The Fires

[mattyvas]

I've sat and watched the tv and updates all morning.
I just can't believe how fierce the fire fronts were/are.
I have covered quite a few bushfires up here when I used to work at the papers.
I know how it sounds and what it looks like on a fire front, but this is something else.

I will be cleaning out the wardrobe this week and we'll send things to one of you or direct to the warehouse.

It's just shocking...

Thoughts to everyone in the area and anyone effected by this.

cheers
Matty...

[Big T]

Words just don't seem adequate at a time like this.

My heart goes out to all the fire fighters, the innocent victims who have lost everything, the innocent victims who have been traumatized by it all, the families / relatives who have had to watch and wait, the Police and all the volunteers from all the organizations who have witnessed some bad bad things.

I feel very humble after seeing and hearing all the stories which highlight the true Australian spirit of mate-ship and helping each other. I shall do my very small bit.

And as the PM said this morning, anybody who lit any of these fires is a mass murder. And should be treated as such....

[Spider]

looks like the police are on the right page....

"an offender implicated in the fatal fires could be charged with the homicide-related offence of arson causing death - a crime with a maximum penalty of 25 years' jail."

and...

"An arsonist responsible for a fatal fire in Saturday's conditions could be charged with the alternative offence of reckless murder that carries a possible life sentence."

and, for the stupid cigarette smokers who believe their need for nicotine comes in front of public safety...

"anyone who was found to have caused the fires through stupidity would also be charged with recklessly causing a bushfire that has a maximum jail term of 15 years."

you go to jail for 15 years, share a frickin cell with a killer and tell your fellow inmates that you flicked your butt out the window....

[bigiain]

big

[bigiain]

Holy make the beast with two backs!

big

[craigo]

I'm in the US at the moment, the first I found out about this was when it was the lead story on CNN (they call bushfires "Wildfires") and they're saying that the toll will mount. Unbelievable that this sort of stuff can happen in this day and age. Makes me feel a little helpless to be honest.

[dragonworld.]

And fer Phuks sake going to work today I see these absolute morons still flicking ash and lit cigarette butts out of the car window !! 

What do people actually use for friggin' brains. 

Words fail me !!

[ducmeister]

For those that asked, the 'meister and Mrs are safe and well.  The fires came within about 5 to 8km of our place (I'm not about to go for a ride to measure it exactly) but pretty much kept out of Hurstbridge.  Very thankful for that!

Thanks for your concerns,
Rob.

[desmoquattro]

I'm in the US at the moment, the first I found out about this was when it was the lead story on CNN (they call bushfires "Wildfires") and they're saying that the toll will mount. Unbelievable that this sort of stuff can happen in this day and age. Makes me feel a little helpless to be honest.

Such a tragic thing. We're getting all kinds of reports here in the US, and our hearts go out to everyone affected.

craigo, where in the US are you? Any plans to come the San Francisco area?

[desmoquattro]

See, I thought that photo looked like the normal end of one of the Sydney group rides

[goldFiSh]

See, I thought that photo looked like the normal end of one of the Sydney group rides

we save those ones for when you're around

[Dockstrada]

Words just don't seem adequate at a time like this.

My heart goes out to all the fire fighters, the innocent victims who have lost everything, the innocent victims who have been traumatized by it all, the families / relatives who have had to watch and wait, the Police and all the volunteers from all the organizations who have witnessed some bad bad things.

I feel very humble after seeing and hearing all the stories which highlight the true Australian spirit of mate-ship and helping each other. I shall do my very small bit.

And as the PM said this morning, anybody who lit any of these fires is a mass murder. And should be treated as such....

I’m with you Trev, It is time like this that makes you think,  how far have we evolved. Yes we evolved from animals, But into what?

Some times it is easier to blame an individual and in this case those responsible for lighting the fires ,Which  deserve to be baked at slow heat .But in reality they are a product of our society. Which is to blame for the creation of these so called humans?

My heart goes out to all that have suffered in these past few days. As a human race we will all suffer evolutions consequences.

[goldFiSh]

craigo, where in the US are you? Any plans to come the San Francisco area?

He'd be in seattle..... so I heard from a reliable source (steph!)

[desmoquattro]

He'd be in seattle..... so I heard from a reliable source (steph!)

Heard from him over PM. We've had DUCMONROB here recently, and Zee will be here next month, so we've got plenty of Oz Monster coverage

[The Don]

I think things like this put everything into perspective, we pregnant dog and moan about little insignificant things then you hear about those poor children end up with no parents or that fire fighter who went out to fight the fires and come back to find his wife and children burnt to death, I am truly sadend, angry and frustrated.
Don