Victorian Bushfires. The nations worst natural disaster.

Musk · Feb 9, 2009

135 people confirmed dead, 750 homes destroyed in the worst bushfires in Australia's history.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25027055-421,00.html

Jesus. I can not put into words just how horrible this is. I give my greatest consoledence to all those effected by these bushfires and I hope they catch the people responsible.

Jintor · Feb 9, 2009

The worst bit is that most of these fires were deliberately lit by firebugs - that is to say, arsonists. Half of Victoria is now a crime scene, two entire towns (Kinglake and Maryland) have been pretty much obliterated off the face of the earth, thanks to a handful of pyromaniac wankers and their matches. People were roasted alives in their cars before the flames even reached them.

Sparta · Feb 9, 2009

I'm still having trouble comprehending how many people have died across the state from these fires. There is a lot of talk of the arsonists being charged as murderers. I hope that happens because i know for sure that if anyone who's not a cop finds out who lit what, the arsonists are definitely not going to see the light of another day.

I don't think anyone in the state would lose any sleep over that happening.

A guy from SomethingAwful had a mate who drove down to Marysville the day it got wiped out. Here's his story

Lucky guy said:
Hi guys,
I thought while things are still fresh in my mind, and as i know some people are curious, i thought i'd share my experience and the experience of some of those who were with me on Saturday night.

After leaving x and Mrs x and x's Wedding from the city, i thought i would visit x on xxxxxx Camp. I was aware that there were fires but was well informed by the News and Radio that there were no fires that were endangering the general area of Marysville. Even so, dad suggested i take a long sleave shirt and a bottle of water, i kinda thought this was a bit Unnecessary but did so anyway as in the back of my mind i knew he was right.

My other reason for leaving was that even though i knew there was No/Little danger I thought that if there were, fires and xxx would have to be evacuated i would like to be with her. But that was really only in the back of my mind.

I drove the normal route to Marysville through the black spur etc, and i had noticed small fires along the way, notably near Coldstream there was a paddock on fire, but as it was a long way away and there was already a fire truck on its way i thought nothing more than, cool look at that! As i pushed on through xxxx the smoke had all but disappeared, and there was blue sky again. I drove through the black spur and out the other side noticing a wedding with many wedding guests in the xxx Inn. I drove on toward the small town of Narbethong, at this stage i had seen some fire closer to the road, but i for some reason still did not feel that threatened and continued to head toward marysville. Now with some concern that although there are no warnings on the radio about the fire, it was in fact a reality. I was unable to reach x, due to poor reception, so i sent an SMS to call me back ASAP. I now felt responsible to get to marysville asap. There were very strong winds at this stage, and one or two branches hit my car while i was driving (ah great). I drove through Narbethong and took the right hand turn to Marysville, i drove what would have been only a kilometer and was approached by a massive fire burning on both sides with flames coming across the road. I was left with two choices

I either trust that the fire will thin and i would get out the side (unwise). Or turn around and head back (wise)

I slammed on the breaks, and turned the car around, and drove some way down the road and called x. I told here that there was a fire only 5kms away from marysville, she seemed rather relaxed and to my feeling at the time was unaware of the danger, i implored her to leave straight away!

