Johnmcd
Well-known
Just spent time on an incident management team down in the worst hit area of the Victorian bush fires. Never in my 22 year career as a firefighter have I seen such devastation and can only imagine the ferocity of the fire storm that descended on the area a week and half ago.
In my mind the images remind me of a WWI scene after prolonged battle or even the destruction caused by an atomic blast. Not even a blade of grass survived.
All images were taken early in the morning with a Ricoh GRD. These scenes continued for as far as the eye could see.
John
In my mind the images remind me of a WWI scene after prolonged battle or even the destruction caused by an atomic blast. Not even a blade of grass survived.
All images were taken early in the morning with a Ricoh GRD. These scenes continued for as far as the eye could see.
John
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MikeAUS
Well-known
Thanks.
Thanks.
The fire crews are heroes - thanks for helping save Victoria from even more devastation.:angel:
Thanks.
The fire crews are heroes - thanks for helping save Victoria from even more devastation.:angel:
M4streetshooter
Tourist Thru Life
Thanks for your service Brother,
Be careful out there....
shooter
Be careful out there....
shooter
fergus
Well-known
I remember driving the Bell's Line of Rd (Blue Mountains, Sydney) after the 1994 fires... it was like driving on another planet. The trees, as per photos above, are burnt sticks sticking out of grey earth, as far as the eye can see (100's of km/miles).
Here we are 15 years later and I can still remember exactly how I felt then (our house was ok, others in our street didn't make it).
Good pic's John - each one tells a story.
Here we are 15 years later and I can still remember exactly how I felt then (our house was ok, others in our street didn't make it).
Good pic's John - each one tells a story.
Shok
Low Roller
First of all, I'd like to say I can't say thanks to the firefighters enough.
I'm in Viewbank, about 20-30km from the fires.
One of my friends from high school, his wife, and 3 small children perished in the fire. It's a terrible loss all round. I've tried to focus on all the good times we shared, and all the mischievous things our crew got up to, but it's a bloody hard thing to get through.
We've taken in a sufficiently large amount of birds that had fled the area. Mostly crows, cockys and a few indian minah birds. From about 3 birds we feed on the lawn, it's grown to about 50+. Several of them are burnt.
It makes me sick to my stomach to think that these fires have been claimed to have been deliberately lit.
I'm in Viewbank, about 20-30km from the fires.
One of my friends from high school, his wife, and 3 small children perished in the fire. It's a terrible loss all round. I've tried to focus on all the good times we shared, and all the mischievous things our crew got up to, but it's a bloody hard thing to get through.
We've taken in a sufficiently large amount of birds that had fled the area. Mostly crows, cockys and a few indian minah birds. From about 3 birds we feed on the lawn, it's grown to about 50+. Several of them are burnt.
It makes me sick to my stomach to think that these fires have been claimed to have been deliberately lit.
oftheherd
Veteran
Sorry for the loss of your friends. That is always a hard thing to get through. Nothing works for everyone, no words can fix it. It seems you have chosen the best way for you. Stay strong.
Johnmcd - Thanks for the photos. Fire is our friend only as long as we can control it. Otherwise it becomes an enemy all too easily. Thanks for your profession. Stay safe. I know some firefighters. It never ceases to amaze me the things you guys do routinely, that would terrify the rest of us.
calexg
Established
I used to live in Melbourne and I had housemates with family in rural Victoria. We went out to visit them on occasion and it was gorgeous. My heart goes out to all those affected by the fires. Thank you for these wonderful photos!
Steve Bellayr
Veteran
This fire is getting almost no airplay in the USA.
Johnmcd
Well-known
Australians have always lived with the threat of bushfire, usually in a cycle of burn and regrowth that usually can be measured in years. Most people that live in rural areas have survived (by being well prepared) through many of these 'cycles' and it has given them the experience and systems that have been effective in the past.
Unfortunately, this fire was like no other. The area had not had any real rainfall for many months and was experiencing a prolonged period of 40+ Celsius days. Aspect and slope in the areas that I saw were also critical to the extreme fire behaviour. Once the fires started they was basically unstoppable and no amount of firefighting resources could have stopped them.
Shok, I am so sorry to hear of your loss as I am for the thousands of other affected by the death of loved ones. Best wishes to you and your family.
Thanks to all that showed their support of our firefighters. As is the case with most of our rural fires, they are fought initially (and ongoing) by local volunteer firefighters who are members of that community. For many, they would have fought this fire storm with the knowledge that their own families and properties were also under attack, yet despite this kept at it for the benefit of the whole community. Many of those firefighters have been working solid now for well over a week.
I am a professional firefighter that was flown in from interstate to be part of the Incident Management Team for the Kinglake district. When I wasn't 'flying a desk' in the control room, I was privileged to meet with some of the crews that bore the brunt of the fire on 'Black Saturday'. These crews were local and operated under extreme conditions. Though you would hardly know, as the danger they experienced was usually understated and then brushed aside by a humourous recollection. As always, many of the true heroics, will never be told.
