Australian Fires Black Saturday Victoria

[Designandrew]

wow, really inappropriate music..:s

[creekofsteel]

i am actually sitting in my room, balling my eyes out. some of these pictures were from steels creek. i miss you): all these people animals, i would be there for every, every single one of you if i could. and the elvis helicopter you did a great job buddy, saved my house, and my family ♥

[mattrbartlett1]

After loosing our home and absolutely everything that we had on Black Saturday in St Andrews one thing has kept us strong. The kindness of so many fellow Australians is still blowing us away a year and a half later. Words can never describe the horror of being caught in that horrible firestorm and the mess it left our lives in but luckily for us life goes on. Thank you to everyone for your help.

We are so dam proud to be Australian. Matt and Mel Bartlett.

[nimni72]

naaw that is so sad.

and i just wanna say;

rip for the young and old people who passed away!

and arsonists shud go die!

thanks firefighters for saving some.

[moisturiser123]

R.I.P to my uncles who died trying to save my grandmas house on glendonald rd, churchill.

they will be remembered forever by everyone that knew them as heros and amazing ppl who cared so much about family and friends. they truly loved life no matter what is threw at them they were always happy.

ill miss you both so much.

always remember if you cant be good be evil! :)

[MyNameIsMarijuana]

Korn rocks.

[bigfirie]

Wow! You have an amazing way of making a really touching tribute. Thank you for posting this one. Its not a day I'll ever forget and I know I saw some photos in there from the fire we had in our area. Thanks again for your support.

[gajted]

Hi Littlemissbanshee...thanks for the video add. We sure had an historical beginning to 2009 didn't we? All power to the great Australian spirit!

[frogga31]

came back from healesville on the Saturday morning about 11:30 went through yarra glen and to lillydale, from there went up to my home town of warburton, 3 hours later the sky over the mountin ridge goes black then it looks like its 7:00 at night.

the fire was going to go through warburton then the wind changed and it got marysvill

mother natures a bitch a times

R.I.P

[kanyewestlova]

so bad. in from junction myself.

[Marissamayyy]

well I disliked and liked this video. It made me feel very upset :( But it's good to know so much help is out there just for us in need.

[LittleMissBanshee]

Sorry that it made you feel so upset, I made it for the sole purpose of showing what happened in the hopes that those that see it may donate to the redcross bushfire appeal.

[CakeMace]

ill be out dragon dancing in a casey council (or however it is spelled) organized event, its the least i can do after watching all the terrible events unfold, if i can put a smile on even one victims face, ill be happy...

[crackedlenz]

Well done with the slideshow and a good choice of song too :)

[crackedlenz]

Hi Littlemiss,

Backburning what's left to prevent more fires sounds like the logical thing to do, but it is hard to do and can only be done a little at a time. We can't just torch the state. I'm an RFS firefighter from NSW and I came down to Vic to fight for a week, but one thing that amazed me was seeing properties throughout the area that are fire hazards. Granted these fires were not going to be stopped by anyone on Saturday. But let's hope people have learnt something from the tragedy.

[LittleMissBanshee]

Hi cracked,I realise there is no quick fix to this backburning issue. The state is so dry, but there are many political issues about backburning and "burning off" on private land. It is legal where I live in certain times of the year, because I am in the mountains, but even my neighbours ask us not to do it. Its quite safe under the right conditions, if you know what you are doing. My block is covred in trees and undergrowth, and it does help, but its not a sure thing -

[LittleMissBanshee]

a little at a time is better than none at all!

Thanks for coming down to help :) these were not regular fires, they were out of control fire storms, and they say they will be worse next summer. I have to deal with neighbours that are strictly against "burning off" undergrowth., But these fires came so close, I thik they will have to just deal with it!

[CakeMace]

its a shame people didnt learn the lessons from ash Wednesday...

e.g. don't keep heaps of tree's near your house,

[JohnSurname]

People that did got in trouble with the enviro junkies

[CakeMace]

yes, the typical useless far left... hypocrites and murderers as far as im concerned.

