Victoria Bushfires like a warzone. Browncoats affected.

I don't know if it's hit the international news yet, but we've got some serious feaky stuff going on in Victoria (Australia).

65 people have died from bushfires, and we've lost over 640 homes in Victoria along... 550 just north of me.

This is officially the worst firestorm in Victoria, surpassing the Ash Wednesday fires in 1983. Entire towns have been destroyed, including many that are my old stomping ground.

I'm safe where I am, but there are fires no less than 20km from where I live.

Latest news here: http://www.abc.net.au/news/

Sixty-five people are confirmed dead in the Victorian bushfires, making the human toll for the state far worse than Ash Wednesday.

There have also been 640 homes destroyed - including more than 500 in the Kinglake area - but the true extent of the damage will not be clear until authorities are able to enter fire-ravaged towns.

I know of one Browncoat who's home was destroyed near Kinglake.

Please pray for those who are still in the path of the fires, and for those who have survived the devestation.

Jen -

I'm just speechless reading the updates on the wire. Just horrific....
Please keep yourself safe. And let us know if there's anything we can do to help.


--Tanya

I think that it would be highly appropriate for Australian CSTS events to fundraise for CFA in addition to EN.

108 now dead and over 1000 homeless.

As a volunteer firefighter in an adjoining state, I've been asked to deploy across the border for 5+ days, so I'll be at the pointy end of the stick, dealing with events.

It is so terrible. and poor PM.

I'm sure the organisers of the aussie events this year will consider a range of charties to support in addition to EN.

it's certainly an option.

our workplace is already trying to put together some kind of appeal. and thankfully the government has stepped up and given direct cash handouts to help these people immediately.

http://www.redcross.org.au/vic/services ... l-2009.htm

Wow, Jen. That's awful. Stay safe. I have family in California, and I always worry about them during fire season. I'll keep you in my thoughts.