Please pray. The state of Victoria is a murder scene.

[DoubtfulMiracle]

It really is too much to comprehend. I think the most haunting images are of the burnt out cars that had crashed into either trees or each other because the drivers couldn't see past their bonnets through the smoke.

Still, the tireless work of the volunteers and the generosity of the community has been amazing as always. Over $31 million has been donated already to the Red Cross, with appeals ongoing and a telethon on Thursday. Today, the Red Cross was turning away people wanting to donate blood because they'd been swamped by donors (but they say keep it coming over the next few weeks!).

As well as the human toll, I can only imagine how many pets, livestock and wild animals have been lost. But this brought smiles to our office this afternoon:

[Sahara]

Originally Posted by DoubtfulMiracle

As well as the human toll, I can only imagine how many pets, livestock and wild animals have been lost. But this brought smiles to our office this afternoon:

It does the heart good to see that even in times like these, the weakest and most vulnerable are not being forgotten

[BTFLCHLD]

This just melted my heart… praying for you all.

Video of the koala when it was found by a fire fighter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35FT5DymIHU

[GoldDustOrphan]

Sam - the koala - was treated for burns on his paws.

[Steviefan49]

Originally Posted by GoldDustOrphan

Sam - the koala - was treated for burns on his paws.

Awww... what a sweet little thing he is.. Bless his little heart.. I'm glad he survived tho!

[gretchen]

Originally Posted by GoldDustOrphan

Sam - the koala - was treated for burns on his paws.

Oh what a sweet baby he is. Sam has burns on his little paws . Ijust want to kiss his nose...

[Zombie]

Originally Posted by gretchen

Oh what a sweet baby he is. Sam has burns on his little paws . Ijust want to kiss his nose...

I hear ya.

This is an article about the animals that have been affected by the fires:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090211/...dfires_animals

The bit about the wallaby joey broke my heart:

"We've got a wallaby joey at the moment that has crispy fried ears because he stuck his head out of his mum's pouch and lost all his whiskers and cooked up his nose," he said. "They're the ones your hearts really go out to."

[chriskisn]

Actually the animals are often the forgotten ones, everyone has been donating to the Red Cross appeal for the humans...

My wife and I are going to make a donation when we get paid tonight, but have chosen the following:

http://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au:8...pper&Itemid=43