KB Posted February 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Indeed this tragedy would have been on a far greater scale had it not been for the brave men and women who have literally risked their lives to fight these fires, some would have been aware that their own houses would be lost whilst the battled to save others. The measure of the heat of a bushfire is in KiloWatts per Meter of firefront, the CFA will not send fighters to a fire over 4,000kW/m, the fire that did the most damage had a heat reading of 20,000kW/m and a firefront that stretch 100km long. Authorities state that to get in the path of this fire would have been suicide. And yes as CS states this fire moved fast, one estimate was that it covered 5km in 1 1/2 minutes and the savage furnace wind that ran ahead of the fire was blowing off roof's of houses like decks of cards. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikki6 Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 It just beggers belief that something so deadly can move so fast! I remember as a kid I lived near the New Forest in dorset, a kid 4 doors up from me was a well known firebug and he set a pretty small fire in the wasteland on the outskirts of the forest, again it was windy and within an hour half the forest was lost. Even to this day I remember it clear as day, we thought that was a disaster moving fast. But what you guys are experiencing is just mind boggling!! The speed that its moving must be unreal, and I can only have nightmares about the heat it's pushing before it, you wouldn't even have to be near the fire to get some serious burns if not killed!! I don't know what else to say Ken and you Cornerstone and all our brethren from Antipodies, my prayers are with you all and the brave men and women, not all proffessional, that are helping keep as many alive as possible! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P8B Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Man i was just watching the news on TV... I couldn't believe some of the things they said and showed... Stay safe Ken. And to all in Aus at the moment our prayers and wishes are with you as you go through this tough time... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demsey Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 I had a lot to say in support and empathy to the victims and commonwealth, but I will demure as it has been well said already in this thread. I will just ditto those sentiments and be glad to know 'Australians' above all others, as I have learned all these from this international community, are of 'stern stuff' and can deal, endure, and gain perspective to this and other similar tragedies. Do what you do. And God Bless. Indeed this tragedy would have been on a far greater scale had it not been for the brave men and women who have literally risked their lives to fight these fires, some would have been aware that their own houses would be lost whilst the battled to save others. The measure of the heat of a bushfire is in KiloWatts per Meter of firefront, the CFA will not send fighters to a fire over 4,000kW/m, the fire that did the most damage had a heat reading of 20,000kW/m and a firefront that stretch 100km long. Authorities state that to get in the path of this fire would have been suicide. And yes as CS states this fire moved fast, one estimate was that it covered 5km in 1 1/2 minutes and the savage furnace wind that ran ahead of the fire was blowing off roof's of houses like decks of cards. Ken Certainly Ken! And towit; if it has not been mentioned already, a shout out to our own 'trailboss69' as this is his castle keep. Where he does his work and well. Not sure if the geography is in his jurisdiction, whether he is there physically or not, but no matter, in spirit and in like kind of his bretheran, it will all be OK. Bless them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailboss Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 (edited) That's the point Nikki, fires don't move this fast! This one behaved in ways that even the bigest fires simply can't. Well up untill now anyway. The fronty was traveling at up to 80+ KPH when even a large fire should only be capable of 15kph on flat ground and no where even close to 80 regardless of the slope. The world is changing. . . Col. EDIT: latest news and video DARKEST DAY EDIT2: Dems: Not there yet. I'm in Queensland, about 3000 klicks away. We will be deployed at the end of the week if needed. By then everyone there will be well and truly buggered and in need of rest while we take over for a while. They usualy don't like sending us to Vic beacuse they use different tactics and equipment down there to fight a different kind of fire to what we get here. A realy big fire is not a good place to learn a new truck and/or method. As frustrating as it is (I got more crew volenteering then I need ATM) I am allmost glad I missed this one. Bad dude, real bad. I'v seen some horror fires but this one scared me even from here! Mind you, if they want or need us we'll be there. It's a tribute to those in charge that no firefighter has been lost this time round. Edited February 9, 2009 by trailboss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daytona4me Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 I was just reading up on this,, it is so sad... We can pray and watch for relief efforts locally through the Red Cross.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikki6 Posted February 9, 2009 Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Thats unreal TBoss!! I have never heard of anything so fast, hence my earlier post, but to know it was moving THAT fast is just beyond comprehension!! 80k's is just out of a sci-fi book!! I pray never to have to deal with something like this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted February 9, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2009 Col I stake everything on the CFA keeping their fighters safe, I far to many friends within their ranks, very good friends that I want to see come back. Sadly the death toll continues to rise and currently stands at a confirmed 166 If anyone would like to help please contact the Australian Red Cross Bushfire Relief, or even light a candle and say a prayer for those that have lost their lives. