Post by wheelspinner on Feb 7, 2009 16:42:20 GMT -5
In the wake of the hottest day in Melbourne's history, the State was set ablaze by dozens of fires. Major fires to the North of Melbourne and to the East of the State raged out of control. Even the cool change didn't help this latter fire, as the wind-shift merely turned it into a new direction that threatened a number of small towns.
Unbelievably, this fire seems to have been the work of an arsonist.
Death toll rises from bushfires
Mex Cooper
February 8, 2009 - 8:10AM
Twenty-five people are confirmed dead and the toll is expected to rise in Victoria's worst bushfires since Ash Wednesday.
The number of dead is expected to reach more than 40 as blazes continue to ravage the state with more than 100,000 hectares affected as 3000 firefighters struggle to contain seven major firefronts.
Police have confirmed that 12 people were killed in fires at Kinglake and Kinglake west, four in Wandong, four in St Andrews, three in Humevale, one in Bendigo and one in Arthurs Creek.
Authorities began the grim search for bodies this morning following Saturday's devastating bushfires. Police expect the death toll to surpass 40.
Most of the confirmed deaths were in towns northwest of Melbourne including at Kinglake where six people were killed in one car.
The CFA expects that hundreds of homes have been destroyed. Among the properties destroyed were the Marysville and Kinglake police stations.
Police said they did not know if the age of those killed in the fires but it was expected that some children were among the dead.
Seven major blazes continue to threaten communities with fires raging out of control in Bunyip, Churchill, Kilmore East, Beechworth, Horsham, Marysville and Weerite.
The town of Glenburn northwest of Melbourne has been placed on alert with the Kilmore bushfire encroaching on the area.
More than 30,000 hectares have been destroyed in the Kilmore fire where 500 firefighters are working to contain the blaze which is spotting towards the town of Kinglake west where six people have already perished.
The Country Fire Authority said the Kilmore fire had moved towards the Glenburn area, in particular Glenburn and settlements to the north and north east along the Melba Highway and Yea River Valley towards Murrindindi.
The CFA has urged residents to decide now if they will go or stay.
``There is now active fire around the Glenburn area and residents can expect thick smoke and ember attack. All residents in these areas are advised to activate their fire plans immediately and to remain on high alert,'' the CFA said.
``Residents cannot rely on fire-fighting resources being able to get to their property.
``It is very dangerous to leave late with a fire in the area.
``Residents in this area may experience smoke and burning embers reaching their properties, and are advised to patrol their houses to find and put out any burning embers that may be landing.''
Meanwhile, the threat from a bushfire burning in the Beechworth area in northeastern Victoria has eased, but authorities are urging residents in the region to remain alert.
The fire is burning in a south easterly direction and is estimated to be more than 20,000 hectares in size.
The fire activity had decreased allowing crews to make good progress on control lines.
"The communities of Bruarong, Glen Creek, Dederang, Running Creek, Myrtleford, Ovens, Barwidgee Creek are no longer under direct threat from this fire, but still need to remain alert due to a high level of fire activity still in the area,'' the CFA said.
"These communities may come under new attack tomorrow as weather conditions worsen.''
Stanley, Mudgeegonga, Rosewhite, Kancoona and Kancoona South remain under threat with CFA strike-teams continuing to work on asset protection.
A recent wind change had begun pushing a fire at Bunyip Ridge, north of Drouin, in a north-easterly direction towards the towns of Labertouche, Tarago, Jindivick West, Jindivick North, Neerim South, Neerim East, Neerim North, Whites Corner, Noogee, Tonimbuk and Robin Hood.
Firefighers have managed to control a fire in Coleraine that burnt nearly 1000 hectares.
with AAP
www.theage.com.au/national/death-toll-rises-from-bushfires-20090208-80jv.html?page=-1
Unbelievably, this fire seems to have been the work of an arsonist.
Death toll rises from bushfires
Mex Cooper
February 8, 2009 - 8:10AM
Twenty-five people are confirmed dead and the toll is expected to rise in Victoria's worst bushfires since Ash Wednesday.
The number of dead is expected to reach more than 40 as blazes continue to ravage the state with more than 100,000 hectares affected as 3000 firefighters struggle to contain seven major firefronts.
Police have confirmed that 12 people were killed in fires at Kinglake and Kinglake west, four in Wandong, four in St Andrews, three in Humevale, one in Bendigo and one in Arthurs Creek.
Authorities began the grim search for bodies this morning following Saturday's devastating bushfires. Police expect the death toll to surpass 40.
Most of the confirmed deaths were in towns northwest of Melbourne including at Kinglake where six people were killed in one car.
The CFA expects that hundreds of homes have been destroyed. Among the properties destroyed were the Marysville and Kinglake police stations.
Police said they did not know if the age of those killed in the fires but it was expected that some children were among the dead.
Seven major blazes continue to threaten communities with fires raging out of control in Bunyip, Churchill, Kilmore East, Beechworth, Horsham, Marysville and Weerite.
The town of Glenburn northwest of Melbourne has been placed on alert with the Kilmore bushfire encroaching on the area.
More than 30,000 hectares have been destroyed in the Kilmore fire where 500 firefighters are working to contain the blaze which is spotting towards the town of Kinglake west where six people have already perished.
The Country Fire Authority said the Kilmore fire had moved towards the Glenburn area, in particular Glenburn and settlements to the north and north east along the Melba Highway and Yea River Valley towards Murrindindi.
The CFA has urged residents to decide now if they will go or stay.
``There is now active fire around the Glenburn area and residents can expect thick smoke and ember attack. All residents in these areas are advised to activate their fire plans immediately and to remain on high alert,'' the CFA said.
``Residents cannot rely on fire-fighting resources being able to get to their property.
``It is very dangerous to leave late with a fire in the area.
``Residents in this area may experience smoke and burning embers reaching their properties, and are advised to patrol their houses to find and put out any burning embers that may be landing.''
Meanwhile, the threat from a bushfire burning in the Beechworth area in northeastern Victoria has eased, but authorities are urging residents in the region to remain alert.
The fire is burning in a south easterly direction and is estimated to be more than 20,000 hectares in size.
The fire activity had decreased allowing crews to make good progress on control lines.
"The communities of Bruarong, Glen Creek, Dederang, Running Creek, Myrtleford, Ovens, Barwidgee Creek are no longer under direct threat from this fire, but still need to remain alert due to a high level of fire activity still in the area,'' the CFA said.
"These communities may come under new attack tomorrow as weather conditions worsen.''
Stanley, Mudgeegonga, Rosewhite, Kancoona and Kancoona South remain under threat with CFA strike-teams continuing to work on asset protection.
A recent wind change had begun pushing a fire at Bunyip Ridge, north of Drouin, in a north-easterly direction towards the towns of Labertouche, Tarago, Jindivick West, Jindivick North, Neerim South, Neerim East, Neerim North, Whites Corner, Noogee, Tonimbuk and Robin Hood.
Firefighers have managed to control a fire in Coleraine that burnt nearly 1000 hectares.
with AAP
www.theage.com.au/national/death-toll-rises-from-bushfires-20090208-80jv.html?page=-1
