Australian Fires

[Caer Rialis]

I just wanted to give my best to all those who are battling the fires in Austrlalian which have claimed,if I recall correctly, over 170 lives.My prayers go to all those who have lost their lives and/or loved ones in the face of this tragedy.

[htz31361849782]

Our prayers are with you.

[Guest]

I have friends in Melbourne, but they live on the other side of town so they are safe.

[Fudgie]

Living here I even find it hard to fathom the absolute devastation that has occurred. Most people aren't aware that the northern part of Australia has spent the best part ofthe last 3 weeks underwater, as we have had record flooding in North Queensland. What I find incredibly hard to believe is that there is a distinct possiblilty that the bushfires in Victoria may have been deliberately lit by an arsonist. The Prime Minister has stated that he would like to see that person charged with mass murder. Whilst I'm not sure of the possibility of that under our legal system, somewhere out there must be a person praying they don't get caught. There are too many people with a wish to lynch the bastard.Regardless of where you are in the world, and regardless of the fire dangers, please, treat fire with the respect that it deserves. There's a reason your parents told you not to play with matches. If you are a smoker, please extinguish your butts before disposing of them sensibly.Things here are only going to get worse before they get better.If you can imagine a whole town being burned to the ground. People losing family members - or worse, not knowing if their loved ones survived the fires. Waking up and only having the clothes you stand up in. Sleeping in a town hall because that's all that's left of your town. Relying on handouts so you can feed and clothe and house your family. There are scenes on our news every night that are usually only seen in documentaries about third world countries. Our beloved native animals are suffering too. When a fire is moving at 100 kilometres an hour, and it's flames are as high as a 4 story building, it's merciless. The area affected is farming land, mostly sheep and cattle. People have lost everything. After the fire, there is only the debris to clean up. A bushfire here can reduce everything to ashes. No grass, no trees, just blackened stumps and dirt. The heat destroys bricks and mortar. Concrete slabs that once had houses standing proudly on them are useless due to the heat and the amount of structural damage. Foundations are useless to rebuild on. You literally have to start from scratch.However.After the fire comes rain to soak the earth. Many of our native trees seeds will only sprout after they have been through fire. The grass will push through the ash and the trees will be shooting green shoots then.After the fire comes new growth. I hope our towns can grow too with the support that's raining in on them.

[kloister]

I have been following the events over here in the UK and I am truly saddened by the huge loss of life and if reports are correct in that fires have been started deliberately then that just beggars belief...Oh! the consequences to our actions...