Victoria's Bushfires

The bushfires that have been going since last weekend have been described as the worst natural disaster in Australia's history. At this point, the death toll is 181 and climbing. Worst hit was Kinglake where people were literally cremated in their homes. The fierce winds threw burning embers as far as four kilometers ahead of the actual fire and set homes alight.

While it is true that the 46 degree temperature and the tinder-dry conditions did nothing to help things, it riles me that one of the biggest bushfires was caused by acts of arson. The Churchill-Jeeralang fire has been going since the weekend. I followed the Country Fire Authority's website in horror as I watched the number of firetrucks in the area climb from 99 to 113 within 24 hours.

In terms of loss of life the Churchill-Jeeralang fire is nowhere as devastating as the one in Kinglake. It still does not negate the fact that 21 people are now dead because some bastard decided to deliberately start the fires.

I am emoing about the fires because a good friend and her family live in the area. They are the most genuine, warm and loving people you could ever hope to meet. I panic whenever I hear news of the bushfires because I worry about whether they are safe. The fire was a suburb or two away from her parents' house and they live near a National Park. God knows how flammable eucalyptus trees are. I was so glad when she said that she and her family were all right. She says they were lucky. Other people they know lost their homes.

The other reason why I am so emotionally involved is that part of me still calls Churchill home. It is a wonderful, sleepy little town that I have grown to love. It is impossible not to love the place after being there for three years. I even know the road where the fires were because I used to go for walks in the area.

I hope the culprit gets lynched.