Kinglake Victoria before the bushfires

It's all so sad. And even more so, I imagine, if you know the places that have been destroyed. We've been watching the news about the fires, and it makes me cry to see how much damage has been done, that so many people lost their homes and that so many people have lost love ones. And how cruel that the evil firebugs have made the situation so much worse. I'm answering from email so I don't know yet if you've posted your photos, but if you have, then I'd love to see how beautiful it all looked before. Like you say, let's hope that one day the lovely, green area can be restored.

I heard about those fires. Heard they were pretty nasty. That really sucks and I feel sorry for all that was lost there too. I agree with you that hopefully the beauty will return, and more than likely it will. It will just take a little time.

I want to know why the rules were changed. Once upon a time whole streets would be deemed unsafe and evacuated. I saw one lady at a news conference asking why this wasn't done this time. The response was..."it's your home the decision to stay or go must be yours." I guess the powers that be have come in for a lot of flack by evacuating homes and the owners saying if they were allowed to stay they could have saved their home. With this fire...there was nothing to be saved, nothing and no-one...if you or your house was in the way...it's gone. Usually our fires can be intermittent, one house goes up but leaves washing on the line, a fence and a shed untouched. The house across the road untouched. This fire was simply too ferocious. My niece, who is a volunteer firefighter there said there were some embers that caught, the fire was as big as a football, by the time she called out and the fire truck backed up the flames were as big as a house and Kate was being hosed down! She was also stung by a bee and said there were lots of snakes around so there is other danger as well as the heat and smoke of the fire.

I ask myself the same question lilaclady - why? We know now that some of these fires have been deliberately lit and I hope they find these sick people to they get the punishment they deserve; their actions have caused so much devastation and misery. I've never been to Kinglake, but it sure looks like it was a beautiful place - and it will be again in time - nature is wonderful that way. I just hope they catch the firebugs who caused the fires.

I saw pictures of it to on the tv before the fire an it was something I hope it all comes back to they also show some wildlife beening save by rescues crew an may god bless those crews

I too am so sorry for the lives that were lost and understand how much you are hurting. The places that are burnt will bloom again but it takes time. We had a devastating hurricane in 1988 and all the grass and trees and foliage turned brown. A beautiful lush Island had changed from green to brown. But it is remarkable how things return and once again, one day, you will hear the birds singing again. Why did it happen? Well it certainly wasn't in God's plan but happened by the sin or man if it turns out that it was arson. Keep strong. Blessings

Well, my thoughts and Prayers are with all the many people in Australia that lost friends and family, and one day I hope things there can get more back to normal. It is so sad to see so much vast area be effected from something like this, and so many animals, people and land lost. I am sure that one day things can get more back to normal in that area and just wish the best for you all.

i live in victoria but i never go to kinglake before... my heart also bleed for those people who lost their properties and lives due to the bushfires last saturday... but i believe that everything happens for a purpose and in His will... i keep on praying for those victims so that God will give them the strength to move on... take care and have a nice day...

I can't understand the rationale of the fires and most were started by arsonists. I heard they actually caught one of the culprits that started some of the fires and placed him in protective custody so he wouldn't be harmed by people who are outraged..like why? Why should he be protected? It must be painful for you to look at your photos knowing how beautiful it once was.

hi lilaclady.i am devasted by the fires you guys had down there in victoria,and you still are having,i heard today you are bracing yourselves for another fierce day ahead with conditions as bad as black saturday.i hope all goes well.i still can't believe that the fires are still going.we had it bad here that saturday with the n.s.w. fire at peats ridge about 20 kms from my place.we were lucky,but when i woke up on sunday and heard about victoria,i was stunned.i am so pleaded that australia and people all over the world have pulled together in raising money for victoria.i hope you are safe.cheers sue

Hi lila~ I am so sorry for all the people who have lost their lives and their homes to these horrible wildfires. And to think of the poor animals that also were lost is just too sad for words. I don't know why these things happen. I just pray that the people will be able to somehow rebuild their lives and one day that area will be beautiful again.

Hello my friend lilaclady Ji, I am sure that 'hope' only will recover those beutiful place as described by you. Also I belive, it was to happen and had happened. let's try and retrieve all taht was burnt. may god bless you and have great time.

It is truly heartbreaking what has happened in Victoria but it makes it much harder to accept knowing that it could have been avoided. It is hard to comprehend that someone deliberately lit these fires that caused so much destruction. When the arsonist is found they should be charged with mass murder, as that is the result of their actions.