Catastrophic Fires in Australia

Meanderer · Post by **Meanderer** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:02 pm

Hey guys,

I haven't been able to get on here for the past couple of days as I'm a volunteer bush firefighter and we have been on standby and preparing for possible outbreaks due to extremem temps.

You may have heard about the devastating fires in Australia, (nowhere near me), but I was concerned all day today for someone who used to be a member of the old board and is an expert that Brian mentioned recently, Steven B. I couldn't remember where he lived exactly, but thought it could well have been close to these fires. Coming on here to write about it, I noticed that Steven B is our newest member. So pleased you're back on here Steven.

As Steven can verify, Melbourne had it's highest ever recorded temperature of 46.? something degrees C. Records have been broken continuously all this summer. Sydney has never had 4 consecutive days over 40 Deg before. The western part of the country had weeks over 35 deg I think.

Now our worst fears have been realised in this horrific photo-story.
After you finish viewing it, scroll down that page and look at the story about the Koala.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/slideshow_aj ... bigfires#1

I hope all our members and their rels and friends are safe and well.

Grani · Post by **Grani** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:15 pm

It looks like a burning hell down there.

I have been expecting a mail from Steven for some time.

henk · Post by **henk** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 3:50 pm

Hello Meanderer,

Just founded the same pictures on my starting page from my provider. Someone from my aria is having a vacation in you country. They were giving water to a koala on a road, and sent the picture together with those you showed us. Seems very hot out there. I hope there will be some change in the weather soon.
We also receive news over here about heavy snow in England. Again lots of extremes this year.

Post by **Oscar** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 5:20 pm

I knew it was bad in Victoria, but I had no idea it was this bad.... These people lost pretty much everything they have, and some even lost their life. Utterly tragic. I'm lost for words, dunno what to say. Those who know me, know how much I care for Oz and the Aussies. I hope the fires will subside soon now.

Post by **Brian** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 7:54 pm

Barry M and Steven B both live close or around that area. Check in chaps and let us know that you are all right.

Rick had just beaten me to a post on this subject. After seeing the eucalyptus burning on our news I wonder about the one I have grown in our garden.

Kiwi Kev · Post by **Kiwi Kev** » Sun Feb 08, 2009 8:59 pm

Guys
The latest death toll is now 108, 750 + houses lost.
So tragic, and theres talk of some of these fires possibly being deliberitely lit.
To those suffering from loss, and to the firefighters and volunters , hang in there. Your doing a fantasitic job.
Kiwi Kev

BarryM · Post by **BarryM** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:26 pm

Hi Guys,

Thought I had better check in and let you know that we are okay. It has been a terrible few days down here in Victoria. The bushfires caused considerable damage as it roared into the city of Bendigo, burning 57 houses and 115 other buildings (shed,etc) to the ground. Also, damaging many other homes and retail outlets.

At the same time, we also had fire on the other side of us, at Redesdale. At the moment this fire has burnt over 36,000 acres with the loss of 12 homes. It is a rural farming community, and I think that fire is still burning, but has just been contained.

We have had many Fordson Tractor Club members ring us, and I know that one member has lost his Petrol Dexta in the fires.

Steven B should be okay at Gisborne, there is no fires in that area at this time.

The number of lives lost at this stage is 178, with many more expected. It was the worst day in Victoria's history.

Kiwi Kev · Post by **Kiwi Kev** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 12:58 pm

Barry
Good to hear you and Steven are ok.
Pocessions (including Fordsons) are normally replacable, lives are not.
Kiwi Kev

Bensdexta · Post by **Bensdexta** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 2:10 pm

Glad to hear you are OK so far. Let us hope for some cooler and calmer weather. That is a terrible loss of life.
Stay safe and keep in touch,
Ben

Post by **Brian** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 6:52 pm

Thanks Barry, we were getting worried. I even looked you up on Google Earth last night

I just don't understand the mentality of people who set fires for fun. We have had a firebug in the village here last year who set fire to the village sports facilities on three occasions then pushed burning rags through a persons front door. That was bad enough but your problems are many times worse.

Our thoughts are with you and Dawn at this time and its good to know Steven and his wife are safe too.

Please pass on our best wishes to all in the Club too.

Don't like the news that a Petrol Dexta has succumbed to the fire though.

Meanderer · Post by **Meanderer** » Tue Feb 10, 2009 11:15 pm

Guys,

This link is is for the national broadcaster the ABC (equiv to BBC) and their photo coverage is probably the best source and it is continuously being added to so you can revisit it to see new images and stories.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/events/bushfires/

Those of us in Australia are being shown hour upon hour of live coverage and personal stories and accounts. It is gut wrenching. Whilst the fires continue in a number of areas, the weather has cooled and the winds dropped but that is only for a few days before the high temperatures return. Just prior to the fires on Saturday, some areas near the fires recorded temps of 48 C.

The fires continue but there hasn't been any further loss of life since the weekend. The toll rises as more bodies are discovered. Even without any further loss, the present toll of 181 dead is expected to climb to over 300.

In the Kinglake township, over 500 homes were lost. The township is blockaded and not even the media allowed into some towns because of the forensic work being done. One of our senior journalist said, they were told that the Australian public was not ready to see the horrors that are so evident there.

You might wonder, like myself, what these buildings were built of when you see so much corrugated iron about. Well I now know that the majority were brick homes. i.e. Timber frame, Brick outer wall, and drywall inside, and iron or tiled roofing. It didn't matter. The fire treated them all with the same contempt.

It is heart breaking enough to see and feel what these unfortunate people have suffered, but then to extend that to the pets, dogs, horses and livestock, native animals etc. It is amazing yet tragic, to see pet dogs, sitting in front of the pile of rubble of what was their master's home, waiting for their return.

Rick

Bensdexta · Post by **Bensdexta** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:15 am

The fires appear to be spread over a large area, 10-100s km. One imagines that many areas are still at risk and there may be a need for more firefighters like you?
Take care,
Ben

Post by **Oscar** » Wed Feb 11, 2009 8:15 am

Thanks for checking in guys! Hang in there!!!