Deadliest Fire in Australia's History

The state of Victoria in southern Australia has recently been hit with hundreds of bush fires during a record-breaking heatwave with temperatures well above 100°F (38°C). Unfortunately, these fires have proved to be the deadliest in Australian history, with at least 166 deaths reported so far. Most of the fires appear to have been started by lightning, however a few appear to have been arson, and are currently under investigation. Entire towns are being declared crime scenes. Twenty-four fires are still burning, and authorities warn that the death toll will likely rise.

via boston globe

Tags: Australia, Bushfires, Victoria, in, photography, photos

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Comment by TheBiggerTom on March 25, 2011 at 5:34am: Amelia,
Australia's Aboriginal people suffered much over the short history of the country's western colonisation, in ways that beg the question "why did the new largely-European settlers in Australia repeat the shameful, age-old conquering tactics in what is a relatively modern slice of history?"
Since those times, generations of Australians have worked through a myriad of issues, addressed past atrocities both through official, legal and community action to improve the situation of the Aboriginal people, restore traditional lands, and - through both an official public apology by the government and continuing support - work with members of "the stolen generation" to help piece their lives back together.
To suggest the work of Karma or invoke God's name in reference to a natural disaster as punishment should be seen for what it is - short sighted and offensive.
Remember, Australia is one of, if not the youngest new-world, western-settled country with a history of violence and oppression of its indigenous people, yet was the first to offer it's indigenous people the basic human right to vote for the country's government.
Like any country; Australia has blights on its history, it is also a country that has, is, and will continue to address the righting of its wrongs. These people who lost loved ones deserve better than over-generalised cheap shots.

Comment by Amilia Newsome on April 13, 2009 at 8:29pm: i feel bad about their loss
but life is a boomerang australians
remember
the aborigenies have suffered way more pain than this from your unrelenting merciless theft of their children and land
thank god for taking up for the weak

Comment by PANDA JU on February 10, 2009 at 7:07pm: There are 14 groups on Facebook for "Victorian Arsonists," with names like:
"Charge The Victorian Bushfire Arsonists With MURDER"
"Burn The 2009 Victorian Bushfire Arsonists"
"Victorian 'Black Saturday' Arsonists Should Face Public Executions"

Comment by Charles on February 9, 2009 at 5:08pm: egami tsal eht ni namow eht rof struh tsehc ym .cigart os .hsiugnitxe ot elbissopmi raen era serif sutpylacue

Comment by sAm on February 9, 2009 at 2:49pm: Wow, kinda reminds me of the fires here in southern California.