Full Boost

Majorly OT,

But if you guys havent seen this - it is truly the worst i have ever seen....

www.smh.com.au

WHOLE towns wiped out - and HUNDREDS of homes lost - over 130 dead (officially) and more than 300 missing - Fires still raging out of control... Over 31 still burning...

We have been watching this unfold from the comfort of our home - scared out of our minds as we are in a semi rural area and there about 18 fires in NSW too

We have formulated a plan and will be ok - but my heart goes out to those that have lost EVERYTHING.

Simon.

CP

Simon,

I saw that on TV last night and thought about you. I hope you are FAR FAR away from the fire zone.

Best wishes to you and your family.

CP

ste993

Yes, it's awful. I have a friend down there who has managed to escape so far and can relate to her worries as I was evacuated during the wildfires in San Diego in '03. I hope they can get this under control soon.

Full Boost

Map below showing how bad it really is....

http://mapvisage.appspot.com/fires/FireMap.html

Simon

chris walrod

As wildfires tore through and right around our housing tract a few months ago, this brings shivers down my back.

Man oh man is this sad! Thoughts and prayers go out to all affected!

travanx

After basically almost moving to Sydney last year (Job fell apart at the last minute after I sold everything, hence the new 993), this is pretty sad. Hits a little closer since I would have been living in that country if it went right. And as far as I can tell, the people in that country are the nicest people I have and might ever meet.

cdmdriver

I too almost lost a home to wild fires. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.

God Bless.

timothymoffat

Been watching this on the news. Devistating. Stay safe Simon, I hope this ends soon.

psychoideas

Hey Simon, Where are you?

We have a house in Stanley. 9km from Beechworth. We are waiting to see if it's still there in the morning.

That bottom picture you posted is of a local builder's house near here, Regretfully he and his wife passed away there when it burnt

sydneymark

I and the other residents in northern suburbs of Sydney feel lucky to miss what Victoria had to put up with. Our hearts go out to the families.

Last week I went out for a drive at 7am ...by 9am I had to put the roof up as I was burning with the heat ...

thank goodness its just started to rain this evening

TYNUSKT

Wow that is horrible.

Aussie Alan 993

As we heard the news over the weekend and today, my family and I were shocked to hear of the ferocity and speed with which these fires came upon these folks and of the soaring death toll.

GOD have pity on these poor poeple, give comfort to those who have lost family, friends, property and even pets, console them in their grief and may those who perished receive eternal rest in peace.

We take so much for granted...

and Thank You to all emergency service personell everywhere.

Full Boost

OMG - Death toll has risen to 178!! and more to come.

This is a tragedy of EPIC propoetions. So many lives lost.

Frank - I live in the Nth West of Sydney in a Semi rural area - We had the big one close by about 5 years ago - but NOTHING like this. And it has finally started to rain here - so hopefully we are ok.

I am sorry to hear about your misfortune and that you may have lost the house - My condolences.

Some pics of the devastation.... The stories coming out of this are both Sad and inspiring.

95C4VanIsle

I'm sure everyone here is sorry to hear about the devastation that is occuring in Australia. Everyone there is in our prayers.

psychoideas

Hi Simon,
Thank you. No news this morning, it looks like we have been one of the VERY lucky ones.

Like everyone here on the list, our thoughts are with the less fortunate.