Fires in Australia

[jessup]

Geez Tamara mate
So glad your mob are safe
It absolutely sucks
So many lives lost and so many people have lost everything
It's been amazing here in the top end
Fundraising and donations of all kinds are happening now
toll transport have contacted many territorians and have advised that any donations (wether money or food, clothes etc) will be transported free of charge to the mob south
How bloody wonderful
Most of us mob up here have tears in our eyes and hearts
We're worried about cyclones but WTF
Queensland mob are drowning with floods
and the Mexicans are burnt to buggary
On behalf of us top enders and as a  IHD family member
Lots of love and prayers to all
 
 

 

[jessup]

Just heard on tv
189 lives lost
Gee Wizz

[twirl]

ALRIGHT ANG,
THIS IS NOT FUNNY -- YOU DID NOT PM ME FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS
THAT IS NOT LIKE YOU
YOU GOT ME WORRIED
PM ME NOW - MISTER
OR IT IS THE NAUGHTY CHAIR FOR YOU

I know it is rude to yell in bold on this website but in this case it is necessary----- I AM CONCERNED -- darn it ----

[RichardMEL]

The police believe it could get to 400. Words can not describe. I've donated to the RSPCA to help the animals affected, and to the general bushfire appeal. I think everyone here knows someone or more than one person directly affected by the fires. I have a Dialysis friend who moved to doing home hemo - she had to evacuate. We saw her  at the unit today as she did in center dialysis with us. There are fears her house could be in trouble. Last I heard her parents were staying to fight fires but they were hopeful they would be spared....

very tough times for everyone.

[twirl]

oh Romeo Mel -
are you okay -
I am worried about you now -
please take care -
this is worse than IKE -- at least we knew it was coming
you are in my prayers

[RichardMEL]

Please DO NOT worry about me. Like Tamara/Wattle I live in suburban Melbourne. I am not in any danger (well unless my fridge blows up or something) so take me off the worry list.

Plenty of others have lost everything and it is terribly sad and distressing. At the same time it has brought out the best in our community - strangers banding together, communities rallying around each other.. even busineses and others donating money, time, efforts etc. Even my  football club has raised $50,000 with a charity photo shoot organised in mere hours. Ford has donated cars both to use on the ground and to auction to raised funds, a major underwear supplier is donating new underwear, socks, bras etc for those in need... all sorts of things.

And still it goes on, and the fires burn.....

[drinkboy]

It is reassuring to hear that so many people have stepped up and helped out.   Your football club sure came thru in a big way.  Hopefully, things will get under control soon because that is a terrible situation going on down there.

[rose1999]

We have made contact with Bill & Catherine, they are OK as their house in Whittlesea has not been burned but they have friends who have lost a lot of things.  Mum spoke to them and she said they sounded upset and tired, they are in too much shock to go into details but we know they are safe and well, it has been a dreadful time for all in that area.  Prayers for those who have been lost or who have lost family, friends, homes or pets and prayers of thanks for those who have been saved 

[kellyt]

What an absolutely horrifying event.  I'm glad to hear you, Tamara and Wattle are safe, Richard, but my heart aches for those who have lost their homes or worse their lives.  I can't even think about the animals, it's so painful.   

I did see on the news this morning that a heard of sheep managed to make it through.  They were all huddled together so sweet looking.  I hope someone is able to go in and get them.   

Love to you all in Australia!

[paris]

Because of IHD, these events really hit home.  When we hear about the fires, we think of our friends and worry. It is real to us because people we know and love could be affected.   I pray all your friends and family stay safe.  You are all in my thoughts. 

[okarol]

  

[twirl]

Ang pm'ed me and he is out of harm's way but is totally devastated to say the least 

[Ang]

sorry  i've  not  been  around  for  a  few  days, been  trying  to  digest

the  goings  on,  in  country  victoria.


anyone  one  who's  computer  savvy,

find  a  photo  of  a  fire  officer  giving  a  drink  to  a  koala,

the  koala  drank  3  bottles  of  water,and  held  the  firemans  hand,  the  picture  is  simply awesome.put  it  on  IHD  for  everyone  to  see.

[mikey07840]

Here it is:

[pelagia]

Incredible.   

[RichardMEL]

This article is distressing, but really brings it home...

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/i-now-understand-the-word-firestorm-20090209-8288.html?page=-1

[kellyt]

OMG Mikey!  That is the sadest and sweetest photo I've seen in a long, long time!  Are they trying to move these animals?  My heart aches!   

[Falkenbach]

It would be a bit hard, sadly. Obviously this koala was found in a state of distress and that is why the firey has been able to approach it and give it a drink. They would not normally be so open to human interaction and it could be quite dangerous to approach one, with their huge claws and all.

I suspect the majority of koalas and other wildlife in the affected areas have been lost along with the houses and other lives.

I was also devastated to see all the people who lost horses and kennels full of dogs. One couple had their dog trailer loaded up and were ready to "get out" when the fire front swept around on them very suddenly and they had to run to a nearby paddock and lie down to survive - but they lost all their dogs and horses and are devastated. I wept when I thought of those dogs trapped in that trailer, SO CLOSE to having escaped.

*sigh* Also, my sister works for Victoria Police and has to hear all kinds of saddening updates. I am devastated for my home state and feel absolutely useless.

[Wattle]

Any animals, domestic or native are being taken to shelters to get treatment. Sadly there will be thousands that didn't make it. Too hard to talk about.

Here is a link to the koala that was saved. 

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25038852-661,00.html

[Chris]

Incredible video of the koala Wattle, thanks.

[twirl]

heart warming in a time of horror
thanks, Ang

[RichardMEL]

I think of the family who had to cower in a room while their cats and kittens just a room away burned to death. I can't imagine how that would feel for a family, including young children, fearing for their own lives, in a smoke and fire filled room, hearing the cries of their beloved pets so close and being able to do nothing. I cry when I think of it. That's why i donated money to the RSPCA to assist animals during this time.

My heart goes out to all people affected by this ongoing situation... people, families, animals.. it's horrible.

And what happened last night? Some low lifes went into an area ravaged by fires - these "men" went in and allegedly lit NEW fires !!! What sort of person would do that???

One thing is certain - if any of the public found any of these people I think a summary form of justice would prevail....

[KarenInWA]

Richard, that is awful about those "men".  Hearing things like that make me so   

I think if those people were identified and paraded out in public somehow, they probably wouldn't survive.  So that alone should be their punishment.  Identified, have their identies broadcast, and let the citizens do the rest.  May sound barbaric, but then again, what they did was barbaric.  "People" like that simply don't deserve to live.

Politically, I tend to lean left, until it comes to things like that.  Then I strongly believe in, uh, "selective reduction".

KarenInWA

[Sluff]

I am angry  that these fires were intentionally set. The loss of any life both human and animal just angers me so much I can't even explain it. Glad our IHD family is OK.

[monrein]

As if it isn't bad enough what happens naturally to harm us.  Then we have idiots like these.  Disgraceful.