Victorian Bushfires

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The death tollo from the Victorian bushfires has now risen to 65 police say.

Victorian police announced nine deaths from the Church fire in the Gippsland region in Victoria's east , while hundreds of homes have been destroyed across the state.

Four people have been killed in the Gippsland town of Callignee and one more in upper Callignee , three have died in Hazelwood and one at Jeeralong.

The four killed in Callignee were believed to be found in the same car.

The other 25 deaths were all to the north of Melbourne one in the regional city of Bendigo and the rest from the massive blaze around Kinglake.

Six were killed at Kinglake , six at Kinglake west , four at Wadong and St Andrews , three at Humevale and one in Arthurs Creek.

The ages and sex of the deceased is not known in all cases , however police expect that some of the lives lost will include children.

"We are sadly predicting more death's ,'' Victoria's Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon told reporters in Kangaroo Ground in the fire ravaged Yarra Valley.

Premier John Brumby said atleast 20 people were in The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne suffering serious burns.

Touring the fire grounds with the Premier and Chief Commissioner Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced a joint Federal-State $10 million emergency relief fund for the victims.he said emergency Centrelink payments are avaliable to those needing immediate financial assistance.

''Hell and all it's fury has visited the good people of Victoria in the last 24hrs,'' Mr Rudd said.'' many good people now be dead. many others be injured. "This is an appalling tragedy for Victoria but , because of that , it's an appalling tragedy for the nation.''

More than 20 fires continued to burn across Victoria on Sunday after horrific heat and wind on Saturday set the state ablaze.

Virtually the entiree township of Marysville in the Yarra Valley was destroyed overnight as the East Kilmore and Murrindindi Mill fires merged into a massive 120,000 hectare inferno , now known as the Kingslake Complex.

"Marysville i understand , there's only one building left in the town ,'' said local Federal MP Fran Bailey.

The Country Fire Authority said there had been significant structure losses ''in town'' but everyone had been safely evacuated to the local sports ground , Gallipoli park.

Emergency response crews were having difficulty accessing the town due to fallen trees blocking roads , but ABC Radio is reporting that people have now been evacuated in a convoy from Gallipoli Park to staging areas.

In Gippsland more than 500 fire fighters were battling to control two major blazes.

The Churchill blaze has a footprint of 90,000 hectares and had burnt almost all the way to the coast on Sunday , Department of Sustainability and Enviroment spokesman Stuart Ord said.

The fire has spotted right through to Yarram in South Gippsland , Mr Ord said.

More than 200,000 hectares of private and crown land has been burnt out , while flame and smoke - choked roads are littered with deserted cars.

The town of Glenburn north-west of Melbourne has been placeed on alert with the Kilmore bushfire encroaching on the area , but the threat to the Beechworth area in north eastern Victoria has eased.

Mr Brumby said voulenteer fire fighters and air craft were coming in from NSW and South Australia while the Australian Army will be brpought into help.

Mr Rudd said the nations prayers are with those affected by the fires.

''Our first response as human beings is onew of deepest empathy for people whose lives have now been devastated ,'' Mr Rudd said.

''This loss of life , the numbers of injured , the horrific injuries , our thoughts and our prayers go out for each and everyone of them as they now try and deal with the tragedy and recover from the damage which has occurred.

Above information from AAP : Sun Feb 8 2009

Briefly 66 Dead

700 houses lost

Marysville according to Nine News could have close to 100 dead won't be known for about a week.

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Information from livenews.com.au Heidi Tiltens and aap

As the death toll rises to 131 from Victoria's bush-fire devastation , Premier John Brumby has promised a Royal Commission into exactly how so many lives were lost.

Authorities have confirmed 131 people have died in the bushfire emergency.

The devastation of the laast few days is etched on the faces of the hundreds of people here , waiting for answers at the Whittlesea disaster response centre.

It has turned into a makeshift refugee camp , most of those here barely escaping with the clothes on their backs.

