Once again Australia is burning.

[oab_au]

The southern states are having devastating bush fires, as of last night 700 homes have been lost and 108 people have been killed.

There has been extreme temperatures of 45/48* for over 10 days. There is a change in the weather due today, that may ease the situation, but with so many lives lost already, it is bound to rise as some completely devastated villages, are still to be entered, it is tragic.

Harvey.

[bheinen74]

yeah that is a lot of deaths, not good. hope no more are hurt.

[Blacky]

This seems to be happening more frequently in recent years. That's just hellish hot temperatures. 113°F to 118°F

[Turbone]

Why werent the people evacuated when they knew the firestorm was coming?
They have had bad fires there before and if they had followed the procedures of other countries (Calif, USA for example) maybe more lives could have been spared.

[LetItSnow]

It would really be shameful if the fires were set by someone. It's hard to imagine that anyone could consider it a good idea!

[SilverSpear]

Sad to know about all the lost lives, and also the green...

We also experience huges fires set by perpetrators, hope they ROT in hell...

[bheinen74]

some were said to be set by arsonists, and if they prove it, they will face Mass Murder charges, due to the number of deaths.

I also wonder why the people just dont get out of the way, but maybe they are moving to fast, smoke, etc to even have a chance.

[bwb3]

Are these anywhere near you Harvey. Your NSW right?
Gene

[oab_au]

Originally Posted by bwb3

Are these anywhere near you Harvey. Your NSW right?
Gene

Yes Gene, we are OK up on the north coast of NSW. It was in Victoria only 100k from Melbourne.

The trouble was that people did not know that the fire front was even close. It has been so dry and so hot that the bush was tinder dry, so the embers driven by the high winds were landing 15k ahead of the front. Where they lander it just erupted into an inferno. Too late to do any thing but flee.

This is where a lot of people were killed, as they tried to drive away through the smoke, could not see anything. There were head on crashes, cars ran off the road hit trees, cars don't run too well when the fires have burnt all the oxygen, so they stalled and were burnt to death. Many people died in their cars. 173 deaths as of this morning.

Harvey.

[OzBloke]

The fires have been devastating. I have friends that remain on alert in Gippsland and Healesville and friends that we have been unable to get in touch with in the ravaged town of Flowerdale. Other friends have lost property in Taggerty.

The fires have totally wiped out beautiful country towns. Due to the ongoing heat and rubble I think the death toll will continue to rise. Many stories tell of there being no warning with the fires being diverted through wind changes and travelling at 100kph.

The weather conditions have cooled but continuing winds have caused the movement of hot embers. Rain is desperately needed, without lightning. Unfortunately none appears on the horizon. The stories of people losing everything including the loss of life are horrific. The fire authorities have been unbelievably good working days on end with minimal relief.

The rebuilding of people’s lives will take many, many years.

Cheers

Col

[essveeexxee]

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