The Victorian Bushfire disaster. - Page 2

**Falcon Coupe** · 07-02-2009, 11:14 PM

14 dead and at least 100 homes have been destroyed, a devastating day for Victoria:

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/...-breaches-line

Daymoe · 07-02-2009, 11:19 PM

Fire from Kilmore is heading to the towns of the east of it, like Newham etc (and I'm not very far from there).

rodderz · 07-02-2009, 11:21 PM

Just heard fire may be at healesville sanctuary too

**Falcon Coupe** · 07-02-2009, 11:23 PM

I'm removing all CFA website links, apparently the extra traffic online is slowing the site for people who really need it.

Please do not post any more.

Daymoe · 07-02-2009, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Urgent Threat Message Redesdale - Coliban Park Road, 7.10pm

Urgent Threat Message for the communities of Barfold, Langley, Metcalfe East, Pastoria and other communities to the east of Kyneton
07/02/2009

Incident Information

A grass fire that started 9 kilometres west of Redesdale south of Lake Eppalock has burnt in a south easterly direction and is estimated to be over 6000 hectares in size. The fire has crossed the Heathcote-Redesdale road in the vicinity of Barfold and has also crossed the Campaspe River and Watchbox Road.

A wind change from the south west has now reached the area.

The head of the fire is currently at Sidonia. The communities of Barfold, Langley, Metcalfe East, Pastoria and other communities to the east of Kyneton may be impacted directly by this fire. Residents in the Pipers Creek, Carlsruhe, Woodend North, Newham, Cadello and Carbor areas are advised to be alert and implement their fire plans.

When the wind change arrives at the fire it will run in a north easterly direction, and residents in the following localities need to be alert and implement their fire plans. Redesdale, Glenhope, Baynton and Baynton East.

Residents in the areas between Glenhope, Baynton, Redesdale and Heathcote, Tooborac, Pyalong need to be aware that these communities may also be under threat when the wind change passes through.

Core Advice

* Residents in this area may experience smoke and burning embers reaching their properties, and are advised to patrol their houses to find and put out any burning embers that may be landing.
* Protect yourself from radiant heat by wearing correct protective clothing consisting of long-sleeved shirts, long pants, sturdy boots and a broad brimmed hat. On no account should synthetic material be worn.
* As the fire front approaches, it will be unsafe to be either on foot or in a car as the heat radiating from the fire will be intense. Buildings will offer the best protection during the passage of a fire front. Close all doors and windows and stay inside the house while the fire passes. Remain alert, extinguish any small fires and if necessary, move outside to burnt ground once the fire has passed.
* If you are caught on the road, don't get out and run.
o Pull to the side, preferably in an area clear of tall trees and long grass.
o Put your hazard lights on and close the windows and vents.
o Cover any exposed areas of skin with a woollen blanket and get down as low as possible.
o Only when the fire has passed do you get out and move to safety.
* Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
* Residents away from home should not try to return to the area as access is limited and the roads may not be safe.
* Continue to listen to ABC or local radio for updates on this fire.

Additional Information

* Road closures currently in place: go to
For information on fires in Victoria and general fire safety advice, please contact the Victorian Bushfire Information Line (VBIL) on freecall 1800 240 667. Callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech / communication impairment may call textphone/ telewriter (TTY) on 1800 122 969. Information is also available at

Quote from the incident site.

Nostalgia · 07-02-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falcon Coupe

14 dead and at least 100 homes have been destroyed, a devastating day for Victoria:

My god, that is not good news at all.

I'm speechless.

Adam.

Daymoe · 07-02-2009, 11:41 PM

Anyone else getting problems looking at the incident reports? It only loads a little bit for me then stops.

Spanrz · 07-02-2009, 11:45 PM

I just watched the TV news, they reported on the fire here, 8 homes were lost in around 50 metres of one another. No deaths, I'm amazed at that, considering on how many people were at home at the time.
Amazing it missed all the other houses, but were I was, we stopped another 1 going up. It's uncanny how it can skip a house or 2 then ravage over another..

I've been through a house fire and a few others in my life, so i can sympathize with the locals. Just so heartbreaking.

aye you · 07-02-2009, 11:49 PM

the sites are been swamped and can't handle the traffic at the moment

Nostalgia · 07-02-2009, 11:59 PM

Doe's anyone have a update on the Kilmore Fire.

I have a mate from another forum who has been in danger for sometime now but is somewhat reluctant to leave his home.

I have offered him and his family to stay at my place.

A few PM's have been sent and replied to but now there is no reply.

Any info on the Kilmore Blaze would be gratefully appreciated.

Adam.

Update, He has just posted and he is now thinking about bailing. He has my number and i hope to god they make it out of there safely.

Falcon4L · 08-02-2009, 12:40 AM

most roads to kilmore are closed. I have a few mates up in kinglake and they are missing presumed dead. CFA cant make it up the mountain due to the smoke. We've been fighting to save my mates house in humevale most of the day, was going good until the wind turned. We bailed as the fire was heading down the mountain again..

Very stressful day

Nostalgia · 08-02-2009, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nostalgia

Doe's anyone have a update on the Kilmore Fire.

I have a mate from another forum who has been in danger for sometime now but is somewhat reluctant to leave his home.

I have offered him and his family to stay at my place.