Authorities believe the toll will get much higher than it is already in part because many of the fire zones are still to unsafe to enter.

Police disaster identification team have worked throughout the night to process of identifying and remove the remains.

Fire trucks are still coming in and out of the area , with 31 blazes burning out of control.

The main area of concern is Beechworth in north-eastern Victoria where still more houses are coming under threat.

Stuart Ord from the DSE admits cooler conditions are offering a slight reprive , but dry lightning is causing major headaches.

''We've had a band of lightning go across so we're fearful that there could be a few more fires started up,'' he told livenews.com.au.

Fire fighters have been pushed to the limit not only physically but emotionally.

Sector Commander Frank Amoroso is heading uo a team at Wandong he told 2gb's Ray Hadley he discovered the body of his mate.

''I was there and i was calling out -couldn't find him anywhere,'' he said.

''And anyway two of his mates had come up , they said have you seen Steve ?

''No i said , ''He's apparently here'.

''Yes he's they said . i saw him go back into the house and then the fire came and that was it.

''There is nothing we could have done.''

Briefly Maryville has been made a crimescene there are so far twelve bodies in the street's source of information Radio 2GB Jason Morrison live in Victoria.

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Article at livenews.com.au

The death toll from Victoria's bushfires has climbed to 181 as strengthening winds threaten to whip up blazes across the state.

The offical death toll now sgtands at 181 as fires flare up in Bunyip State Park , threatening residents of several towns.

A blaze in the Murrindindi -Yea area is the other main concern , wioth three seperate fire fronts threatening towns.

Urgent fire warnings were issued earlier on Tuesday afternoon , as strong winds blew embers ahead of the fire front , sparking dangerous spot fires.

DSE spokesman Kevin Monk told News LTD an aerial scan of the affected zones with heat imaging equipment showed worrying patches of intense fire.

''It did show up as very intense fire behaviour it only takes a bit of wind from a fire to take off again,'' he said.

Mr Monk said the fires were still far from controlled and warned anyone near a fire not to get complacent.

"The fires are nowhere near controlled enough for people to let their guard down,''he said.

''We saw what happened on the weekend with a bit of wind and a small rise in temperatures.

''The fuels are so tinder dry and there's a lot there it's just ready to burn.

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Article at livenews.com.au by Richrd Maxton

Police are closing in on some of the arsonists responsible for what is being described as mass murder in the Victorian Bushfires.

Investigators from the police Task Force Phoenix set up in the wake of the devastating fires say they now believe a fire near Gippsland , which claimed 21 lives , was deliberately lit.

The death toll for the wholeof Victoria stands at 181 , but it's feared it may rise to more than 300.

Victoria Police Chief Christine Nixon spoke wioth 2GB's Jason Morrison about their investigation with the fires in the Gippsland region.

Part of our Phoenix Task Force is working on reports of arson in that area . We believe that certainly that fire , was started by an arsonist and we've been on that for a while.

''I think our investigations been progressing very well. We're hopful that in the not to distant future we will be able to make an arrest.''

Earlier Deputy Police Commissioner Simon Overland confirmed that investigators were following up new leads after the sighting of a young motorcyclist acting suspiciously on the weekend near the town of Churchill.

''I uderstand that particular piece of information has been followed up ,'' the deputy commissioner said.

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livenews.com.au

Sam the koala has become famous the world over , after drinking from a bottle of water offered to her by a firefighter.

Sam was found in the aftermath of the Victorian fires , with burns to her paws , and when offered water drank 3 bottles.

Her story of hope has spread around the world , being reported on sites like CNN , The New York Times and The Irish Times.

''You alright buddy''? rescuer David Tree can be heard asking in the video shot on a mobile phone.

''The most amazing part was when she grabbed my hand i will never forget that.''

Sam has been taken to Southern Ash Wildlife Shelter , where she has found a boyfriend , Bob , another rescued koala who keeps putting his arms around her.

