thinking of those affected by bushfires

[JenMidwife]

I have family & friends around Melbourne, Gippsland & Ballarat... the bush fires are close to my heart. Just wanted to come here to post in case any of you are affected

[EmpoweringBirth]

If anyone knows of a Girl Scout troop effected by the fires (leaders house where she stores supplies....) I would love to know about it. My Daisy Troop (the youngest the US Girl Scouts has) just did an extended project all about Australia for Thinking Day and I would love for the girls to experience being a sister to every girl scout by sending cards and supplies to get an Australian Troop started up again, if any lost.

I will be thinking and praying for all of you effected.

God Bless,
Annie

[Ms Apricot]

The stories in the news here today are just horrific. It's heartwrenching.

What I don't understand is how so many people were caught - I don't understand the warning systems. The news hasn't explained if the fires took an unexpected path, if people just didn't understand how dire it was - or refused to leave home because they thought they could fight the fires, or if the was a breakdown in the warning system. It seems unreal to me that whole towns could be wiped out, and yet people didn't leave in time.

My sympathies to all....

[mamahart]

I live in the states but am just overwhelmed with sadness at these fires. I am not sure why but I really just hope noone else is hurt and wish I knew what to do to help.

[MujerMamaMismo]

The fires that claimed the most lives were in and out in 1 minute. It was like a bomb going off with very little notice. There was no time for warnings.

Others have died defending their homes.

It's been a horrific week. We know many who have lost their homes and sadly a few people who didn't make it. DP's parents were evacuated on Monday and have only just been allowed back to their home which, despite earlier reports, did survive the fire.

Thanks for your well wishes.

[JenMidwife]

Originally Posted by Ms Apricot

What I don't understand is how so many people were caught - I don't understand the warning systems. The news hasn't explained if the fires took an unexpected path, if people just didn't understand how dire it was - or refused to leave home because they thought they could fight the fires, or if the was a breakdown in the warning system. It seems unreal to me that whole towns could be wiped out, and yet people didn't leave in time.

Lots of people died *trying* to get out... burning trees falling on cars, or getting trapped in their cars (fire all around the roads)...

Originally Posted by EmpoweringBirth

If anyone knows of a Girl Scout troop effected by the fires (leaders house where she stores supplies....) I would love to know about it. My Daisy Troop (the youngest the US Girl Scouts has) just did an extended project all about Australia for Thinking Day and I would love for the girls to experience being a sister to every girl scout by sending cards and supplies to get an Australian Troop started up again, if any lost.

I'll ask my mother-in-law who is a grade school teacher in the area

[gingerstar]

This has been on my heart as well, and I wanted to add my best wishes for those affected.
MMM, I'm glad your DP's parents are safe and that their home was spared.

[Ms Apricot]

Originally Posted by JenMidwife

Lots of people died *trying* to get out... burning trees falling on cars, or getting trapped in their cars (fire all around the roads)...

Yes, since I posted, there has been a lot in the news media about how incredibly fast the fires travelled due to the high temps (above 45C) and the unexpected path some of the fires took. It is heartbreaking.

Yet the Victorian government warned that there would be bad bushfires that day. The patchy warning systems with inconsistent information about fire location, lack of mandatory evacuations, and the fact that many people stay to protect their homes due to lack of insurance all sadden me though. It must be possible to create better warning systems. Telstra regularly sends me unsolicited advertising to my mobile phone - surely that system can be used to warn people about local dangers. In the 60's and 70's, I grew up with frequent interruptions to t.v. programs while North American defence tested the Emergency Broadcast System (in case of attack by the Russians). Even if a few more people were warned and saved, it would be worth it.

It would be terrible if nothing was learned from this horrible tragedy. With global warming, it's likely there will be more 45C days, and more bushfires like these.