[LittleMissBanshee]

you cant be serious? A guy in Kinglake was fines $50,000 by the council because he cut down all of the trees near his home. His house was the only one left on his street. Many people love living in the bush - I know I do,- the reason - the trees. I think many feel the same way. Black Saturday was a disaster that could not be stopped. The fires came pretty close to me, but I would never move - I love where I live. Cut down all the trees - no more bush, may as well live in the city - nooooo thanks

[CakeMace]

I'm not saying don't live in the bush, I'm saying don't have flammable materials right near your home. thats like saying "Hell, i may as well douse my house in petrol"

[LittleMissBanshee]

Cake,I agree that all should do what they can to get rid of potential fuel for fire,totally with you on that,but on that Saturday even the most prepared with water pumps etc lost their properties.I saw homes go up that couldnt be more ready and fire proofed,pumps and generators failed because of smoke etc.That and a big lack of warning made for a day of terror.47 degrees snd monnster wind is freak weather,especially with the hot weather we had beforehand. nothing would have stopped these fires

[CakeMace]

thats somewhat true... however it comes back to that old saying

"every little bit helps"

[robjg33]

uumm thats not true

it was in reedy creek

council fined him $2500 and asked him to relpant some trees after he cut 200+ trees down and when the locals complained he told them where to go

the court fined him the rest and council

waivered $20000 and he still didnt pay

and thats just the tip of the story

other houses in the street (which is bush setting) also survived

[LittleMissBanshee]

well I was told a huge porky then, wasnt I?! And this was from someone in the CFA too. I was told it was Kinglake and that his house was the only one left - this is from a mate in Wondong.

[robjg33]

thats ok

there are many stories out there

im sure your friend was relaying what they were told- you know how it is :-)

anyway powerful video you have done

congrats

doent lessen the fact that living in a bush setting require careful planning and good vigilance

[boarderboy220]

i could smell tha smoke in kilor hights

[boarderboy220]

200 people in a better place now

[seksibeast28]

It should be called "Inferono Saturday" it is a better fitting name for that tragic day.

RIP to those who lost their lives due to those terrible fires.

[heidiwallenborn]

Well done. I'm a transplanted American to Australia by choice as of two years ago, and married to a 30-year CFA volunteer in Victoria, who helped with the fires and body recovery in Kinglake. My heart is just as moved by the recent events as it was during 9-11 and Hurricane Katrina. This video shows the devastation, but also the hope of rebirth, and the true blue, never-say-die Aussie nature that I have grown to love. Good on ya, Little Miss Banshee. Keep up the good work. Heidi W-C

[Ponocerous]

Nine news' entire bulletin was live from the scene, poor effort by seven

[donkey1115]

I live in Victoria, luckly im away from the fires at the moment, im on the other side of melbourne so im a fare way away from them....still, i would not mind beating the shit out of some of the people who started these fires

[donkey1115]

ok lets get this straight, this comment is for all non-Australian viewers who think kill kangeroos is wrong.

here are four facts.

1. Yes, people do roo-shooting here

2. It is a profession for some people

3. they can be f***ing annoying to farmers

4. If you have seen the movie "Australia" you will see that in the first couple of scenes an Aboriginal shoots a kangaroo, it is an AUSTRALIAN film, its what happens in AUSTRALIA. get over it, and get on with your own country, peace out...

[MrYamato89]

Are you trying to say that you take pride in killing kangaroos?

[LittleMissBanshee]

For fuck sake, go make a video about it if you feel so passionately about roos, instead of spamming every Aussie vid you can find. Show some god damn respect, now shooooooo.....

[slatts71]

Powerful video ... well done. To all the people that lost homes, family, friends, pets .... Australia is behind you !!! RIP

[slatts71]

You're a bloody idiot !!! Go take your political crap and post elsewhere !!! Show some goddamn respect for this video you moron !!

[geoff100179]

Has World War 2 been erased from Japanese history books MrYamato89? My grandfather certainly hasn't forgotten

[micks222]

um... excuse me but what has anything that you are saying got to do with that so far there are 189 people dead and expected to be around a figure of 400! slatts71 said it nicely, SHOW SOME GODAMN RESPECT!!!!

[beaulahHadassah]

what about those who collect monies purportedly on their account/behalf? As if the evils are not enough. How can you confront the DEVILS?

[thespartan2224]

well even tho the retarded is allowed a fair trial i doubt there is a single court in the entire country that will let them get away with it. even if they get away with it, people will still wanna massacre the bastard.

people who loot fire stricken areas are almost as bad as those who started the fires (well maybe a couple levels below, you need to ad in con artists between the two).

[JimNeee]

of all the videos i've seen on this topic. this is definately the most moving. kudos to you :)

[wbnj8k5]

yamato69. Figured out why you lost the war yet???? Plonker

[G88NRL]

Dear MrYamato89,

Your comments are inconsiderate and inappropriate for this video tribute.

Well done to LittleMissBanshee, the best tribute I've seen yet.

[LittleMissBanshee]

What do any of these issues have to do with this disaster? Boy, I could write a monolougue of a response, but this is not the time nor the place....this is not a political vid mate....