For a change a good news story

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Article at livenews.com.au/aap 13-2-09

A man has reportedly been arrested in relation to one of Victoria's deadly bush fires.

Newspaper reports said a 39-year-old Churchill man waas being interviewed by police in relation to the Churchhill Jeeralangbushfire that killed at least 21 people.

No charges have yet been laid , but fairfax newspapers reported the suspect was expected tpo be charged with arsoncausing death and would appear in court later on Friday.

Victoria Police have yet to confirm the arrest.

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livenews.com.au/aap 13-2-09

Police are hunting a fire bug whose actions briefly threatened the Mornington Peniusula town of baxter on thursday night , as the Nine Network aired it's bushfire relief telethon.

Police were called to a fire in a paddock at the corner of Acorn Road and Jacuranda Drive about 10.45pm a Victoria Police spokesman said.

The fire was deliberately lit and ''had the potential of becoming a major fire in the area , which is tinder dry'',the spokesman said.

Country Fire Authority crews put out the fire before it took hold.

Sergeant Michael Lamb of Hasting Police said he was shocked by the incident.

''There was a telethon for the victims of bushfires and somebody goes out and does this,'' he said.

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Article at heraldsun.com.au Author Jane Metlikovec

A 39-year-old man has been charged with lighting a fatal bushfire and possessing child pornography.

The , suspect who cannot be named , was charged at Morwell Magistrates Court with one count of arson causing death and one count of intentionally lighting a bushfire.

The arson charge carries a maximum penalty of 25 years , with the bushfire charge carrying a maximum of 15 years.

Bothj charges relate to incidents which occurred last Saturday February 7.

He has also been charged with possessing images of child pornography.

The suspect was arrested in Churchill yesterday at 4pm as part of Operation Winston , the local of the Police's Phoenix Task Force , set up to investigate Victoria's bushfires.

Detective Senior Sergeant Adam Shoesmith of the Arson Squad said the suspect was arrested in a public place and ''went without a fight''.

The suspect did not attend this afternoons remand hearing , although he was in the court building at the time.

His legal aid defence lawyer suggested that his client was psychologically unwell.

''The accused is in a fragile mental state ,'' The lawyer said. ''He should be seen by a doctor''.

The suspect did not make an application for bail and was remanded to appear at Melbourne's Magistrate's Court for a filing hearing on Monday , 16 February.

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Article at heraldsun.com.au staff reporters Jane Metlikovec Mark Buttler Terry Brown -Feb13-2009

An accused arsonist charged over a bushfire that killed 21 people was last night isolated behind bars under tight security.

Fears for the safety of the 39-year-old Latrobe Valley man led to a court ban on reporting his identity or clues to who he was.

Police drove him to Melbourne to be locked up at a secret location rather than lock him in a country police station for fear of vigilantes.

The suspect faces counts of arson causing death , intentionally or recklessly causing deathand possession of child pornography.

Three men hurled abuse at the suspect as he was driven from courtin a police van.

Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon pleaded for calm amid fears of a violent backlash against suspected arsonists , who may have been responsiblefor upto 130 of the 181 deaths counted so far.

''I am very concerned there are a lot of people who are very angry about these fires , and they have a perfect right to be angry ,'' she said.

There's enough emotion and enough harmat the moment .We all understand that , but we don't need anymore.''

She said survivors should resist the temptation to take vigilante action.

''We need community restraint , we don't need anyone to be considering vigilante behaviour. Tha's not going to help any of us.

The suspect was charged in Morwell Magistrate's Court over the horrific Churchill blaze in Gippsland , which killed 21 people at Callignee , upper Callignee , Jeeralang and Koornalla.

The arson charge carries a maximum penalty of 25 years.

Police said the suspect was arrested in a public place on Thursday and did not resist when approached by Operation Winston detectives.

He was not presented in yesterday's remand hearing , but he was in the court building at the time.

The suspects legal aid lawyer said he was psychologically unwell. ''The accused is in a fragile mental state he should be seen to by a doctor ,'' the lawyer said.

