A Community Tragedy

[Euphod]

Sometimes it's the larger community that takes center stage, and I feel this is one of those times.

I've been reading some of the accounts of the wildfires occuring in Australia right now, and it's not pretty. The pain and loss must be devastating, and I'm shocked and saddened to read some of the fires may have been set intentionally by arsonists.

My thoughts and prayers indeed are with the nation tonight, and I hope that no member here has been personally visited by the disaster.

 

[S301]

Ed
I fully agree. The CFA (Country Fire Authority) volunteers are doing a very hard job. This has been a very sad weekend indeed. I was lucky that my area hasn't been affected by the fires. I still want to say thank you to the CFA though. We had a tree branch bring down some power lines, sparking a couple small fires. Absolutely minor compared to other areas, but it really serves as a wake up call that it was a bad day.

My condolenses to those who have lost loved ones and friends in this horrible weekend.

Zec

 

[K4driver]

Not in Austrailia But I can understand how it must feel out there......my prayers Go out to the nation in it's hour of need.

 

[Napalm]

I'd like to add my thoughts and wishes to anyone who is or has family affected in any way by this disaster, you never quite understand how it feels to be affected by something like this until it actually happens to you.

Napalm

 

[R707]

It is one of the most horrific tragedies ever to touch the hearts of Australians.

Mother nature has a bad side, and it does not get much worse than this.

Over 100 lovely people consumed by the fires. Over 700 homes destroyed. Whole towns wiped off the map. People will regrow, but the pains will live on for years.

Please let's not forget the horrible toll on the wild life and stock.

Fires like this have no discrimination, they just consume everything.

I am sure all Trainzers will be touched by this tragedy. Please say a prayer for those that have lost so much.

Also, all praise goes to the brave people who put their lives on the line to help.

Pete

 

[deeelare]

Living in Southern California , I have great sympathy for those that are effected by wildfires . Strong winds , high temperatures and little moisture put us at the mercy of Mother Nature .
We suddenly understand that we have very little control of our destiny during these types of disasters .
Kudos and prayers to the firefighters , and prayers to the residents !
And if it was deliberatly set , may those culprits be found and punished severely .

--- ,DLR

 

[JimDep]

Sad indeed.

My thoughts and prayers also go out to the wonderful people and wildlife
of Australia. Lets hope for quick containment and recovery.

 

[seeseeme]

Thank You Ed for this thread, great idea.

In times like this disaster it is not really possible for those not involved in this, or any disaster, to know how it feels. The pain of so many families effected must be so great, their really are no words to describe it.

Yesterday I watched many of the News Reports and had a hard time wondering how such a disaster could happen, and happen so fast. I just read one article of family members trying to find their relatives, sadly when they did their worst fears came true. At there house, they found the keys in the car, the pet dog in the car, personal belongs in the car but sadly there bodies where in the house. This just shows how little time many in the area had.

While watching the news they spoke of the work of Volunteer Firefighters and how many have literally worked non stop for hours, some for more then 24 hours. There are more Firefighters, and equipment, from other States moving in to help in the fight, or just to give those already there some time to eat and rest.

I was also reading some articles about various Businesses and what they are do to help out. One bank had staff come in on a Sunday to help with any financial problems survivors may have. Government departments had staff working on the weekend to start handing out Cheques to those in need. Many Businesses are pouring money in to help out, and many Australians are making Donations.

To all those who have lost family and friends, my deepest sympathies and condolences.

To those working so hard in fighting these fires and others helping out, your efforts, strength and bravery are amazing.

Craig

 

[Euphod]

At there house, they found the keys in the car, the pet dog in the car, personal belongs in the car but sadly there bodies where in the house. This just shows how little time many in the area had.

I almost hesitate to add to what you have posted Craig, for fear of being thought of as a morbid spectator; but it is the very speed of these fires that I find so frightening! Here in the Chicago area everyone has contemplated the chilling scenario of a tornado coming at night, when everyone is defenseless and unaware, and there's no comfort in it!

From some of the reports I've read people have not even been able to escape by car. Several of the reports really choked me up, thinking of my own children and loved ones.

I can't imagine the suffering...

 

[srr89]

Indeed this is very sad, so far the death toll has reached 108 exactly. My thoughts and prayers go to everyone as well as the trainzers down in Australia.

