Australia Fires, stay or flee? :(

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Skhosu

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Absoloutely horrendous, I can't imagine how awful it must be
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Why are some staying to fight it?
Would you stay or flee?
Personally I have to say I would pack up my essentials and live stock and get as far away as possible.
 
apparently the fire moves faster than vehicles (i was just watching a report on it) and in the normal course of events they tell you to sit it out cos the fire moves over very fast alot of the farm holders can deal with it. i suppose like walking over hot coals, you arent there long enuf to get really burned.
but if it was me? i just dont know. i think i would stay although if i had horses i might reconsider.
i was actually just thinking how truly awful for those people there was a man crying who had lost two young children and the poor things cant even hold onto the fact that it was a natural disater caused by God. some ba****rd lit some of those fires. How unspeakably sick is that. am just staggered.
 
Really not sure what I'd do as like L said, the fire was moving faster than cars were. The stories of people's houses being missed by mere metres is quite surreal too
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I think livestock would be a big problem, there's a chilling photo on the bbc website of a dead horse in its field
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Looks perfectly asleep but you just know what happened to it
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it's devestating.

A very good friend of mine here, is away from home and it's basically raging through her near by villages. Thankfully her parents are OK for now, but the fire is almost at their door.....

As I understand, the fire is so quick, it doestn' matter how fast you drive. Also there are things blocking roads, so you're stuck and then consumed by flames.

As for staying put - I have no idea why they say that? I can't get my head around that however these guys are used to this type of weather as it happens every year. Only this year it's raging worse than normal.

For the B*stards who re-light the fires. I hope they all have the pain and agony of being torched themselves. Truley the most disgusting hting ever..... PIGS the lot of htem...

Just hoping and praying my mates folks are all OK. It's very much touch and go at the mo....

Bx
 
I just watched some of the videos on the BBc website, the pictures of whole towns destroyed and the totally devastated people were heartbreaking, I had to stop, it was just too much to take in. The recovery from this will take the countryside years and how will the people ever recover.

My feelings would have been to run but for so many there was nowhere to run to.
 
Well, quite a few of the deaths were people attempting to flee who got caught in their cars, or who crashed because of the smoke and so on
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It was a firestorm, not just an ordinary bush fire, so very unpredictable.
The death toll so far is 181, but that'll go up once the search starts properly
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The footage shows a lot of cars still in driveways, so I do wonder how many didn't get out
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Hello all in the UK

Just to clarify:

These fires were bourne from unprecedented weather conditions - fueled in part by sporadic lightening strikes, wind speeds in excess of 100km/hr and - sadly - arsonists. The state of Victoria was largely 'baked' and therefore primed even before the first flame, due to years of merciless drought and extended periods of extreme heat, being above 43 degrees for days on end. Put this lethal combination together with towns nestled in amongst eucalypt forrests (containing volatile oil)... a recipe for disaster, with the right conditions.

It was not a simple case of 'fight or flee'. People of these towns had little to no warning of such a fire storm, and were literally trapped in the nightmare. Yes the towns were on high alert - as they are on a frequent basis over every summer (bearing in mind that bushfires are a regular danger of which Australians are well accustomed and prepared for). But usually there is adequate warning and time to evacuate. There're always some people who decide to stay & fight, but rarely does it happen whereby we aren't given that option.

These towns usually only have one or two roads leading in & out...

Contingency plans were - as they always have been - in place for the removal of loved ones, protection of property and evacuation of livestock. But with the unexpected sudden change of wind, and speed of that wind...God these people never stood a chance. Even running down the road burned people alive, from he sheer heat of the bitumen and surrounding heat & ash.

In amongst the agonising stories of loved ones perished, are heartbreaking scenes of equine loss. Country Victoria is very 'horsey', with many thriving equestrian sporting communities exisiting in beautiful countryside. I'd hazard a guess that many, many horses & ponies met their terrible fate that day
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The equestrian communities of Australia have united in national appeal drives, with donation depots in strong activity from every corner of our land. Emergency agistment, veterinary care and basic supplies are being provided with great speed.

As an Australian, I would like to thank you for the overwhelming messages of support that we've recieved from our British friends during this most difficult tragedy. Messages of support & condolences from Britian are flooding our news bulletin boards and forums. Thankyou.
 
I am about to to fly to Melbourne from Scotland, and would like to know how I can help!

I am arriving late on the 18th Feb and fly to Mildura to stay with friends the next day. I gather that area is fire free, but would be grateful for any info!!
 
Punk, when you fly to Victoria you'll be surrounded with info about the bushfires (which are still burning all round the state at the moment).

In regards to helping, the best way is to donate to the appeal set up by the Red Cross. This is completely safe and all funds go towards helping rebuild important infrastructure necessary for re building these people's lives. The Red Cross are not accepting goods or volunteers at this stage, as the logistics behind transport, insurance and organisation is too large. They have an army of experienced volunteers to help in the areas most needed.

The relief effort here in Australia has been incredible. Australian's have donated over 100 million dollars already.

You won't be able to visit a few of the badly affected towns because they're still completely closed off and remain as crime scenes. Many more deceased are still to be removed
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Mildura will have some sort of program set up to co-ordinate it's own relief efforts - probably through the local government office or council. Perhaps contact them and find out how you can get involved.

The RSPCA are calling for anyone who is skilled in animal trauma, rescue and rehabilitation. The estimated number of animals - both domestic and wild, is somewhere near a million. Being a horse person, perhaps pack a few halters/headstalls, lead ropes into your luggage, and give them to the local EFA branch for collection. Or buy a few when you're there.

Also, there will be local horse rescue groups operating in Victoria which will be providing immediate care of badly burnt and traumatised horses & ponies. I'm sure they would hugely appreciate a visit and perhaps a day's volunteering! If this sounds suitable for your planned visit, let me know and I'll find the local contacts for you.
 
Hi Gallapa
Nice to see you here. I'm a former Melbournite (been over here 29 years now!) so have been watching the news with horror - wondering about old friends. My sister had e-mailed me to say Langwarrin had stayed safe - but sent some photos which illustrated the horror.

Seeing THIS coming towards your home and stables would be most of our worst nightmare - for many, it was reality!

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And how brave are the firemen??

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Choppers were going non-stop in some areas - dumping huge bags of water collected from reservoirs.

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Sounds like Whittlesea had it bad - I wondered whether Art Uytendaal's old yard (Victorian Show Jumping Stables) had survived (I'll bet he was glad he retired to Queensland!)

It sure puts our moans about our weather (snow, frost, mud!) into perspective!
 
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