The Fires

[dragonworld.]

Hope all who have family and friends anywhere near the fires in Oz at the moment have good news, and that all are safe. 

We have family in the middle of the shit in Gippsland and at least they are ok, but we aint so sure of the family home, it is/was right in the middle of the fires. Heres hoping.

It astounds me that too many of these have been deliberately lit !! 

Just give me 10 minutes with the bastards ! 

[brimo]

Hope all who have family and friends anywhere near the fires in Oz at the moment have good news, and that all are safe. 

Amen to that.
Just got off the phone to my brother in law, they are at broadford, was a bit touch and go there for a while, but thankfully they didn't have to evacuate, unfortunately that just means some other poor b@stards copped it instead.
Hard to look at those pictures of Marysville, completely wiped out!, was such a beautiful town too, have done many a ride up there via Yarra glen in the past.
Just found out they caught someone that lit some fires at Peat's Ridge, time to bring back the stocks I reckon.

[heatherp]

Shame about Marysville.  Was a terrific time out spot for bushwalking as well as riding. 

Our poor firies must be buggared.  I know that the wind yesterday made fighting these fires almost impossible but why did the army only get called in today.  It's not like yesterday's conditions weren't predicited.

Wouldn't it be a just world if fire bugs could be charged with murder (not the mention the death of animal and plant life too).

Hope everyone's loved ones made it through.

[Spider]

completely agree Heather, if someone starts a fire (and that means flicking a lit cigarette butt too) on a day like yesterday when people die...manslaughter charges should be laid on top of the others.

Apparently the Gippsland fires from last week were arson, they got the guy too, white hi-lux ute....and some of yesterday's were too.

sick little puppies with death wishes.

I'm shocked about Marysville, such a great town...and Kinglake too!

and my sister teaches at Kinglake school (gone) and has last students and their families and is about to evacuate her home in Hurstbridge.

[Jukie]

Hey Guys and Gals,

Keep us updated as to what going on down there ok. and we hope you friend  and family are ok . We are close to the Peats Ridge fires and they haven't yet got it contained, they are waiting on the southerly to hit later today, so see what happen then. It is in a valley so not sure at the moment. We can see the water bombing helicoper come over to get water from Gosford, so we can just wait and see. We have been in this situation a few years ago, so there is no concern yet.  

[heatherp]

That's no good Jukie. Hope your weather changes for the better soon.

The weather here has calmed down a lot.   No where near as windy or hot - it was damn windy yesterday.

And to think I moved to Victoria from WA to get away from fires and the heat.  It followed me.  No fires near me (35kms away the closest) so I'm not concerned but have friends fighting the fires of course.  It's such a shame about Marysville as it's part of the spurs that we down here rave about and a mecca for Sunday riders.  Don't know what it's going to be like riding there at the end of the month on the way to SBK - shocking I should imagine.

The only upside to this (if you can call it that) is the fuel reduction although if it's anything like the Grampians fires, it's gonna take a long time to recover.

Spider
Hope your sis is okay.  Must be horrible to have to leave your home not knowing what you are going to come back to.

Doesn't Rob (Ducmeister) live in Hurstbridge too?  Hope he's okay.  Don't suppose being here is high on his list presently.

[dragonworld.]

Yep, the waiting is really hard !! Particularly if you are elderly and have a lot of memories at the same location (18+ years) and of course a lifetimes memorabilia enclosed within. 

The CFA are back into the area at Carrajung but cant get anywhere near the house locations as yet. 

The streets (read bush tracks) are that ugly they dont even appear on the maps. 

Best wishes to all concerned

[madalf71]

Still have friends from Heathcote Junction who don't know if their house is still standing, they were evac. to Wallan at 12pm yesterday.

Was up at 7am, catching the news, sat in a state of shock for the at hour seeing the first aerial footage of Marysville, and Kinglake.

Feel deeply moved, and also frustrated at not having skills to offer to help.

[dragonworld.]

Yep, MyLittleDuc lived through the "Ash Wednesday" fires so she got pretty upset watching the news tonight. Its very. very bad. 

Has anyone heard from the "Meister"?? Hope he and his are ok !!

Spider. Have you heard from your Sister??

[Jukie]

yes well we just saw an update here on the news and it just made me cry remember what we went through a few years ago and praying for the best out come from the horrible fires.

And also to thank all the guys and gals  working hard to safe people and there homes.

[Super T.I.B]

That is absolutely terrible what has happened down there. My thoughts go to everyone who has been affected. 


I knew it got hot in Victoria but DAMN! Shows you how much the northern desert affects us southerners.

[Jukie]

they is about 108 people dead and about 750 homes are gone, and this is going to rise too, check the smh paper

[dragonworld.]

Something for the Vic locals, go thorough your stuff and see what you've got! 

Subject: Victorian bush fires


Hi All,
 
I am sure that over the past few days you have watched in horror with what has been happening to our fellow Victorian's.
 
This is our chance to make a difference.
 
With the generosity of Mark Ruff from Qanstruct who has donated his vacant warehouse in Rowville, together we plan along with our friends, family and work mates to man this warehouse over the coming days/weeks.
 
What can I do I hear you ask?
 
Easy, we need any of the following:
 
Good quality second hand clothing no longer in use for all ages and sizes
Bedding
Toys
Canned Food
The warehouse at lot 7, Henderson Road, Rowville (melway ref: 72 K10) will be open from 8.00am Monday morning.
 
Please feel free to drop by and say hi with any donations.
 
Thanks in advance.
 
ANDREW O'CONNELL
Local Director, Industrial Services

T: +61 3 9565 6608
M: 0409 944 220
F: +61 3 9562 1725
 

[Spider]

Nice work Gary...least that way we can feel like we're helping. The wife made a donation this morning tot he fund but we'll head on down to the factory today or tomorrow with surplus clothing. (good excuse to clean out the wife's 1476 garments from the wardrobe!) 

bloody hell....Leisa (sister) works in Kinglake school (gone) and lives in Hurstbridge, abandoned the family home and lost 2 of her students....she's there at whittlesea refuge centre expecting a lot of her class to be there...she has a boy staying with her for past 2 days....can't locate his father. It's frickin shocking!

My mate Steve lives near Beechworth, had to call and make sure he was walking away from his place yesterday morning.

[bigiain]

I was at a music festival yesterday trying to enjoy the bands, and in 2 hours we got 3 phone calls about friends/family losing houses... One in Maiden Gully, one in Marysville and one in Kinglake. Fortunately all the people are OK, but the Kinglake friends have probably lost a dog...

Kinda makes it more "real" when it happens to people you know...

big