Dunno, after seeing the scenes on TV I doubt anything would have prevented those houses in it's path from burning down. I think the bunker idea is the only way to go from here, some amazing stories of people who had them that have survived to tell the tale.

Would have to agree, I jumped to the conclusion that it might be too costly....when in reality, it can be pretty cheap to implement. Surely this bunker idea needs to be seriously considered by govt.

Agree with your sentiment

Costs are funny things - you need to have a starting point and then work upwards or downwards as you acquire information.

As for living in the trees? I would prefer that than living on the plains

But ultimately people should have a choice - I would still risk it, but I think I would attend those pre fire season meetings and have more of a chat with the CFA guys.

Anybody know if there have been any major bush fires up Main Ridge/Red Hill ways?

We were discussing this this afternoon with Larry the "bunker builder" he had family who were caught up in the Kinglake fires and the problem there was the unusual long burn after the fire front had passed. Larry reckoned with the extreme conditions of this fire we would probably have to spend about eight hours in the bunker to ensure that the after burn had eased- mainly the trees and stumps etc. But of course we would be able to open the door
after an hour or so to let in some air. Also our bunker is about 20 meters from the house. Mainly because the house is on a concrete slab but also I don't think it would be safe in case the house collapsed and we could not get out of the cellar. If a tree fell across the stair well of the present bunker we can at least cut our way out. There were just so many things to think about and I'm glad we had Larry to help us.

Larry's brother returned 12 hours after the Kinglake fire and his house was still standing, but a smoldering spot under the verandah was beginning to catch, fortunately he was able to put it out. Lucky or what!!

We also have sprinklers and a dedicated water system that hopefully would spray water for four to five hours, but there are so many things that can happen to a sprinkler system, eg branches falling on a feedline and if the system is not set up properly then a break in the line can cause the whole system to collapse. Not setting up the water return properly can causie the jets to clog and stop working. I've been told that fire is lazy and will run around a wet or damp patch and that is why it is so important to wet everything down thouroughly before the fire front arrives.

But I have to remember that this particular fire was the worst that has ever happened. Most bush fires seem to be able to be handled by fire hoses and a good sprinkler system and a good supply of water. But I feel much safer having the bunker. Besides it keeps the wine cool.

dalhousie

Wonderful theories but remember fire has a triangle - Ignition source / Fuel /Oxygen and in a sustained fire you'd suffocate in a bunker.
I was listening to a lady today who had lost her mum & dad at Yea / Whittlesea Road ......... they had a Dam full of water, sprinkler sytems and fire fighting pumps complete with back up generator( because don't forget power lines often fail before the fire gets to the property). Their house was in a "cleared" section of the forest of 40 acres........sadly both perished.
You are talking about EXTREME fire fronts here - 70Mtr + height and 50 K's long travelling in excess of 100kmh hot enough to melt metal.......
Forget staying to fight it.............get out & stay out

Very good points...

Em x

well I can't add anything other that to echo what everyone else has said here. My bother texted me on Sunday and thankfully he and his are all good. He's in Sydney but has many friends in Melbourne and surrounds. I tear up every time it comes on the news, it's beyond comprehension what some of these people have been through. It seems trite to just donate some money but I guess it's all we in the UK can do for now.

Tx

Lists available through this website.
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/victoria/


I think it was PP who asked if I had any updates - I'm in the UK at the moment, through I'm watching both our Qld floods, and the horrific situation in Victoria as and when I can.
I have a horrible feeling of helplessness at the moment - being an emergency services worked, but knowing I'm so far away I can't do anything to help -bit like a form a survivor guilt I suppose. Qld refused to let me cancel my leave because of the on-going flood response, but now I feel more helpless than ever.

Do people live in places like Kinglake to take Government advice? I thought people that live in the country do so because they are independant of spirit in many cases.

Listening to folk on Aussie radio it seems that advice taken or not was often irrelevant, the fires were upon people in 10 minutes so they just didn't have time to get away. Plus people trying to get away were trapped by fires changing direction and were caught up in road accidents as visibility was so poor. Its easy for us to sit here and say what we'd do but we don't know what it's really like.

Aw Polly, I know how you feel to some extent. I hope this doesnt upset your holiday though! It's a tough summer - maybe if you want to be helpful you could give a volunteer hand to help cope with the wild weather you are having there at the moment (or not, of course, when there is a load of other stuff you could be having fun with!).

Another one to cheer us up...

David Tree from Mirboo North CFA providing water to a wild koala after bushfires tore through Mirboo North.
Photographer : Russell Vickery

Just been watching the morning news and a CFA spokesman was saying that thankfully the cooler weather conditions today mean that they are confident of getting the upper hand on some of the fires still going.

Reports now suggest the death toll could rise to over 300. Fire authorities said that the death toll in Marysville alone could be over 100 out of the 519 people living there.

Even more shocking this morning is the reports of looting taking place. Shame we don't have a shoot to kill policy on looters. Absolute scum.

Scum yes! Shoot to kill though, you have to be joking right?

Amazing how a photo can give a little bit of hope......