Update from Australia SVP

[Variol (Farseer) Elmwood]

I was hoping the folks from Down Under could give us an update on the fires.

Thanks

[wellard]

Thanks for asking, I was quite put out that it was not raised as a topic before now considering it is Australia's biggest disaster.

ABC
There has been a significant increase in the number of homes destroyed in Victoria's bushfires, rising to 1,830 after more ground and aerial resources were used to check the damage.

Victoria's Department of Human Services says 7,000 people are homeless, many of whom are living in tents at relief centres.

. ... .... . .. .

At least 181 people were killed but they are still searching vast areas of land and they expect the toll to increase significantly and bushfires are still raging out of control in some areas. The massive floods in North eastern Australia have started to subside with a few deaths reported there too.

[Variol (Farseer) Elmwood]

Fires here, floods there.. irony abounds..

What is the latest info with respect to the fire being started by arsonists.

I know you mentioned how hot it has been in your resent PM. I'm sure it must be making things much worse.

Canada sends 2 water bombers to California every year in the late Summer, 'cos they know they will be needed. Has there been aid from other countries?

[Sever]

One person has been charged with lighting one of the fires, which is confirmed to have caused 28 deaths.

http://www.aol.com.au/news/story/Sus...511/index.html

[wellard]

From the ABC

The official death toll from the Victorian bushfires has risen to 200.

Investigators have confirmed a further 11 people died in fires around the town of Kinglake.

Yesterday police warned the death toll would continue to rise as more bodies are identified in the devastated areas.

Disaster Victim Identification teams have been examining some of the areas hardest hit by fires for the first time.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe yesterday said some of the bodies may never be identified.

"It is a very difficult process in some cases to actually be able to determine whether the remains are human remains or not," he said.

"As to what the number's going to get to I think we should await and let it unfold over the next week or 10 days."

Next Sunday has been declared a national day of mourning for bushfire victims.

[Bungleau]

*bows head, softly...*

[Variol (Farseer) Elmwood]

It's hard to imagine a situation like that. One would think that you could just drive away from the fire, or run, or something.
..hard to come to grips with..

[wellard]

Originally Posted by Variol (Farseer) Elmwood It's hard to imagine a situation like that. One would think that you could just drive away from the fire, or run, or something. ..hard to come to grips with..

One of the many problems is people leaving at the last moment, for decades the government have warned time and time again the dangers of trying to run away at the last moment. People just do not understand the speed of fires like these and that the fires can outrun a car traveling on a windy road with poor visibility. Usually many of these small villages have just one road out, the Australian bush is so vast and unlike other big countries like the USA / Canada it is empty away from the coastline.

[wellard]

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/200..._australi.html

That link takes you to some good pictures.

The death toll is now 208 and still rising, ironically parts of NSW are now flooded like Queensland but bush fires are still out of control in Victoria.

I have seen that many overseas firemen from the USA have come down to help. Their bravery and actions are much appreciated.

[Bungleau]

That first picture really sets the tone... how in the hell do you run / drive / get away from that?

I find it amazing that in all that devastation, there are pockets that the fire skipped. Truly bizarre.

And I'm sure that the picture of the remains of that church will be broadcast around the world fairly soon.

My sympathies go out. It's truly devastating