At midnight on what has become known as ‘Scorched Saturday’ the ABC is reporting that the bushfire has claimed 84 lives. The BBC is reporting the same and has been following the situation all day.
Emergency crews are locked in a desperate struggle against the bushfires. As I write this, Police have just confirmed that the death toll has risen to 130** dead in the fires.
Chief Commissioner of Victorian Police Christine Nixon has confirmed the bushfire’s death toll includes at least four children.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, when asked his thoughts on the deliberate starting of these fires and the people responsible -
What do you say about them? What can you say about them? Other than it’s mass murder.
Currently there are 50 fires burning with 8* of those fires completely out of control. There have been reports that many of the fires were lit deliberately. Twitter user @lukeshillabeer reports -
I heard a police officer and a fire-fighter talking about having to watch for fires being lit behind their lines… wtf
The bushfires are rapidly burning through the following areas*:
- Beechworth,
- Murrindindi,
- Kinglake,
- Redsdale,
- Dargo,
- Delburn,
- Wilsons Prom
- Bunyip
Many areas sit awake watching numerous rainless electrical storms spark the dry tinder of the Victorian bush.
For those looking to lend a hand, donations can be made at the Red Cross website.
To keep track of events as they occur, tune your radio into ABC Melbourne 774.
Twitter has once again proven itself to be a valuable resource as it tracks the Australian fires across Victoria. Messages and updates are coming at a rate approaching one ever 10 seconds. The Australian bushfires have also drawn mass messages of support and sympathy from overseas. Many in the online global community are using services like twitter to keep track of the situation and updates.
Links to Red Cross Donation drives for the bushfires in Melbourne have been trying desperately to keep pace with the bushfire itself.
The photo service Flickr has also allowed those close to the fires to paint a graphic picture of the situation.
*updated at 13:30 AEST 14:30 AEDST
**updated at 15:02 AEST 16:02 AEDST
