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.
