Everyone ok in Victoria??

[PhotoNut]

We've been watching the news about the horrific fires that have taken the lives of so many in southeastern Victoria. Our hearts go out to everyone there tonight. We hope and pray that none of your friends or loved ones were injured or lost in the tragic event. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.

Paul and Susan

[Jachut]

Its been pretty awful, the death toll incredible.

We live in Narre Warren, an outer suburb but we were quite affected by it, Saturday was 48 degrees C - incredibly hot, with a strong north wind and this is when all hell broke loose. We had lots of spot fires here, six homes lost only streets away. It was dark and smoky with horrendous wind, it was like night time at 4 in the afternoon. We had the car packed and ready to flee as we were having embers fly from the house fires - burnt the bed linen on the washing line! But the wind changed as a cool change came through at the last minute and it cleared very quickly. Unfortunately that wind change was what caused the bushfires to rage out of control, the narrow front became the rear of the fires and the wide, burning rear became the front.

I think nearly everyone probably knows someone who's lost a home, personally, so far nobody I know has lost their lives but 2 friends in Healesville have lost homes. And its so tragic, beautiful little historic townships like Marysville lost forever.

Thanks for thinking of us Pnut. In Melbourne now you'd not really know anything was amiss, the sky is clear, etc but its a different story just north and SE - which incidentally is where our major power plants are too.

[PhotoNut]

Good lord. I'm so thankful that your place was spared. I'm shaking inside thinking about what a close call that was for you. I'm so grateful that you are ok. *sighs* How very sad indeed. *big hugs*

[PhotoNut]

By the way, for those that aren't familiar with Celsius.. 48 degrees Celsius is 118 degrees Fahrenheit.

[lyndele]

We've been following this very closely - my husband has family in Victoria and they are just devastated by the losses (none have lost their homes, but friends have). It makes me ill to think of those poor people trapped by the fires. How awful.

Stay safe, Jachut.

[kristina]

yes please...stay safe, and i will be praying for your beautiful country and the couragous people that live there.

[laurenperth]

Love going out to my fellow Aussie in Victoria who have been touched by the horrific bushfires.

Always in my thoughts :)

[MarkB]

Jachut and all of your fellow Aussies, I pray that you are doing alright and that you not only survive, but that all of your friends and family are doing well too. I hope that the authorities catch the idiots that started at least some of these fires.

[Nick N Ava's Grammy]

Praying that you and everyone there will stay safe Jachut and the fires get under control soon.

[*Holza*]

Thanks Everyone.......
Was VERY VERY scary it was here in Vic.....
It was coming closer and closer to our town, but it didnt get here....Still no school all week just in case....
Its soooo sad to see sooooo many lives lost and houses....
And it makes me so angry that ppl are liting these fires....They also lit them the other night after taking all these ppl lives and houses GRRRRRRRRR
Keep safe everyone in Vic

[*Holza*]

Thanks Everyone.......
Was VERY VERY scary it was here in Vic.....
It was coming closer and closer to our town, but it didnt get here....Still no school all week just in case....
Its soooo sad to see sooooo many lives lost and houses....
And it makes me so angry that ppl are liting these fires....They also lit them the other night after taking all these ppl lives and houses GRRRRRRRRR
Keep safe everyone in Vic
Were getting some good rain atm, so thats helping