I continued down back towards Melbourne, now fairly concerned, at the T intersection, there were about 5 - 6 cars. Everyone was out and trying to work out what to do, a said,"i've just come from Melbourne 5 minutes earlier and it was clear, i know what i'm doing, i'm going back that way!" So i jumped in my car and took off down the road at 100km++ went flying through Narbethong and was approached by a terrifying sight, more fire, houses had started to go up, and the fire was very thick and i could only see 5m in front of me. I again was faced with the decision, do i punch through blindly or turn around. I decided that i would turn around, i saw a CFA man out the front of a camping shop so i slammed to a stop and asked "What do i do?!" He in a daze said "I guess park behind this shop", so i did. At the car park was a man in thongs and shorts spraying with the fire hose at flames that were literaly only 1 tree away, i bumped into the owner of the the Shop, she was also CFA and running franticly trying to work out what she should do. I ran to the front of the shop and saw the other 5 - 6 cars that were with me earlier. The next few minutes are a little unclear, as with high levels of adrenaline my mind is blurred and clouded, i for whatever reason went to the back of the store and saw flames 1 - 2 meters away from my car, they were slowly creeping there way along the gravel via debris that was all over it. It was split second thinking but i decided to jump in the car and move it to somewhere safer, so i quickly moved it up to a car park along side of the shop (supposedly out of harms way). I went to the front of the store and half the group that was there before was gone. I asked "Where are they?!" The others explained that they had turned around and took off back the way we came, i couldn't believe what i was hearing, but it was out of our control. Among those who left was a group of about 5 Asian tourists, i still don't know if they made it. I hope that they escaped to Alexandra which was unnaffected by the fire. We all then ran around the to the back of the building, i made one call to home to tell them that they need to pray NOW, i am in serious danger, i wasn't quite as strong as that, but it sounded better than i cried on the phone. we ran into the basement, the trees directly around us were starting to catch on fire, and there was considerable heat coming off them. As soon as we entered i knew that we were in the best possible place we could be at the time. It was a brick basement with a concrete roof and walls and floor. The doors were also solid steel. It was about 20 degrees in there too, so it was a relief from the 48 + ouside.

Inside we tried to organise stuff i had grabbed a sleeping bag mobile phone CB radio and med kit from my car, and we were trying to work out exactly what to do. In the basement was about 11 puppies that were all in cages, they would not stop barking no matter what we tried. I made a few more phone calls to Dad and xxx, to let them know i was in a safe place. The power went out, and we were plunged into darkness. As the night went on we stuck our heads out occasionally to see what was happening. It didnt look good, the houses either side to us were all burning and the door had to be opened with a towel it was so hot. We first entered the basement at about 5 - 530. At about 6 a CFA man came in with a lady and here dog. She was waiting in the house next door, thinking that she was safe (as that is what the authorities had told her was a safe thing to do). Literally minutes after the house was completely gone.

At about 620 i made two final calls as my phone was about to run out of battery. At about 645, we lost all communication anyway, as the mobile phone tower was destroyed. At around 7ish 15 people came flooding through the doors, amongst them 4 girls under the age of 15 some as young as 6, they had with them 2 dogs and a cat. They were terrified, only minutes earlier they were sheltering in a kiln, used to dry hard wood. They had gotten out of there with literally a 10 second window, they say if they left to early they would have died, because of the heat, too late and a Gas tank that had exploded would have killed them. I'm unclear as to how exactly they found there way to us, but they were devastated. They had all of them, lost everything and were lucky to be alive. At this stage the worst of it was over, (in our vicinity). So we were able to leave and help bring in the things that they were able to save from the cars.

I spent my time helping and talking to those people, each had there own story and wanted to talk, the girls talking about there pets and things, and the dads who had lost everything, including there businesses. In all of them tho was a strong feeling of great fullness that they were alive and all together. Among those people was a fireman, who was trying to leave his house as it caught on fire, he jumped in his ute (even though it was also on fire, he drove what he thought was about a kilometer and hit a fallen tree. He was in the middle of the fire and had no where to go, he was wearing his gear but it wasn't enough to keep him alive. He found a drain on the side of the road, and crawled up in a ball, just waiting. He was fortunately picked up and brought into our shelter after dousing him in water and giving him a few moments to rest, he went back out there to fight the fire.

At around 8 a lady and here old dad came in. She had bad burns to her hands and feet, and was in a bad way, i helped her by pouring water on her affected areas. We couldn't do much more, all i had was panadol, but i guess it was better than nothing. Me and the shop owner went out to look for water as we were all out, as we were on the road, an SES car came past, he fortunately was able to take the lady to the hospital, we didn't see her again, but i trust she will recover, from her injuries.