I am surprised that it has not received much attention in the US. We even have a number of US firefighters being deployed. If you would like more info http://www.theage.com.au/national/bushfires
Cheers - John
MikeAUS
Well-known
No Surprise
No Surprise
No Surprise
Let's be honest - the majority of Americans have little interest or knowledge about what happens in other countries - even the ones they invade. Sixty-one percent agree that America is a nation specially blessed by God. :bang: If this gets me kicked out of the forum - so be it ...
calexg
Established
I don't know that that comment will get you banned, but I do know that this is a photography forum and that your comments about Americans were both irrelevant and untrue. Let's keep things friendly, yeah?
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MikeAUS
Well-known
Irrelevant - I don't think so. An American asked why no coverage in the US. An honest answer. Untrue - hmm the truth - like weapons of mass destruction I guess - keep living the dream. Maybe another poll on Leica M2 vs M4 would be more controversial? I think photography should make you think - oh but sorry it's a 'photography forum'.
oftheherd
Veteran
In fact there was coverage of fires in Australia, if not perhaps the exact ones mentioned in this thread. Fires there received local and national coverage for two or three days. There was also coverage on the local news radio station, including mention that some fires may have been set.
As to Americans MikeAUS, I don't know we are any worse than anyone else. We aren't perfect, and I doubt many in the US would try to convince anyone they are. We are proud, but surprisingly, usually don't mind criticism, especially if offered as something less than what we consider personal attacks. I'm not going to take up your personal feelings. You are entitled to them. Just make a general statement.
Back to this thread: The photos are interesting if looked at closely. At first glance to many, these probably don't hold much impact for a lot of folks. There isn't any great blooms of orange fire, not billowing smoke, and no one with tear streaked faces. But look and imagine what must have been there before. Then consider what is there now, and the intense conflagration that must have left what is now in the photos.
Not a pretty picture, and it should be thought provoking. Thanks Johnmdc for the photos, and for your comment on the firefighters. Ordinary folk rising to extraordinary heights, yet remaining humble. Ya gotta love em!
As to Americans MikeAUS, I don't know we are any worse than anyone else. We aren't perfect, and I doubt many in the US would try to convince anyone they are. We are proud, but surprisingly, usually don't mind criticism, especially if offered as something less than what we consider personal attacks. I'm not going to take up your personal feelings. You are entitled to them. Just make a general statement.
Back to this thread: The photos are interesting if looked at closely. At first glance to many, these probably don't hold much impact for a lot of folks. There isn't any great blooms of orange fire, not billowing smoke, and no one with tear streaked faces. But look and imagine what must have been there before. Then consider what is there now, and the intense conflagration that must have left what is now in the photos.
Not a pretty picture, and it should be thought provoking. Thanks Johnmdc for the photos, and for your comment on the firefighters. Ordinary folk rising to extraordinary heights, yet remaining humble. Ya gotta love em!
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
You are not alone. It has been that way n Canada, at least where I live, for about a week or more. Before that the fires were commented on in the news almost daily. The sudden lack of reports was strange enough for me to comment on that to my wife.
Bob
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I've been a little suprised at how little reaction, generally, the threads on the bushfires have received on this forum.
To put our loss of life from this disaster into perspective ... per capita wise it outstrips Katrina or 911! This is a big country but our population is smaller than that of a lot of the world's major cities ... it's had a HUGE impact on me personally and everyone else I know!
To put our loss of life from this disaster into perspective ... per capita wise it outstrips Katrina or 911! This is a big country but our population is smaller than that of a lot of the world's major cities ... it's had a HUGE impact on me personally and everyone else I know!
N
Nikon Bob
Guest
It may possibly be that over here, in Canada at least, forest fires are a yearly occurrence too and taken as a normal situation. Here are the stats http://www40.statcan.gc.ca/l01/cst01/envir02a-eng.htm . I don't know if it was an average year or not. All I can say is that OZ has my sympathy.
Bob
Bob
oftheherd
Veteran
Well, many people have short attention spans. And the media loves to move on the the next "big" story. Each media entity wants to be first, or most spectacular, or most in depth. But only until the next news event comes along that lends itself to the same treatment.
Add to that the fact that we do have our own things to be concerned about. A new president, a problem economy, how the new president takes care of our economy, will many of our troops be home and how soon.
That isn't meant to minimize the terrible losses in Australia, or anywhere else. I doubt Australia cares much about the US economy unless they think ours has to recover before theirs will. Or about our troops (unless they just don't think they should be anywhere but in the US
).I do think about the awful fires and loss of life there. I have a special perspective; I have been through a house fire and can relate to a loss of property. Thank God there was no loss of life in my house fire.
I hope you and your fellow countrymen can cope with this as well as can be. Loss of friends or loved ones is never easy, whatever the cause. Death by fire is especially horrid to contemplate. I feel for you Keith, and your countrymen. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I hope there are no more if those problems.