Posted on 02/08/2009 12:59:30 PM PST by naturalman1975
THE death toll in Australia's worst bushfires has hit 108, with TV veteran Brian Naylor among the dead.
Firefighters have worked through the night to battle 31 fires across scorched Victoria.
A total of 108 people have been confirmed dead in Australia's deadliest bushfires, with fears the death toll may rise sharply.
According to police figures, another 11 people were found dead at Kinglake West, north of Melbourne, taking that community's toll to 20 while another four bodies were found at Marysville taking that town's toll to eight.
Only one building was left standing at Marysville after the inferno swept through on Saturday.
A Country Fire Authority spokesman said 31 fires were still raging throughout the state with five - at Beechworth, Churchill, Murrindindi, the Kinglake complex and Bunyip - causing the most concern.
At least 750 homes have been destroyed and more than 330,000ha burnt out, while authorities said some fires could take weeks to contain.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.com.au ...
Received an email from girlfriend in Ozland ... she’s saying that lots of those fires were started by arson - the authorities are calling them terrorist arson’s and if those people are found will be tried for murder ....
Awful tragedy here.
These wildfires, do they spread so fast that people can’t be evacuated on time? Or are the deaths because people fail to evacuate, fearing looting?
RIP.
Because of the sheer area and size of the fires involved, firefighters cannot possibly hope to protect all homes and properties. In Australia, it is considered the primary responsibility of the property owner to defend their own property from fire. Firefighters will do what they can to assist people, but people have the right and duty to defend their own homes from fire.
People are basically told to decide whether they are going to stay or go early. To stay if they decide to defend and get ready. To go, if they can’t defend their property. We don’t force people to evacuate. It’s their choice.
Many of those killed chose to stay. But these bushfires were far, far worse than most. You can defend your home against many fires, but some of these were overwhelming.
Some people probably made bad choices. Some people made the best choices they could, but this time, there were no good choices for them.
If it’s arson, the arsonist may set fires designed to trap his victims.
By the way, here's a link to the largest wildland fire in US history: Peshtigo, Wisconsin. Between 1200-2400 people died, and over two million trees, several towns burned. Oddly, it happened on the same day as the Great Chicago Fire, October 8, 1871.
We do the same thing in Texas. When Hurricane Ike came through, during the last 48 hours, the state issued requests to people staying on Bolivar or Galveston Island to write their name and social security number on their arm with a permanent marker.
Thanks for replying, and do take care!
As for arsonists, I think they deserve the death penalty, or at least, rigorous imprisonment for life. What sort of maniacs are they? What are they trying to achieve? Anarchy or property after the landowners are dead?
I will probably be called in to one of the large fires, yes. As well as being a volunteer, I’m lucky enough to have an employer who is very supportive of CFA volunteers which means I can get the time off work needed - they’ll even pay me while I’m at the fires, so it’s easier for me to go than a lot of others.
This past weekend I’ve been called out to smaller local fires, as I have been a number of times over the last couple of weeks. Thes big fires are devastating, of course, but we still have all the normal, smaller fires to deal with that we always do. Not everybody gets called to the big ones.
Firebugs often get a sexual charge from their fires.
Definite ewww.
Alert Message for communities of Hazelwood South, Jeeralang, Jeeralang North, Jeeralang Junction, Balook, Le Roy, Jumbuck, Valley View Budgree East, Traralgon South, Callignee, Calignee North, Calignee South, South, Carrajung Lower, Won Wron, Woodside, Devon North, Yarram, Calrossie, Alberton, Tarraville, Port Albert, Langsborough, Manns Beach and Robertsons Beach still need to remain alert due to a high level of fire activity still in the surrounding area.
Incident Information
The communities of Hazelwood South, Jeeralang, Jeeralang North, Jeeralang Junction, Balook, Le Roy, Jumbuck, Valley View Budgree East, Traralgon South, Callignee, Calignee North, Calignee South, South, Carrajung Lower, Won Wron, Woodside, Devon North, Yarram, Calrossie, Alberton, Tarraville, Port Albert, Langsborough, Manns Beach and Robertsons Beach still need to remain alert due to a high level of fire activity still in the surrounding area.
Core Advice
People in the area need to remain alert as there may not be a warning should conditions change unexpectedly. Continue to listen to ABC or local radio for updates on this fire. Be prepared to activate your bushfire survival plan if necessary.
Decide now if you are going to stay or go. Remember that it is very dangerous to leave late with a fire in the area. Road use in the area will be extremely hazardous due to low visibility from smoke. Watch out for fallen trees, power lines, abandoned cars, wildlife and emergency services vehicles.
If you plan to stay, remember to seek shelter from radiant heat. Should the fire reach your property, close all doors and windows and stay inside the house while the fire passes. Remain alert, extinguish any small fires and if necessary, move outside to burnt ground once the fire has passed.
Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
Additional Information
Community meetings are being held at:
Community meetings will be held on Monday 9th February at the Rosedale Town Hall, cnr Prince and Hood Sts, Rosedale commencing at 6pm and at the Longford Town Hall, Main St, Longford commencing at 7.30pm.
These meetings will be attended by CFA and DSE representatives who will provide information on the current status of the Churchill - Jeeralang Fire.
Residents and visitors to the region are asked to listen to their local ABC radio for updates on the status of these meetings.
For information on fires in Victoria and general fire safety advice, please contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on freecall 1800 240 667. Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech / communication impairment may call textphone/ telewriter (TTY) on 1800 122 969. Information is also available at www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires
arson
who can anticipate that?
Some unprecedented features in this fire include:
- speed
- eucalyptus trees exploding
Could this be terrorist act?
Some folks are making speculations in that direction. Wouldn’t be at all surprised.
If it turns out to have terrorist motives or connections, there’s gonna be a @#$!storm.
It’s possible - terrorist groups have threatened to do this in Australia. But there’s plenty of firebugs around anyway, so there’s no reason to assume terrorism. It could be though and investigators will look at that.
Yikes.
Best wishes to the affected.
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