Bushfires in Victoria, Australia
February 10th, 2009Big Picture series. Must see.
Via: Boston Globe:
The state of Victoria in southern Australia has recently been hit with hundreds of bush fires during a record-breaking heatwave – temperatures well above 38C (100F). Unfortunately, these fires have proved to be the deadliest in Australian history, with at least 166 deaths reported so far. The fires mostly appear to have been started by lightning – however a few appear to have been arson, and are under investigation – entire towns being declared crime scenes. Twenty-four fires are still burning, and authorities warn that the death toll will likely rise.
From Farmonline:
[url=”http://theland.farmonline.com.au/news/nationalrural/agribusiness-and-general/finance/huge-bushfire-class-action-launched/1433945.aspx”]Huge bushfire class action launched[/url]
excerpt:
“The legal wrangle, which is expected to involve hundreds of millions of dollars and last for years, will centre on a fallen power line that is believed to have sparked the blaze that tore through Kinglake, Steels Creek and St Andrews, killing more than 100 people and destroying about 1000 homes.
The Phoenix taskforce is examining a two-kilometre stretch of power line in Kilmore East that snapped during strong winds and record heat about 11am last Saturday.
Within minutes a nearby pine forest was ablaze. Within six hours the fire had destroyed nearly every building in the towns in its path.
On Thursday, police removed a length of the fallen power line and a pole as evidence.”