The suspect did not apply for a bail application and was remanded by Magistrate Clive Alsop to appear at Melbourn Magistrates Court on Monday.

Callignee resident Janice Michelsson , whose house was razed last Saturday , said she was thrilled by the arrest. ''It doesn't matter where they put him people everywhere have been affected by this and i think he will be in for a lot of trouble .''

Father -of-two Adrian Zomer ,who also lost his Callignee home , said he was glad someone has been charged. Absolutely throw the book at him if he's the right guy. ''But he's not that high on my list of priorities at the moment , i'd rather get on with rebuilding our lives.''

Churchill local Ned Myles , 40 , said thinking of the suspect made his blood boil.

Churchill CFA Captain Steve Barling said the arson charges were a great result for the community , firew fighters and police. ''This will provide a lot of relief for the community .''

Premier John Brumby said anyone who lit fires deliberately put the community and human life at risk . It's an unspeakable and heinous crime ,'' he said .

Assistant Police Commissioner Dannye Moloney would not reveal details of the arrest . Mr Moloney warned against seeking revenge . ''It's a natural reaction we have a very emotive enviroment out there ,'' he said . ''People are pointing fingers , people are jumping to conclusions rumors and inuendo are being spread we do not need that .''

THE ARREST CAME AS:

The number of homes destroyed soared from 1070 to 1831 , with 7000 people displaced .

The massive jump reinforced grim expectations the death toll will rise well beyond 181 .

Mary'sville survivors will today be allowed to inspect their devistated town ,where up to 100 people died .

The CFA said smoke would continue to stream across Melbourne in the next few day's .

A huge fire continued to burn in dense bushland around Healesville .

Warm weather is forecastr for the state over the next seven day's , but not the ferocious weather that blasted Victoria and propelled the killer fires .

Firefighters will in the coming day's try to contain blazes around Kinglake , Healesville , Beechworth and Churchill , which have burned through a combined 3000,000 ha .

Major John Cantwell , interim head of the reconstruction authorities said the devastation ranked alongside the worst combat scenes he had witnessed .

''I am a soldier and i have been in some pretty unpleasant situations , and i seen some pretty awful things in the last 24 hours that rank alongside some of the worst i have seen in combat he said .

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hearld sun.com.au 16 Feb 2009

The man accused of setting a fatal fire has been named at a hearing in Melbourne Magistrates Court this morning , Brendan James Sokaluk , 39 , the man accused of starting the recent Churchill - Jeerelang bushfire in Gippsland which resulted in the deaths of atleast 11 people was remanded in custody to appear for committal mention on May 26

Mr Sokaluk was in the building during today's hearing but did not appear in court.

A suppression Order on Mr Sokaluk's name was lifted by the Magistrate John Klestadt also said he had little doubt Mr Sokaluk's identity would be known regardless of a court order.

Defence lawyer Helen Spowart said her client was in protective custody and his safety was at risk.

''This is an extreaordinary case . The level of emotion and anger and disgust that the alleged offences have aroused in the community is unprecedented ''she said.

''He remains in high risk while in custody.''

Mr Klestadt said a suppression order would not thwart anyone planning revenge attacks. ''I am not persuaded that the suppression of his name will have any real effect in the community ,'' he said.

''I have little doubt that what ever the court does , his identity will be well known ... if it's not already.

Vigilantism would not be thwarted ... simply by orders of a court supression on his name.''

Prosecutor Chris Beal told the court the police investigation was continuing , with 200 witnesses to be interviewed.

Earlier , Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon had warned people not to threaten Mr Sokaluk , despite emotion running high after last weeks devastating bushfires .

''Coming to court and protesting is not an appropiate thing to do ,'' Ms Nixon said . ''Obviously we will make sure the person is well protected.

''We hope that we don't have to deal with a gang of people who are angry and concerned about his arrest. We know people are .

''We will make sure he is protected and go before the justice system , as he should , and be dealt with through that process.''

