Fires

[bop_radar]

Guys, I don't know what to say. I know you've probably seen all the news footage, and are as horrified as we here in Melbourne are. My previous post was so premature. There are 181 confirmed dead and over 50 unidentified bodies on top of that. To put this in perspective, until this weekend 470 people had died in fires in Australia since 1900. This deathtoll is like nothing we've seen before.

We know about fire in this country. We have fire plans. We have an unbelievably heroic volunteer fire force in the Country Fire Authority (many of whom will be traumatised for years to come by what they have seen). We have bushfires every year. Some of you will recall the fires a couple of years ago that burned for over a month. Even so, this event is unprecedented. So many homes lost, lives lost, livelihoods destroyed.

Like so many Australians, I have been glued to the news sites, TV and radio, listening, watching, trying to take it in.

Here's a recent summary, and a gallery of photos. For those of you who can stomach more, there are many more stories at the Herald Sun or The Age (newspaper) websites.

At work, we check the updates in our lunch hour and struggle to comprehend it together.

The Yarra Valley was about to host the annual Grape Grazing Festival--it has been called off, so many vineyards reduced to ashes.

The Healesville Sanctuary, a popular tourist attraction where native Australian animals are kept in natural conditions, was evacuated--the animals moved to city zoos. 10,000 native animals were not so lucky.

There are fire still burning, and there is a race against time to get them under control before the temperatures rise again. It's not over yet.

There are appeals on all the major TV networks, radio stations and through banks and supermarkets. The response so far has been incredible--I think everyone desperately wants to be able to do something to help.

This Friday, Coles supermakets will donate their day's profits to the bushfires, so we will be doing our monthly shop there.

I am collecting resources for the RSPCA, who put out an urgent call for blankets, bedding, cat and dog food and containers for animals to drink out of, as they are being overwhelmed with animals--pets, livestock and native animals--in desperate need of care.

For anyone that wants to help, here are some links:
- information on appeals
- The Red Cross Appeal
- more links to appeals
- a special 'Virtual Dog Show' fundraiser.

Comments

[areasontofight.livejournal.com]

I really wanted to find some way to help, other than just giving money, but since I'm not from here I'm already living out of a suitcase and don't really have many clothes (though that seems so selfish to say), and being British apparantly means I can't donate blood in Australia.

We weren't sure what had happened at Healesville Sanctuary, given the threat today so I'm glad to hear the animals were evacutated okay.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I'm British (by birth) too and can't give blood either. There are times in our lives when we're not well placed to help others--I've been there, don't feel bad. Right now, I can do a lot because I'm settled and have a home and can give lots of spare belongings, as well as cash donations.

It sounds like they got the animals moved a couple of days ago, thank goodness.

[areasontofight.livejournal.com]

I didn't know you were British by birth. The blood thing really bugs me - I assume it's a CJD issue, and no one in the UK has had that in forever! If I was back home I'd have so many clothes and things to donate and I hate that they're all sitting the other side of the world, while I'm here with not that much and can't do anything to help. I'll probably donate some money, but not having a job means there's only so much I can give... Blah. :(

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Australians are super cautious about anything quarantine related. ;)

Well shop at Coles on Friday? :) I figure everyone needs something in a supermarket, even if it's just a chocolate bar. ;) Every little bit will help.

[areasontofight.livejournal.com]

So I've noticed. :)

I totally missed that bit of your post about Coles. I'll definitely do that - it'll be a good excuse to splurge on junk food. :p

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Absolutely! Guilt free food purchases! (Surely chocolate-for-bushfires has no calories, right? *g*)

[areasontofight.livejournal.com]

Right! Though I think Australian chocolate is actually more fattening than British, judging by how much weight I've put on since being here. *g*

[elzed.livejournal.com]

Dearest,

I have been thinking of you - and other Oz flisters, but you especially, since you live closest, I think, and you were posting about it recently. I am absolutely appalled not just at the loss of life, but at the way entire communities have been razed to the ground; not to mention the thought that arsonists are likely to be involved in this catastrophe.

Sending my love, and sympathy, and hoping this will abate soon. I cannot imagine the trauma and anguish you must all be living through.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you! It's been shocking. I still can't believe that Marysville is gone. The Cumberland hotel was where we always stayed when I was little. It was smack bang in the middle of the main road--gone. So was the smaller place my partner and I stayed a few years ago on a trip around Victoria. It is such a beautiful spot. And it's gone.

At work, they sent a notice out saying 'orders to these areas will not be processed as they no longer exist'. Seven townships were listed.

