The Victorian Fires, how have they affected you?
Monday, February 9. 2009
The fires that began this weekend have affected everyone and caused major devastation throughout Victoria and Australia. Over one thousand bushfires raged through Victoria, seven hundred and fifty houses have already been destroyed and one hundred and eleven people have been confirmed dead with more expected as emergency services begin to enter towns that have been totally destroyed by fire. Saturday the 7th of Feb is marked as the hottest day on record for Victoria. The temperature reached 46.4 degrees and with high winds many residents didn't stand a chance. Authorities suspect that arsonists may be responsible for some of the fires.
The fires are still continuing in parts of Victoria, especially large in the northeast.
Doctors are saying that it is one of the worst disasters they have been involved in.
Fire crews have been sent from Tasmania and New South Wales to help. Fires are still burning in Victoria and many more communities are now under threat.Ten million dollars has been allocated to help re-build townships.The Government is assisting those who have been immediately affects with grants of up to twenty two thousand dollars. Whilst the major Banks are taking donations of clothes and money, some Banks are matching the donations, dollar for dollar.
As a state we need to work together to help those directly affected.
For more information about the fires and how to help go to Melbourne Bushfire Devastation how to Help Victims.
Everyone has been affected by the fires, whether it is directly or indirectly, here we want to hear your story.
Tell us how you feel about the fires?
How have they affected you?
Do you know anyone injured or who has lost their property because of the fires?
How does it make you feel that authorities believe that arsonists may be responsible for some of the fires?
Images from abc
#1 2009-02-09 13:11 (Reply)
I can’t believe someone could responsible for a disaster that has caused so much pain and the loss of lives.
It is very disgusting to think that this can happen to our beautiful state.
I do believe those responsible should get punished severely
#2 2009-02-09 13:35 (Reply)
i know a couple of my friends were protecting there houses. lucky is didnt hurt them. we saw a house on fire and on sunday (the day after the fire) we went ontop of a hill and saw all the damage.
it was horrible
#3 2009-02-09 13:52 (Reply)
People from my work are still un-accounted for in the Kinglake area, there is no news wat-so-ever.
Just waiting..
My heart goes out to those that
lost everything..
Stick together..
#4 2009-02-10 21:30 (Reply)
So much devastation, so much lose, where do you start.
I have one family member who has already lost their house in Narbethong, with father on alert in Yarck.
Elderly friends have been assisting through the Red Cross tirelessly at Alexandra and are now under threat.
Neighbors husbands are currently fighting fires while, wives and young children defend property.
I feel numb from the last few days of helplessness, and have moved only from the radio to the computer to check updates, and convey messages via phone.
But none of that compares to the feeling of loss that victims, their families and community helpers of the fire are feeling right now.
Just when there seems to be some relief another fire will flare up with no end in sight. People are tiring with emotional exhaustion, while firefighters and property defenders face both emotional and physical exhaustion. If only the wind would be still long enough to gain some control.
It's hard to think of the long task ahead of rebuilding, when our countryside is still burning, it's not over yet.
I only hope that when it finally is over that people not only dig deep to help rebuild, but more importantly REMEMBER. A year down the track those who have lost family, friends, houses and their livelihood will still be suffering, and will still look to the wider community to help. These are the people who work the land to provide for us ‘townies’ so that we have readily available food, and by no means is it an easy lifestyle.
This tragedy has been humbling to us as humans and we should remember that every day is a gift, and that nature is stronger than man’s will.
#5 2009-02-13 10:52 (Reply)
One of the hardest things to understand when you have a family member in the line of danger from the bushfires is why they don't get out?
For those of us who aren't there, the immediate response is panick, and get out.... Please!
But after you take a breathe and remove those panicking feelings, it becomes clear how vital it is for surrounding communities to stay and defend and prevent flare ups and more devastation.
There is a lot of talk about the execution of fire plans. Those currently in the bushfire affected areas are more prepared than those who were caught by surprise on Saturday and Sunday. The extreme heat & wind made it impossible to defend lives and property and was something that residents could not have prepared for.
Consideration is the key. There victims and survivors who are at different stages of dealing with the bushfire.
Some are still fighting & defending
Others are still lost / displaced as to whether they have a home or not.
Some still searching for love ones & friends.
Some grieving for those they have lost.
But then there are the victims of the Gippsland bushfires that occurred a couple of weeks ago, that lost their homes and are now needing to move on and rebuild their lives.
The most important thing is that we don't forget, and 3, 6, 12 months down the track we keep assisting these families and their communities who are the backbone of our society.
Support local farmers & industry and you will be helping keep jobs in Australia.
#6 2009-02-13 11:55 (Reply)
It's wonderful to see celebrities like Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban leading by example and donating their own money ($500,000), rather than just their time.
Other actors & celebrities should also be commended on setting a great example like Anthony Lapaglia, Gia Cardies, Michael Buble.
That's the sort of inspiration we need rather than just seeing celebrity faces.
#7 2009-02-13 11:58 (Reply)
The whole experience has been horrible for all of Australia, especially Victorians.
I hope that we are bordering the end and we will be safe for the rest of summer.
It has been amazing to see Victorians and Australians pull together, in this time of need, $77 million had already been raised for The Red Cross and that isn’t the end of it. With fundraisers still occurring and shops still sending proceeds from purchases it shows how caring Australians and those overseas who have contributed are.
Although it will take time, many many months, together we have the strength to pull through.