[eye30]

A Christmas Day bushfire has destroyed more than 100 homes in Australia's Victoria state, officials say.

Officials said 98 homes had been razed in Wye River and 18 at Separation Creek. No injuries are reported.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-35179209


Any members caught up in this?

[Dazzler]

Terrible to happen at any time but particularly Christmas Day! 

[FatBoy]

Thankfully no serious injuries or deaths.  Finally people are starting to listen to the emergency services (they weren't in Tassie a few years back), when they say "evacuate" it means leave, RFN.

[The Gonz]

... when they say "evacuate" it means leave, RFN.

Yes, that Russian Federal Navy really gets around!

[Just Rick]

Happens every summer,WA has had over 20 fires in the lead up to Christmas, all bar one started by arsonists wouldn't be surprised if this one in Vic wasn't as well, time we started stringing these low life's up

[PhireSideZA]

This made news here in our part of the world too. Glad there was no loss of life, but sad that there was such a huge amount of property damage.

But alas, material things can be replaced. Lives cannot

[Phil №❶]

I started a tiny grass fire, welding yesterday. It happened with the 1st touch of the electrode. So easy to ignite the grass. Naturally, I had the watering can full of water and doused it immediately.

[Surferdude]

The Victorian fire was started by lightning strike.

[PhireSideZA]

I started a tiny grass fire, welding yesterday. It happened with the 1st touch of the electrode. So easy to ignite the grass. Naturally, I had the watering can full of water and doused it immediately.

+1, I have personally seen how quick a piece of hot slag can ignite bushveld grass around here.

Good practice for keeping water nearby, you never know when disaster can strike

[FatBoy]

Just heard on the ABC here in Broome that in WA a total fire ban includes a ban on welding unless you have an written exemption.  Apparently the same in Victoria and SA.

[Phil №❶]