Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

Australia

Australia: Coroner still to identify dozens killed in fires

Dozens of the people killed in the Victorian bushfires still have not been identified in blazes that have so far claimed 181 lives.

Victorian Premier John Brumby expects the death toll to pass 200 and says the coroner is yet to identify more than 50 bodies, most of them from fires just north of Melbourne.

Some reports say the death toll is higher, but Victoria Police say the official number of lives lost stands at 181.

The Country Fire Authority (CFA) says the Yea-Murrindindi fire burning on the north-east front in the Blue Range is experiencing increased fire activity due to freshening southerly winds.

The changed wind conditions are also increasing activity in the Yea-Murrindindi fire front burning around the west side of the Black Range.

The CFA says there is also increased activity towards the northern end of the Black Range.

"Control lines are established along the power lines between Taggerty and Snobs Creek," it said in a statement.

"The communities of Acheron, Cathedral Lane, Rubicon, Thornton-Taggerty Road [and] Bulls Lane, may be directly impacted by this fire."

Control lines are being established along the Whanregarwen Road from the Maroondah Highway to Molesworth.

The CFA says fires continue to burn in the Maroondah/Yarra Complex in particular, south-east of Toolangi and east and north of Healesville.

It has advised residents in those areas that fire activity remains high, and they need to be vigilant and aware of the localised change in conditions.

Communities in Healesville, Chum Creek, Badger Creek, Steels Creek, Dixons Creek, Yarra Glen, Toolangi and Castello are advised to remain alert to fire activity.

Earlier tonight, the CFA said the Churchill-Jeeralang fire was no longer posing a direct threat to the communities of Hazelwood South, Jeeralang, Jeeralang North, Jeeralang Junction, Balook, Le Roy, Jumbuck, Valley View Budgree East, Traralgon South, Callignee, Calignee North and Calignee South.

The blazes have burnt through more than 3,000 square kilometres, destroying more than 900 homes as the battle to contain fires in the eastern and northern parts of the state continues.

Yarck and Caveat residents should be alert for possible spot fires thrown ahead of the main fire.

An urgent threat message remains for several towns in the area which may be directly affected by fire.

In central Victoria vegetation is burning inside the boundaries of the Redesdale-Coliban Park Road blaze but local communities are no longer under direct threat.

Police have again closed the Whittlesea-Kinglake Road to traffic.

The road was opened for some time today, allowing some Kinglake residents to return to parts of the town.

But police have closed the road until 7:30 tomorrow morning, saying it could be dangerous for motorists tonight.

Arson taskforce

A new police taskforce is being established to investigate bushfires that were deliberately lit.

Police are certain some of them, including the one at Churchill, were started by arsonists

Earlier today Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said deliberately lighting fires is evil, describing arson as incomprehensible.

"There is no excuse for this. None at all for this," he said.

"As I said yesterday it is simply murder on a grand scale, let us attend to this unfinished business of the nation and come to grips with this evil thing."

He said Australia must do more to prevent arson.

"Every member of this House cannot comprehend how anyone could ever do that," Mr Rudd said.

"Something which the nation must now attend to as a matter of grave urgency is the problem of arson - where it happens, why it happens, what more can be done about it."

Recovery effort

Mr Brumby has appointed outgoing Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon to head a new authority that will help communities recover and rebuild after the fires.

"My mission is to rebuild these communities and Christine Nixon is the best person i think to assist me in that task," he said.

Mr Brumby has also flagged major changes to the state's planning laws in the wake of the bushfires.

He says it is inevitable there will need to be tighter building standards in the future.

Meanwhile, relief funds are flooding into the Red Cross, with more than $31 million raised so far.

The one-day international cricket match between Australia and New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday evening also helped raise over $6 million for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal, including player match fees and crowd donations.

Disclaimer

Australian Broadcasting Corporation
© ABC