Australia burns

[ozguy]

The tiny township of Marysville, virtually obliterated by the fires. It is feared that up to 100 of its 519 residents may have perished. News report here ...

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25039132-601,00.html

The pictures tell it all ....

 

[ozguy]

Marysville cont'd ....

 

[Kester]

181 lives lost.

Over 1000 homes destroyed.

On the news they were saying that a new fire is threatening towns near Mansfield.

 

[treanir]

I've heard there are now more cases of arson, is that right?

I mean, I'm against the death penalty, but they're testing my limits here...

 

[ozguy]

A somewhat happy story?

Koala rescued from Australia's wildfire wasteland

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090210...oala_rescue;_ylt=Ah6iUMTEBd88wk_6MCC9XF3lWMcF

If this doesn't move you to tears, nothing will. Koalas are extremely shy animals and for this little creature to hold out it's paw to the rescuer and drink the water offered, shows how desperate and confused it must have been. Truly remarkable and heartwarming ....



Sidenote: Just heard on the news tonight that "Sam", as the koala has now been christened, is now being looked after in an animal shelter and receiving the best of care.

 

[ozguy]

I've heard there are now more cases of arson, is that right?

I mean, I'm against the death penalty, but they're testing my limits here...

That's what they're saying on the news here tonight. Our PM, Kevin Rudd, was spot on when he said they are nothing but mass murderers. Fucking bastards; I hope they're caught and brought to justice.

 

[treanir]

I just don't *get* it. Why?

 

[ozguy]

I just don't *get* it. Why?

We've had cases here in the past of bushfire arsonists being caught, and then it's discovered that they are trained firefighters, who obviously have some sort of sick need to light fires so that they can then help to put them out.

Just makes me shake my head in utter disbelief.

 

[treanir]

Ah, yes, one hears that more often. Sick... and sad.

 

[Yooper]

Already one furry survivor has emerged a star: a koala, nicknamed "Sam" by her rescuers, was found moving gingerly on scorched paws by a fire patrol on Sunday. Firefighter David Tree offered the creature a bottle of water, which she eagerly accepted, holding Tree's hand as he poured water into her mouth. A photograph of the encounter has now been seen around the world.
Sam was being treated at the Mountain Ash Wildlife Shelter in Rawson, 100 miles (170 kilometers) east of Melbourne, where she has attracted the attention of a male koala, nicknamed "Bob," manager Coleen Wood said. The two have been inseparable for the past few days, with Bob keeping a protective watch over his new friend, she said.

A moment of light heartedness in a sea of despair.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090211/ap_on_re_au_an/as_australia_wildfires_animals

I'm trying to come up with an appropriate punishment for those who set the fires, scenes from 'A Clockwork Orange' come to mind (or something similar).

 

[tallguy297]

We've had cases here in the past of bushfire arsonists being caught, and then it's discovered that they are trained firefighters, who obviously have some sort of sick need to light fires so that they can then help to put them out.

Just makes me shake my head in utter disbelief.

There was a firefighter convicted either here in QLD or NSW I just cant remember which this week for this... Its got to be a sickness, and addiction or something.

Its just such a tragedy that this sort of addiction has such dire consequences for others not just the sick ones.

I just hope the bloody weather lets up so they can get ahead of this... enough's enough!

 

[Telstra]

While some may have been set deliberately, the area of Victoria has a large history of bushfires that have gone on for millions of years.

Here's a time chart of some of the fires that have happened in the Victoria, Australia area since 1851: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrenfoe.nsf/fid/4D1ADD60E9379950CA257535007E9093

Based on the above, the area of Victoria can be compared to a city built inside of a dormant volcano. You have to be in a state of denial just to live there in the first place if you know the history of the land.

You'd think the town, government, and it's people would be more educated on the history of the land, and prepared to handle such large fires, especially when Victoria was built on land that catches fire so easily.

I know that might sound harsh, but history is doomed to repeat itself, if people forget, and don't take precautions. Maybe this will their wake up call?

maybe you are right.
The governement said they are going to rebuild. I hope the know what they are doing (planning & design wise).

