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very sad indeed, very scarey too when the streets are full of smoke and not knowing where its coming from .

My thoughts go out to the victims and a huge pat on the back for the volunteers involved

We have been watching the news and seeing the pictures of the terrible tragedies that are taking place in Victoria and feel for all of you out there. Having communicated with so many of you over the last 15 months we feel very attached, so the fires and deaths seem so much closer to home.

All we can do is send our heartfelt wishes for safety and swift return kinder times.

God bless.


WD and OH

Thankfully, I've just heard from my son... who's been on field exercises in the bush around Puckapunyal Vic....

They have all been ordered back to barracks after several days in the bush in 51 degrees of heat... with burning embers blowing onto them from over 20kms away...

Apparantly they may actually all be moved tomorrow, even from the barracks at Puckapunyal...

Although it is drizzling with rain... the wind is still extreme and fires threatening Seemore, which is currently being evacuated...

Unfortunately it isn't over yet...

84. Thoughts and prayers for the families.

Bloody terrible, 108 folks bloody terrible my condolences to all who have suffered losses wether personal or material.

Here is the report from today's Herald Sun
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25027094-661,00.html

Note the poll question:
Vote: Should any arsonist found responsible for the weekend's bushfires be charged with murder?
@#@!$%#@ ofcourse they should regardless of age too, if someone wants to committe this revolting act them they should face the full punishment of the law

Not happy Jan
VM

No, any person found guilty of arson, should be given to rural communities to sort out as they see fit.
The punishment should be so terrible and degrading that none should think to dare to do this again.

to all affected by these fires..

the rest of australias thoughts are with you and the spirit that makes us who we are, will in the end, get you all through this time..

i agree with kp with the "justice" for arsonists..

i was in the macedon ranges during ash wednesday... then ran away to qld(these forests dont burn!!)... so my thoughts and emotions are with you...

vic has the greatest vollunteer firies.. their strength in character is only matched by their strength in numbers ... your doing a great job people.. you make australia proud!!!!!

take care guys..... i hope you and all close to you are well and safe..

My thoughts and prayers go out to all who've lost.
Strength, hope courage and wisdom to all the firefighters.
When this is over may your communities welcome you back as the heros you are.

I don't know if it is true but the figure could be closer to 230 deaths.
As I said a very sad day for Australia.

Easily... They still can't get into places, and the fires are still burning. 130 confirmed as of this moment, there will be heaps as yet not located

I'll crawl out of my hole and onto my soapbox for a few seconds.

Firstly I must express my greatest sympathy to all the victims of this terrible tragedy. Be it the loss of lives or the families left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

I agree whole-heartedly that if they find the people who started the fires, they should be forced to face a fate worse than death. I truly do hope that carry the burden on their backs for the rest of their lives.

I spoke to our close family friends in Maryborough today and made sure they are all ok. Fires are visible from a distance but they are safe.

They have been farmers for 70 odd years in Melbourne, with a brief stint next door in Perth... and he has been telling us for years that something like this has been a disaster waiting to happen for a very long time.

Unlike WA, Victoria does not actively and regularly burn off the undergrowth in areas of high fire risk. Nor do they monitor and police firebreaks on rural properties. His son-in-law has a right to grow his crops from fence to fence. Bush property owners are not required to keep adequate fence clearance in many areas. It comes down to common sense to maintain firebreaks. You just have to see the aerial photos to see the problem, most of the houses lost are surrounded by dense bush.

The guy on the news tonight was talking about the 'new' method they are using to control the spread of the fires... controlled burning. A 40 year veteran fire fighter talking about it as if it was some new miracle solution.

I pose the question: How much of this disaster could have been avoided with better fire prevention policy?

AND the ultimate question: Are they going to take action this time around?

The only remaining structures were bricks and mortar or concrete.
The date for this tragic event was 07/ 02/ 2009
7+2=9 / 2+9=11
9 / 11
TC we have many neighbours that couldn't care less about their fire breaks or the $100 fine.
I wish it were different .
If it wasn't a terrorist act, it was an act of a terrorist and they should be treated as such.
I have shed many a tear for the loved ones lost and the loved ones safe whom have lost.

Many heroic acts shows the passion us aussies have...
Mine and my families hearts are sad, we send strength and wisdom for the rebuild of hearts and bodies
and homes and businesses.

I don't often pray but I am praying for rain on Victoria.
C1

I can only echo the comments of Welsh Dragon.
The entire world is watching and praying for an end to these horrific fires.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers, stay safe.

Figures revised

Here is todays update from the Herald Sun

UPDATE 3.45am: WHOLE towns have been declared crime scenes as the toll from Victoria's worst natural disaster leapt to 166.

Read full article here:
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun

Don't even start me on back-burning!
My Father's farm is now under threat, and whilst there is unlikely to be loss of life on his property, it will cost us dear if it goes.
4 years ago, the council was going to back-burn. However we were told: It's too dry, and too hot, it's just too dangerous.
3 years ago, we were told, it was too dry and there was too much undergrowth and it was too hot
2 years ago, fires almost reached us, Back-burning was postponed because of fire risk.
Last year it truly was too dangerous, because the undergrowth had grown unchecked for 4 years.
Now, if the fire gets over the ridge that was burnt 2 years ago, it will find plenty of new fodder and farms to devour. Fortunately the town of Alexandra will probably survive due to it's size and the amount of cleared land about it.

As for ppl maintaining firebreaks: The houses were surrounded by bush: true. When you build like this, and your number comes up, there's not much hope. However these 'Bush towns' are normally surrounded by forest surrounded by breaks, that fires have not penetrated in 100s of years.

It is the lack of back-burning that is the problem. Due to the drought and ever worsening conditions, authorities are scared of doing it properly, and easily cave to the greenies who can only think about the 'poor little animals' Like fire is not an active life giver in Australia!