'Where the hell did we go wrong?' Man's poignant Facebook post amid bushfires
A man has posted a poignant message on Facebook for Aussies as the Rural Fire Service warns more lives could be at risk as fires rage across NSW.
Firefighters are desperately trying to control devastating bushfires around Nambucca, Tenterfield, Glen Innes, Taree, Kempsey, Port Macqaurie, Armidale, Clarence Valley, Walcha and Lismore before a “dangerous day” of weather forecast for Tuesday.
As the state begins to count the devastating cost of the fires, three people have been confirmed dead and there are fears that number could rise, with five people reported missing.
Conditions eased on Sunday but the RFS warns Tuesday will likely see widespread severe and extreme fire danger from the Queensland border to the south coast and across the central west.
“With so many fires already burning, homes and lives will be at risk,” the RFS tweeted.
Troy Gerdes, from Armidale in the NSW Northern Tablelands, reflected on the devastating bushfires with a touching poem on Facebook that has been shared almost 40,000 times.
“I love a sunburnt country, a land of sweeping plains,” he wrote.
“But I’ve gotta tell you mate, I like it better when it rains.
“The countryside is dying and there’s just no end in sight, and just to rub salt in the wounds, the bush has caught alight.
“The landscape is on fire from Brisbane to the Gong, And everybody’s asking ‘where the hell did we go wrong?’”
Mr Gerdes’ poem continues: “But we can get through this one if we help each other out, take care of your neighbour that’s what Aussies are about.”
“The rain is going to fall again, the good times will return. But living in Australia means at times it’s going to burn.
“So if you need a helping hand, just give a mate a call. We’re all here to help you out and catch you when you fall.
“The RFS, the SES, the fireys and police, all put their lives upon the line to help to keep the peace.
“So hats off to those heroes and thanks for all you do and I hope when this is over we can make it up to you.”
Thousands took solace in Mr Gerdes’ words and expressed gratitude to the firefighters for their efforts.
More than 70 bushfires burning, at least 150 homes are destroyed
On Sunday morning, 72 fires were burning across NSW, 36 of which were not under control.
Eleven fires remain at a watch and act level.
RFS Inspector Ben Shepherd says fire crews are doing all they can to control blazes already burning before Tuesday.
"We are looking down the barrel of a busy few days and potentially a dangerous day come Tuesday," he told Seven News on Sunday.
"We're trying to get as many of these fires under control before the onset of that weather on Tuesday, but look we won't have these fires under control by that stage we'll have to concentrate where it is burning close to residential areas."
In the meantime, RFS Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons says assessment teams are bracing themselves for "considerable losses".
"There are communities and fire grounds where we are expecting to tally up considerable losses of homes and other properties," he said.
"A number of our own fire stations have been destroyed."
At least 150 homes have been destroyed by the fires, although this number is likely to climb as detailed assessments begin.
Mr Fitzsimmons said other important community assets had also been lost in the fires.
"We're talking about schools being destroyed, we're talking about community halls, bridges, power poles," he said.
"All of those sorts of things – they get consumed in the path of a volatile fast-moving fire."
Fire assessment teams will comb through devastated areas over the coming days, Mr Fitzsimmons said.
There are also 55 bushfires burning in Queensland with emergency warnings continuing at Cooroibah and Ringtail Creek, north of Noosa on the Sunshine Coast.
Major fires remain at Cobraball and Bungundarra, southwest of Yeppoon.
One house has been lost at Cooroibah, along with three sheds.
A firefighter has suffered a broken leg but no lives have been lost or other injuries reported.
Woman dies while trying to flee devastating NSW bushfire
A woman who died as she tried to flee the weekend's devastating bushfires has been identified by NewsCorp on Sunday as 63-year-old Julie Fletcher.
Ms Fletcher's body was discovered on Saturday night in a burnt-out home in the town of Johns River, some 40km north of Taree on the mid-north coast.
She had packed her bags and her car to try and escape the blaze, however didn't make it out in time, the Daily Telegraph has reported.
Wytaliba resident Vivian Chaplain, 69, has also been named as one of the victims.
She was treated for burns before being transferred to a Sydney hospital where she later died, the RFS said on Saturday.
An elderly man from Wytaliba is also believed to have been a victim.
The Public Information and Inquiry Centre (PIIC), remains open to assist members of the public in relation to bush fire information for the Northern Rivers, Clarence Valley, Mid North Coast, and Manning Great Lakes areas.
The telephone number to call is 1800 227 228.
Donations to The Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery fund can be made online or by calling 1800-RED-CROSS (733 276).
– With AAP
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