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heraldsun.com.au Feb 16-2009 Author Brendan Roberts

The offical death toll from Victoria's devastating bushfires has risen to 189 , police confirmed this evening .

Victoria Deputy Police Commissioner Kieran Walshe announced the revised toll at a press conference at 5.30pm .

He said investigators were continuing to search buildings and some victim's might not be identified .

Mr Walshe would not speculate on the number of people still missing.

The offical has stood at 181 for several day's , as police scoured the rubble of razed houses for more victims.

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Article at heraldsun.com.au Feb 27-2009 Staff writers with AAP

Residents within fire zones have been told to evacuate before 10.00am , unless they plan to stay and defend against blazes.

As the state prepares itself for a day of extreme fire danger, 13 CFA units consisting of about 70 firefighters are battling to contain a new fire outside Warrambool.

The blaze at Framlingham , which has burnty about 25 hectares , has been categorised as ''medium'' by the CFA , which is struggling to establish containment lines before conditions worsen this afternoon.

Another blaze seven kilometres south of Timboon started about 2am and expected to be contained this morning.

Four large fires continue to burn at two seperate sections of the Kilmore East-Murrindindi complex , which has burned about 250,000 hectares , the Bunyip Ridge fire southeast of Melbourne (26,000ha) and the Wilsons Promontory fire in south Gippsland (24,000ha).

A blaze south of Eildon , in the Kilmore East-Murrindindi complex , was recieving a lot of attention from fire fighters , as were blazes near Daylesford and Warburton Valley , said Department of Sustainability and Enviroment spokesperson Stuart Ord.

However , it was importanty that residents in all bushfire-prone areas were on high alert and had their fire plans ready with high tempreatures and winds predicted , he said

Tempreatures are set to reach the high 30s and low 40s across much of the state , with low humidity and a hot amd dry north-northwesterly wind gusting to 50km/h.

A strong southwesterly change will follow in the afternoon , potentially sending fires on a dangerous wide new front.

''Everyone right across the state , particualy in the fire-prone areas , should have made a decision about whether they are going to go or hang around to protect their property if fire starts ,'' Mr Ord said.

''Make that decision earlyu , don't leave it until the last minute because that is when things go wrong.''

Extra firefighters and aircraft are on standby with many national and state parks closed to the public due to the fire risk.

The Education Department has ordered 192 government schools and 176 childcare centres to be closed on Friday as a precaution.

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Article at heraldsun.com.au Anthony and Jane Metlikovec Feb 28 2009 Sat

There was relief for Victorians with fire conditions failing to reach those of Black Sunday.

But the good news was tempered with arsonists suspected of lighting a fire at Arthurs Seat in Dromana , which threatened houses.

And the weather scare has cost the people of Daylesford tens of thousands of dollars as people cancelled bookings.

CRA firefighters quickly stopped the Arthurs Seat blaze spreading more than 4ha in parkland next to the Mornington Peninsula Freeway.

Some 50 firefighters , 10 tankers and waterbombers battled the grass and scrub blaze , which began at 12.30pm.

Cooler than expected tempreatures , with a top of 34C IN Melbourne yesterday , and milder wind gusts helped fire crews strengthen containment lines at dangerous fires.

A late southwesterly wind change expected about 8pm , however ,had fire authorites on tenterhooks as four major fires continue to rage.

Large fires continue to to burn at two seperate sections of Kilmore East-Murrindindi complex which has burned about 250,000ha the Bunyip Ridge fire southeast of Melbourne (26,000ha) and the Wilsons Promontory fir in south Gippsland (28,000ha).

Other dangerous fires includer Daylesford-Muskvale blaze , and another near Won Wron in the state's southeast.

Last night areas that could come under threat from a southwesterly wind change were Alexandria , Taggerty , Rubicon , Buxton , Snobs Creek , Eildon , and Jerusalem Creek.

