Fires in Victoria

[kombi1976]

I'm not sure if any of you North American guys have seen news footage but the southern most mainland state of Australia, Victoria, has suffered some horrifically destructive fires.

Between a 12 year drought, extensive leaf litter, record high temps around 45+ Celcius and cyclonic winds breeching 60mph the fire left many places looking like Dresden after it's terrible bombing raid during WW2.
At last count the death toll was 183, over 1000 homes have been lost and 7000 people are homeless.
The fires were so deadly that they simply raised small towns like Flowerdale and Kinglake where the fire was the worst.

In an unprecedented way the fires not only burnt through forests and scrub, they crossed large open tracks of land and burnt through villages. Authorities fear that once recovery teams get into the towns and search properly the death toll may rise to as much as 300. It is also generally believed that some of the fires which claimed lives were deliberately lit and police are already looking for the arsonists.

Thankfully the Australian public has got right behind the survivors and $45 million cash has already been donated as well as literally tons of food, clothing, toiletries, sleeping gear, toys and other goods.
People have even shipped in feed for horses, cows and other stock who have survived the fires.
But things are still bad and the fires are not out yet.

While conditions have cooled for the past few days high temps and high winds are due again next week and those towns that were not burnt may face fires from another direction.
So spare a prayer for our compatriots.

[Graybeard]

I've been wondering when you guys "down under" were going to mention this. There is at least one thread about it on the Pot Bellied Stove Forum and I seem to recall a second somewhere but am not sure where.

What is needed is a good rain but then if you'd had some of that along the fires wouldn't have been so bad to begin with. Please keep us advised as to how it goes there. I hope the arsonists got caught in the fires they set and became a part of the death toll.

[kombi1976]

This is perhaps a little early to mention but there will be considerable impact on the game in Victoria too.
Sambar deer which are popular to hunt inhabit much of the areas affected and it is impossible to guage how many of them must've have died.
Authorities have already estimated over 1,000,000 native animals have died so game like deer are going to suffer just as much.

[Jacko]

I have been surprised at how upset I have been by these fires , reduced to tears many times , we have had disasters affecting Australians and the world that upset me but not like this , other bushfires , the Bali Bombings [ I had a good friend involved - they were not hurt , luckily they were delayed on the way to that club ] , your 911 , the Tsunami which killed hundreds of thousands all terrible tragic events - but these fires have really touched my heart .

At times in the past I have pondered the loss of the Aussie spirit/identity - swamped by oversea's mostly US [sorry ] influences , political correctness and changing times . Seems I wasted my thought's - the Aussie spirit just needed a push to bring it out . The survivors - WOW where have they found the strength , the charity of a nation coming to the fore .

I cracked up when I heard on the radio that one wag had pipped when it was announced that Telstra was working around the clock to restore phone services to this district - " Great now the bloody tele marketers can call us again" . I heard one tale of a gent that knew his wife and children where gone that turned his efforts to saving his neighboors and others . Tears come now as I type

regards Jacko

Ok , settled down a bit . Up North approx 2/3rd's of the state is flood affected , many quote these floods as the worst for over 30 years . Quite a few souls have drowned , a 5 year old was taken by a 14 ft plus foot croc [ authorities trapped the Croc yesterday ] , Sydney has had 2 shark attacks in 2 days , one in sydney harbour on a Navy clearance diver trying out new equipment and another off Bondi - the first attack there in 80 years . Fair go Mother Nature - your being a bit cruel .

On a positive note the bush will rejenerate , plenty of sweet pick for the native wildlife ,Samber to build their numbers again , the outbackback river systems and floodplains will get a big drink as these waters flow ever southward , the feral pigs will breed gangbusters - stocking up on arrows and ammo in anticipation and shark may become trendy to eat again , sadly likely served with fancy herbs , spice and white sauce instead of grilled straight up on a grill the next morning after a night fishing.

[kombi1976]

Jacko, I know exactly what you mean.
It was bad enough when they said the death tolls and showed the moon scape that those pretty towns have become.
But later in the week they began to get photos of the people who had died.
Two beautiful sisters in the early 20s; a young father with 2 little daughters - 8yrs old and 3 yrs old; a picture of a single little girl with blonde hair and big blue eyes; a fit couple in their early 50s.
Worst still Melbourne's former main anchorman and his wife were killed.
His neighbour who survived was filmed speaking to another man and said "We were jumping in the car and I said 'Brian, you're leaving too, right?' He sorta rubbed his face and shrugged. I knew then he was staying and that I wouldn't see him alive again."
Geez, I can't write much more of this or I'll end up crying again myself.
And yes, down south is fire and up north is flood.
We don't get much of a break, do we.