Victorian fires... how are you all coping
 

the news tonight from vistoria is not good , it has just been announced that 14 people have lost their lives and there may be more with fires burning throught out the state
hope all is well for you Max

Bad
 

Just heard from Euan who had to evacuate his father's place at Glenburn which is where we keep some trucks - looks like the house and trucks might have been destroyed, but it may be some time before we can get in.

Huge losses of homes and other buildings in several towns - there are reports of Marysville and nearby Strathewen being almost completely destroyed. Many people, reports say in excess of 40, have been killed.

The worst of it happened after the wind changed direction.

More
 

Just listening to the 7AM news fourteen confirmed dead with fears of a toll into the 40s.

There are thunderstorms around - I can hear thunder now but they have little or no rain and potential fires with lightning strikes.

Victoriam Fires
 

Keep safe you guys, we are getting real horror stories in the news of what you are all going through

All the best wishes

Rookie

very bad
 

25 confirmed dead now
11 major fire fronts in Victoria ,a few in South Australia and a major fire out of control near sydney in New South Wales
Keep safe you guys
get out early if you have too
Then the other side of the coin with severe floods in Queensland with ingham worst hit so far
Thoughts and prayers go out to all affected

Lunch time news report on ABC gave the death toll at 35 with 6 cars found in one spot burnt out but no body count for them. we feel for the families.

Victorian fires
 

The world is going mad, just watched our NZ news, what a horror for a number of states in OZ. Our sea water around the east has reached 23 degrees. At our place it was 14 degrees , drove 30 kms and it was 30 degrees. The Met Office is warning of very very high temps coming from Oz that will hit here today but only on the East we are in the West.

Our hearts go out to all of you in Oz that are facing this real threat. The photographs of burnt out cars containing people are heart wrenching.


HOPE YOU ARE ALL SAFE ANZACS

Rookie

heard on the news that there could be 640 houses lost
and 2 fires burnt together north of Melbourne to make a fire of 120,000 ha in size

dark day
 

latest toll
65 dead
over 700 homes lost
devastating massive loss and unfortunately no where near over
Australian Army troops and equipment now mobilised to try and help with fire breaks ,temporary shelter and logistics
over 4000 fire fighters and volunteers fighting on the fire fronts

Andrew it sems that as the day goes by the news just gets worse
now up to 76 lives lost, I suppose they won't realy know the full extent of the devastation for a few days yet.

Max

Latest news, and the fires are not even close to being under control, so it's not over yet. :(

Unfortunatly it's got to the stage where it is sickening to think about. Our thoughts and prayers are with you:remember This is going to take years to recover from :(

108 and still rising.

That's the death toll at 6.00am 09/02/2009.

Our hearts go out to all those involved.

Hi Rick,

Tonight, I have been listening to ABC Melbourne, what terrible news and the stories some of those affected, are coming out with. Knowing a lot of people over there, I hope everyone stays safe.

best regards Richard

fires
 

From accross the Tasman, Our hearts go out to our Australian Brothers and Sisters, who affected in any way by these fires :support

Take care everybody
 

You guys seem to have an unfair share of these fires. Terrible on the news. We pray for the best but is there any monetary way we can help out from way over here? We should send those Mars bombers down there to help out.

Donations
 

The death toll now stands at 126 as at 2.42PM Monday.

One place for donations can be found on the Melbourne Herald-Sun Newspaper website. Just click on the link on this page.

So far Euan has been unable to visit his father in law's property as the roads are still closed due not just to crews clearing trees from the roads but also the sad and ongoing search for bodies.

An easy way to help. Done, 100 ausie. Challenge is out there to other canucks!

Victorian fires
 

Just saw the news here Keith, see that we are sending 100 rural firefighters, (big by NZ standards) plus money and military hope it helps, the stories are getting worse and worse (200+ dead estimate) Was very impressed by your PM

Rookie

I am sure any help beit manpower or financial will be gratefully accepted and acknowledged
These communities will take years to recover and some simply may not
Such horrific losses really sadden and strike at the heart
I really hope it dosen't get anywhere near 200
1 is too many :remember
May it come to an end quickly with no more loss

You are a good man, Harry! May your God bless you.
A very dark period for all Australians. I hear the Salvation Army has received over $2million in a little over 24 hours. Judging by the size of the disaster, much much more will be needed...
The best way for us Aussies to help is donate blood.
All MLU'ers! especially SA, VIC, NSW, donate ASAP!
HH

The current confirmed toll is 131. Although the immediate losses may now be on the wane, there are many serious burns victims in Hospitals for whom the next week or two will be critical. Also psychological trauma in survivors dealing with utter loss of loved ones, and emergency services crews exposed to heartbreaking scenes, will need to be treated to stem any suicides. The stories that have come to light through the media have been gut wrenching, but they're only the sanitised versions that can be published, many stories will never be told and will haunt those involved for years to come.

200+ may well be conservative.

131 lost
 

I have never seen a 'good' bushfire. (have lost acquaintances in the past...)

My heart goes out to the families who have lost their loved ones. They can never be replaced.

Here, we're lucky this year the fire is way to the South and West of Shoalhaven. In 2002 we had the worst of it. I filled the bath and water tanks in case we were threatened, luckily the fire split and went south of the river.. I am North.

Those people in Vic never stood a chance. Even the corrugated iron was melted. Even I have never seen a bushfire do that!

My hometown has a fire nearby (to Bega, NSW, near Wyndham where I rode motorbikes as a kid) We're all hopeful that it will not spread towards the other towns.

I hope Euan & family are well, or at least safe. The vehicles are replaceable. People are not.

Ian

It´s all over the news here in Holland, horrible stuff.

I sincerely hope all of the MLU forum members and their loved ones will come out of it alright.

- Hanno

Euan and family are fine - they were at his father-in-law's property on the night of the fires and got out after grabbing the photo albums.

They live close to me in Eltham.

Give 'er...!!
 

....and if you can't match Harry....match me....The Aussie Red Cross needs every penny it can get...

And the Canadian $$$$$$$$ is strong so $50.00 is just a couple of cans of cat food for this old pensioner..I was trying to cut back anyway...was hacking up too many hair balls..
And its tax deductible..........
God Bless our Aussie brothers and sisters...

50.00 AUD

=

41.4478 CAD
Australia Dollars Canada Dollars
1 AUD = 0.828955 CAD 1 CAD = 1.20634 AUD

:remember :support :kangaroo :sheep: :drunk:

Just like Hanno said....it's all over the news here and the images are horrific.

Pleass watch out, guys!

Alex

Thanks...
 

On behalf of those in need, thank you very much Alex. :thup2:

Crime scenes
 

If this is true..
 

... no mercy!
http://www.theage.com.au/national/is...3.html?page=-1
:mad:
One guy arrested already... http://apnews.myway.com/article/20090209/D9681TKG0.html :mad: :mad: