Hope everyone is ok We have crazy wildfires every year in California and the majority of them are lit by sick freaks which they almost never catch. I hope they catch the people who did this.

Praying that the fires will end soon, stay safe Aussie Orgers!

I finally saw this on the local news today. I don't think the fires out west in the states were ever this destructive.

NDRU said:

what's the count now? 173?

sextonseven said:

A client of mine wrote to me yesterday wondering how his book was going, I replied the draft is with the editor. He wrote back today saying her house didn't burn down thankfully and after not hearing from her in 3 days he was really worried. Even though we heard she was OK, we can't stop worrying since she is a volunteer firefighter and is on the front at the moment

ZombieKitten said:

Are you in a city area or rural? I hope you and your loved ones are OK and remain OK.

SupaFunkyOrgangrinderSexy said:

in the south east suburbs, the fires are to the north of the city

sextonseven said:

No, the fires we had late last year (santa barbara) burned 220 homes and seriously injured 2 people with 3rd degree burns..but no deaths

I just heard of this in the late evening today.

My heart and prayers go out to all those affected by this horrible disaster and for all those in Australia as you all begin to recover from the devastation.

ZombieKitten said:

She might be too busy to contact. It looks like(on tv) they do a shift, then crash. Im sure she'll be okay. maybe u could contact the family and friends hotline to be sure.

prb said:

another friend who takes emergency calls worked 6 12 hour shifts and now has 5 days off.

ZombieKitten said:

Some of the calls they get must be horrific. The enormity of this devastation is overwhelming. The numbers are mind blowing. I hate hearing the updates, it just seems to get worse. i cant begin to imagine what the families and volunteers/emergency service workers must be going thru.

ZombieKitten said:

Glad you're safe

Im watching our Prime Minister In parliment right now and he looks like Hell as he is talking about the fires. I saw him on the news the other day and he had his head down...looking like he was about to cry.
One of the ministers in the parliment was reading out some information and her voice kept breaking

chillichocaholic said:

yeah, I actually cried when I saw Ruddy's face

ZombieKitten said:

He sat down a couple of minutes ago and put his head in his hands.

hope everybody stays safe...

chillichocaholic said:

Julia gillard's condolence speech in parliament yesterday was quite moving.

I was talking to someone on another board about this. That's messed up.

they just said on the news that the final toll wont be known 4 weeks because firies/officials have to check every destroyed property under every roof. Omg as if fighting the fires wasnt bad enough. so so sad

I have a girlfriend who lives around that area. I got REALLY scared once I heard about the fires. Thank God she signed online and we talked for a long time. Apparently she's on holiday somewhere else but her home is still fine. Nevertheless, my heart goes out to those families and those who have lost their loves, lives, and homes. It is very sad. I heard one news report say that someone may have intentionally set these fires. What a horrid thing to do if it's true. Will be praying for all of Australia.

prb said:

this is insane, prayers for all involved and please donate to the red cross anything u can , a gentlemen was on tv saying to send donations via banks instead of clothes, food cause they have no where 2 put it.

all of the supermarkets have boxes for TRC, please help!

missmad said:

RSPCA needs dog food, towels and blankets
I've got a few old towels they can have, and I'm buying some food from Aldi for them

ZombieKitten said:

Good for you Charlotte. The shelters will be inundated with cats and dogs.

Oh and they usually take dish detergent and laundry soap as well.

sad

So sad.

[Edited 2/10/09 5:28am]

This is terrible - I hope all of you Aussie orgers and your families are safe!

Stay safe Aussie friends ( and family ofcourse )!! Struth!! This is terrible..!