To ask you to pray for the thousands of people trapped on a beach by fires in Victoria?

[TheClaws]

There are 4000 people from the town of Mallacoota, Victoria, Australia, that is currently being destroyed by fire. They most likely won’t have homes to return to. They all have life jackets on ready to take shelter in the water as embers rain down upon them. Fire personnel have just - as I post - told them to get in the water. Can you imagine how they must feel?

Australia at the moment is burning across 4 states. Where I am it is 45c and the smell of smoke is heavy. It is a terrible summer for us.

Power was out for 24 hours yesterday. Today is a lull. I hope and I, an atheist, PRAY, that the weather forecast for Saturday is wrong.

Thanks SirChing.

I feel totally helpless, but awareness is key. I can't even imagine what they are going through.

I am not religious, nor do I pray but as somebody who works for Queensland Fire & Emergency Services and has seen first hand the utter devastation these fires leave in their path, I can honestly say that prayers, good thoughts, positive vibes, affirmations, offerings, ANYTHING that can bring positivity to this situation can't hurt.

For those in Australia, the best thing you can do us register with your local SES/RFS to volunteer - it's too late for this season but this is may become a way of life - so be ready to go next season. Even if you live in an urban area prepare your emergency plans and ensure you have adequate water, non perishable items etc. Ready at all times.

Wishing safe outcomes for all of those in the areas in NSW & VIC who may be impacted later this week as conditions deteriorate again

My sister's husband is a volunteer firefighter. He worked the week before Christmas. They have lost their beautiful home and are now in an evacuation centre.

I really feel for everyone caught up in this. It must be terrifying and and just so sad. So much uncertainty and are powerless.
My heart goes out to them all

I feel powerless because I'm in the UK.

What is the Australian Government doing? Relying of volunteer firefighters in rural areas. And er, that seems to be it. Everyone has an evacuation plan, it's part and parcel of bush fire season. This is not normal at all. In no way is it normal.

Instead of advocating thoughts and prayers (like those in the US who are anti gun control, every time there's a shooting), why not do something useful, like live sustainably, and encourage others to do the same?

Is that going to help my brother and sister when it comes to the weather changing on Saturday? rosiejaune? Both eat organically and grow their own food, they don't drink or smoke and they have sustainable lives.

And seriously?

(like those in the US who are anti gun control, every time there's a shooting),

How insulting can you get!

@rosiejaune can't people do both?

@SirChing they could, but they probably aren't. Few westerners have a sustainable environmental footprint, and most are in denial about the scale of change required.

@rosiejaune do you not have any sympathy or empathy? I don't know what living sustainably is going to do right at this very moment whilst people's houses are burning down and people are dying. It is not the time nor the thread to be conflating the two issues. Ffs

It will prevent it happening to more people. They are inextricably linked, and it will get much worse if people continue to fail to acknowledge that.

Yes but it's very unlikely Joe bloggs will make much difference to be honest although I am all for people reducing waste and eating more sustainably etc but industry needs to lead the way and will most likely solve the issues. Also, if you look at gas emissions by country the whole if the EU contributes 9% whereas China's is nearer 30% and USA 15%. I think the EU are doing more than these two countries combined ..since trump is even denying climate change as even a thing.
So let's say we all become completely carbon neutral over here. Wooo de do we've solved 9%. Still A Long way to go.

Anyhoo bitten more than I wanted to with you but I still see no sympathy from you.

I'm amazed at the malicious nature of some on here.
Wish them well or feck off for goodness sake but don't criticize people or their beliefs, or their good intentions.
You're lives must be pretty miserable if you think that is the thing to do at a time like this

I'm sorry to hear that this is happening to the people in and around Victoria. My thoughts are with them. And thankyou to all who are helping them too.

Is this Australian government really just leaving it up to volunteers to sort these fires out?

If this is the case - shouldn't other countries be stepping in to help/saying something/doing something.

Prayers and good thoughts are fine, but as others have said something concrete and practical needs to be done in the here and now. As individuals we are pretty powerless. But governments in other countries are not.

Last and final question: is this some sort of right wing/population control experiment? ie ' let's just leave them to it'. I've only got that idea from here, from what others have been saying.

Another one of air pollution in NZ from the fires. I can't believe it's getting across the Tasman Sea. Posting as it just shows how big the impact is but don't want to post the photos I'm getting from Australia.

Australia is a place far away from those of us who live in UK. I rarely hear anything about it TBH.

It has a kind of isolationist feel to it and is VERY anti illegal immigrant. That's fine but any other country would be branded racist for having a similar policy.

The currrent PM sounds a bit isolationist or bonkers himself and I wonder how he could be so cold. But hey we have Johnson.

My biggest gripe is the way firefighters are treated, mostly volunteers. They need a medal and a big cash bonus for all they have done/are doing. Bet they didn't cross the PMs mind whilst he was partying in Sydney yesterday.

But I hope some Australians will explain it all to me and put me right..

And I hope the fires abate v soon.

As I said upthread I have family there. I’ve been out to visit and the size of the country is incredible. My family drove for 24 hrs to get from Brisbane to Sydney but if you look on the map it’s not far....everywhere is far away.

That’s why the fires are so massive. On the map unless you know the distance, it’s hard to imagine I think. Praying or not. I can’t imagine how terrified those people on the beach yesterday where
Their PM is obviously useless. Why is this being allowed to happen. They needed more help in September to control the fires.

I am horrified by the news footage of the bush fires. For those people being told there is no way out... Can we in the U.K. even imagine how that must feel? They will lose their homes, have children who are distressed, pets lost.

The impact on the habitat and the loss of life for wildlife is staggering in its immensity. Australia has indigenous species that simply can’t be replaced.

The lack of action by global governments is sickening, they are putting profit above lives and the future of this planet. I recycle, I choose not to drive. But it isn’t enough without some massive changes in the way we live our lives. We are caretakers if this world and we are failing badly.

I am a religious person and my prayers go out to everyone in aus affected by this tragedy. But my more practical side immediately starts to think what else can I do?

The government is completely useless. A group of the most senior Fire chiefs across the country have been imploring the PM to meet with them since August as they could see this was going to be a horrific fire season.
I'm an atheist but very touched and grateful that people around the world are thinking of us.
If you are in Melbourne the Sun Theatre in Yarraville is accepting donations and sending a truck to Bairnsdale.

I have a cousin in New Zealand and he can smell the smoke...... this is catastrophic.

Government should be paying firefighters. If they don't they don't care.

Do they care?

I have a cousin in New Zealand and he can smell the smoke......

I've heard the same thing. New Zealand is noticing the effects of the fires but they are extremely fortunate. I was looking at some photos of the beach in my old town and you wouldn't want to sit on it at all right now. Like I said though, they are very lucky in NZ compared to the people in Australia.