[colin4393]

fuck off you little shit.

[beaulahHadassah]

my heart goes out to these people. what i can't figure out if the arsonist ruled out in this catastrophe, my question, why did he do it?

[thespartan2224]

the arsonist did it because he is a retard and gets a pleasure out of starting fires. such people should be locked away or be given intense mental help

[beaulahHadassah]

that is the trouble because even in their most obvious act of committing a crime, they are also entitled to a fair trial. what about those who died in the act of their commission of such a crime? who is the retard here then? ah australia, the land that is girth by sea whose boundless land are shared by those whom you call R....I do feel very sorry.

[LittleMissBanshee]

My worry is why they ALL do it. There are many more out there that started these fires, and continue to do so. including some degenerate that started one deliberately in the National Park just 3km from where I live (In the Dandenong Ranges, Vic) and it spread very quickly. Its mass murder as far as I am concerned. Its so bloody wrong, I dont know where to start, not to mention the disgusting looters. I cant wrap my head around it. I think it's pure evil.

[madvtss]

im sick off everyone saying kinglake what about marysville we have losts so many homes ppl we lost the hole town i lost 4 mate my house they are still fining more bodys i live in marysville all my life and there is so many ppl i no who are missing and i no there not coming back for some fuck to do this what for and for everyone who wants to take things out of ppls houses ill kill them its hard now to deal with this and to get the city fuck to come up and take what they want it not

[NJFDRUMMER]

oh my gosh, these photo's r so touching, i'm putting a benifit concert on in mi town with mi band and some other bands and dj's, could u please tell me where u got these photo's from so i can make a slideshow to project it onto a big screen to remind ppl wat there gna b there 4

[LittleMissBanshee]

CONTINUED ON>>>>Please hit the back button, located on the top left side of your screen if you insist on spreading such hatred and blatant disrespect for fellow human beings in a time of absolute crisis. I doubt very much that you understand the magnitude of this and how it has affected so many people.

[LittleMissBanshee]

Only a gutless wonder would say we desserved thse fires because we are "Aussies,"or that " This willd fire is cool" . People that lost loved ones and their homes, plus the vollies that are working 24/7 to help put these blazes out are watchig this video. Any more nasty ass comments and they will be promptly deleted. Show some respect and dont comment if you have nothing but hateful things to say.I think you would feel rather different if this situation was turned straight back around on you.

[KinglakeGuy]

Donations to the victims can be made on-line. Google "Australian red cross bushfire appeal" to locate the website.

Any and all donations are greatly appreciated.

Thankyou for your support.

[LittleMissBanshee]

To be safe, donations are being made to the red cross fire appeal - website can be seen at the end of this video. Other donation links can be seen in the description of this video, just click 'more info" There are many FAKE COLLECTORS going around so please give to the ones confirmed by the Australian Government.

[Riverweed]

I cant believe that there are inhumane people around claiming to be collectors when they only want to benefit from this disaster :(

[geoff100179]

EagleHeartUSA, after reading your profile I truly pity you and the fact that you have nothing better in your life then to show utter disrespect for human beings. I hope one day you can put your banjo and whittling knife down and have a long hard look at yourself mate cause your nothing more then a shit stirring redneck. Power to Barrick Obama bout time an African American took control cause your past white president have done nothing but fuck the world up. Find something better to do then bag oz

[barnesosborne]

What is so cool about it...it is a tragedy you fool

[BlimeyBomb]

Gah I live close to Gippsland and on Saturday my mum was like "do you smell something burning?" And we walked outside and it was like WTF! We still have our house but a few of my friends lost their house and a few rellies =( Dudes/dudettes, for the arsonist who lit whichever fires... you die now.

[SSPoseidon846]

im glad they charged someone. he faces 40 years jail on one count of mass murder, 1 count of deadly arson, and 1 count of lighting wildfires near a town.

[casperblackcat1975]

A lethal injection would be much better.

[SSPoseidon846]

give him that as well. do everything in the book. they should burn his house down

[casperblackcat1975]

With him inside it that's another way to get rid of him.

[scootrulz]

i cried, at the footage shown on tv, but at the same time i was so proud to be a part of a country so great that so many people volunteered and risked their lives to help fight the fires. the overwhelming of donations made me proud. the fact that that asshole who lit the fires, still remains happy, and even just IN aistralia makes me so upset i just cant explain.

the fire volunteers should all get medals for their work.

[HBKsweetCHINmusic10]

You messed up dirty no good self centred careless SOB would you care if that was yor territory your house your family!! of course you would u should be ashamed!

