Signal Fire

The Bush fires in Victoria that cost the lives of over 128 people so far can only be called an absolute tragedy. Here at Goat Central, we pass on our condolences to those who have lost loved ones in the fires.

But what amazes me is how over 100 people can lose their lives through bush fire in today’s world of advanced fire prevention, modern firefighting equipment and sophisticated fire tracking?

What the hell happened? Surely there was enough notice given by fire fighters for people to evacuate. I know this was country Victoria, but it isn’t the third world. The last time serious numbers of fatalities were recorded was 25 years ago (the Ash Wednesday Fires in 1983), when firefighting training was primitive compared to the quality now enjoyed by the Regional Bush Fire Service.

All the press coverage so far has (understandably) focused on the terrible toll of those who have lost lives and property, but we definitely need to understand the break down in protocols that led to this disaster.

One of the reasons for the large body count could be that so many people stayed to fight the fires. Apparently in regional Victoria, there are no compulsory evacuations from a fire zone. Residents are given the choice to leave or stay and try to protect their homes (using “fire plans”, what ever they are). Clearly this has to change in the future. The State or Federal Government should have the power to order residents to vacate their homes if there is potential for loss of life. Only Residents with proper fire fighting training/equipment should be allowed to stay in a fire zone. Everyone else should get the hell out.
Also Home Fire insurance should be compulsory for Home Owners so people have less incentive to stay.

I noticed also that Clive Hamilton, writing in Crikey today is using the fires as a call to arms to do something about climate change. As if bush fires have not been part of Australia’s history for the past 200 years. And using such a tragedy to back up his personal views is a disgrace.