The current official death toll is 173 with 922 homes lost. 31 fires are still burning.
Police have strong suspicions that the Kinglake Complex and Gippsland fires were purposely lit. Prime Minister Rudd has stated that he strongly urges Courts who find anyone guilty of arson that resulted in loss of life to treat them as mass murderers and apply the maximum penalty and send them to the SuperMax facility.
]]>The 18-hour days burn people out quickly, especially those who have been working since the heat wave.
]]>Officials at the US Interagency Fire Centre are assembling a team of specialists including operation chiefs and helicopter supervisors to join the firefighting effort.
They are awaiting a formal request from the Australian Government, which is expected to be made within the next 12 hours.
Once that happens, the US team could be on the ground in Victoria within two days.
Ken Fredericks, a spokesman for the Interagency Fire Centre, says American and Australian firefighters have a close working relationship.
I believe that the formal request has been made this morning (but not certain of that).
And, oc course, no tragedy would be complete without the souless ghouls:
Australia’s competition watchdog is warning people wanting to contribute to the Victorian bushfire appeals not to be taken in by scammers.
The ACCC says scammers have taken advantage of people’s generosity and kindness in the past, including during the 2003 Canberra bushfires and the Boxing Day tsunami in 2004.
Those scams involved the collection of money by people or groups posing as a charity.
The ACCC is warning people to look out for unknown charities, fake websites, letters and emails, and to ask anyone soliciting a donation for appropriate identification.
Public warned of bushfire scammers
You know, with all I know and have seen the worst of human nature, I still (and I hope I never) understand these evil bastards. Death really is too good for them.
]]>Rain is the only thing that will make things safer, but it is good that they have a chance to knock down the existing fires.
It is murder, a death as the result of a criminal act.
]]>The weather has cooled and the wind has died down for a few days, but it will get bad again this weekend. But the fighters have a few days respite and a chance to get the remaining fires under control.
]]>A few get their excitement by starting fires, and they don’t think of the consequences.
In New York, and a lot of other states, whoever this was would be facing the death penalty or life without possibility of parole.
]]>fallenmonk´s last blog post..Lies and Damn Lies
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