what do you get when you mix a week of extreme summer temperatures followed by a day of 47 c (117 f), winds of 100km an hour (62 mph) and a State tinder dry from 12 years of drought? You get a State ready to explode. And on Saturday, that’s just what happened here in Victoria.
And I tell you, it was scary.
The biggest fire started not very far away from us in Kilmore East. If the wind had of been blowing in the opposite direction, we might well have been one of the statistics. It wasn’t, and we were lucky. We stood on our front veranda instead and watched the columns of thick smoke, saw the speed at which it moved, watched the water bombers moving between the local dams and the fires, and heard all the sirens. And we hoped like hell that the fires stayed away from the many pretty little towns that were scattered in and around those hills.
It didn’t.
Instead, it destroyed thousands and thousands of hectares, has entirely wiped out two towns, partially destroyed many others, burned too many homes down and snatched so many lives. It’s just devastating. I can’t watch the news without crying. The official death toll is 126, but there’s so many places they can’t get into because it’s just too dangerous and they’re saying the number will be much higher by the time all this is over. There’s over 750 homes destroyed and, Victoria wide, there’s over 330 000 hectares burned so far. That’s over 815 447 acres, or two and a bit times the size of England.The worst of it is, there’s still 31 fires raging, including the one that started near us, and the wind has again picked up. At least ten towns are currently on high alert.
And the worst of it is, they reckon a good percentage of these fires were deliberately lit. I’ve never believed in the death penalty, but if they ever catch the bastards who did this, they don’t deserve jail. They deserve death. As our prime minister said, they’re mass murderers, not arsonists.
I know times are tough and money is tight, but if you have any spare change laying about, then please consider donating to the Australian Red Cross Bushfire appeal. So many people have had their lives affected by, or destroyed by, these fires, and the best way we can help right now is by donating money to the people on the ground helping them cope. And all money donated goes directly to the people in need–Red Cross aren’t taking a cent.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:46 am
I\’m sorry to hear about the devastation going on near your home. I know exactly how you feel. I live in Southern California, U.S.A., and unfortunately for us, wildfires are a regular part of life. The fact that we get them every year, destroying everything in their path, doesn\\\’t make the experience any easier to deal with or any less scary. I wish your firefighters all the luck in the world.
February 9th, 2009 at 5:19 am
Keri, I’m with you. I’m in the Adelaide Hills – not without it’s own bushfire history – but never anything so horrific as this. Our hearts and prayers go out to everyone affected and everyone still fighting.
Hope they catch the bastards.
February 9th, 2009 at 11:47 am
Keri,
I’m stunned and saddened by the tragic, malicious fires. You were actually the first thing that popped in my head when I heard about it. I live in Central California, USA and have limited knowledge of Australia, but I have certainly become more familiar with it since reading your books. I’m so sorry your beautiful homeland and its people are going through this right now. I plan on giving through the link on your blog.
Kristin P.
February 9th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I’ve donated already and I’m going to give blood today because it looks like they’re going to need it. I can’t believe how much the death toll rose overnight. They said 108 dead the last time I saw it but they were estimating more at the time but they didn’t have actual figures and now that amount is at 230. It’s just horrible.
February 9th, 2009 at 3:49 pm
Sorry they were estimating 230 people. The current amount is only at 173 on http://www.ninemsn.com.au
February 10th, 2009 at 12:38 am
There are no words to describe this situatio. I’m praying the winds stay down this week so they can try to get a handle on the fire fronts. I’m glad to hear you and yours are ok.
February 10th, 2009 at 11:17 am
I am so sorry I pray for the families and the homes. Hopeing the brushfire goes out. May they catch the guys. I will help donate to them.
February 10th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Im so sorry to hear about all the brushfires. I’m I firefighter here in Texas. I know first handed what fires can do. I have done it for 6 years, you never get use to it. It’s just sad, I will pray for all of you there.
February 11th, 2009 at 1:42 am
The fires are terrible, my mother lives at Woori Yallock and has packed her essentials in her car also. The fires were heading her way at one stage. With the death toll now at 181 and sure to climb as the firecrews and police go from one property to another, it makes me truly sick to know many of these fires were deliberately lit. I lived through Ash Wednesday in 1983 in Endeavour Hills and we had embers in our backyard. Hope you stay safe where you are.
February 11th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Keri, I am so sorry to hear of the wildfires that are spreading across your home country. My prayers are going out to all the families having to deal with this terrible situation.
February 12th, 2009 at 10:02 am
I’ve been thinking about you every time we hear about the fires on the news. What a horrible tragedy for everyone. All the families involved is just too much to comprehend. I send you all my best and stay safe.
February 12th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
Keri;
I hope that things have calmed down for you and everyone in the affected areas. There isn’t a ‘good’ natural disaster but, fire is something else entirely. Have they managed to catch the person/s responsible for the fires? My prayers that the fires don’t come in your direction.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:05 am
I live in central California where we see wild fires every year. They are horrific and devastating. Im so sorry that this terrible tradedy is happening. My heart and prayers go out to everyone. Please stay safe and I wish you all the best.