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Fellow forum members, please spare a thought for my fellow Victorians who lost their lives and their family members who have experienced the most tragic event ever to hit Victoria.
In the space of a few tragic hours on Saturday over 100 people lost their lives, at least 700 hundred homes were lost, several communities totally destroyed and an undermined number of people injured in most devastating bush fire in the states history. My thoughts go out to those that still have love ones missing, and hope they are found well.
God Bless all those volunteers, emergency and essential services people who put their lives at risk to save the lives and property of others.
Ron

I have, my prayers go out. I saw that this morning, it looks bad. Having grown up in Southern California, I know how devastating grass/wild fires can be.

I just read about these terribly fast and strong fires that wiped out entire towns in Australia. I hope all of "our" Australians are safe and sound. My thoughts and condolences go out to those who have lost loved ones.

I was quite furious after reading that some arsonists were caught trying to restart some of the fires as firefighters were working to put them out.

I have been following the horrible events in Australia for a few days. I can only offer my deepest sympathies and prayers for those who have suffered loss in this calamity.

Regarding the arsonists, hanging is too good for them. We have them here too-they like to torch things up in the dry season in California. What kind of sick creature does things like that?

Burning at the stake is suitable punishment for arsonists. [:(][:@]

As a survivor of some pretty horrible wild fires all Australians have my sympathy and compassion. Wildfires can be very devastating and there isn't much a person can do but run away. Even that sometimes can't save someones life. Frightful events for sure.
 
 

horrific.  I have fond memories of Marysville.

You are all in my prayers.

Be Well,

Grell

It's a tragedy. [:(]

I've never heard of such loss of life from a wildfire. Property damage.. yes... but hundreds of people and whole towns... terrible, terrible.... I weep for them. [:(]

Last Saturday was the worst day I have ever experienced. It got to about 47 where I live (suburbs of Melbourne) and the wind was extremely terrifying. My sister-in-law's parents live in Kinglake and lost everything apart from what they were wearing. In fact I don't know how they survived (their neighbours sadly didn't). Their property disappeared in about 10 minutes it was that quick. I know of someone else in the same area who lost his house and his dog and someone I know from work also lost everything she has.

There is a kind of numb feeling around at the moment, even for people who do not know anyone affected by the fires. It was very hard to keep your concentration at work today.

Hi Iaidoka2 - best wishes to your family.
 
My wife and I went shopping Saturday morning around Bentleigh (a suburban area for the overseas readers)  and it was pretty hot - a really dry heat, not like the type you get in DC or NY in June.
 
But there wasn't even a breeze. I joked to my wife that the weather bureau had it wrong as they predicted gale force winds.
 
Then at home, we saw on TV that the temperature had slowly risen to 47 degrees C that 116 degrees F folks! Something rarely if never experienced in an Australian major city. Melbourne is the country's second largest city. And then the winds picked up and the gum trees blew wild.
 
So the news started coming in - of just only an hour or 2 out of the city north and east, of the tragedy that was unfurling - and its still going on as I write with the winds now southerly and pushing to the Victorian/New South Wales border.
 
You watch the first reports and you think it's a news story, you watch for half an hour and you start to go numb. So I can understand our senior leaders now having been there amidst the carnage for hours to a day now, crying.
 
It reminds me of the shock we had watching September 11, a half a world away. Different to be sure but numbing just the same.
 
Cheers mate,
Adam.

My condolences to all of our Aussie brothers and sisters. [:(]

I hope they catch the bastards. [:@]



Goblin

ORIGINAL: 06 Maestro

... Regarding the arsonists, hanging is too good for them. We have them here too-they like to torch things up in the dry season in California. What kind of sick creature does things like that?

I'd be curious as to who these arsonists are and what possibly could be their motives?

It arouses them sexually. I wish I was kidding.

The above goes for pyrophiliacs, which are distinct from pyromaniacs, who also feel gratification and euphoria, but not of a sexual nature.

Both pyromaniacs and pyrophiliacs are distinct from arsonists, which set fires for all sorts of reasons not related to personal gratification.

The instant loss of loved ones and long held personal possessions through the course of a lifetime is so horriffic that I can hardly contemplate or empathize with those who are suffering.  I am sorry for their losses, deeply sorry. 
 
One way people can probably help is to donate anything they can to the Australian Red Cross.

A truly terrible situation. To see the survivors interviewed was gut wrenching.....[:(]

Read this:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/st ... 02,00.html

ORIGINAL: Terminus

It arouses them sexually. I wish I was kidding ...

Then it's a shame it wasn't auto-erotic, i.e., self-immolation, and I'm NOT kidding.

We don't disagree.

The footage shown here in german news are shocking. I have never seen such thing before, not even with the annual Californian fires, or the onces each year in Greece and Spain.

I hope our fellow forum members from Australia are save and have no losses to mourn.

ORIGINAL: Erik Rutins
I was quite furious after reading that some arsonists were caught trying to restart some of the fires as firefighters were working to put them out.

I hope they mob them.