Bush Fires in Oz

[RodKirby]

Black Saturday in Melbourne:

- Hottest day on record - 116°F + high winds
- Bush fires all over the state of Victoria (and others)
- 105 dead (known so far) - worst fire disaster in Melbourne's history
- 650+ homes destroyed

VERY fortunately, not "close" to us.

[dbhost]

Prayers going out to your countrymen and women... Sounds like summer in California...

[Ed62]

I heard about that on the news last night. I think they said it was the worst ever in Oz.

Ed

[JSUPreston]

Heard about it a little earlier today. Prayers and good wishes going out to you.

Just one question, with all the ash that is probably in the air, how much time are you spending trying to keep the shop clean?

[jhart]

Glad to hear it's not near you Rod. Was wondering if it was when I saw it on the news. Hope they get it under control soon.

[Alex Franke]

Yeah, I saw it on the news yesterday, too. It's just awful. Somehow the fires seem even more menacing than what we used to have in California.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your compatriots. Stay safe!

[dbhost]

All I have to say Rod is WOW... I am sooo praying for you and your family. That is MUCH worse looking than what I have seen here in the states...

[SARGE..g-47]

Hopefully the situation will be contained.. I read a few moments ago the Prime Minister has stated arsonist are suspected in several cases. If so.. I hope they are caught and punished to the full extent your laws allow.

[BobSch]

Hopefully the situation will be contained.. I read a few moments ago the Prime Minister has stated arsonist are suspected in several cases. If so.. I hope they are caught and punished to the full extent your laws allow.

Or caught in their own fires.

Vindictive? Not me!

[LCHIEN]

the first thing i thought when i read the topic was , oh, no, he's only out of office for two and a half weeks and they're still blaming him for everything.

Then I realized that what we call brush fires are bush fires to the Aussies.
Anyway it's no laughing matter, I hope they get them under control soon and end the awful threat to homes and property and wildlife.

[jackellis]

Interestingly enough, a friend of mine just north of London reports that the snows have virtually paralyzed England for going on two weeks. Too hot at one end, too cold at the other.

[Mr__Bill]

I have been watching it on the national news and last night it made the local news. Living in a fire area your plight hits home. For me, I think that at 116 F I would spontaneously combust!


Bill

[radhak]

Rod, are these urban areas with houses close-by? How come the fire seems to be in every direction, almost like wind during a hurricane or water during a tsunami?

[RodKirby]

Rod, are these urban areas with houses close-by? How come the fire seems to be in every direction, almost like wind during a hurricane or water during a tsunami?

All the fires are in country/rural areas - "small" towns. The strong winds were from the north (hot) on Saturday when most of the damage was done. On Sunday the wind shifted to from the south (cool) -AND- the temperature dropped from 116°F to 75°F

Death toll now 166 (and rising).

Lots of detail here:

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/sto...018723,00.html

[SARGE..g-47]

Or caught in their own fires.

Vindictive? Not me!

Now if I had mentioned "burned at the stake" in public view Bob.. someone would point a finger and accuse me of being a barbarian. So.. in order for neanderthals as myself to understand what I mean about caught and punished.. you have to read between the lines as my wife has made my promise to make the best attempt I can possibly muster at being diplomatic with these kinds of things.