News & Politics - Worst wildfires in Australian history decimate the landscape

**sunnykerr** · 02-07-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

At least 35 killed by raging Australian wildfires

Scorching hot temperatures and shifting winds combined to create a series of deadly wildfires in Australia on Saturday, claiming at least 35 lives and razing scores of private homes.

Authorities believe the death toll may rise once firefighters reach victims who are deeper into the fire zones.

Victoria state police spokeswoman Sarah Campbell said that bodies have been discovered at 12 different sites across a swath of land that has been devastated by the huge wildfires.

More than a dozen fires roared through parts of Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia states, powered by moving winds which pushed the flames along unpredictable paths.

Witnesses said they saw trees explode and ash rain down from the sky, the products of powderkeg-like fire conditions due to a lengthy heat wave and extensive drought.

Sally Tregae, a resident of Wittlesea in Victoria state, said the fires are bringing "horrible" damage to private homes and the land itself.

"I saw trees explode in front of me," she said. "It's a horrible thing and a horrible thing to see. I have friends who have lost houses."

As the fires raged, temperatures reached a record 47 C in some parts of southeastern Australia, but plummeted as the day went on.

By evening, more than 30,000 firefighters were still trying to control the largest of 12 fires in Victoria state -- which saw the worst of Saturday's out-of-control blazes -- that destroyed at least 30,000 hectares of farmland, forests and towns.

Victorian Premier John Brumby said Saturday was likely "the worst day in our history," and he expected the death toll to rise "considerably."

In Kinglake, the fires caught residents by surprise as the flames rapidly advanced through the small Victoria state town.

"The whole township is pretty much on fire," Peter Mitchell told Australian Broadcasting Corp. radio, as Kinglake burned on Saturday.

"There was no time to do anything...it came through in minutes."

Victoria deputy police commissioner Kieran Walshe said six of the people killed on Saturday died in Kinglake.

"This has been an absolute tragedy for this state," Walshe told a news conference.

"We believe this figure may only get worse, we are concerned that this figure could even reach up into the 40s."

In New South Wales, police believe at least some of the fires may have been intentionally started. One man was arrested but in connection with a single fire, but later released.

At one point on Saturday, the sky in Sydney, the state capital of New South Wales, was filled with smoke emanating from three blazes to the north.

By the end of Saturday, the fires were mostly settled in South Australia, after hundreds of firefighters had worked to bring them under control during the day.

Australian weather forecaster said hot and dry weather conditions would continue on Sunday, making it likely the fires could flare up again.

CTV.ca | At least 35 killed by raging Australian wildfires

It's really scary, considering the human toll keeps rising and reports indicate it'll get worse before it gets any better.

Kyls · 02-08-2009, 03:27 AM

Death toll is 76 atm.

It's bad enough the heat being that, but then all these bush fires..

**otherwise** · 02-08-2009, 04:36 AM

I'm down there in Gippsland. It's not fun at all. The death toll is up to 84 at the moment.

84 dead, 750 homes lost in fire horror | National Breaking News | News.com.au

**ride the lightning** · 02-08-2009, 04:37 PM

Death toll is at 108 now

Very sad .. I'm in South Australia so I'm ok but we've had a few bush fires this way as well.

25 fires are still on the blaze.

At least 108 dead in Victorian bushfires

**otherwise** · 02-08-2009, 05:03 PM

I just read that Court. I's hard to believe it's gone up from so high from 14 yesterday morning.

I'm glad you're all good in SA.

I'm about an hour away from the one in Churchill and the same from one on the other side near Yarram.

**ride the lightning** · 02-08-2009, 05:12 PM

Rhi

Do you know if the fires are going to hit your town? It's so devastating

The weird thing is QLD is flooding at the moment will NSW, Vic & SA are all having fires

Global warming.

**sunnykerr** · 02-08-2009, 06:25 PM

Well, you're all in my thoughts.

I hope you are all alright and that everyone you love is alright.

**otherwise** · 02-08-2009, 06:52 PM

We just don't know.

We have buckets out the front and hoses out in case of embers, but if it does get any closer we'll probably just leave.

It is weird. The top half is under water and the bottom part is under fire. We need some of that top half's water. Or some rain.

**ride the lightning** · 02-08-2009, 07:04 PM

Geez, I would be so scared.

Yeah I know, Australia is weird

We had a drop of rain yesterday but then I heard about five fire trucks go past so

I don't know.

The death toll dropped to 107

-Kelly- · 02-08-2009, 07:34 PM

I gave some money to the Fire appeal

how awful is this? someone lit the fires and wanted fun? he's Sick.

cold blooded killer in my eyes.

R.I.P. all the dead people

Rhi

I'm glad you're ok

**sunnykerr** · 02-08-2009, 07:38 PM

It was set on purpose? That's evil.

SMG_fan · 02-08-2009, 07:38 PM

It's up to 111 now according to the abc news and 750 homes gone and still counting.

My sister, her friend and I are going to go around with some red cross tins and try to raise some money, otherwise there's not much else we can do. I wish there was though, it feels awful just sitting here doing nothing.

The fires weren't far from us last week and were on watch, and my dad is in gippsland and he has been on watch to. Thats bad enough, I can't imagin what it must be like to go through it.

Belinda

-Kelly- · 02-08-2009, 07:40 PM

Yeah

107 people dead, 750 homes destroyed in worst bushfires in Australia's history | National News | News.com.au

**otherwise** · 02-08-2009, 07:42 PM

I am scared.

There's been a fire started just down the road now too according to the CFA website. It's still small now but the wind is getting up.

That's what he is Kelly. I hope they get the person or people responsible.

**ride the lightning** · 02-08-2009, 07:43 PM

Apparently as fire fighters were putting fires out someone was re lighting them

It makes me sick.

I've donated some money .. not much else I can do either

Aww Rhi


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