Very sorry and sad to hear of so many lives lost. And to think now they have the opposite in northern Australia (Queensland) - flooding! The authorities put out warnings for crocodiles!

Thank you everyone for your kind thoughts and comments. As of last night the death toll has risen to 181.

Once authorities get into the outreaching small towns they expect the toll to rise well beyond 200, possibly as high as 300. Authorities fear many would have been burnt beyond recognition and others will never be retrieved from the ashes spread over 400,000ha of devastation across the state of Victoria.

Late last Saturday afternoon some people attempted to drive from their burning towns only to find themselves trapped then abandonding their vehicles and being burned alive on the side of the road. Others stayed in their cars and were dealt the same fate. Pets and livestock were lost in huge numbers.

This tragic incident that has consumed our nation is not over as high winds are predicted for today in the same region and temperatures are to rise into the mid 30's C (95 F) late this week and into the weekend.

Our volunteer fire fighting crews, police, ambulance and hospital staff are most appreciated in this dark hour in Australia's history.

It sickens all of us that some low lifes have already attempted to loot what remains of semi burnt and undamaged properties. They along with any persons found guilty of lighting these fires will rot in jail. That's if authorites get to them before the locals do.

In pictures: Aftermath of a firestorm

Again, thank you.

Foomph

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Heart goes out to the families

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01 4.4


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