Hi all, for those who may have been concerned and thank you if you are.
Lisa and I are fine at the moment and should be if the wind doesn't change. Bunyip state park fire is just 5 KM behind our place.
It seems that Australia's worse ever fire is being covered world wide and thanks to those who have emailed me to find out the status.

If you check out this site,
http://www.dse.vic.gov.au/fires/updates/report/index2.htm?time=Mon%20Jan%2023%2006:01:31%20UTC+1100%202006

It will show you a map of what is happening and puting the cursor over the flame symbols will tell you about each fire.
tragically 138 people have died, 750 homes lost and ten of thousands of acres of land and live stock.

Ian
and for those who wish to complain, I know there is nothing about handcuffs in the above info. Bite me!

The name Ian McColl makes your posting about handcuffs. I hope the fire line stays 5KM from you.
Stan

Here's wishing you both well and hoping the fire keeps it's distance from your home.

Cheers, Steve

Hello,
i have heared in the news, that fire was an arson (fire raising). Who is doing this??? It costs many human lives, so this person(s) is a mass murder.

I hope, that fire will be stopped quickly and does not reach your home.

Best regards
Andy58

Fingers crossed for you all.

Dan (Weasel)

I went through the same thing last Summer at my ranch (does anyone recall hearing about the Mendocino Lightning Complex?) - we lost about 1/8 of our trees and have massive fire breaks cut into hillsides to contend with - that said, the land is renewing and is prettier than ever.

Hi Ian, Here in the US, the media is doing what they do best, DOWNPLAYING any news not pertaining to some celebrity's pregnancy.

I checked out an Austrailian news-site, and after seeing how extensive the spread of the fire is, It becomes evident there are some real sick scumbags on the loose. I hope these person(s) face justice!

My heart goes out to you & your family, as well as the countless people who weren't so fortunate.

Take care,
-- Vince

Hi, not much new, the fire are still going north of us and 35 still blaze. Death toll now 173.

Goodnews is that the police should be making an arrest of the arsonist who lit the fire in the forest close to me. The tragic nature of these fire has made people come forward with lots of information to nail this person.


thanks for your thoughts and comments, it's nice not to feel alone and for me, to let off some stress by typing.

You're a great bunch of friends.

Ian

I suspect when they catch the arsonist, that he will be toast and I bet a lot of people will want to light a fire under him...

Ian,

I hope you and your family stay safe. If you need anything from here, just ask.

Hang in there...............Kevin

Townships completely decimated with literally nothing left standing, so many lives lost, with the human death toll almost certain to rise beyond 200, thousands of hectares of beautiful bushland scorched and a mind numbing amount of native animals and stock destroyed.

So many peoples lives changed forever.

Heres hoping the perpetrators are caught, and charged as the evil murderers that they are.

Justin.

hi Friends, seems we are not out of the 'woods' yet.

letter drop in the mailbox today that there will be a town hall meeting at Maryknoll (next town to us) at 7.30PM Wed to inform us about the possible wind change and ember attack on the weekend. Temperatures are going to climb into the high 30's C ( 90's F) over the weekend.


These are 2 videos made by the CFA - their media people were on the KWR fire truck.
Buyip fire...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1XOfs0zP04&feature=related
Churchhill fire
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdIiPJnYL5s&feature=related

Ian

We'll continue to pray for you and yours.

My late wife was involved in the bif Sydney fires of what, 20 years ago? Her bug out bags were packed, her subdivision was cut off, and the flames got to within 300 metres of her house.

I guess the latest advice is to get out early or fight the fire to your last breath. The ones in between seem to be the ones who die.

Be safe.

Hi Ian

it is very sad what happen there
hope you and your family and many many others stay safe

wish you all the best


patrick handboeienfreak

HOPE U KEEP FIREFREE IAN & FAMILY

Hi, Dennis you are right, either leave early or stay and fight. The ones who have got caught left too late.

But in their defense, this has been no ordinary fire. As you know Asustarlia has been in drought for 12 years. This year we haven't had good rain for month and for the last two months, basically nothing.
Add to this the highest temps on record. 128F 46.4C here and 48C in the north of the state.

The brave fire fighter when to fight 'normal' fire but soon realised this was something new, moving fast, extremely hot.

Around here, the fire fighter were smart enough to see this was something very nasty and got out of the hills and valleys. The fought it on their terms, down on the flat land.

A few day to go before we know what happening.

Ian

The AP is reporting that a 39 year old man was arrested for setting one of the fires.

Hi, Kevin, you are one step ahead of me. Happy to report one arsonist has been charged with lighting fires, causing death and Kid P...

His name and location is being kept a secret for his safety. And boy! will he need it.

A change in the weather came thru this afternoon and several fire jumped containment lines but the wind has swung back and should stay that way for the next our to five days.

Looks like I will be safe and my reproductions won't increase in value just yet.

Thanks to all who were with me on this terrible ride. Sorry if I have mucked up the usually run of messages.

Ian