Bushfires

[A Mum]

It's too devistating for words.

I am watching channel 7 who have extended their broadcast to 11am.
They are speaking with people who have lost everything.
Miracle escapes etc.

One guy was interviewed who had his wife on the phone just before fires went through.
He is currently searching for his wife and 3 children, having not heard from them since.
Of course the Fire Services and authorities won't let him go 'back up' to his house at this time.

I just keep putting myself in their shoes, and I don't know how they are getting through.
Even the news broadcasters who are there are 'breaking down' as reporting.

My thoughts are with everyone who is involved in any way.

It is so, so sad

It's absolutely uncomprehendable/devistating that arsonists have done this..
Even the prime minister called it 'mass murder'

[Dirko]

We (As in Family) live in Beechworth which is currently under threat to a certain extent or was. It is a terrible tradgedy, The smoke covering the area is unbelievable..

Lets hope the body count does not continue to rise and the weather can give us some relief in the coming days although i wont hold my breath.

"The Beechworth fire is continuing to threaten the areas of Stanley, Bruarong, Dederang, Gundowring, Gundowring Upper, Kancoona, Kancoona South, Coral Bank, Glen Creek and Running Creek. The fire front has crossed the Yackandandah Dederang Road into the Mt Big Ben area and whilst relatively quiet may impact on the Kergunyah South, Kergunyah and Gundowring North communities during the morning."

Looks like it's burning away from Beechworth.

Hang in their Pup, you and the family stay safe, and hopefully Beechworth is OK.

[overloaded]

lets just hope the authorities get these arsonists

[skipper46]

lets not forget that bushfires have been around for millions of years and are a natural occurance. some of you are letting the emotion get to you

[A Mum]

Forgive me if I'm wrong.

But someone deliberately starting a fire and putting people's lives in danger is not a natural occurance.

[Dutchy]

Red Cross are not only callling for $$ donations but clean clothes, I see this as the best way I can assist, work has arranged for a central drop off tomorrow and Red Cross will come and collect, suggest people might like to consider this option and maybe arrang ethis at their work

Also wife just told me the Salvos are asking for toy donations, we just went thru my boys bedrooms to clear toys they had grown out of and were going to sell them at a boot sale but will now all go to the Salvos

Some suggestions for people thats not just monetary

[Dirko]

lets not forget that bushfires have been around for millions of years and are a natural occurance. some of you are letting the emotion get to you

WTF !

As Mum said, if these fires started naturally, then mother nature is a bitch. BUT it's reported that the major fires were deliberately lit. That is not a natural occurrence. This is an act of terror, and has nothing to do with natural occurrences...

An arsonist(s) has deliberately lit a fire(s) which has claimed over 100 lives.

Your post is nothing short of a disgrace....

[The Big Shrek]

I'm not sure whether all the fires were delibarately lit. We are all obviously looking for someone to blame but we shouldwait for the facts to come out.

[LaughingKookaburra]

lets not forget that bushfires have been around for millions of years and are a natural occurance. some of you are letting the emotion get to you

Still an ordinary post though. Tsunami's, earth quakes, flooding and tornados have been around for millions of years aswell, does not mean people can not show remorse and empathy for those effected. Don't go being a councillor any time soon

[Squawk]

Red Cross are not only callling for $$ donations but clean clothes, I see this as the best way I can assist, work has arranged for a central drop off tomorrow and Red Cross will come and collect, suggest people might like to consider this option and maybe arrang ethis at their work

Also wife just told me the Salvos are asking for toy donations, we just went thru my boys bedrooms to clear toys they had grown out of and were going to sell them at a boot sale but will now all go to the Salvos

Some suggestions for people thats not just monetary

At present, cash is what is most needed. Donated goods collections need to be properly coordinated - otherwise the Charities end up spending thousands getting rid of unwanted items. Get clear advice from Red Cross and others before rushing in, folks (as well-intentioned as everyone is).

