Off Topic: Good Vibes to Aussie Forumites

[Jimmyb]

Hope you guys and all your loved ones are safe.

We've been seeing the pictures on the news over here, looks pretty awful.

[Colin]

the death toll is now at 108 and many of the fires are believed to be the work of arsonists. words can not say how sad this is

[robelinda2]

Pretty scary guys, we are not very far at all from the main fires, people are sleeping in half burned cars in our street.

[DavidOfOz]

It's scary stuff. Two or three weeks ago there were some bush fires a few streets away from our place, which caused a bit of worry...but they were *nothing* compared to devastation of Saturday. We are very fortunate. Most of the fires are a good hour or two drive away from here.

I've spent a lot of time fishing in some of the regions that have been absolutely decimated by the fires, and know the areas fairly well. It was heart breaking to see the images of Marysville and Narbethong. My thoughts and prayers are with the people who live in these areas. Tragic.

[Jimmyb]

Some of the news stories were talking about people in cars getting caught and consumed. I can't imagine what it's like to be living with that.

Colin, that's just unbelievable, don't these people have any sense at all? If they're ever csught, they should be locked up for life.

[Colin]

Originally Posted by Jimmyb

Colin, that's just unbelievable, don't these people have any sense at all? If they're ever csught, they should be locked up for life.

I spoke to a police profiler this morning and asked him what makes these people tick? His response was that some arsonists get a sexual gratification from lighting these fires and others do it for the power. The speed these bush fires travel at is just so fast and puts not only the residents but also the firefighters. 100 thousand acre fires can you believe it?

[scottbass71]

Absolutely horrendous when they catch these b@stards they should be shot

I am lucky that it is about 20 kms from me so I didn't get any fire but in saying that
they say it could take weeks for all the fires to be extinguished and things could change

[DavidOfOz]

Originally Posted by Colin

the death toll is now at 108 and many of the fires are believed to be the work of arsonists. words can not say how sad this is

There were reports that some of these dead beats are going back into areas where the fires have been put out...and relighting them. Sickening.

My father has an aquaintance who lost two young children to the fires. So tragic.

[DavidOfOz]

For those that (1) want to read a "good news" story relating to the fires, (2) love animals, and (3) haven't already read about "Sam", check this out:

Victorian bushfire survivor, Sam the koala, a global star | Herald Sun

All these CFA dudes deserve a medal (at absolute minimum); some have lost there own homes while trying to save the homes of neighbours.

[kbaim]

As one who lives in an area with major fires almost every year, I'm thinking about you guys...loss of life, devastation, disruption and breathing difficulties make fires horrific