A few PM's have been sent and replied to but now there is no reply.

Any info on the Kilmore Blaze would be gratefully appreciated.

Adam.

Update, He has just posted and he is now thinking about bailing. He has my number and i hope to god they make it out of there safely.

All is good. I have spoken to him on the mobile.

Thanks Falcon4L for the info.

Cheers, Adam.

JC · 08-02-2009, 02:24 AM

What a tragedy, and all started by one or more idiots - I hope they find them and burn them.

Interesting about the premiers folks' house - I wonder if resources were diverted especially to save that house, or if it's just good luck; quote from the article "Victoria Premier John Brumby said one fire threatening his parents' home in Coleraine was stopped literally on their doorstep."

The blokes/lasses that (try to) put these out are very brave:

Jason[98.EL] · 08-02-2009, 07:50 AM

25 people now confirmed dead

my thoughts go out to their families

Jason

FPV8U · 08-02-2009, 08:05 AM

What terrible news to have awoken too this morning, have many friends and family in the Latrobe Valley and Yarra Valley that could have lost their homes, with us having to chance to get through to help defend by their side.

One of the most frustrating days of my life, my thoughts with everyone and their familys who's lives the fires have taken.

**Full Noise** · 08-02-2009, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FPV8U

My thoughts with everyone and their familys who's lives the fires have taken.

I can only repeat what you’ve said here. What a tragic day.

All yesterday I was wondering about people who might be trying to flee the fires and hoping that those who decided to leave would make their decision early.

It was quite frustrating to watch the 5 o’clock Channel 10 news on Saturday night when all they were talking about was how hot it was in central Sydney. What do the producers of these new bulletins think? Perhaps a few people need to let them know that the whole world doesn’t revolve around Sydney.

RIP to those who have lost their lives and prayers to those who are fighting for their lives in hospital.

QualityCounts · 08-02-2009, 09:34 AM

Just heard that Marysville, the beaut town just before Lake Mountain has been destroyed.
It's a sad day for Victorians.

Falcon4L · 08-02-2009, 09:39 AM

As has buxton, alexandra and some of broadford from what I've heard

mcnews · 08-02-2009, 10:07 AM

Alexandra is where they have everyone from Buxton and surrounding areas etc. safe at the school etc. so I certainly hope Alexandra isn't burning. Haven't heard anything about that at all. Where did you hear that? I am at Snobs Creek and we have been enveloped in smoke since yesterday afternoon, can see about 25 metres then it is just thick white-grey from the smoke.

Falcon4L · 08-02-2009, 10:17 AM

Someone called in on 774 and mentioned it but its not a confirmed report. My gf's sister was sent there yesterday after they were evacuated so hopefully its not true

mcnews · 08-02-2009, 11:05 AM

Marysville

**DJM83** · 08-02-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JC

What a tragedy, and all started by one or more idiots - I hope they find them and burn them.
The blokes/lasses that (try to) put these out are very brave:

Here here mate

rodderz · 08-02-2009, 12:27 PM

Here is a video of Marysville after
http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2009/02/08/2485362.htm

one wonders where and how you would start again?

GTpilot · 08-02-2009, 12:49 PM

I heard the St Andrews pub was burnt down, Can anyone confirm that? Old friends of mine lived next door, I'm hoping they are OK.

**fordomatic** · 08-02-2009, 01:13 PM

i have two uncles and aunty's family's and three cousins missing near yea, so yeh this sucks a bit.

rodderz · 08-02-2009, 01:32 PM

The next day or so will be pretty grim news. There have been a lot more people unaccounted for in Kinglake that were in the process of fleeing but the roads were blocked from trees or covered in smoke/embers. A lot of the roads up there are narrow and in thick scrub, apparently the fire roared through literally in minutes

The way the wind was yesterday and temp of mid 40's it would of been hard to have any time to do anything

Dazza XLT · 08-02-2009, 01:45 PM

Massive fires down south, Floods up north.
We've had 225mm in about 36 hours.

Talk about a land of extremes.

**Whoosha** · 08-02-2009, 02:22 PM

Make you realise how lucky we are some days less than 2 min. from our place in Suburbia (Lynbrook you would think reasonably safe) 3 houses gone in 15 min. here's a few more from 9 News Thanks to all those who volentered to help;

Bobman · 08-02-2009, 02:39 PM

Amazing pictures.

This is a really tragic event and kudos to all the volunteers and other firefighters who went out in these conditions to fight the fires.

The idiots who lit them deserve the book.. it's equal to terrorism.

Numerous MFB crews have also been sent out to assist in fires at Kinglake and Traralgon. Many MFB stations have moved their trucks to cover CFA areas, while standby appliances and crews man the metro stations. Have never seen anything like this in my life.

Falcon4L · 08-02-2009, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgb

I heard the St Andrews pub was burnt down, Can anyone confirm that? Old friends of mine lived next door, I'm hoping they are OK.

its fine for now mate, Kinglake pub burnt down. It was sheltering 200 people at the time. Most are still unaccounted for.

St andrews and all neighbouring townships are still underthreat however. The weather is cooler and it is spitting a little which is the only good news for now

EDIT: just heard of several people having died in st andrews, unsure of the details though. Roads down from my property are closed so I can't even tell wether its burning down there or not