TJ Thyne

How we cheated flames of death - This is a journalist's true account of getting out of the bushfire. I cried reading this story, because this is what is happening in my city right now.

750 homes have been destroyed, 130 + people have died, including a newsreader from one of our network stations - Brian Naylor

To put into perspective exactly how close I am to the fire, here is a map , I live about 40 minutes away, from the B300 fires, with a smell of smoke in the air. It's very scary.

More than 20 people are in a critical condition
9 are on life support or in intensive care.
4 young children are receiving specialist burn care
750 homes destroyed.
330,000 hectares burnt out
31 fires continue to rage on
75 people died - 1983 Ash Wednesday fires (our worst bushfire since before this)

My husband and I donated a bunch of our clothes and etc. to assist with the cause. Tomorrow we will be donating some towels, bedding, food and bowls to the RSPCA to assist with the animals that have been rescued.

My brother, his wife and their three children live in a bushfire region and were evacuated out. My brother stayed back to assist the fire fighters and try and save some houses. We didn't hear from him for a few hours and it gave us a nasty fright. He is okay (luckily), but he is absolutely distraught at what he has witnessed.

A friend of mine, who is a fire fighter, was fighting a fire in Kinglake (a badly affected area), and he says that he was fighting the fire with his colleagues, in front of him. Then - he looked around and realized it had surrounded him. He thought he was going to die. Elvis (the helicopter that carries the water), dumped water on them and an emergency drill tanker was sent in. He says that without those actions happening - he would be dead. It saved his life.

Family friends had the fire come up on their property line and change direction. They are lucky to have their house standing, in a street where their neighbours have lost everything.

So far, I have one person unaccounted for. I fear for her safety, and have no ways of contacting her.

I hope that the people that deliberately lit these fires, get charged with murder and go to jail forever.

I will keep you posted - and will let you know if we get moved. I can't even put into words how terrifying it is here. It's even more devastating to see friends and family lose their homes and livelihood.

Hi all

Came on to update - plus it's 4.30am and I am going out of my mind as I haven't heard from my brother since he said he was moving into bushfire action and moving the caravan.

http://www.rspcavic.org/campaigns_news/ ... hfires.htm - you can donate to the injured wildlife and animals that have been rescued and desperately need care.

http://www.redcross.org.au/default.asp - the red cross are taking donations. If you are an Australian resident, please give blood as many burns victims need it.

I am feeling so blessed with our CFA (Country Fire Authority) who are made up of volunteers as they are really doing such an amazing job.

Two new fires have started in Kilmore and Wandong, my father lives on the otherside of the hill. I have not heard from him since yesterday.

Will keep you updated and let you know how it all goes.

xxx

Hi Rhi,I had just learned about all this when I read your posts.I'm just shocked...
We've had fires here a few months ago,they completely destroyed many fields and forests.But it doesn't compare to this,especially since there are people concerned.I have family in Australia,but as far as I know they are all safe and sound.
I hope everything turns out ok.I agree with the others,anything we can do to help let us know.And do keep us updated...

Hi Rhi

Like everyone else here I just wanted to say my thoughts are with you and yours. They had bush fires when I was in Perth at my aunts a few years ago, they were only minor in comparison and I was freaked out so I can only imagine what you're going through.

It's a nightmare when you don't know if loved ones are safe I remember sitting with my friend when her boyfriend was caught up at the Hilsborough football disaster years ago and we didn't here from him for hours. That turned out well and I'm sure that all your loved ones will be ok too. I'll be thinking of you and your family and friends as well as the other people who are caught up in this horrible situation.

Finally how anyone who calls themselves a human being can set fires like this doesn't bear thinking about, the main thing at the moment though is to keep on hoping and praying for all those involved.

Keep safe Rhi

Jude x

Well another scary day, with a fire being lit three streets away from me.

My husband and I packed the car - had the dog and cat ready to go and were ready to leave when told.

Thankfully the fire department got the fire under control, after it jumped containment lines.

I am not going to lie - I was bloody terrified.

Amongst all these sad news - we have a happy one, http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25 ... 43,00.html

A koala was found by a fire-fighter, and was fed three bottles of water. FYI - Koalas don't usually drink water, but have leaves for nutrients and water replenishment. Watch the video on the above link, it will warm your heart.


===

My friend is still missing.

I heard about this through another message board that I visit often. It's so sad, and so terrible that someone is deliberately starting these...

I'm glad you're okay

My friend checked in! She is fine!

*relief*

Although of course, with the good, comes the bad, another friend lost her home and beloved horses. She is shattered.

Miss Rhi wrote:My friend checked in! She is fine!

*relief*

Oh, thank goodness, Rhi. I was thinking about you and your friend a lot these past couple of days, hoping for a positive outcome. I'm relieved for you all.

I'm so sorry about your other friend's home, and her beautiful horses.

I'm so sorry about your fire situation this spring!! We still ahd tons of snow so we weren't affected. I hope you were okay and didn't lose everything.

Right now there are major fries burning in British Columbia Canada. They have evacutated many home and some have even been lost. I don't know what the whole situation is since I don't live anywhere near there but I know that it is grave. I have many friends and relatives down there.

I know the sense of panic that erupts when fires close in on you. In 1993 on a vacation to visit my Grandfather in his mining camp in the Yukon, we were trapped by a forest fire. I don't think I knew terror until that moment. My Grandfather and his brother happened to be on the other side of the fire when it blocked our only access out. They drove through the fire with a leaking fuel tank on the truck to get to us and call for help.

The forest district told them that they weren't going to get us out because Grandpa and uncle had the equipment and knew how to fight fire. Even though there were women and children in the camp. My Uncle physically removed four people from the helicopter, he only left the pilot, and sent the helicopter in to get us. He is still in trouble with the forestry because of it. We waited at anothe mining camp overnight waiting for news from Grandpa and Uncle. It was terrifying.

I'm so sorry that so many people lost their homes and lives. My thoughts are with all those affected.

ThyneAlone wrote:Sometimes we fail to look outwards and acknowledge how fortunate we are.

Hear, hear, Steph.