Thank you for your kind thoughts and sympathy! *hugs*

[gildinwen.livejournal.com]

I'm donating money to the red cross appeal. I can't do much else, just *hugs*

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

That's so wonderful of you!! Thank you so much!!

[brokenmnemonic.livejournal.com]

I've been following this on the BBC news website all day during work and at home in the evenings. The sheer scale of the brushfires this year beggars belief. I don't know what to say - I've been taking comfort from the fact that you and smact46 are safe, but it's terrifying to think about how bad this already is and ho wmuch worse it could get.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I just hope there are no more deaths, I really do. I can't take it in, all the stories of bodies being found huddled together... in baths (to escape the flames), in cars, running from the house to the cars, trying to save animals or relatives... it's just nightmarish.

[brokenmnemonic.livejournal.com]

I think you need to prepare for the death toll to rise, as they continue clearing settlements the fire has been through - if it's anything like the aftermath of terrorist bombings, it probably be a couple of weeks before the final death toll is known, even if they manage to get the fires under control today.

I keep looking at the pictures and thinking how much it looks like the aftermath of the atomic explosions in Japan at the end of the second world war. I can only hope they get the fires under control quickly - but I think survivors and firefighters are going to be dealing with the aftermath of this for years :(

[tyffi.livejournal.com]

We just made a little collection here at uni and raised a few Euros that will be donated to the Red Cross, or the RSPCA. We're still discussing. However, there's a little money, and it will be donated today. It's not much, but given the fact the Euro is still stronger than the AUD... well, even a little will help.

Of course, the bushfires are on the news here as well, and it's said that at least half of the fires were started by fire-raisers. I'll never ever understand how a person can do such a thing. Never! That just don't want to get into my head.

Just stay safe, and here's hoping for some cold weather and rain. *hugs*

ETA: What's with the Brits being not allowed to donate blood? I'm a little surprised here.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's so wonderful that you're donating! Like you say--it will go a lot further here, and the people affected need anything, even the most basic things. Today there was a big push for toiletries for instance (basic stuff like soap and shampoo)--just getting that will help families enormously.

Yes, it's true that many of the fires were deliberately lit. They say they are close to catching one of the arsonists... they very rarely catch them. I think it can be a sort of addiction to danger thing that drives them, but it is unthinkable, yes.

Wow I would love rain, real rain, so much! *imagines*

ETA: The no-Brit-blood thing is because of BSE (CJD). We've never had it here. The Aussies are neurotic about their quarantine measure, usually with good reason as foreign-imported bugs/animals/pests have wreaked so much havoc here in the past.

[tyffi.livejournal.com]

A couple of years ago, we had a firebug incident in my hometown - it was nothing compared to the bushfires of course, just a few burnt down barns and stores, but it had turned out the firebug was a firefighter who wanted to be a hero. *headdesk*
Humans...

The no-Brit-blood thing is because of BSE (CJD).
This is... interesting. Every day I learn something new. I get the point, though, and there are other countries with extreme neurotic quarantaine (spelling?) issues, but I never heard a complete nation is exluded from donating blood. Good to know.

[alexandral.livejournal.com]

Thank you very much for the links!

Our thoughts to all of you in Australia!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

You're welcome, and thank you!

[redteekal.livejournal.com]

I have come home this evening and found your post on my flist and my heart has plummeted once again reading about the increasing death toll. Here in Perth we are watching on in horror knowing our State could face exactly that before the summer is out, in fact our fieries are prepping for the worst - they know there will be fires as our temps go over 40 in the next couple days. My post is here http://redteekal.livejournal.com/45201.html
where I give details and links as well. So far I am entering the virtual dog show and will be supporting future fundraising events. The sight of a burnt out station wagon with a family of four and the burnt out dog trailer being towed behind it was just so horrific and sad.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the link, it's so wonderful to see everyone helping out in whatever way they can. I hope things are ok in WA, I know your temperatures are up high again.

And yes, the stories of people and their animals dying together are so tragic. However I also saw many people managed to save their loved pets--perhaps nothing but their dog, but I can imagine how that is still a comfort.

[ender24]

grrr, whoever those arsonists are, I really hope, they will soon rot in some special burning hell as well.

damn, boppy, so sorry, that the situation about the fire has escalating like that!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

The Kinglake fire was not lit by an arsonist, thank goodness. But the Gippsland fires were. Thank you for your kind thoughts!

