The Victorian Bushfires

[mattfb]

The Victorian bush fires yesterday/today were the worst bush fires in Australia's history. 700 homes were lost and 65 people are confirmed dead so far. It's been rising rapidly too. Ironically, it's raining their now but it's to late. Many familys have died in their cars and homes

Really sad news. Hearing the stories were devastating.

Feelin Blue? added 5 Minutes and 4 Seconds later...

Many fires are still going and they are pretty much under control I think but with strong winds going on atm it could get ugly. Plus it is known that some people re-light fires that were out which is disgusting so their is the threat of that happening tonight as well. I hope everything gets under control soon.

 

[Roofrom50]

Unfortunately i had experience this last night/yesterday afternoon. In Bendigo, right behind my house was a fire that started in Maiden Gully and going out to Eaglehawk area.
My family had packed up and were ready to leave, but the sudden wind change, saw the fire change directions and go the other way from us.

Still i couldn't just sit there, me and my brothers, went out and fought against this fire.
I can tell you it was one of the worst experiences of my lives, and i dont ever wanna see it again.

The fire was contained about midnight last night, but having a look around today, many of the blazes are out, but looking around, just to see all the black ground, it's just shocking that houses and people use to live there, and within minutes, it's all gone.

 

[.::Stevo::.]

The worst thing is that most of the fires were dilliberality lit. I hope they catch them so they can rot in jail. I live near Yarra Glenn and Naree Waren and at time we could see the flames from the grass fires, luckily they didn't come near us though.

And as a mark of respect the Australian and New Zealand crickets teams help a minute silence today for the 65 people 'confirmed' dead. And all proceeds from Tuesdays match at the Adelaide Oval will go to the victims.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Terrible . I heard there are 76 deaths . I hope they catch those responsible. Seriously, how stupid can you be to do that? They'll only get charged with manslaughter as well.

 

[Roofrom50]

Terrible . I heard there are 76 deaths . I hope they catch those responsible. Seriously, how stupid can you be to do that? They'll only get charged with manslaughter as well.

Exactly. It's murder basically. I hope they catch them and they rot in jail, because thats a cowardly act, and it's murder to so many people.

 

[Mad Snake]

its just absolutely devastating

 

[Gilly Fan]

Unconfirmed reports are there is 96 dead.

Confirmed that former Ch7 and 9 newsreader Brian Naylor is missing. His wife has been found dead.

 

[Dr. Pepper]

Channel 9 newsreader Brian Naylor is confirmed dead.

 

[Gilly Fan]

Very sad news.

RIP Brian and his wife. Unfortunately his news was not good news.

 

[King Pietersen]

Not sure if this is what's happened here, but I remember seeing some documentary about Australia, with some family that were considering moving to the Victoria area of Australia, and they were talking about Bush Fires. Apparently, 90% of them are lit by people on purpose, as a method of germinating seeds in some of the plants that grow in the forests. It also works as a method of clearing the dead plants within the forests, as only dead trees and plants will light. So it's hardly murder, just the usual practises have gotten out of control thanks to the high winds. Although I've just read that Arsonists have been restarting fires in places, so maybe you're right, and yes, they do deserve to have the book thrown at them. I don't think the original fires were started by them though were they?

I may be wrong, but that's my understanding of Aussie bush fires.

Sad to hear that the new reader fella's past away, it's never good to hear of someone passing, especially when in a disaster like this. Sad for Australia.

 

[.::Stevo::.]

Brian Naylor and his wife confirmed dead. 81 people are aswell, but expected to be in the hundreds.

Here are some photos i took of the fires near me. And trust me, this is nothing compared to the 60 foot high fires that have flattened towns

 

[angryangy]

Not sure if this is what's happened here, but I remember seeing some documentary about Australia, with some family that were considering moving to the Victoria area of Australia, and they were talking about Bush Fires. Apparently, 90% of them are lit by people on purpose, as a method of germinating seeds in some of the plants that grow in the forests. It also works as a method of clearing the dead plants within the forests, as only dead trees and plants will light. So it's hardly murder, just the usual practises have gotten out of control thanks to the high winds. Although I've just read that Arsonists have been restarting fires in places, so maybe you're right, and yes, they do deserve to have the book thrown at them. I don't think the original fires were started by them though were they?

I may be wrong, but that's my understanding of Aussie bush fires.

Yes, backburning is a very ancient agricultural technique, used by aboriginal tribes and government departments alike. However, to achieve a controlled burn, conditions need to be under control. Noone in their right mind starts a fire in extreme heat and wind.

 

[Roofrom50]

Thanks for the pictures mate, it just shows how big these fires got over the duration of time.
Wish i took some pictures while i was out fighting the fire trying to save property around my area. Like i said, if it wasn't for a wind change, i wouldn't be sitting here.
Our house wouldn't be standing here. So i defiently consider myself lucky

 

[.::Stevo::.]

My dad just came back from the local pub where firefighters are having a rest and having something to eat. Most firefighters were complete wrecks, they had never seen anything like this before and were all in tears by what they've seen.

He's told me some stories they shared with him which wouldn't be suitible for the forum. I'm okay with emotional stories but they even made me cry. But to a lesser degree the firefighters told him how they saved a baby Joey as the mother Kangaroo seeked shelter for her baby, then fled hopping away whilst on fire.

I'll upload some pics tomorrow of our local wineries which produce Australias finest wines, all which have been burnt into nothing, its just a sea of black.

 

[Magz]

What kind of idiot would re-light the fires?.

This is tragic, RIP to all those who died.