By about 9 the immediate fire threat was over, we headed out to survey the damage. Everything was gone, petrol stations, houses shops, the lot. We were one of 3 buildings in our vicinity that wasn't burned. I can only put this down to the prayers of those who knew what was happening. We that were there could not thank you enough. We were pleased to find out that the xxx Inn, 2 kms down the road was completely unnafeccted. Which was just a complete miracle, as there were many wedding guests there that could have been killed. We headed down there, to see if we could find any food, unbelievably one of the ladies that was in the timber mill kiln when it was burned (she was a cook) insisted on cooking us all food. I don't know how she did it, but with no gas she cooked fried rice and chicken. It was unbelievable the servant heart of everyone there, and their willingness to help each other out, even though they had nothing left themselves.

We had to decide where we were going to sleep, the inn offered us to spend the night there, but, considering the fire hadn't been there, most of us felt it would be safer to spend the night at the shelter. Lets just say, not many of us got that much sleep that night. I experienced a cold shiver all night due to probably shock and constant anxiety. We did however get a few ours sleep and in the morning was able to survey the damage in the light of day. What we saw was just devastating, i've taken some videos and photos i'll post up when i get a chance.

I decided that i would attempt to drive home in the morning (yes amazingly the car survived). It was a long drive cos the car was possibly damaged, and the emotion of it all finally caught up with me. I was able to call xxx and my parents too for the first time in hours, which was a relief for my parents, and relief for me to find xxx got out as well.

It was an unbelievable experience where you properly understand how important life is and how unimportant "things" are.

PimpinPenguin · Feb 9, 2009

I was hearing that the arsonist were relighting the fires that were put out. You guy's should get some of the snow we are getting here that will fix you up.

Jintor · Feb 9, 2009

Reports from Goonsquad.

NSW Firefighter said:
This is why we keep telling people not to leave at the last moment. Being in a house, even one that catches fire, is a lot safer than being in a car on the road. Contrary to all the hype, houses do not "explode". In over 1,000 bushfires I've attended in my career, I have only ever known one house to go boom, and that was because he had 400 litres of Av-Gas stored under the house, which embers ignited.

Most of the deaths will be heat-related, rather than smoke inhalation. A few posts have mentioned the heat that is generated by these things and that's what does you in. Your body simply can't deal with the radiated heat from the fire and down you go.

I've been on duty all day, despite a broken toe and busted shoulder, as the threat level was so high. I had over 20 crews on standby here (Blue Mountains, NSW) in the heat, so the least I could do was visit some of them. Only a couple of little nothings today, although we were throwing 5 trucks at every call rather than one or two.

I'll be honest here - most of our firefighters have been reduced to tears on hearing the news from Victoria. Personally, as preparation and prevention are the main parts of my job, I'm devastated. 26 years since Ash Wednesday and we haven't really changed much at all.

The fire weather that has been reported by the CFA, as well as what I've seen on the TV, are at the extreme end of what is possible. One of my CFA colleagues is tipping that the latest official death toll could easily double, as they are still finding bodies left, right and centre, as well as burned-out cars and houses, all of which have to be sifted through very closely, as an incinerated corpse can be very small. If even half the number of people officially missing are dead, it's going to be mind-blowing.

My heart goes out to everyone in Victoria. All we can do from up here at the moment is send down crews and trucks to help. Every single NSW firefighter would already be there if we could, but all of the fire trucks in Australia would not have stopped any of those fires - not on the day that hell visited Victoria.

Here's the aftermath of Strathewen.

http://media.theage.com.au/?rid=45963

This is Marysville.

These were car rims.

Dog-- · Feb 9, 2009

Isn't this the one you could see from space?

nurizeko · Feb 9, 2009

PimpinPenguin said:
I was hearing that the arsonist were relighting the fires that were put out..

