, but i think we need to sort out stopping this fire before we start persecuting people. Do they have capital punishment in Australia?