More than a decade of severe drought, prolonged daytime temperatures in excess of 110 degrees and an unknown amount of deliberate intent led to ignition of hundreds of fires in and around Melbourne in southeast Australia during early February. As many as 400 separate fires, some which investigators believe were intentionally set by arsonists, killed nearly 200 people. Approximately 850 square miles of land were scorched beyond recognition resulting in the destruction of 750 homes that have left 5,000 people homeless.
The death toll, property damage and number of homeless is expected to increase.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was visibly upset during more than one television interview and said the actions of any alleged arsonists constituted an act of mass murder. Ironically, the country's Institute of Criminology says arson is quite common and responsible for nearly half of the 60,000 or so fires which occur across the country each year. Officials also said large sections of the scorched land represented crime scenes.
News accounts reported that some people were burned alive in their vehicles as they attempted to flee many of the fires which erupted without warning. Farms and forests near Melbourne were left in piles of ashes as flames up to 100 feet high swept across the vast area.
The unfortunate tragedies are sure to affect many thousands of Australians whose family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers perished in the fires. Many of us who live "in the States" need perhaps to remember how lucky and how blessed we are each day, but to also pray for those who are made less fortunate by the tragedy they endure.
JW
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