[Footy Chick]

My mail is that red cross are not after toiletries or anything of the sort because they want to use local business to keep the local economy running over there.

[ubeauty]

lets not forget that bushfires have been around for millions of years and are a natural occurance. some of you are letting the emotion get to you

crap post mate!!!!...the tragic loss of life and property is so horrific........and where its mother nature or arsonists the facts are many lives and communities are now destroyed i would hardly call this a case of the "emotion getting to you".........

might wanna think before u post rubbish like that.......

[Dutchy]

Red Cross are not only callling for $$ donations but clean clothes, I see this as the best way I can assist, work has arranged for a central drop off tomorrow and Red Cross will come and collect, suggest people might like to consider this option and maybe arrang ethis at their work

Also wife just told me the Salvos are asking for toy donations, we just went thru my boys bedrooms to clear toys they had grown out of and were going to sell them at a boot sale but will now all go to the Salvos

Some suggestions for people thats not just monetary

At present, cash is what is most needed. Donated goods collections need to be properly coordinated - otherwise the Charities end up spending thousands getting rid of unwanted items. Get clear advice from Red Cross and others before rushing in, folks (as well-intentioned as everyone is).

You serious?

When the Salvos and Red Cross ask for it and people are willing to donate it and the charities are willing to come and pick it up...whats the problem?

[Dogwatcher]

My uncle and aunty are in a caravan park somewhere in this mess.
Happily for us they are okay.
I haven't been able to speak to them but relayed word from other family members tells me that what they are seeing is just incomprehensible. I guess that goes without saying.
I'm so glad they are well.

[Dirko]

128 dead....

They say it'll reach over 200....

[Q.]

My uncle and aunty are in a caravan park somewhere in this mess.
Happily for those they are okay.
I haven't been able to speak to them but relayed word from other family members tells me that what they are seeing is just incomprehensible. I guess that goes without saying.
I'm so glad they are well.

Good to hear DW. My uncle lives just outside King Lake West, the fires missed his place by about a kilometre. And to think I was oblivious to it all 'cause I was too busy partying all Saturday

[locky801]

lets not forget that bushfires have been around for millions of years and are a natural occurance. some of you are letting the emotion get to you

That is the most unwarranted post i have read on any forum ever, watch the news, the major fire has been classed as a major crime, therefore deliberately lit

[silicone skyline]

lets not forget that bushfires have been around for millions of years and are a natural occurance. some of you are letting the emotion get to you

I would put that in my signature if it wasn't the most uninformed, ignorant, blatantly insensitive remark I've ever read on here.

[Squawk]

Red Cross are not only callling for $$ donations but clean clothes, I see this as the best way I can assist, work has arranged for a central drop off tomorrow and Red Cross will come and collect, suggest people might like to consider this option and maybe arrang ethis at their work

Also wife just told me the Salvos are asking for toy donations, we just went thru my boys bedrooms to clear toys they had grown out of and were going to sell them at a boot sale but will now all go to the Salvos

Some suggestions for people thats not just monetary

At present, cash is what is most needed. Donated goods collections need to be properly coordinated - otherwise the Charities end up spending thousands getting rid of unwanted items. Get clear advice from Red Cross and others before rushing in, folks (as well-intentioned as everyone is).

You serious?

When the Salvos and Red Cross ask for it and people are willing to donate it and the charities are willing to come and pick it up...whats the problem?

I am serious - it was a lesson from the Wangarry fires in 2005. There are also big logistics issues with sorting, transportation etc. from SA to Vic. If the SA NGOs are asking for it, then you can assist that way but I'm just saying to check first.

[Psyber]

Red Cross at Ringwood have been turning away blood donors according to the radio.
They point out they have all that can be processed and used now, but would like people to return in about 3 weeks when more will be needed.
The Salvos are saying that they specifically need children's underwear and nightwear and less of other goods being offered that they can't use at present.