2009 Victorian bushfires

[Drago]

Outer Melbourne suburbs resident here - I'm okay, too.

A bushfire or two was to be expected with the recent heatwave, but this really knocked all of us for a loop; It's been plastered all over everyone's screens and with good reason - it's a horrible disaster that could've happened anywhere here in Australia to anyone - my girlfriend's mother-in-law's cousin lost their life. I know, it's a bit of an obscure connection, but just goes to show that pretty much everyone knows someone who's been affected.

I think Rudd said it best when he referred to intentional lighting of these fires as mass murder - it's just an inexcusable crime that should be shown no leniency. To have hurt so many simply can't be tolerated...

What would you do if a bushfire was rapidly coming towards you and your home?

Currently, I have no bushfire plans, simply because I'm a stupid enough prat to still surmise that it'll never happen to me. It's scary to know, some people had 5 minutes warning to evacuate, then it was all gone. I'd probably flee, but it's been just as bad outside of the houses for some people as in - especially for those poor family that tried hiding in their pool - god that was horrible news.

[Katie]

my girlfriend's mother-in-law's

???

[Drago]

???

Righteous. I meant the mother of my girlfriend's brother-in-law. I should probably not rush family titles so frequently.

[Toxicity]

Honestly glad to hear that everybody is fine; hearing about the brushfires kept sending back a flood of memories of the scrub fire that almost forced my family to evacuate in mid-late Spring 2007. Same with the Queensland flooding. I guess it's just easiest to say that the only conflict humans will always have regardless is that with the natural world, but such an observation could easily be nullified by opinion.

As for the organization claiming God is using the fire as a punishment for the state...there will always be karma, given that they hold a belief somewhere in such a concept.

[PancaKe]

Today on the news, heard about a story where a firefighter died from a fallen tree branch whilst trying to help people. That stuff is so sad.

I can't believe they're still happening, while Queensland and Northern New South Wales floods like crazy. What is wrong with our country this summer?

Sydney is so full of rain. I feel guilty that we can't give any of it to Victoria.

[Mikachu Yukitatsu]

OK, two questions the English group I'm in wanted to ask:

1. Does the state give compensation for the houses without insurance?

2. Has the fire reached the town of Sapphire? One student has Finnish friends there.