 

[farmerrex2002]

If this doesn't move you to tears, nothing will. Koalas are extremely shy animals and for this little creature to hold out it's paw to the rescuer and drink the water offered, shows how desperate and confused it must have been. Truly remarkable and heartwarming ....

David Tree the CFA volunteer was interviewed on Melbourne talkback radio this AM. What makes the photo so poignant is that Sam the koala (short for Samantha, the koala is a female) is holding David's hand. He explained that the koala had a burnt paw, he had poured some chilled water into his hand so obviously Sam was getting some pain relief from the burn.

 

[chatolandia]

The whole thing about an arsonist firefighter happened in the states recently also


I guess that Victoria will finally follow through with controlled burnings, to prevent another uncontrolled one...

 

[ozguy]

Sidenote: Just heard on the news tonight that "Sam", as the koala has now been christened, is now being looked after in an animal shelter and receiving the best of care.

Here's the update from last night's news ...

 

[ozguy]

Last night's 5 hour TV telethon here raised over $21 million to help the bushfire victims in Victoria. Not bad for a country of just over 20 million people! That brings the total raised so far to be in excess of $75 million, and money is still pouring in. The generosity and compassion shown by people everywhere has been overwhelming and inspiring.

If you wish to donate, it's easy .... just go to the Australian Red Cross site and follow the links ... http://www.redcross.org.au/default.asp

 

[Huskerboy]

Thanks guys, for posting the video clips and the pictures. My heart goes out to all of those affected, and to those who are fighting so hard to save lives and property. I am deeply saddened by the news that these fires may have been intentionally set, and I pray justice will be done.

Please be safe, guys... you all mean the world to us. You and all your mates are in our thoughts and prayers.

 

[tallguy297]

While some may have been set deliberately, the area of Victoria has a large history of bushfires that have gone on for millions of years.

Here's a time chart of some of the fires that have happened in the Victoria, Australia area since 1851: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/DSE/nrenfoe.nsf/fid/4D1ADD60E9379950CA257535007E9093

Based on the above, the area of Victoria can be compared to a city built inside of a dormant volcano. You have to be in a state of denial just to live there in the first place if you know the history of the land.

You'd think the town, government, and it's people would be more educated on the history of the land, and prepared to handle such large fires, especially when Victoria was built on land that catches fire so easily.

I know that might sound harsh, but history is doomed to repeat itself, if people forget, and don't take precautions. Maybe this will their wake up call?

Hey Daniel,

No one here is going to argue with you about the risks of living in some of the places that we do - the world over. We live on coast lines with tidal waves and tsunamis, we live on mountains and in the bush prone to fires... thats not something peculiar to us.

This is the high country... high mountains, the edge of our ski country in winter really. It truly a beautiful and unique part of this place and it draws people in. And people will rebuild and will continue to live there. The nature of Australia's vast landscape means we are prone to burn - its that simple.

And those who did live there knew the risks. Ash Wednesday, our previous worst fire losses happened not so far from there.

The point is though mate, the scale. The scale of the devastation and the scale of the loss.

We are a small country in terms of population, but a vibrant alive advanced one. We aren't fools nor do we lack resources. And yet we have lost hundreds of our country men.

The issue is not where we live or the risk of fire. We know that. Thats part of life here.

The issue for us is simply how did we lose so many? How could in a place like Australia could so many people die?

And the reason this shocks us to the core is because we know our fellow country men and women, people with resources, had to have died a horrible excruciating death knowing that things could and should have different.

Thats what tears me up. At least some of these people should have made it out.

 

[Kester]

On the news I heard that they arrested a 39 year old man responsible for lighting one of the fires which killed 21 people.

Hope they lock him away for a long time.

 

[cocktales]

We have watched the horrible fires with such dread and fear for the people who are affected....

IF these fires were set, I hope they turn the bastards over to the loved ones of the ones killed and let them take care of justice; otherwise they will be sent to prison where they watch TV or lift weights all day and just live their lives on and on while their fires killed the wonderful people of OZ!

We HAD to send $$$ to the Australian Red Cross for they certainly need immediate $$$$'s to find some where for them to live NOW!

God Bless ALL of you!!!