Robby

 

[Midland]

As I type this reply up the death toll stands at 108 and is expected to rise even more. That is truly terrible indeed. Yesterday the prevailing nor'westerly wind sent temperatures over here skyrocketing but what really astounded me was that the sunlight in Canterbury was tinged with a very definite reddish orange colour. That means the smoke and haze and particulates from those bush fires are travelling over 1200 miles across the Tasman Sea to the shaky isles.
I hope you Cobberoos can get on top of this really soon. You certainly have my sympathy.

Cheers

Nix

 

[Stationbeem]

My sincere prayers to all those people affected in the Victoria area. I have family who live there, my eldest daughter is out there visiting and has been in touch to say that they are safe. She has asked me to express her concern for those affected and and to praise the volunteer firefighters who are doing a most perilous job in trying to save what they can. Prayers and thoughts to our Friends so far away.

 

[illinoiscentral]

I almost hesitate to add to what you have posted Craig, for fear of being thought of as a morbid spectator; but it is the very speed of these fires that I find so frightening! Here in the Chicago area everyone has contemplated the chilling scenario of a tornado coming at night, when everyone is defenseless and unaware, and there's no comfort in it!

Oh, Euphod. I used to live down in Tuscola south of Champaign and when we heard the sirens, we ran for the closet! Tornados are a horrible thing. I'm very sorry to hear about our Australian friends, this is a tough time for them, I'll be praying. To the arsonist that caused this, I hope he knows just how many innocent lives he has destroyed, all 130+ of them. And I hope it hurts him.

 

[umphies]

How Lucky I Am

We live in a rural area here in south australia and Saturday 7/02/09 was a hellish day with 46degrees celcius temps high winds and thick dust.Our local Country Fire Service fire siren went off that afternoon and I was on high alert looking and smelling for smoke.So very lucky we were that no major fires occured in this state that day.So very lucky.
My thoughts are with the Victorian victims and any-one affected by this tragedy..Even though I live in a fire risk area I cant begin to imagine what it must have been like..It makes me feel ashamed when I have a winge about my trivial problems when others have real situations like these fires to overcome..

Once again my thoughts are with you...

 

[Dermmy]

The magnitude of the firestorm visited upon the Victorian community last Saturday cannot be imagined. I live in the Upper Yarra Valley and although my home has not been directly threatened there have been two fires within a three or four kilometers over the last couple of days. Both are now contained. Tonight on the way home from work - 1 hours drive - I counted 12 separate smoke plumes, some small, but two of them huge. The emergency is nowhere near over.

This picture was taken from my back garden last Saturday afternoon, and bear in mind this was nowhere near the centre of things...

Andy

 

[S301]

I was only in Warburton on Friday, at a friends model train workshop... Had been staying in Woori Yallock with him. I'm just glad I came back down here on the Saturday. His farm ended up with embers on Sat evening. Luckily nothing major there, but still...

I'm really thankful that we had nothing major down here in Belgrave/Tecoma... Even in the 20 odd years after Ash Wednesday, the regrowth is enough that it would likely go up much like the Saturday fires did.

Thank you so much to all CFA, DSE, and all others who are helping to fight these fires, and help the victims.
Zec

 

[psycho_aussie]

Our Sunday paper had an awful picture on the front cover, but one that summed up the worst of what the firefighters in Victoria have had to deal with. It was a picture of a firetruck racing away from a very large, smoke-covered blaze that towered well above the trees that were between the truck and the fire, and gumtrees aren't small things...

To hear that some callous people could have started these fires is beyond words. I wonder if they would care if their own loved ones had been caught up in the blaze.

Chris

 

[amigacooke]

Sorry to hear of this tragedy, but it is heartening how people pull together in adversity.

 

[R707]

Unfortunately, there is always a nasty side to such a tragedy as this.

It has been reported that looters have entered some of the homes left standing.

These sick people are like the scum that rises to the surface in a quagmire.

The police force should have the power to shoot first, it would save on litigation.

The Human race has some inclusions that missed out on some important criteria.

Pete

 

[bendorsey]

TV here (USA) is reporting the fires spread so fast you must immediately evacutate when you smell smoke. Waiting until you see flames is probably too late. They are speading so quickly its difficult to outrun them in a car.
As for the arsonists - burning at the stake should not be considered cruel and unusual punishment.

Prayers and sympathy to all involved.

Ben