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailboss Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 In breaking news a Victorian man, 39 has been arested and is helping police with their enquiries in relation to one of the fires. The fire he is connected with killed 21 people. He is due to be charged with arson and posesing child porn. Further charges are expected to follow. Col. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Demsey Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 The fire he is connected with killed 21 people. He is due to be charged with arson and posesing child porn. Further charges are expected to follow. Oh, for Christ's sake. If only this were a case in Florida, I could rationalize; "I can move away from this..." But, I have no 'rocket ship'. Austrailia? No. Please Lord, "no". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offshore Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 The fires are still burning, more lives are being lost. The police are on the trail of other suspects. In previous events, few arsonists have ever come to trial.!! ( Ever wondered about this?) And if any more are found, I suspect they will become another statistic, rather than a defendant. A lot of anger, lynch mob mentality around methinks. Don't even go wandering around in the bush, with a lighter, or pack of Bryant & Mays in your pocket. Not the 1st time, nor will it be the last. A really sorry state of affairs. For a multitude of reasons. O/S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonthebhoy Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 And so the scales of stupidity amongst humankind dip another inch or two and we gasp at the incredulity of it all. Sadly as the days pass so does the memory and the deep desire for retribution. Acts like these pervade our world on a daily basis and only serve to throw the human race in a very poor light. The most intelligent species? - Don't get me started. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted February 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 I was reading a report by a psychologist in the paper and he said that contrary to popular belief, in most cases, the people who light these fires do not suffer from pyromania or any other mental illness. They are basically ordinary, albeit irresponsible, people who just felt it would be cool to light a fire and see how far it goes. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmarin.72 Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 I was reading a report by a psychologist in the paper and he said that contrary to popular belief, in most cases, the people who light these fires do not suffer from pyromania or any other mental illness. They are basically ordinary, albeit irresponsible, people who just felt it would be cool to light a fire and see how far it goes. Ken What is the info you get from the news?could this be an organized attempt?it does not seem like the work of an irresponsible individual or two for that matters... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted February 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 No John there will be no organised attempt here basically the fires that did the most damage all started from only 3 points, it was the weather conditions that turned them catastrophic. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmarin.72 Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 No John there will be no organised attempt here basically the fires that did the most damage all started from only 3 points, it was the weather conditions that turned them catastrophic. Ken Thanks Ken...i can only hope for the better... Please keep us posted anyway you can my friend. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted March 2, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 I'm bumping this thread up again to point out that although it is now over 3 weeks since Black Saturday we still have at least 2 massive fires burning out of control. Tonight and tomorrow we will be facing extreme weather conditions that the CFA believes could flare these fires up to an extent that may match Black Saturday or Ash Wednesday. To help combat this the Vic Police has taken the unprecedented step of texting every mobile phone in Victoria to warn of the dangers we might face in the next 24hrs. The local papers are saying that if you plan to evacuate do so now as tomorrow may be to late. Once again I stress that I and my family and friends are not in the danger zone, but for those that do....say a prayer for my people. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonthebhoy Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 I'm bumping this thread up again to point out that although it is now over 3 weeks since Black Saturday we still have at least 2 massive fires burning out of control. Tonight and tomorrow we will be facing extreme weather conditions that the CFA believes could flare these fires up to an extent that may match Black Saturday or Ash Wednesday. To help combat this the Vic Police has taken the unprecedented step of texting every mobile phone in Victoria to warn of the dangers we might face in the next 24hrs. The local papers are saying that if you plan to evacuate do so now as tomorrow may be to late. Once again I stress that I and my family and friends are not in the danger zone, but for those that do....say a prayer for my people. Ken Stay safe Ken. Thoughts and prayers going out to those affected. J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB Posted March 3, 2009 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Rain glorious rain. Yesterday despite winds of up to 150kph the fire fighters managed to contain the fires without any further loss of life or private property. And then God stepped in.... Although it's not over just yet it soon will be with a cool change and rain sweeping into the effected area's. Thank you to all who have supported the Bushfire raffles and please keep supporting the raffles that trailboss still has running. Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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