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Army Warned in for Bushfire Support |
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Monday, 09 February 2009 |
 Elements of the Australian Army and RAAF will be brought in to help in the worst bushfires in Victoria's history.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd offered army troops to help firefighters control 26 fires around the state that have claimed at least 26 lives, injured hundreds and destroyed hundreds of properties, Premier John Brumby said.
"The army will become involved, I spoke to the prime minister in the early hours of this morning when I was in Bendigo," Mr Brumby said.
"He's obviously triggered the disaster arrangements, so all of the cash payments are flowing through to families and they commence immediately.
"There will also be recovery arrangements put in place. I this morning advised the prime minister we'll accept his offer in terms of the defence forces.
"They'll be providing logistics and support. That will tend to be in terms of fuel, logistic support, bulldozers, some personnel and they will help control what is a very difficult situation.
Mr Brumby warned the number of dead would rise.
"There are some
very active fire scenes, police are not able to get into areas but as
the day unfolds the news will get worse," he said.
"As we go through the day the number of fatalities will increase and the number of injuries likewise."
He also warned Victorians to brace themselves for dangerous bushfires to continue raging this week.
"A lot of Victorians think that because the weather has changed and it's cool, the fires are out, they're not," Mr Brumby said.
"It's
not over yet, not until we get rain will we get on top of this, and
there's no substantial rain forecast over the next few days.
"Authorities
don't want sightseers out there, there are many roads blocked, if
people don't need to travel and don't need to be in these areas, they
shouldn't be.
"We have still got powerlines, trees falling across roads, still very active and live fire fronts."
Mr
Brumby said he believed emergency services were as well prepared as
they could have been on Saturday, but while the worst fire day in the
state's history had been predicted the horrific result still came as a
surprise.
"Everyone warned on Friday it would be a horrific day,
but it was more horrific than the experts predicted, the temperatures
of 46-48 degrees and strong northerlies," an emotional Mr Brumby said.
"Everywhere was well prepared, the crews hit the ground running, but the fires went up so quickly.
"Fire
crews have been putting in more than 12-hour shifts in horrific
conditions, 46-47 degree heat, their effort has been unbelievable.
"We've
had people work through the night, volunteers who've lost property,
lost family, anybody who can help should offer to do that, there's a
large number of people in hospital with burns as well so anyone who can
volunteer or provide blood it would be very helpful as well."
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