****ers.

I hope the insane British winter on Australia 10 times over if it helps.

I just wanna say I am really impressed how the Australian people and authorities are facing those fires, and how people are coming together.

It stands in stark contrast to the British authorities and people, who in the face of a little snow shut down and skive work and act as if society cant possibly function in a bit of winter.

Where's the true British grit these days?, in Australia with our cousins it seems.

Zephos · Feb 9, 2009

My family sent in 5 bags of plush toys and around 10 bags of clothing for the victims of the fire

As for the arsonists, let them be publicly incinerated, it would only be fitting.

FishBulb · Feb 9, 2009

PimpinPenguin said:
I was hearing that the arsonist were relighting the fires that were put out. You guy's should get some of the snow we are getting here that will fix you up.

I've heard that too and that's just as bad, if not worse, than starting the fires. These people are creating more work for already exhausted firefighters and wasting their time. ****ing disgraceful.

Krynn72 · Feb 9, 2009

Hopefully the police are hot on the arsonist's tail.

nurizeko · Feb 9, 2009

Krynn72 said:
Hopefully the police are hot on the arsonist's tail.

Yes, no doubt the need to do justice to these flaming bastards is burning within their hearts.

Skaadi · Feb 9, 2009

Death toll has hit 173

Shit..

It was 131 yesterday afternoon

morgs · Feb 9, 2009

Flaming mongrels, as Alf Stewart would say.

Dog-- · Feb 9, 2009

Someone on the Ultimate Guitar forums posted from a town in Australia that was locked down, and they were all left there.

Hope that's not true.

Sheepo · Feb 9, 2009

I've got some bad heartburn.

Jintor · Feb 9, 2009

Dog-- said:
Someone on the Ultimate Guitar forums posted from a town in Australia that was locked down, and they were all left there.

Hope that's not true.

I'm getting conflicting reports - see, the general reaction to Bushfires in Australia is "Fight or Flight" - if you don't flee really really early, you've got a much better survival chance fighting the fire if you're fully prepped. That means fire blankets, hoses, a dam full of water or a few tanks worth of water, etc, etc. But these fires are something else. The speed at which they spread and the intensity is just incredible. Firefighters are sometimes having to pull back at such speeds that they just can't organize an evacuation for residents.

Dog-- · Feb 9, 2009

Oh no, I'm not saying that they just leave people there on purpose, I'm sure they do everything they can, I just hope it's not true because it's kind of a shit way to die, sitting there like a chicken ready to get roasted in your living room.

Jintor · Feb 9, 2009

Trust me when I say no Firefighting service would ever intentionally leave a town of people to die.

Asknoone · Feb 9, 2009

The puns are not funny.

Sheepo · Feb 9, 2009

Yeah, they're going up in smoke.

/runs

Warped · Feb 9, 2009

Such a tragedy. all i could think of is this music when i see those pictures:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tII1DSHPU80

Krynn72 · Feb 10, 2009

Samon said:
The puns are not funny.

Yet. Just give it a few days and come back to this thread.

Robbo · Feb 10, 2009

They leave people there because ulitmately everyone is responcible for themselves and there not going to waste time on people who are left there because they didn't have a well thought out plan. It's sounds harsh but there aren't enough firefighters to save everyone.

Mr-Fusion · Feb 10, 2009

Corp. Sheepo said:
I've got some bad heartburn.

Do you, bitch?

Krynn72 · Feb 10, 2009

I still dont get how so many people could die from this. I mean, wtf, get out of the area. All you have to do in order to not die, is stay away from the fire. Come on. How do you burn alive in your car? Its a ****ing vehicle that you can drive away from the fire in. I can't understand how people will just wait for it to come like nothing is wrong, then be like "oh shit my skins starting to melt, I gotta get outta here!"

Seriously, if there were a fire like that anywhere in Louisiana, I'd ****ing floor it to Missouri or something.

