Melbourne Victoria Bushfires where & how can you help bushfire victims

Melbourne Victoria - BushFires continue how can you help

Over 1000 houses (current 1067) have already been destroyed with One hundred & eighty one (181) people confirmed dead, and more expected, when authorities are able to enter towns that have almost been destroyed totally.

With Saturday the 7th of February being the hottest day on record, reaching 46.4 degrees celsius, residents didn't stand a chance with extreme heat and strong winds. Over 1000 Bushfires raged throughout Victoria, leaving only devastation in it's path. With emergency crews stretched to the limit, fire crews evacuated residents as quickly as possible.

Authorities suspect arsonists are responsible for some fires.

Fire crews from New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania are being sent to Victoria to battle bushfires that have so far killed 36 people and devastated communities.

Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund: 1800 811 700

Blankets, food, clothing and other everyday items have been flooding in. What they bushfire victims need now is money donated to rebuild.

Bushfire Affected Areas / Locations:

Bushfire Affected Areas / Locations:

Acheron
Arthurs creek
Baynton
Beechworth
Belgrave south
Bendigo
Bravington
Broadford
Bruarong
Bunyip
Bunyip state park
Buxton
Callignee
castlemaine
Churchill
Clonbinane
Coolran
Cranbourne
Dandenong
Dederang
Diamond creek
Drouin west
Dutson
Euroa
Gapsted
Gembrook
Glenburn
Glenvale
Hallam
Harkaway
Hazeldene
Hazelwood
Hazelwood south
Healesville
Hillside (melton)
Horsham
Humevale
Jeeralang
Jindivick
Kalorama
Kiewa
Kilmore
Kilmore east
Kinglake - 540 houses lost
Koornalla
Launching place
Leongatha
Little river
Loch sport
Long forest
Longford
Longwarry north
Lynbrook
Maiden gully
Marysville
Merbein
Mill park
Molesworth
Montrose
Moriac
Morwell
Mt Disappointment
Mudgegonga
Murrindindi
Narbethong
Narre Warren
Narre warren north
Narre warren south
North geelong
Peats Ridge
Redesdale
Romsey
Rubican
Seaford
Seville
St Andrews
Stewarton
Strath Creek
Strathewen
Strzeleckis
Taggerty
Taralgon
Toolangi
Tyabb
Upper ferntree gully
Wandang
Wangoom
Wantirna
Warragul
Werribee
West Gippsland
Whittlesea
Woollongong
Woori yallock
Yarra glen
Yea
Yuroke


Under Threat
Alexandra
* Beechworth - Stanley, Bruarong, Dederang, Gundowring, Gundowring Upper, Kancoona, Kancoona South, Coral Bank, Glen Creek and Running Carrajung
Creek.
Crystal Creek
Neerim Junction
Noojee
Traralgon South
Won Wron
Woodside
Yarck
Yea

Emergency contacts

In a life-threatening emergency, or to report a fire, call 000.

If you can see flames, call the Country Fire Authority's information line on 1800 240 667. The CFA says their call centre is being overwhelmed, so people should consider how urgent their call is.

The SES number is 132 500.

To find out about missing family or friends call Red Cross Family Reunification on 1800 727 077

The Red Cross Blood Service can be contacted on 131 495 - there is no shortage of blood yet, but appointments can be made

The ABC SMS number is 19 774 774.

Offer Help or Ask for Help

To offer help - or ask for it - please click on the link below.

Stay tuned to ABC Local Radio for updates and advice on bushfires in your area.

The Bushfire Information Line is 1800 240 667.

People going to relief centres (or people trying to locate family or friends) should phone the Red Cross State Inquiry Centre on 1800 727 077

From the Prime Minister
Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund: 1800 811 700

Blankets, food, clothing and other everyday items have been flooding in. What they bushfire victims need now is money donated to rebuild.

Dig deep to help fellow Australians rebuild their lives from the devastation that the Victorian bushfires have caused.

Offer alternative help, accomodation, wildlife assistance, agjistment for stock
http://blogs.abc.net.au/victoria/2009/02/offer-help---or.html

Salvation Army is provided immediate clothing relief for families in bushfire affected areas.

Government Assistance

Grants for those immediately effected:
$22,000 grant for people who have lost their homes
$5000 - funeral fund for families affected by death
$1000 per adult emergency relief
$400 per child emergency relief

Government has allocated $10 million dollars to help rebuild townships & housing.

Victorian Bushfire Blog - How have they affected you and those you know?

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Images from abc.net.au