Victorian fires... how are you all coping

[Scrivo18]

Hi Guys

I was actually down south with some of my Vehicles when the fire threatened my friends property, the fire got to within a kilometer of his house when the wind changed, one of the most frightening experiences of my life.
We sat on his verander and watched the fire roar along the next ridge line untill a wind change halted its progess towards the property.
To see 100+ foot tall trees explode in flames and send fire balls into the sky is really undescribable.
The truck driver with my Stuart and Bren carrier had to reverse his semi trailer 2.5 Kilometers up a highway when the flames crossed the road and he could not continue.

To all the fire fighters and volunteers they do an incredible job and there have been several that have lost there own property's while they are protecting others.

My thoughts and pray's are with everyone involved and especially those that have been so dreadfully effected by these fires

Tim

[Ian Pullen]

It's definately worrying. The smoke was incredibly dense come Sunday evening and Monday.
With years of drought, days of temperatures over 45degrees centigrade and strong dry hot winds it was a recipe for disaster.
We were packed ready to leave at a moments notice but thankfully it didn't happen.
There are still numerous fires around the region.
Any one interested can check out the DSE webpage. Or type in Victorian Bushfires into google and go from there.

[alleramilitaria]

Thoughts go out to everyone down there in the zire and flood zone.

[Col Tigwell]

Euan it is so pleasing that you, your lady and the kids are un harmed, great news which I am sure we all give thanks for.

The trucks well that is sad but could be a lot worse. Did you loose much fencing and stock.

All the best mate, hope you turn the corner soon. Give the kids a big hig from us, bit of advice, keep an eye on them for a while, some kids keep it bottled up, and they may need a bit of extra kindness and support.

All the best,

Col

[phoenix]

Looks like Euan was very lucky. There are so many stories circulating of close calls.

[Euan McDonald]

A week after black Saturday and we had another flair up tonight, in the lower paddock the clumps of grass are still burning under the ground reignited and burnt out more of the remaining pasture.
After a slight set back I'm back to restoring the F60l with the frame body and cab to be sandblaster in the next few days.

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Police in Gippsland interrogated a suspect by
placing a metal colander on his head and connecting it with
wires to a photocopy machine. The message "He's lying" was
placed in the copier, and police pressed the copy button
each time they thought the suspect wasn't telling the truth.
Believing the "lie detector" was working, the suspect
confessed.

Australian arson suspect named
Helen Spowart, Melbourne, 16 Feb 09
Defence lawyer Helen Spowart argued her client was at risk even in custody

A court has lifted a ban on identifying an arson suspect in Australia's deadly bushfires, despite fears of possible retribution attacks by angry residents.

Prosecutors say Brendan Sokaluk deliberately set a fire in Churchill, Victoria, in which 11 people died.

The 39-year-old was not in court to hear the judge lift the suppression order which kept his identity a secret.

At least 189 people are now known to have died in the dozens of bush fires that swept Victoria earlier this month.

Firefighters in the south-eastern state are still battling nine blazes.

Police have warned that the death toll could rise further as officers continue to search through the debris of razed houses for victims.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced that a national day of mourning will be held on Sunday for all victims of the bush fires.

Anger and disgust

Mr Sokaluk, a local man from the Gippsland region, is facing charges of arson causing death and of intentionally starting a bushfire.