Tomorrow’s World: Australians mourn as fire death count rises

Australians mourn as fire death count rises

By Tomorrow’s World News Bureau

Each year, according to Australia’s government-funded Institute of Criminology, approximately half of the estimated 60,000 fires in the nation’s forest, brush and grasslands are suspected of being caused by arson. The Australian state of Victoria is subject to the same factors of heat, drought, high winds and population spread that Americans experience in the state of California. When these elements combine, the resulting firestorms can cause devastating loses to vegetation, property and lives.

As of Tuesday, February 10, 181 deaths are confirmed, and officials expect the death toll to exceed 200 as the fires – driven by winds of 60 mph (100 kph), aggravated by temperatures above 115 degrees F (46 degrees C) and the nation’s worst-ever recorded drought conditions – continue to rage. As fire crews mop up in devastated townships, additional bodies of residents, overrun by flames, are being discovered. More than 5,000 people are homeless, and the value of property lost has yet to be calculated in the 1,100-square-mile area that has so far been burned over. Even though weather conditions have moderated from their worst, some fires continue to burn out of control, threatening additional lives and property.

Australians, afflicted by major wildfires every few years are, in a sense, used to events like this, and Tomorrow’s World writer Rod McNair described the ongoing effect “The Big Dry” has had on the nation. However, the magnitude of this month’s catastrophic firestorms has shocked Australians. State and local emergency preparedness authorities found their firefighting capacity overwhelmed by the shifting winds, water shortages and lack of time to concentrate the needed firefighters and equipment.

Problems have been compounded by the expansion of Melbourne’s suburbs, populated with citizens who have little or no experience in dealing with wildfires. Adequate systems for warning the public of the approaching firestorm were lacking in the affected areas. Little can be done to stop a wind-driven fire. The independent nature of rural Aussies leads them to stand and fight, rather than evacuate, when fire threatens their property. Yet when flames rage through tinder-dry vegetation, and people are in the path of the fire, panic leading to the loss of life can result.

Though firestorms are commonplace in Australia, the real cause of these disasters is not understood by the nation’s government or its people. Tomorrow’s World readers are aware that we have been publishing articles describing the coming prophesied droughts which God is allowing, as He begins to turn people’s attention to their need to repent and look to Him. Our informative booklet Who Controls the Weather (you can read it online or order a free printed copy) explains how the peoples of Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have lost touch with the God who has blessed them. “Yet I am the Lord your God ever since the land of Egypt, and you shall know no God but Me; for there is no savior besides Me. I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of great drought. When they had pasture, they were filled; they were filled and their heart was exalted; therefore they forgot Me” (Hosea 13:4-6).

What does the future hold for the parched continent “down under”? In 2006 and 2007, headlines like these first grabbed the world’s attention: “Australia suffers worst drought in 1,000 years” – “Drought tightens grip on Australia” – “Australia’s epic drought: The situation is grim.” Thankfully, the year 2008 began with much-needed precipitation. But as the recent fires demonstrate, even a respite in the drought is not enough to stave off severe catastrophe for the weather-ravaged nation. For further insights, please read Dr. Douglas S. Winnail’s brief and incisive Tomorrow’s World magazine article, “Droughts and Famines Increasing.” It may help you understand what is happening in Australia – and why.

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