[Clare.T]

I'm sure other members will join with me expressing sympathy for the awful devastation and loss of life these frightful fires are causing in some parts of Australia.

We hope all of you and your friends and families are safe and sound.
News story
http://www.theage.com.au/national/b...es-across-victoria-20090209-815t.html?page=-1

Map of Australia

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/pacific/australia/

The record breaking heat you have been suffering is bad enough. Let's all hope it cools down soonest and the fires can be brought under control

Love to all our Australian friends

Clare

 

[neongirl]

Love and prayers for all in Australia, deepest sympathy for those who have endured a loss:cry3:. I hope things improve soon.

 

[raggedyann1]

I have been thinking about Lily, Tam and our other Australian Members (sorry my brain is drawing blanks). My prayers are with you.

luv,
Karen

 

[jacquip]

Likewise. My thoughts go out to all our Australian members.

 

[Christine UK]

Thinking of you all..

My sister lives in Bright Victoria and its very worrying x x x

 

[lazylegs]

Good luck to all in the area. Even if your home isn't threatened take care with all the smoke. It can really play havoc with your lungs.

My thoughts will be with your sister Christine.

Take care,
Breanne

 

[Lily]

Thankfully I am safe, however a lot of Victoria are suffering terribly. It's just total devastation and a huge loss of lives and homes. Whole towns they have not been able to assess the damage as yet and lots of relatives waiting to hear news of loved ones in some cases

Chris it is indeed a worry around the Beechworth area, apparently at this stage Yackandandah just NE and Stanley SE of there is under direct threat and are under alert.

My prayers and thoughts go out to everyone down there. We have quite a few fires in my state but nothing on this scale thankfully.

love
Lily

 

[goats]

Prayers and best thoughts to all families in the fire and flooding areas

 

[keebler]

Sending my prayers and thoughts to everyone in Australia.
:grouphug2:

:love2:
Lyn

 

[flutterbye]

My thoughts too are with everyone affected.

xx

 

[macfamily53]

I sure am glad you are okay lily and i will be along with many others in praying Tam and eveyrone of our members and everyone else in the area of direct hit are out of there safely and there homes are okay also(((hugs))).


Tammy

 

[Sage Hen]

My thoughts and prayers, are with all those living in the danger zones, in Australia.

I hope weather, breaks soon, so fires can die down easier.

Sending hugs, prayers, and hopes..

Loves,
Sandy

 

[Joandublin]

My thoughts are with you all as well. Its just devastating to watch on the TV - I cant imagine what it must be like to be in and around it :sad:

Much love
Joan:rose:

 

[peonyprincess]

Lily, I am thrilled to hear from you and that you have been spared thus far. Lets hope that all of our friends "down under" are safe and out of harms way. I cannot imagine the horror that you all must be living right now. My thoughts are with you and yours.


Nancy

 

[Pink Pearl]

My prayers and thoughts are with those who are in danger and those who have lost everything. Wild fires are a horrid thing and when they get winds like these have had, disaster reigns. Tonight's news said some of them had been set by humans, arson.

We get forest fires here in Washington State and I know the destruction they can cause. A forest fire can also create its own wind and add fuel to the fire also.

I hope that the weather has slowed down and allowed the firefighters to get a hand on them.
Sally

 

[elle-co]

My prayers and thoughts are with all affected by these fires.

Elle x

 

[granny weatherwax]

My Husband and I send out thoughts and best wishes your way. Keith has family in Australia thankfully they are Perth and Adelaide way. I have also a friend and her young family have just emigrated out there, I pray that they are all well.

Love and Hugs to all our Australian friends

Claire xxx

 

[Lily]

Hi all,

As far as I know Tam is ok, she is in the same state as me and would not be affected. Not sure who else of us is in the Melbourne area, not many I hope.

The death toll is now 173 and still counting it's tragic...............just heartbreaking. And over 5000 homes lost. They are not out of danger yet there are some 13 other fires raging across the country.

Thankfully the weather has cooled considerably with a little rain where I am but not down their way yet. They had a few lightning strikes which only managed to start off some more spot fires

Those poor country firemen and women, they have done an amazing job and I really don't know how they keep going. I am in awe of them when you see what they are up against. The Army, Red Cross, Salvation Army and various other people are putting in a marvellous effort too.

The overwhelming response to help I am sure has been at least some comfort and relief for them.

Thank you all for your concern.

love
Lily

 

[BigSis]

Glad to hear you are safe Lily.
I've been watching the news in horror at the scale of the fires.

My very best wishes to all threatened by this disaster

 

[Clare.T]

It is appalling.

I got round to seeing where an extremely good friend of mine lives. I couldn't remember the name of the town since we email each other. Luckily they are in Warragul just south of the main affected area, where a relief centre has been set up. So they dont seem to have been directly affected but the smoke and distress must be harrowing.
I saw a youtube video of how the fires looked from Warragul.

I was choked watching this news show

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/bushfires-in-victoria-sunday-evening-broadcast/1131047630



Clare