Kula Meenur · Feb 10, 2009

The poor bastards. My thoughts are with your people, friends.

Krynn, not everyone has the pleasantries of growing up in a bayou mate.

Robbo · Feb 10, 2009

Krynn the roads in the areas that are burnt are not straight highways, most are full of 50&60km/h turns and as fires can move at 150km/h you simply can't outrun them without ploughing off the road and dieing anyway. The speed of the fire is the same reason most people get caught in it. People think that they can wait till the last moment then speed off away from the fire, others get caught because of sudden wind changes which push the fire towards them.
The moral of the story is run as soon as you can.

Asuka · Feb 10, 2009

So wait, how did these fires start exactly?

kineaesth · Feb 10, 2009

Probably most of them were arson.

Robbo · Feb 10, 2009

Many diffrent reasons, some were started on purpose by people, some lightning strikes, some by cigarette butts.

Kula Meenur · Feb 10, 2009

Arson bub.

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/police-hunt-man-over-kings-park-arson-20090207-80al.html

Sheepo · Feb 10, 2009

Mr-Fusion said:
Do you, bitch?

....yes?

Kula Meenur · Feb 10, 2009

Corp. Sheepo said:
....yes?

Krynn72 · Feb 10, 2009

That looks like this chick as a kid:

kineaesth · Feb 10, 2009

Apparently the sky in Central Otago, in the South Island, was affected by these fires/the smoke. A friend of my mother's was saying it felt as if it was about to snow - the strange colour of the sky and the heaviness of the atmosphere - except it was 32 degrees.

Scary.

Sparta · Feb 10, 2009

Krynn72 said:
I still dont get how so many people could die from this. I mean, wtf, get out of the area. All you have to do in order to not die, is stay away from the fire. Come on. How do you burn alive in your car? Its a ****ing vehicle that you can drive away from the fire in. I can't understand how people will just wait for it to come like nothing is wrong, then be like "oh shit my skins starting to melt, I gotta get outta here!"

The heat from the fires are so intense that most people are being killed before the fire reaches them due to heat radiation. Not to mention the speed at the which the fire has been moving is insane. Also, a lot of people are getting blinded by smoke while driving away from the fire and that prevents them from seeing branches and trees that have been blown over the road by wind, and thats caused quite a few collisions. Couple all these circumstances together and its not as easier as to survive as the internet thinks.

A lot of these people live in areas that are used to fighting bushfires as well, so think about that for a second too and imagine what these fires must be like if they have killed almost 200 people so far.

Warped · Feb 10, 2009

Sparta said:
The heat from the fires are so intense that most people are being killed before the fire reaches them due to heat radiation. Not to mention the speed at the which the fire has been moving is insane. Also, a lot of people are getting blinded by smoke while driving away from the fire and that prevents them from seeing branches and trees that have been blown over the road by wind, and thats caused quite a few collisions. Couple all these circumstances together and its not as easier as to survive as the internet thinks.

A lot of these people live in areas that are used to fighting bushfires as well, so think about that for a second too and imagine what these fires must be like if they have killed almost 200 people so far.

and to point out, with a fire moving so fast you have no idea what direction its coming from. anyone standing too close to a bonfire should know this. if there is a gust of wind out of nowhere smoke can get in your eyes and then you feel intense heat.

Jintor · Feb 10, 2009

The fire is intense. It's like less than 20 minutes from horizon line to where you are standing, and that's just the flames. The heat itself is much faster. People are finding corpses on motorbikes, people being roasted alive in their cars as they are driving - the car is catching a few embers and then literally lighting up as it hurtles along the highway.

Not to mention, in many cases the only ways out of the bushland are straight through the bushland.

Krynn72 · Feb 10, 2009

Man that shits crazy. I had no idea a fire could move at that speed. Shit, my car would probably die trying to get to 95 mph. I'm going to have nightmares based on what you just said Jintor. Corpses on bikes? Roasted while driving?

Gods below.