Hottest place on Earth tomorrow? 47C in Austral

[anthonysydney]

Feb 6, 2009 15:05:06 GMT Muz said:

Awwww diddums, the convicts are going to get a suntan.

I'm glad you find this amusing. So far 26 dead from the fires (and more expected), hundreds of homes destroyed in Victoria and now 59 major fires with 10 out of control.

Yeah real funny stuff.

[Muz]

I'm glad you convicts, who seem unable to move out of the way of a brushfire, seem to have no sense of humour. If you don't like the climate, fcuking move. Don't keep bleating about it.

[KrispyKoala]

If you don't like the climate, fcuking move. Don't keep bleating about it.

This coming from an English 'man' is bloody hysterical, All any of you lot ever do, is constantly whinge about the weather. Most of you are so Bloody depressing it's the only indication that you're actually alive. Ne'er mind, spring will be around soon, you'll all thaw out by then to moan about something else.

LMFAO

[mango]

We've had it good over here in the West - SO FAR! ... but temps of over 40 deg coming this week :/

still Autumn is just around the corner - love Autumn & Spring

When they find the pyromaniac swines that lit the bushfires over East they should be boiled in oil
or at very least - life imprisonment

the heartbreak they've caused

[KrispyKoala]

Death toll climbs as killer fires rage

The death toll from the Victorian bushfires now stands at 49, with 640 houses destroyed, after some of the most horrific fires since Ash Wednesday.

There is no other information available about where the latest confirmed deaths happened. The true extent of the damage will not be known until authorities can enter some of the towns which are suspected to have been destroyed completely.

Authorities suspect arsonists are responsible for some fires.

Six of the confirmed dead have been found at Kinglake, six at Kinglake West and four each at St Andrews and Wandong, all north of Melbourne.

Five people are dead in Callignee, three in Hazelwood and one in Jeeralang. More bodies have been found at Humevale, Bendigo, Upper Callignee, Long Gully, Strathewan and Arthurs Creek.

Victoria's deputy police commissioner Kieran Walshe says the death toll will rise and it is expected to include children.

The town of Marysville north of Melbourne has been all but destroyed and there are grave fears for nearby Kinglake, where residents have described a "town on fire".

A fire in Beechworth in the state's north-east has grown to around 25,000 hectares after the wind changed from west to south-west around midday. Houses there have come under ember attack and power lines are also under threat.

Meanwhile the blazes which have razed homes just north of Melbourne have grown to more than 210,000 hectares and are burning towards Glenburn, Taggerty and Rubicon.

www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485538.htm?section=justin

[rosesandrum]

Dont think you can understand the firestorm that has ravage this state which would hold the UK within its boundaries.
I dont understand how bad it is and I spent the first 25 yrs of my life in that state.
the first 17 in the area in which at least 6 townships have been wiped off the face of the earth
I am in Queensland where 60% of the state is under flood water, luckily I live in the southern 40%.
Summer brings high temperatures every year and most times bushfires and floods are managable.
The floods have been broken past records with 2 tropical cyclones closely following each other dumping a deluge on an area which is known for its regular flooding.It is a part of life in that area.We have emergency services which are geared to deal with such events.
Most ppl have been flood bound for a week and then when the water levels started to go down had a day to clean up before they unexpectedly rose again to record levels.
We are dealing with this as we usually do with determination that may well be the thing that sets aussies apart from others not lucky to live in such a wonderful country even with our extremes of weather.
The bushfires I have been following from 2 states away as I have relatives in the decimated area.Some I have heard are okay, while others I can only wait and hope and pray they are okay.
The last 2 weeks in the southern states have been record breaking with temperatures over 40c(about 110f) for more than 2 weeks straight.The official records read at the airports which are usually cooler than most areas.Yesterday it reached 48c , a record since they began settlement about 200 yrs ago.This was dangerous enough but together with 100kilometre winds just waiting for something tragic to happen.
The state authorities had warned ppl to stay home and prepare for the worst.
Which they did still when fire leaps tree tops and embers travel kilometres on the wind sometimes there is nothing you can do but run.
The bush, pastures in most of this country are tinder dry at this time of year but the past 2 weeks of over 40c temperatures have made any plant life explosive in the circumstances.
Thank you for taking the time to read my first post.
I have felt helpless being so far from family who are stuck in the middle of this crisis it helps to have an outlet.
Before anyone says well why dont you catch a bus there, I am on the other side of the country and would only put strain on family and friends already dealing with so much.
Besides the whole area I believe is now a crime scene as over 60 people have perished and there is some suspicion that the original fire may have been deliberately lit.
Meanwhile the heroic volunteer firefighters(yes they are volunteers not paid) will keep going until they have made sure no fires will reignite and start another 20 kilometre front of flames.

