209 DEATH TOLL FOR VIC BUSHFIRES

So sad, 209 is such a high number for fire disaster in the bushlands. It seems so devastating to have such a high no. of deaths in this day and age. Werent there any warnings? Why couldn't they escape on time? Or were they just stubbornly staying on to salvage their material possessions?

Now, four large fires continue to burn across Victoria as authorities warn the threat of new fires will be high this weekend. The warning came as the death toll from the devastating February 7 firestorm rose to 209.

Fire authorities on Friday said the bushfire threat remained high, with no significant rain forecast and fuel loads continuing to dry out. The combination of hot weather, northerly winds and the chance of lightning has pushed the fire danger warning to high and could increase fire activity over the weekend and Monday. God, have mercy on the land!