Bushfires In Victoria Australia

[Seychelle]

Reacting To Bushfire Tragedy

I did a search but couldn't find any threads on this.

I'm heartbroken watching the news about the Victorian bushfires. Part of it is grief for all the death and destruction. Part of it is reaction to a couple of fire experiences from a few years back. I don't know why I felt traumatised by my fire experiences. They seem so minor. One time we had embers blowing towards our house, but it was a relatively minor fire. The other time was a severe fire but we were several kilometres away and in hindsight, in no danger. Maybe minor experiences have a greater effect if you're already badly traumatised from other things, I don't know.

Maybe it's just empathy. But none of my colleagues are reacting to the news about the fires, and usually they're more emotional about stuff than I am.

I'm not exactly sure why I'm posting this. Maybe I'm wondering if anyone else is reacting to it as well.

 

[epaklt]

Vic Bushfire And The Feelings

Hi,
I am new to this forum and the last few days have been the most horrific of my life.. I am in Victoria, just down from a place called Kinglake, which is being devastated by bushfire at the moment. I am caught in the perimeter and can't get out as the roads are all blocked.
'
I have not slept for nearly 3 days as the fires are burning all around us and we are having to put out spotfires and keep watch constantly. We came very close to losing my husband and my house and even our lives but the wind turned at the very last second and the 40ft flames next to the house just dropped and we could put them out. The sound was like a freight train, we only had minutes from the time we saw the flames over the ridge to the fire coming down the mountain and was at our back fence. There was no warning, no help from fire authorities, no advice to leave. It all happened so fast that no one knew it was here until it was out of control. It was travelling over 100km/hr and then leaping further forward as a fireball. Houses were exploding, I saw my neighbours house burst into flames right in front of me.

People tried to escape but the smoke was so thick people couldn't see and had accidents of every kind. Usually with bad consequences. I have no power at the moment and so don't know too much of what is happening. I have found an old radio, that takes batteries, and have been listening to the radio 24/7 to try and get an idea of what is burning.. It sounds like hell out there. We are unable to get help and have to hope that things are settling soon. My kids are safe and I have to grateful for that, they are at the grandparents house and I hope I get to see them soon....

Thanks for listening, and please have a thought for all the people who have lost family and property.. I know that there are over 500 houses lost where I am, and there must be more elsewhere. I know the human toll is going to be massive,,, I have seen people that I know the police haven't found yet, and I wish I could just let their family know somehow. I know it is not good news but the not knowing would be even harder.

Anyway, I'm off to do another patrol and hope to see you soon.

Keri

 

[midi]

It's very tragic. I can't even imagine what hell they're going through. It's like those fires in California--very devastating and traumatic. I think it's normal to have empathy for what's going on. And, once you already have that fear of fire, from past experiences, maybe there is more connection to others in the same situation.

Once, on the rez, we were surrounded on one side by a bush fire (cause the rez was out in the bush), but it didn't get to us, although they had to evacuate the elders because of all the smoke.

 

[teejaye]

Seychelle,
Someone once told me that our bodies and subconcious experience things and hold memories that our cognitive mind may experience and remember differently. They were telling me about this to explain why they 'freaked out' whenever anyone hugged them from behind (many years prior they had been attacked). I don't know if this can in any way shed light on your experience - that maybe your subconscious and body experience something as life threatenting while experiencing something your concious mind things is relatively safe. ?
-Tara

 

[fin]

Seychelle, Midi I cannot watch the news at the moment....it is just too awful. You are not alone in responding the way you have. I too have *"2nd hand" some experience of the after math of fire(*for want of a better way to put it). I helped friends of mine catalogue what we could after they had a house fire. I will never forget. I think maybe it has a knock on effect, I don't really know though.
I understand they have arrested two arsonists.

 

[tardis]

My feeling over it, aside from it being a terrible tragedy, is mostly guilt. I am Australian and I have family in Victoria (who are OK), but I didn't hear about it until about 2 hours ago. I am in a foreign country, but I feel like its not a good enough excuse, I should have checked my email or the news. Been busy, but I feel bad for not even knowing what's going on in my own country... crap. :(

 

[Nicolette]

Hi

I posted earlier this morning and while trying to merge this with Keri's thread this entire one disappeared as the internet connection dropped out so here goes take two:

I just wanted to thank those who have already sent PMs to us in relation to the Bushfires in Victoria which is nothing short of a tragedy.

Anthony and I are fine, we live in the city of Melbourne but have friends who were involved in the fire. Thankfully too our friends are ok even though they currently aren't allowed to go home with the area being deemed a crime scene.

It is hard to comprehend the devastation let alone living through the experience. My heart goes out to all the people involved, especially to those who have lost loved ones and/or all of their worldly possessions.

This is what Tardis wrote (that's gone in cyber space too):

Shit glad to know your OK... I only heard about it now, been in class all day and hadn't checked the news. My family members in Victoria are OK also thankfully.

 

[Frankie]

It has been in the news constantly here in Montreal, since it started. What a huge devastation and tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with you !

 

[Mina]

WOW. I am SO sorry to hear about this devastating situation - how horrible. I am praying...

 

[morgan]

I will pray for you too. I pray that everything turns out alright for you. I will also pray for the families who have lost loved ones.

 

[becvan]

I have no power at the moment and so don't know too much of what is happening. I have found an old radio, that takes batteries, and have been listening to the radio 24/7 to try and get an idea of what is burning.. It sounds like hell out there. We are unable to get help and have to hope that things are settling soon.
Keri

Hi Keri. I would like some clarification here. How are you able to post on the forum while there. You have posted above that you have no power, and it's very reasonable to assume (especially with all the news reporting on this) that the phone and cable would also be out.

Even if you were able to post from there somehow, why would you post here instead of emailing family and freinds outside of the area to request help?

I'm sorry but this does not make any sense to me without clarification.

bec

 

[Seychelle]

I've had a mild relapse of dissociation. I don't know whether it's the fires that's triggered it or what. I was doing the dishes last night (my SO was out) and kept thinking there was someone behind me. I kept having to look over my shoulder.

I've gone numb. I'd rather be feeling *something*.

I think the images of the fires are too vivid. I can picture it. I pictured what it would be like when we were threatened by the big fire a few years ago.

I cried yesterday and Sunday about this. I feel numb and disconnected now.