[furio126]

What kind of an individual would purposely inflict this type of horror on their fellow nationals ? I just don`t get it.I was in NSW this time of year at the millenium,Hunter Valley area in Newcastle and was astounded at how hot it got............hope the arsonists are caught and punished accordingly.

[sushimo]

It is definitely not amusing or anything to mock about, this is serious stuff, and frightening in the extreme.

I have been close to forest fires once in my life, and I seriously thought I was going to lose everything, including at one point, my life.

I hope this will soon be over and finished with for you all, it has to be like living in hell on earth - good luck.

[sushimo]

They are now saying that the smoke from the fires can be seen in New Zealand - that's like us in the UK seeing smoke from fires in Spain.

[lawrence]

86 confirmed dead now. Terrible news. I am surprised your firefighters are voluntary. Here in Calif we have a massive professional fire fighting force to deal with these fires and often import thousands more from across the country. Too bad you all are so far away as I'm sure help would be on the way otherwise.

[lawrence]

This thing is based near my house. I suggest you lot down under can use it.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanker_910

[rosesandrum]

On this mornings news the death toll is now 108 with expectations it will rise as they search properties and burnt out cars through the area.
We have on hand helicopters and planes that dump fire retardant on inaccessable areas.
They do a wonderful job and have saved many areas from the raging fires.
Today the fires are moving north towards alpine areas and latest reports are it is at least
10 kilometres away from townships but that can change at an instant
I found out this morning that my relatives are all safe which is wonderful news.
Some have lost everything but life is more precious than a few possessions that can be replaced in time.

[scaredycat]

According to the news the current count of people having lost their lives in the bushfires is 108.

[sushimo]

I am so glad you have heard your family is OK rosesandrum. That's the awful thing about a disaster like this, communications end up being broken and it can take an age to find anything out.

I do have friends with family down there, but they see to be OK for the moment thankfully.

I saw on TV the awful reality of people who have lost their homes, their pets, and even worse - hearing people calling for help and being unable to reach them. I hope this is all over soon.

[warofwords]

Feb 8, 2009 18:44:05 GMT lawrence said:

86 confirmed dead now. Terrible news. I am surprised your firefighters are voluntary. Here in Calif we have a massive professional fire fighting force to deal with these fires and often import thousands more from across the country. Too bad you all are so far away as I'm sure help would be on the way otherwise.

Not all of them are Voluntary, paid firefighters from all over Australia flew in to help , however you have to understand this didn't occur in the city , this happened about 100kms from Melbourne city , most country towns have their own plans and voluntary firecrews because they know the area , the city firecrew don't

[justmyopinion]

I find the comments from Muz unworthy and offensive.

[yord]

how horrid for you

[justmyopinion]

Feb 9, 2009 11:54:03 GMT yord said:

how horrid for you

With family out there, it is a bit worrying, you're right.

[cathy]

I completely agree with you JMO .... those comments were downright cruel. I'm thoroughly disgusted that anyone could sink so low at such a sad time for all Australians.

[Muz]

Feb 9, 2009 11:52:17 GMT justmyopinion said:

I find the comments from Muz unworthy and offensive.

Notice my remark was to the heatwave, before anyone had died. My remark was merely to it getting very hot.

Feb 11, 2009 23:25:39 GMT cathy said:

I completely agree with you JMO .... those comments were downright cruel. I'm thoroughly disgusted that anyone could sink so low at such a sad time for all Australians.

You haven't bothered to read when I typed that or to read in what context it was written. How very noble of you to get disgusted. You're bringing your anti-Muz crap here. Its a shame you didn't leave it at MSN. Pathetic.