[jeffgraz43]

The Black Sabbath fires Victoria Lest We Forget

[Riverweed]

I really dont see anything cool abt it, when people are losing lives and properties...

[garycalgary]

arson or not it's so sad to watch people lose their lives due to nature.

Maybe the complaining I do about winter is unwarranted because I am lucky....

[NinjaSporkPirate]

wrong music

[mayprem]

arsonists are just another reason why the death penalty should be brought back to australia. An eye for an eye, or maybe the people responsible should be forced lose friends and family. then they'll understand how this makes us feel. Australian's unite. and as rememberance we should on saturday at least leave our front porch light on.

[scootrulz]

some one wrote in the paper today that they should put the arsonists in the main street of kinglake and let the victoms do whatever they wont to do to them. who ever set these fires, accident or no accident, are heartless pricks

[mayprem]

good maybe then it will make anyone else that wants to light fires think twice bout what they doin. its just really really sad that someone would even do that.

[Luxzenburcht]

How can you say such a thing? I hope you will never experience something like this.

[angelusa123]

Grow up mcfeast11. You are obviously not evolutionized enough to have compassion for living things, human or other. I pity your soul. You'll be back to live many move lives, perhaps even of one of whom you condemn, until you finally get it right.... Life is about compassion for others, regardless of species, and growing our souls. Bless your journey, as obviously, you desire to have many more lives like the one you now condemn.

[alnicka08]

ur a fucking dickhead shut the fuck up

its arsonist fool

[NinjaSporkPirate]

Don't be so ignorant, he's partially right. Green groups have opposed back burning for 15 years, this could have drastically reduced damage.

[LittleMissBanshee]

I think its both, combined with the worst drought we have seen here in Vic, and people need to realise that this isnt over, and next year has been predicted to be drier. El Nino is about to hit again and unless drastic measures are taken to burn off undergrowth and fuel for wildfires, we will see an even bigger catastrophe repeated. We need to learn from these fires and prepare. Im all for the environment, but when peoples lives and homes are at risk, you need to do what is necessary.

[RTadzB]

Thats right. It isnt over, its so dry Anywhere that hasnt been sparked could quiet easily go up, Unfortunately im in the area where Ash wenesday was :(

[LittleMissBanshee]

me too

[nick100784]

Also, may the perp who started these fires burn in a hell similar to the one he created.

[nick100784]

I'm a wild land Fire fighter in California, United States. To all the Aussie's my prayers are with you, I too experience frustration with the government and tree huggers that are uneducated with forestry techniques such as fuels management. Truly a tragedy, hang in there.

[huntergear]

California and Victoria are almost the same with weather and thats why we get the same intense fires and you yanks. You guys throw your hearts at it and so do we, even if we do pay the price...

[Pawluk44]

Why?

Why would anyone do this?

[wbnj8k5]

I've just come back from the fires as a CFA Vol and I've gotta say the torment and anguish I witnessed made me feel pretty ordinary. CFA Vols arent heros were just doing our job because we want to help. The true heroes are the victims, the people who get back up and dust themselves off, they rebuild all they have lost to keep the family together, Thats a hero..  Yep Im proud to be an Australian and I'm lucky enough to be a CFA Volunteer.

[LittleMissBanshee]

I agree with you mate. my "Aussie heroes" vid was made 2 years ago. I volunteered literally a week before these fires started, havent even been through training yet. Have mates in the CFA and they are saying pretty much what you are. I am glad you are safe, and I hope you have plenty of rest. I lost a mate and his family, and I have seen the devastation. There are no words.....

[450hp202turbo]

why WAS THIS FIRE SO BAD??

Fires of this ferocity have never been seen in australia before. the wether was so hot .this with

the wind speeds off 40 nots straight of the desert

the ground full of fuel the dryest its been in 50 years or more.drout ! greens putting a stop to burn offs and fire break clearing..! people not fully understanding the power and ferocity of fires in conditions like this .,..the person that lit these fires new and took advantage of this ,two comit mass murder :(

[SamoaBoy93]

This vid is so sad :(

I live in epping, abit more south from the fires.

[courtsquad]

this is sooo tragic can sum1 plz tell m if it will spread to SA! im very worried!!

[scootrulz]

its on the complete other side of victoria to SA so you prob shouldnt worry

[liteldan1]

This video is so sad. These fires are only about 15 minutes drive from where I live.

[belthizor]

I also have been keeping tabs on the media. I have friends in various parts of Victoria, and most are ok, though there is some worry about Big Pat's Creek.

