SupraStar 3000 Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Just been watching this on the news channels Makes for pretty grim viewing. 173 lives, with many others hurt, some critically. Some are calling it mass murder. Either way, its already the largest natural disaster in our Australia's history. Very sad. I cant imagine what it must been like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl_S Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Hope Mark is ok. I'm going to check in with my relatives that live there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 Is this not a good time for the "jacket potato" joke.... I have not really seen the pictures. I don't understand how people can die if the fires are spreading in a particular direction..?? I suppose until you are there, you can't imagine it. When we were in Greece a couple of years ago, there were fires down the coast and we could see the red glow at night. I got up every hour or so to check that they weren't getting closer.... It was a bit unsettling to have helicopter collecting water from the sea while you were trying to have a swim..... H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 It's so very nasty. People were trying to escape by car, thinking they had hours to get away, but they only had minutes, hence why so many of the deaths were caught in their cars etc. Very tragic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRalphMan Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 It was a bit unsettling to have helicopter collecting water from the sea while you were trying to have a swim.....:(QUOTE] Luckly you were not in a wet suit, otherwise you'd be an urban myth by now.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraStar 3000 Posted February 9, 2009 Author Share Posted February 9, 2009 It was a bit unsettling to have helicopter collecting water from the sea while you were trying to have a swim..... the inconsiderate b*st*rds I think the fires can reach speeds of 70mph. Thats me and my NA knackered then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Havard Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 It was a bit unsettling to have helicopter collecting water from the sea while you were trying to have a swim.....:(QUOTE] Luckly you were not in a wet suit, otherwise you'd be an urban myth by now.. That was one unlucky guy!! I didn't realise that people were caught in their cars..... The fires must have travelled really fast then. When I watched the news this afternoon there were about 150 dead and about 800 homes destroyed.... I just can't imagine the prospect of burning to death!! H. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRalphMan Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I couldn't imagine what you must be thinking, trying to drive your family out and the fires gettting closer and closer. I heard they caught two people for starting some of the fires.. 1) - How did they catch them. 2) - What would make anyone want to do that. 3) - Do you think they should 'fall' down the police station steps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraStar 3000 Posted February 9, 2009 Author Share Posted February 9, 2009 I heard they caught them, released them and are now looking for them again. Its called Fire-bugging Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 I work with a guy from Melbourne and he told me this morning that most people die when they panic and try and flee at the last minute in their cars. Offical advice is to get out early or stay put and protect your property as best you can. Not sure I like the idea of staying put Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrRalphMan Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 100ft flames vs your garden hose.. Doesn't sound like a fair fight to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathew Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 one guy apparently put both his kids in the car and ran back into the house to get something. by the time he got back out the car was on fire with the kids inside, both died. really puts my little worries and issues i have into perspective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SupraStar 3000 Posted February 9, 2009 Author Share Posted February 9, 2009 some of the stories are horrific. People diving into swimming pools to get away from the heat and boiling alive etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewOW Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 one guy apparently put both his kids in the car and ran back into the house to get something. by the time he got back out the car was on fire with the kids inside, both died. really puts my little worries and issues i have into perspective. My god, that's so very sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl_S Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 My dad told me that my relatives are in Sydney and so are safe. I hope they are. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benkei Posted February 9, 2009 Share Posted February 9, 2009 some of the stories are horrific. People diving into swimming pools to get away from the heat and boiling alive etc. That must be horrible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colsoop Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Its so incredibly dry all over Australia when the fire takes hold it just spreads incredibly quickly. It can change direction in an instant, coupled with wind you have a lethal combo. Outside of the cities Australia is very rural with large expanses of land with nothing but trees on them. In between are small hamlets on them, these people wouldn't stand a chance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Apparently the "wall" of the fire only takes around 2 minutes to burn through. People put out the small fires started ahead of the wall by the embers that are blown forward and then stay in the house as the wall passes and then put out what's on fire afterwards. Most houses survive unless embers get inside through cracks, or roof tiles (reason many are corrugated). This is just what I'm told though. Find it hard to imagine staying in a house when a fire that like rips through, I think I'd most probably panic and run as well - to my death. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad88 Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 Its so incredibly dry all over Australia when the fire takes hold it just spreads incredibly quickly. It can change direction in an instant, coupled with wind you have a lethal combo. Outside of the cities Australia is very rural with large expanses of land with nothing but trees on them. In between are small hamlets on them, these people wouldn't stand a chance Spot On. Wow this has certainly spread around the world. Seems your information is pretty correct surprisingly enough for the media. Its gone 180+ now this many in hospital and as of a few hours ago 20+ Fires still raging out of control.. Scary Stuff indeed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I can't imagine that anyone has "started" these fires maliciously, or intended such an event. Still, if it is "arson", it's such an irresponsible thing to do regardless of whether they for it to happen. Tragedy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbourner Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 I saw a programme (about how the brain works, particular episode dealing with fight or flight) about some firemen who were going to deal with a bush fire, it had only started recently, the head guy had to make a quick decision and when he saw what was going on he said to run for it cos the fire was far too big already. They ran as fast as they could but it caught them really quickly, in the end they hid under their heat proof blanket things and were mostly unharmed. Until I saw that I didn't realise how quick a forrest fire can spread, the flame wall just moves unbelievably fast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt H Posted February 10, 2009 Share Posted February 10, 2009 The phrase "spreads like wild fire" doesn't beat around the bush.. (no pun intended) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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