Just reading about the flare ups in NSW and hoping you all are safe! I witnessed some bush fires last time I was in OZ- and have helped with a few prairie fires (controlled fires!!! perfectly legal!)here in the US-so I know how hot, fast & devestating they can be...

stay safe!!!

Yes, I hope all rural frenz are ok, both in the NSW bush fires, and the Victorian ones. Texas Rose, one came near your neck of the woods, hopefully it's gone out?

There are a few frenz that live in NE Victoria, so I hope they are doing ok. I gather Beechworth, Stanley and Whitfield are suffering amongst other areas.

25 deaths so far in Victoria. I'm in Canada, keeping track by internet, and it feels pretty odd, sitting looking at snow, to read about these horrendous bush fires.

Yes, I hope too that all our frenz (and PG too!) are doing ok down there. It's a terrible time with so many lives and houses lost. Hope they get some relief soon

was just coming over here to start a thread about the fires. It is a shocking situation over so many areas in OZ...I don't ever remember heat like this (over 46 here yesterday and suppose to be hotter today)

Frenz look after yourseleves and our furry frenz too, we're thinking of you

We're in Victoria and had to evacuate last night. We're stuck in a town called Yea and cannot go anywhere else as the roads are blocked. Our house is/was (we don't know its fate yet) in Kinglake. Very scary!!

OMG LindaJ that is just horrid
I feel so usless here. We don't have any fires near at this minute,althogh we were put on evac alert last year and once before(The first day I moved to my old house in Kentlyn, had been moved in for about an hour when the bush over the road went up)it is not a situation I would want to face again and I can't bare to think of our Frenz going thru it



Please if you can do keep in touch

I don't even know what to say

hk wrote:

quote:

Yes, I hope all rural frenz are ok, both in the NSW bush fires, and the Victorian ones. Texas Rose, one came near your neck of the woods, hopefully it's gone out?

The one in the Bunyip State Forest hasn't gone out yet hk, but the wind is blowing it in a different direction.

A neighbour saw the flames over a nearby hill last night. I had no idea it was that close and I had been out looking to see.

I've realised that my evacuation plans are inadequate. A friend would have come and collected my horses, but would she have been allowed in???? My parents had difficulty getting here this morning because the police have blocked off all major roads into the area.

And I've got this stuffed back so I can't move quickly, and I can't pick up much at a time, and my back's quite good at the moment.

I would do things a lot differently next time, if we're unfortunate enough to have to endure a next time.

There are lots of planes and aircraft flying over my place even as I'm typing so I don't know what's going on.

LindaJ, I hope everything will be okay. I think your area is in a more precarious situation than mine.

It was gut renching watching the footage on the news....my heart and thoughts go out to all affected. Over 60 lives and 600 homes.

LindaJ and TR, hope you both are currently ok in this devastating situation.

65 people are confirmed dead now but it is expected to go much higher.

We knew it (Saturday) was going to be an awful day with many strong wind warnings but I don't think anyone expected it to be this bad.

Whole towns are gone. Marysville is a place I've been to many times. A lovely township - now no more.

I'm glad you are safe LindaJ and happy you didn't need to evacuate TR. Here's hoping and praying that they find everyone missing alive.

And let's pray for an end to this damn drought.

I just feel sick to my stomach seeing all the news reports on t.v.

I can tell you, if I was in a position health wise, I would be down there seeing if I can help in any way at the evac centers or something useful. And I mean that from the bottom of my heart

Just in case anybody hasn't heard, PG sent an email around saying they are okay, as are Nigel and Phil. Peter and partner are taking in injured animals.

The reports of how the animals have died are appalling.

Its brilliant that Peter and Mark would want to help in such a way.

I've seen a newsflash tonight that a very well respected newsreader, Brian Naylor, actually died in the fire, together with his wife. He had apparently retired to Kinglake after he read the news in Melbourne for many years.

They had been missing, and I haven't seen the bulletin confirming the news, but will wait to see it an 11:00 pm tonight.

To be honest, I didn't really believe it when they said that the bushfires on Saturday would be worse than Ash Wednesday back in 1983. I thought it was sensationalistic journalism.

I was wrong.

I believe that 75 people have now been confirmed dead. More are missing. The television images even of those who have survived are very moving and distressing.

Death toll now at 84. Over 750 houses gone. Some small towns virtually wiped off the map.

quote:

Originally posted by Texas Rose:
The reports of how the animals have died are appalling.

Its brilliant that Peter and Mark would want to help in such a way.

I've seen a newsflash tonight that a very well respected newsreader, Brian Naylor, actually died in the fire, together with his wife. He had apparently retired to Kinglake after he read the news in Melbourne for many years.

They had been missing, and I haven't seen the bulletin confirming the news, but will wait to see it an 11:00 pm tonight.

To be honest, I didn't really believe it when they said that the bushfires on Saturday would be worse than Ash Wednesday back in 1983. I thought it was sensationalistic journalism.

I was wrong.

I believe that 75 people have now been confirmed dead. More are missing. The television images even of those who have survived are very moving and distressing.

Yes, Brian lived there as did his son until he died last year in that plane crash. Brian lived in Kinglake West and would have copped ember attack before us (and so very unexpectedly).

I know a guy whose grandchildren were lost.

That's lovely that PG is taking in animals. I hate to think how many animals on our property are injured/dead. Feel ill thinking about our 'friends' we loved watching through the window.

We are now at my Mum's place. Couldn't wait to get away from Yea and all of the smoke.

I love Marysville and am so sad it has been destroyed. I heard that the bakery is still standing (?)

Hoping we can go up there tomorrow...

PS, thank you all for your kind thoughts xoxo

My cousin and his family lived in Marysville.

They are all safe but only have the clothes they're standing in - they have nothing - no passports, money, credit cards etc.

Their business has most likely gone too - they are unable to get back to check if anything is left yet though they are desperate to.

They are staying with family in Melbourne.

I hope that everyone else keeps safe.

My partner (who grew up in country Victoria) did school work experience at channel 9, when Brian Naylor was a newsreader. He was saddened to hear about Brian and his wife. My partner's parents have had a couple close callls, involving their property.
What I can't get over is the suggestion that one or more of these fires may have been deliberately lit -dispicable!
My thoughts are with all of you who are affected by this terrible disaster.

We're seeing bits and pieces of film on our news over here and it truly looks terrifying and heartbreaking.

Please, everyone keep safe.

There's been quite a lot of coverage in the news here too which we have been following as we have family in the area, so far thankfully they are safe. My thoughts are with you all, keep safe and sound X

Truly horrifying. And some of the fires were set by arsonists!? I can't understand people.

Mr Sadly wrote:

quote:

Truly horrifying. And some of the fires were set by arsonists!? I can't understand people.

Not only that Mr S. The firies are fighting like hell to put out these blazes, they think only to have arsonists go in and re-light in some areas.

The army are helping fight the fires apparently, or their help has been offered, but I do think they should also be patrolling to keep an eye on anyone in the fire zone, and collect number plates etc just in case.