To all the people who lost friends, family, homes... my heart goes out to you

[belthizor]

I'd just like to point out the the official death toll of 173 people was only released today February 10 2009, NOT February 07 2009... . Australia are lucky to have so many volunteers willing to help those in need

[LittleMissBanshee]

That is correct, as police can get into the areas, they are finding bodies that perished on the 7th, but no confirmation could be made until it was safe to enter townships and properties. The toll is expected to be over 300. I have been updating it as it has been confirmed by police.

[beeDUB75]

hero is a word over used these days but not today

[talkscrapallday]

we live close enough that we were on stanby

fires only 10 minures away

[mroads75]

Great video, well done

[kahlschlag17]

I pray for you Aussies...Kiwi.

[gwynlyn2]

poor soles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gwynlyn2]

i`m a firefighter and trust me these arsonists deserve excecuting for this. Not only for the public deaths but for putting so many lives in danger, bas!!!!

[Heidiscope]

Well let me just say, you guys as firefighters do a magnificent job! It takes special people to do that :-) Is it true most firefighters work voluntary??

[suspendedchaos]

yes

[LittleMissBanshee]

very much so, and a big shout out thankyou to Frank - keep safe mate, we are all thinking of you, nick and the kids xoxo

[Keruaran]

Whoever started these fires; Tie them up in the middle of towns that burned down and where people died... Tie them up, and put a sign on them saying, "I lit the fire".

And leave them at the mercy of the towns people.

[southeastslums]

probably the most appropiate punishment i have heard so far! much respect

[vascurten]

and let the guy talk with me!

talk....

[stalleallastelle]

that's the best idea i've heard so far

[AusCulWar]

My thoughts and prayers are with anybody who has been affected by this distaster. Australia has an amazing ability to bounce back from tragic events such as these. We all need to show our national resolve and unity now more than ever.

To those who have lit fires deliberatly - I hope you burn to death.

[LittleMissBanshee]

I agree with all of you. Its bloody murder and they should be tied to a tree in the way of a fire front. I lost a mate and his family too. Its just awful :(

[AllH0p31sG0n3]

who ever started these fires

i hope they ctach you

u guys r fucking dicks

so many lives lost coz of you fucking twats

grrrr

FUCK HEADS!!

sorry to all the ppl who have lost friends

coz of these dickz

[chaosdog69]

r.i.p to every one that died :( the fuck head that started it hope he gets caught

[shortstackisawesome]

id add this 2 my favorites but i dont think this weekend has been sumthing i wont 2 remiber. r.i.p mack

[LISENLEARN]

Just devastating. Thank you for this touching video

My thoughts are with everyone in victoria

[jasonmc41]

i lost my house, my chickens, my lizard and 4 of my good friends in marysville i made a tribute video but its not going to fix the damage caused

[teojama]

I'm so so sorry for your loss I have a cousin who lives in king lake and she lost everything but remember you survived for a reason; to let the world know of the devastation you and everyone else is going through and you're tribute is this reason i say a prayer every night for the victims both human and animal that so tragically lost their lives towns will rebuild, the bush will grow back but nothing can take away you're pain God be with you my friend

[HoldenMotorsport]

TO THE CUNTS WHO LIT THE FIRES:

i hope the army catches you and kills you, because if they wouldn't, then i would do whatever it takes to find u and kick the fuck out of u! my old lady lost a very good friend of hers in the fires, and u wont fucking get away with this u SPASTIC FUCKNUTS. im FUCKING SICK OF U CUNTS.

anyway, my heart goes out to everyone who has lost loved ones, the ones who have perished, and to those who have lost their homes.

[picmantom]

i was in yeas as the fires burnt through, i havent lost anything to the fire yet. although my house is on the border of flowerdale, my heart truely goes to those who have lost things in that fire and the people who are helping and fighting the fires are legends and they wont be forgoten. and i agree with jeffgraz43 arsonists are exactly tht.

[DebraLee1968]

I was just reading about this and thought of you. My heart goes out to everyone affected by the fires and my prayers are with them all.

[nighthawk006]

Thinking of you guys (from across the ditch), unbelievable!

[jeffgraz43]

Floods in the North of the country, Inferno fires in the south. In the case of the fires how many lives must be lost when fire reduction during winter is restricted by green lobbyists enough is enough!!!!

FIRE REDUCTION MUST BE INCREASED TO REDUCE FUEL BUILD UP ON THE FOREST/BUSH FLOOR.

Voice your protest, call your local MP state,federal and council.

To those who have deliberately started these fires YOU ARE NOTHING BUT TERRORIST SCUM