Because victim identification teams have finished their work , the State Coroner lifted restrictions on the public entering Callignee , Churchill , Jeeralangand Hazelwood in Gippsland , along with Redesdale , Maiden Gully and Bendigo.

Authorities have warned Victorians not to go to rural areas unless necessary because extreme weather is still forecast next week , with Tuesday predicted to be a scorcher.

Just the sort of weather that kept Daylesford empty yesterday , angering business owners who lost bookings.

Central Springs Motel owner Robert Medling said he had already lost $1000 on bookings.

We're already receiving cancellations for next week because now we are hearing that Tuesday is going to be a bad fire weather ,'' Mr Medling said.

Escapes Daylesford Accommodation had only 11 people checking into the 160 bed and breakfasts and other accommodation yesterday.

Many other businesses , including the popular Hepburn Bathhouse and Spa , were closed altogether.

Yesaterday , firefighters and aircraft were on standby with many national and state parks closed because of the fire risk. More than 400 schools and childcare centres were shut.

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Article at hearldsun.com.au Anthony Dowsaley and Geraldine Mitchell March 2 2009

Wind up to 150km/h threatens to turn Victoria into an inferno just weeks after the states worst bushfire disaster.

Gale-force wind is forecast to howl from tonight with the mercury tipped to hit the high 30s tomorrow.

''It's going to be a terrible , terrible day ,'' Premier John Brumby said.

''It'll probably be the second worst day we've had. ''I can't put it any more bluntly than that.

Emergency services fear the northerly wind could send the busfires roaring towards towns that narrowly missed the devastation of February 7.

A strong southwesterly wind change late in the day is expected to blow for 24 hours , hightening bushfire fears.

Victoria faces a total fire ban day and parents have been advised that many schools could be closed.

Travel or recreational plans should be reconsidered unless critical , emergency services warned.

Towns in the firing line include Warburton , Healesville , Yarra Glen , Yarra Junction , and Warburton East.

The wind change also also puts Jamieson , Rubicon , and Enoch Point in danger.

The Bunyip fire in Gippsland has the potential to spread towards Drouin , Jindivick and Labertouche. Daylesford residents are on alert after a major blaze last week.

CFA chief officer Russell Rees said fire plans should be activated today to avoid panic and traffice jams in the event of fire outbreaks.

''You need to put in place your plan because it may be that if you think you're going to move Tuesday morning , the trees are down across the road , fire is aleready in your area ,'' he said.

The risk is so high , police will withdraw teams still searching for bodies in the bushfire zone northeast of Melbourne.

Mr Brumby warned Victorians against being apathetic.

He urged people living in or near fire zones to have their fire plan in placew and to listen to radio updates.

''Trust me winds will howl down from the north ,'' Mr Brumby said.

''It's a fair-dinkum warning. They're going to be two very ordinary days''.

Police Minister Bob Cameron said the wind rather than the hot weather posed the biggest danger.

''What we could see is a lot of trees and branches come down ,'' he said.

State Emergency Service volunteers will be on standby to deal with fallen trees and powerlines.

More than 3000 firefighters will be sent to the fire zones in anticipation of the worst conditions since Black Saturday.

Blazes at Wilsons Promontory , Bunyip and two at Kilmore-Murrindindi are the biggest fires.

The toal area burnt by the four fires is more than 300,000ha.

Departmenty of Sustainability and Enviroment spokesman Mike Goode said towns near the edge of these fires , particulary the Kilmore-Murrindindi fire , could come under threat.

Because of these extremely high winds , it will be unpredictable ,'' he said. ''Fires could move in any direction.

''Any communities in the areas of the four major fires should be on alert.''

Efforts are alos being bolstered to protect the state's water catchment areas.

Mr Rees said people in fire-prone areas had to make up their minds quickly.

''History shows that fires that start in the night cause the most confusion and the most difficulty ,'' he said.

''To wake up in the morning to haven fire around and on your doorstep is a terrifying thing.''

He warned that wind after the change could be even stronger than the northerly gusts tomorrow.