secure.salvationarmy.org/

Just have to put in the "use" field where you want it to go and they'll get it there.

Dimitri

What a nightmare. Wish yall the best and prayers.

Fears out-of-control fires will create massive blaze
Posted 4 hours 25 minutes ago
Updated 3 hours 52 minutes ago


Fire crews are worried major blazes burning out of control near Melbourne could join to create one massive bushfire.

Firefighters are working on containment lines around the Maroondah-Yarra fires and the Bunyip fires.

At this stage no communities are under threat and 18 kilometres separate the two fire complexes, but lightning has caused spot fires between them.

CFA deputy chief fire officer Steve Warrington says there are fears a wind change could push them together.

"There are a number of settlements in that particular area, if you look at the proximity of Powelltown, which pretty well sits right in the middle of that," he said.

"The emergency services all are working together to make sure that our number one priority is the protection of lives in these communities."

As recovery crews gradually gain improved access into the fire zone, the scale of the disaster continues to unfold.

The death toll stands at 181 but authorities believe it will pass 200. The number of homes lost has been updated to 1,033.

The disaster is far from over as strong winds fan the Yea- Murrindindi fire close to a number of towns.

Meanwhile, fire survivors from Flowerdale, north of Melbourne, are being allowed back home for the first time.

Those who fled their homes on the weekend have been stranded at Yea.

They are now being driven into Flowerdale with a CFA escort to inspect the damage to their homes.

The Salvation Army says it is scrambling to find alternative accommodation to tents and caravans for the hundreds of families left homeless by the fires.

Salvos Major Brad Halse says emergency shelter is only adequate for a few days and better accommodation is being found.

He says most people want to stay close to their communities and every effort is being made to find accommodation close by.

The Salvation Army has also turned a conference centre on the eastern outskirts of Melbourne into accommodation for up to 100 people.

The fires are still out of control and it doesn't look good for a few communities that are right in the path of this raging monster.

The death toll is still standing at 181, but as Gelan said, they anticipate, but are praying they are wrong, that the toll could climb as high as 300.

As Gelan also said...the Red Cross are the official point of contact for the Appeal. I have searched high and low, but cannot find any other organisation or group that is "officially" collecting.

They showed a very interesting, but sobering short documentary on bushfires/wildfires this morning on TV. At this time, the worst wildfire in recorded history happened in the US back in the 1800s with approximately 2500 killed. Greece also got a mention as did Australia, but nothing has come close, thank goodness, to the fire back in the 1800s.

Cheers, Vince

Watching the news this morning....unbelievable.

Was also impressed with those affected and the 'can do' attitude.

Hope this is over soon. I can relate a little. Every year my buds are affected and it's pins and needles for a week at a time out here.
Plus a co-worker lost his home in the last go-round out here. Second time in three years. Everything gone. He's taking it in stride. I'da cracked and moved after the second punch.

Bless you guys and pray for rain.

What really got to me is the fact that there are LOOTERS looting in the ruins.

Lucky for them I am not there..
I would definitely shoot any looters that preys on peoples in dire troubles.
They are not fit to be called human, and I have no problem shooting pests.

Here is the Red Cross web site if any of you are donating to the appeal.

www.redcross.org.au/default.asp

Thanks guys!

gelandangan wrote:

What really got to me is the fact that there are LOOTERS looting in the ruins. Lucky for them I am not there.. I would definitely shoot any looters that preys on peoples in dire troubles. They are not fit to be called human, and I have no problem shooting pests.

Like you I do not believe that these scum deserve to live. Let me know when we are going down to "help" solve the problem mate. I reckon we would make a great sniper pair, and we would be doing the nation a favour. You would probably have to do the sniping though...I am just nasty enough to tap them in the knee and leave them for the fire to finish.

Another option is to take them to an area that is the direct path of the fire, drop them off and say...you are on your own. Be even better if we could "drop" them by chopper...from a thousand feet!!!

I don't understand what motivates someone to move into an area that has been devastated and commence to loot homes and businesses. It just doesn't make sense to me. They are nothing more than filthy thieving parasites and don't deserve to be called Australians.

Cheers, Vince

Vince wrote:

...I am just nasty enough to tap them in the knee and leave them for the fire to finish. Cheers, Vince

I like the way this man thinks...

Vince
I think dropping them from about 100-150 feet would be better, wouldnt kill them but would Probably break their legs and the fire would get them

But Vince's way would give him target practice (which he sorrily needs).

Looters are right up there with vermin such as crows, coyotes, and rats.

But, I couldn't kill one.

I think that by blowing off his knee, one or both, it would remind him for the rest of his life with every step he takes what he did wrong, but then I am not sure of that since I don't think like a criminal.

Better be safe and take out the elbows too!!!!

What's so funny , Stovepipe... It's true...He DOES need the practice...

Sorry, though you were yankin' his chain.

I watch the news or read it quite often on my spare time.
these fires are a terrible thing.
my thought and prayers go out to all that are affected.

I do not think I could ever kill a fellow human. even though, i think I am capable to do it.
vandalizers and looters. are very bad.
whey do they do what they do ?? I have no idea. especially after a disaster has hit and so many humans are already suffering from loosing a love one or things that are personal. then to top it off, there are looters to make disaster even worse.

I think they should be shot in each knee cap, and have their fingers cut off. or leave them their fingers and just cut out their eyes. that should give them a fix. it should be hard to steal if you can not see.

um, legal blindness by punishment of the law if found guilty of wrong doing.
let the sinner see no more.