The State of Victoria has been the scene of the most shockingly furious fires anyone has ever seen. Whole towns have been razed, not a building left standing.
Our Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was moved to tears when asked about the destruction. The Premier of Victoria was in tears when he discussed the tragedy.
Thus far, they are telling us 108 people have been confirmed dead.
Kevin Rudd advised us to brace ourselves as a nation, for there is worse to come.
Some of the stories I have seen, bring tears to my eyes as I write. A four car pile up, where all the occupants perished, as they attempted to flee the flames.
We are lucky in this State of New South Wales. We have some fires burning, but nothing like the Victorian fires.
We have fires burning quite close to us, as the crow flies. It is bush, & at present no homes are in danger.
This is smoke from local fires, which are not currently expected to cause home losses. I took this photo from our balcony on Friday evening. The smoke has lifted a lot now, & today is much cooler, & there is low cloud, mingled with a little smoke.
The weather in Victoria has cooled, thank goodness. There has even been a little rain in parts, but in face of the furnace of destruction those fires created, I guess it would dry before it hit the ground.
Survivors have variously decribed the conflagration as a ball of fire that just instantly enveloped & melted everything in it's path.
The fact that some of these fires have been deliberately lit, seems beyond all comprehension, to sane people.
Meanwhile, in the norther State of Queensland, there are devastating floods occuring from deluges of heavy rain. It seems incredible, & makes one realise the vastness of this great country. The savagery of nature.
We are so lucky we have not lost loved ones.
I am hoping all my blog friends are safe & not in the way of danger.
For an excellent report on the state of Australia today, please visit June, of 70 Plus & Still Kicking.
Franz Schubert, Serenade.
37 comments:
I heard of this and have kept all those in the path of these fires in my thoughts, Meggie.
Stay safe!
Dear Meggie,Im glad that you are ok,wish you all the best,what a horrible time you people are going through.Stay safe and well,kind regards from Aleksandra.
Holy smoke..... The news of this has been on the radio here. It sounds and looks horrible. You stay safe.
~Lorna
Meggie and GOM - Our thoughts are with you as this horrible nightmare of flame and heat is threatening Australia. Stay well and stay safe, please.
Glad to hear you are fine, when I saw it on the Internet I thought of you. Stay safe.
Thanks for updating us. I had thought of you and wondered how close those fires were to you. Please stay safe.
I am so sad as I read your post. I heard on the news that some of these fires were deliberately set, is this true?
My prayers and thoughts go out to all in this scary and uncertain time.
I'm feeling simultaneously that I can't wrap my head round it and just sick in the stomach.
So glad your safe Meggie,
It is so sad...
Julia ♥
I saw the northern country on the news was burning. Our prayers go out to you and your countrymen. Father God, I pray for the safty of the people of Autrailia and delivery from the devastating fires. I pray that you would send rains to extinquish the flames. In Jesus name. Amen. Blessings and safety my friend.
We can't comprehend the horror so many people have experienced, with so many many tragic deaths. How many years will be needed for all the surviving victims to recover? We must all do something to help. The courage of the firefighters and other workers is simply amazing. There are many wonderful people helping. Let us never forget them.
How tragic. It has been on our news, both the fires in the South, and the floods in Queensland.
I hope you stay safe.
As for those that set fires, all I can say is it will be a lot hotter where they are going..!
I have been thinking of you all as I hear the updates of the fires and floods. The devastation is incomprehensible.
It shocks me that the fires were deliberately lit. What kind of person does this?
I've been thinking about you and your country yesterday and today.
I hope the rains come soon.
Our condolences and best wishes to the people of Victoria. It is such a terrible tragedy. I fear that climate change is going to make such fires and floods in Queensland more frequent occurances.
I saw this on the news as well, way over here in the States. My thoughts are with you. Keep safe.
It's too awful.
So many people,
trees, animals.
Its the very worst thing.
The fires are the top news item on UK TV at the moment - they look truly terrible. They say that some of them were started deliberately - what kind of people would do such a thing? Keep safe.
Hey Meggie,
we are all in front of the TV watching the news. The fires bring last summer's events in mind (almost the whole Peloponisos was burned to the ground). I thought about you and I am so glad you are safe. I wish for the nightmare to be over soon...
take care of you and your family
peace and love
xoxo
I just saw it on the news tonight. So many losses so many homeless. It is devastating My heart goes out to all those people
So glad to hear that you are OK Meggie... I've been concerned for you all. Hard to frame words about this one - I'm so angry that idiots out there actually start fires and even, God help them, re-start fires that have been extinquished by the firefighters. Blessings to you my friend and to all in my home country. V xxx
I'm so glad you posted about it Meggie - you have such a big readership around the world and your words help to make it real.
So so terrible..
glad to know you are safe but so sorry for all those whose lives were and are threatened and destroyed by those fires
My heart just seized up when I saw this devastation on TV and I immediately thought of you!! I just wanted to make sure all of you were okay. You're in my thoughts, Meggie.
Dear Meggie,
I am a recent follower of your blog and have always been fascinated with your great country. I pray that the arms of Jesus envelope your great nation and send the rain to quench the flames. I pray for strength and encouragement as you recover from this tragedy. May something beautiful rise from the ashes of such devastation. You and your countrymen will remain in my prayers not only for the fires but the floods as well. Stay safe, in the name of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior.
Thanks for the info Meggie. I haven't seen any news on the fires, just what I read on blogs. It looks just awful and so, so sad.
Praying for you guys here from the Philippines ... I hope that blessings, ability to forgive and move on, and courage will be sent your way and to those who are truly affected.
Meggie I'm near you and near all Australian people in this bad moment.
ciao ciao
I've been reading the dreadful news on 'The Australian' website. My heart goes out to all Australians, and my condolences and prayers for those bereaved or injured. A big congratulation for the brave men fighting the fires, you have been called beyond any duty, and stood up to it. Meggie, thinking of all of you now, it's terrible to see the devastation of the country I love. God bless you all. With concern, Ian.
Have been following your dreadful news. Glad you are OK but it is all sounding quite wretched and my heart goes out to those who have suffered such losses.
I heard about the fires and instantly thought of you. I amglad that you are well and am so sad regarding others who have not been so lucky.
Know that I am one of the many thinking of you and others in this horrible state of tragedy.
Dear Meggie,
While I was on a road trip I heard of the fires and instantly sent you and your loved ones blessings. I hope you remain safe. It is so terrible to think any one would set the fires. Many blessings to your country men....and to your birds and butterflies....
Hugs and Namaste,
Sherry
Hi Meggie, Just minutes ago I watched the video footage on our news here in America of the fires and saw your Prime Minister Rudd speaking. How anyone could set fires is unimaginable. Mother Nature has fury at times as we've seen here in our area with the recent devastating ice storms. I am thinking of you and hope that you do not become in the path of danger.
Its a right bugger for sure.
Glad you are safe and sound. One half of my family battles fire, the other flood. I am not smug yet I sit safely in the middle. Why do I feel guilty?
Our hearts and tears are with all of you in Australia during this devastating time. Unbelievable. We have had "small burns" all during the fall and winter here in Lake Tahoe. They are trying desperately to stave off that big one. They go through the forest and make piles of all the dead stuff and then light them on fire. I guess living with the smoke isn't as bad as living with the fire. I hope it is over soon for all of you.
The kids and I watched the news with tears in our eyes. They both asked to send their pocket money to the Red Cross appeal. It's dreadful. An appalling tragedy. x
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