[jeannev.livejournal.com]

My heart breaks for the people of Australia. I'll be sure to make a donation, and help in any small way I can.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! *hugs*

[taragel.livejournal.com]

I am so flummoxed and saddened by everything going on down there. I've never been in a fire situation thankfully and can't quite wrap my head around the devestation and destruction. It's so scary and just heartbreaking. I'm enormously glad you're doing okay and thinking of you and all my other flisters in Australia.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

I've never had to flee from one, but I've seen them in the distance in the country when I was little. I've certainly seen the devastation they bring before, but nothing on this scale, and so close to Melbourne. Normally towns are well defended, there's enough warning for people to implement their fire strategies, and stay and defend their homes if they choose to. They're saying they might rethink that policy now because these people stood no chance.

[serenography.livejournal.com]

I'm so sorry to hear about all this devastation. It's unfathomable to me that any could intentionally do something like this. I'll be making a donation to the Red Cross this morning. *hugs you*

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much!

I can't imagine anyone expected it would actually cause this much damage, but at the same time... to walk outside in 48 degrees with the winds blowing like that, the air so dry that if you held a wet sheet up, it would be dry in 10 seconds, and think that it would be fun or funny to light a fire? You'd have to be mentally ill or a psychopath.

[bofoddity.livejournal.com]

It's horrifying how this just goes on and on and on. The idea that some shithead would do this on purpose makes me sick, and I hope that's not true. The suffering is bad enough as it is, for humans and animals both.

Glad you're okay.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

It's true of some of the fires. I'm not sure it's true of the Kinglake fire which was one of the most devastating, but they'll investigate all of them to be sure.

[penumbra.livejournal.com]

I've heard the bushfires being described as "apocalyptic", and I really understand where that feeling is coming from. We really have so little to deal with in Britain by way of natural disaster that we all just stand by with horror at the idea that great swathes of a country could be consumed and destroyed just like that -- and all the loss of life, the damage to the environment and the impact on local wildlife that goes with it. It's just. It's heartbreaking.

I just meant to say -- I'm so sorry you have to deal with this in an area close to your heart. It's distressing enough to watch this unfold from the other side of the globe, I can't imagine how devastating it is to be so close to a disaster like this.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

It is like something from a post-apocalyptic movie, yes. The way some of the fires came, they melted cars it was so hot. People died from the heat blast alone--not unlike a nuclear explosion. They talk about houses exploding, walls of flames metres high.

It is actually quite exhausting to watch, but doing something to help really 'helps'--I am packing up my car with blankets and towels and containers to deliver to the animal shelters today. I am sure there will be many other ways to help the communities rebuild in the coming months.

[carylerg.livejournal.com]

Thank you for providing a link that spurred me into action. My donation was initially declined by my credit card company, but they called me today to verify that my donation was, in fact, made by me so I've sent a little bit that way. This tragedy is heartbreaking, and my thoughts are with the wonderful people of Australia who were so kind to me when I visited in 1992.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much for your generosity--it will go a long way. *hugs*

[beet]

(((Hugs you)))

It's horrible hearing about the devastation that is going on. I hope you are not in danger and hoping hard that the fires are brought under control soon. :/

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Not in danger, no. I hope the fires abate soon too. Thank you for your kind thoughts!

[jude-judith82.livejournal.com]

Wow thanks for the info. I've been watching the news and it looks devastating.

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[carpenyx.livejournal.com]

I wish there was more that I could do. I made a donation to the Red Cross Appeal. *hugs*

[queenofthorns.livejournal.com]

I knew you were in/near Melbourne, babe, so I'm glad that you personally are OK, but I can imagine how unbelievably devastating this is for you guys :( I will definitely send some money to the Red Cross!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! I am so touched that people have been donating--I really didn't expect so many people to be willing to give like this. Everyone I know in Melbourne is giving all they can--and desperate to find new ways to help those affected.

[chaila43.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the links and the reminder that every little bit helps. Thinking of you lots!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much! *hugs*

I'm sorry I've been MIA from the vidding project. When this eases, I'll get back to it.

[smact46.livejournal.com]

Hi Boppy,

I hope that you won't mind if I don't bid here, because I think that what you are doing here is amazing, but I have already donated my pay to the redcross, and donated to the rspca as well, in addition to volunteer work in my community and at work, otherwise I totally would.

I can't wait to see your vids!!

[bop-radar.livejournal.com]

Thank you, sweetheart. OMG OF COURSE I don't mind! You are doing so much---and you are in a position to help so directly. I am only trying to find extra ways to give. (I'm kind of hoping someone from overseas will win the auction as their money will go further here).