[Analog6]

First 3 paras

"If seeing is believing, then it's time to accept climate change, writes Freya Mathews.IT IS only a couple of years since scientists first told us we could expect a new order of fires in south-eastern Australia, fires of such ferocity they would engulf the towns in their path.

And here they are. The fires of Saturday were not "once in 1000 years" or even "once in 100 years" events, as our political leaders keep repeating. They were the face of climate change."

Full article: <A href="http://www.smh.com.au/environment/scientists-warned-us-this-was-going-to-happen-20090209-82bx.html">http://www.smh.com.au/environment/scientists-warned-us-this-was-going-to-happen-20090209-82bx.html

Whether you believe or not (and I do) this makes chilling reading. Especially since the warnings also said the north of Oz would be wetter and get wilder weather. And what are we seeing there too . . . . ?

[charleycat]

My brother was always on scientific websites/forums and the like and he did mention that we were in for a terrible summer with fires...

Firebugs just make it a lot worse than it has to be though.

[fleabag]

I saw this or something similar on telly last night ...

[Paulsragdoll]

My brother was always on scientific websites/forums and the like and he did mention that we were in for a terrible summer with fires...

Firebugs just make it a lot worse than it has to be though.

It is almost acceptable although terrible if started by nature itself, well we actually dont have much choice there,

But it sickens me when learning that some of these fires have been started by murderers, (so called members of the human race)

Dont even get me started on what should happen to them once caught

Regards,paul

[Doreen]

Those politicians who are sitting there spouting Global Warming at this stage sicken me, especially when the average world temperature in 2008 actually went down a bit compared to 2007. As Paul mentioned, the "human's" involvement in this catastrophe is just unbelievable, many of these fires are not natural.

[Dalli]

I agree with what you said Paul it is shocking to think someone started this!!

Paula

[Analog6]

Doreen, I believe the term global warming is a nisnomer. This article is about 'climate change' - which poredicts more changeable weather with greater extremes at each end. And there have been several years recentyl where there have been hotter summers and colder, wetter wiinters (on a worldwide scale). Just measuring the temperature is not a true measure or guide.

I am a believer, I do not think all the human industrial activity and pollution since the Industrial revolution could have NO damaging effect on our planet and worldwide ecosystems. To what level is still to be found out, but there must be some.

[metaltiger]

Well I believe in the climate change theory, but this article made me angry. Dont think it is the time or place for a a Told You So article, at the moment the only thing that matters is keeping people safe and helping those affected.
And I think the agenda being pushed in this article is quite clear and has nothing to do with assisting the victims or lessons learnt.

[sealhope]

These scientists have been saying this for ages and ages, begging people to take notice of them. It is only now the media is picking up on it. It isn't as if they have rushed forward to take advantage of the situation. It is that the media is hunting them out now when before they couldn't be ***** taking any notice of them.

Also, as stated, they use the term 'climate change' not global warming. Whether temperature go up or down slightly every year really doesn't matter, what does is the long term trend and I doubt anyone would argue that in southern Australia it is tending to longer droughts and hotter summers.

[Jess79]

That may well be true, but it certainly doesn't help when idiots go around lighting fires on purpose!

[OrangeCatBlackCat]

A tornado killed 15 people today in Oklahoma US. This is remarkable because it is midwinter here in the US. Tornados happen in the warm season.

[Dale]

The biggest difference between the bushfires in the past and the current ones is the fact that the Bushies have been forced to remove their stock from these places their by leaving lots of dried up grass and leaf material as fuel. The bushies have been doing this sort of grazing for years and yes we still had fires but as bad as this one ???

Everyone thinks they are doing the right thing for the bush yet they live in the city and have little to no clue of life in the country, Bob Brown (Greens Senator guy) is blaming all this on global warming and won't even acknowledge that just maybe their do gooding attitude has contributed to the problem. Yes I know they didn't start these fires but they have created the extra fuel as a direct result of their misguided decisions.

I have always believed that those that are directly involved or trained in a certain field should be the ones we listen to not the polticians, why is that they bow to these minority groups. Maybe it has to do with the bloody good pension they receive for a few years of butt licking.

[Raggedy Ann]

well said Dale. You really knocked it on the head. Yes the climate is changing which doen't help ie strong winds hot days and lighting strikes amongst this, but if the land was taken care of like in the old days it wouldn't have been as bad. The greenies have jumped on our backs about back burning being bad for the environment but yet no one is stopping speedways burning up tires until they pop (which is much worse then bush burning). DEC admitted they were ment to burn off 170 before this time but only had managed to burn 90. People have trees to close to there houses but if they clear a suitable break they get fined because its bad for the environment to remove trees. Mind you in crown fires embers can fly unbelievable distances given the correct hot winds and a decent size ember. The oil in the trees also don't help as each tree is on fire it heats up the next and woof up she goes and believe it or not fire also can jump from tree top to tree top, this makes fighting it awkard and dangerous. It doesn't help with people who wish to stay and fight for there house who are not prepared or well enough to cope then decide to leave at the wrong moment. I hope this will teach the gov to promote more teachings to people about what to do in this situation.
I can honestly say as a fire fighter for over 7 years with high quals, I would not have stayed. My children's lives are more important then a house and in saying that I would be constently fined by the shire for excess tree removal. If you decide to stay you need to ask your self have you adequte fighting equipment, physically fit, mentally fit (stress can be a killer when dealing in fire) escape route and knowledge of crown fires. I honestly hope they are insured and the insurance companies don't git them around. I have been busy in my community raising funds and helping quilting blankets for these people and take off my hat to all volunteer CFA Fighters and are with them in heart. I am proud to say for our worst fire it has been the minimal life loss and injuries to the fire fighters. I had been to Melbourne last year and saw some of the lovelly dense country side you have and its a shame for all the wildlife that has been affected with loss of homes and injuries.
But it is great that this country will still pull together no matter what and help each other out.
PS don't forget to spare a thought for QLD and there floods.
sorry for the big essay but this is a close subject for me.

[kata]

I don't think anyone doubts that the conditions were ripe for a big bush fire i.e dry land,fuel, socorching temps and high winds. Even the premier of ?Victoria or NSW said on the friday that conditions were ripe for a big bush fire.. But some of those fires would not have happenend if no-one had lit them. And that's the great tragedy here.

[Analog6]

What I was trying to point out is that we only listen and comment AFTER the fact. Changes needed to be made 10 years ago towards letting people do more clearing round their houses and giving the Rural fire services greater powers to do brun offs. AND, the media needed to be more active in informing (as opposed to alarming) people. None of thes ethings happened, due to various factors including political lethargy and not wanting to aleinate voters, the strong and often misghuied green lobby, natural apathy etc.

We need to let our local memebers know that we want more hazard reduction burns, we want some power to clear round our houses, we want the State and fed govts to rule over Council so we CAN clear reasonable breaks etc, we want our RFS/CFA whoever to have more power to order and carry out hazard reduction etc.

If we do not speak up, and let the media know we don't like their attitude either, then things will just go on as they are, and it will happen again.

The media and policiticnas keep rabbiting on about 'the drought'. This dry weather pattern has now been with us for 13 years (yes THIRTEEN). I think it is time we accepted the fact that this might be the new NORM, rather than some transient thing called drought. The wet years will become the unusual, not the 'drought'.