Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09MELBOURNE20
2009-02-09 05:07:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Melbourne
Cable title:
Catastrophic Fires Claim 130+ Lives in Victoria
how-toVZCZCXRO5955 RR RUEHCHI RUEHFK RUEHHM RUEHKSO RUEHNAG RUEHPB DE RUEHBN #0020/01 0400507 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 090507Z FEB 09 FM AMCONSUL MELBOURNE TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4872 INFO RUEAUSA/DEPT OF HHS WASHINGTON DC RUEHC/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHINGTON DC RUEHZU/ASIAN PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH 1522
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MELBOURNE 000020
SENSITIVE
Department for CA/OCS/ACS/EAP
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SENV ENRG CASC AS
SUBJECT: Catastrophic Fires Claim 130+ Lives in Victoria
Ref: A) Melbourne 17, B) Canberra 100
MELBOURNE 00000020 001.2 OF 002
Summary
-------
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 MELBOURNE 000020
SENSITIVE
Department for CA/OCS/ACS/EAP
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SENV ENRG CASC AS
SUBJECT: Catastrophic Fires Claim 130+ Lives in Victoria
Ref: A) Melbourne 17, B) Canberra 100
MELBOURNE 00000020 001.2 OF 002
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) Brush fires ignited by record temperatures on February 7
are being labeled as the "worst natural disaster in Australian
history." At least 130 people have been killed, over 750 homes have
been destroyed, and nearly one million acres have burned. Officials
expect these numbers to jump sharply over the coming days as the
true damage is assessed. Post has received no reports of U.S.
citizens among the fire victims and remains in close contact with
state emergency response authorities as they wrestle with ongoing
fires. While accustomed to annual brush fires, the magnitude of
this weekend's fires has left the state reeling. End Summary.
Australia's "Worst Natural Disaster"
--------------
2. (SBU) At least 130 people have died and over 750 homes have been
destroyed as the deadliest brush fire in memory continues to burn in
Victoria. The state's Emergency Services Commissioner, Bruce Esplin
told post on February 9 that the death toll and number of houses
lost will likely rise "sharply" over the next day or two as
emergency workers access more remote areas. Record temperatures of
115-120 degrees Fahrenheit combined with sustained winds of 60-80
MPH on February 7 led to as many as 385 separate fires during peak
activity which have burned through approximately 940,000 acres of
land. Dozens of local roads have been closed, rail lines have been
burned and at least one water treatment plant has been damaged,
further burdening already tight water supplies in one Melbourne
suburb. Victorian Health Minister Daniel Andrews publicly stated on
February 8 that about 80 patients with fire-related injuries had
been admitted to major Melbourne hospitals, but that the trauma
centers are "coping well."
3. (SBU) According to Bruce Esplin, there is a short/immediate term
need for additional search and recovery personnel. He also noted
that there will be substantial long-term assistance required to
rebuild communities which have been "devastated." Key power lines
to Melbourne remain intact but continue to be at risk as fires burn
in the state's northeast. While current temperatures in the low
70's may ease the pressure on the more than 3,500 firefighters
deployed throughout the state, wind speeds remain high. Fire crews
from the neighboring states of New South Wales, the Australian
Capital Territory and South Australia were all deployed to Victoria.
Australian Defence Forces bulldozers and other machinery have been
released by the PM at the request of Premier Brumby to assist as
needed.
4. (SBU) At least 26 fires continue to burn throughout the state
with 12 reportedly out of control. Smaller towns such as Marysville
(located approximately 75 kilometers northeast of Melbourne) and
Kinglake (45 km. northeast of Melbourne) have been completely
leveled by the fires. Prime Minister Rudd visited Victoria over the
weekend and announced an A$10 million (US$6.75 million) emergency
relief fund which provides payments to those affected by the fires.
The PM suspended Parliament on February 9 to remain in Victoria to
assist in the response. According to PM Rudd: "hell and all its
fury has visited the good people of Victoria." The death toll in
Victoria has already exceeded that of the Black Friday fires in 1939
which left 70 dead and the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983 which killed
75 people.
American Citizens
--------------
5. (SBU) Post has established regular contact with Victoria's State
Emergency Service (SES),the Salvation Army, the Country Fire
Authority (CFA),the Victoria Department of Human Services
(Emergency Management and Public Health),the Office of the
Emergency Services Commissioner, and the Victoria Police to assess
the impact of the fire on U.S. citizens residing in its consular
district. As of 3:30 PM local time, post has received no reports of
U.S. citizens among the fire victims and only one request for a
welfare and whereabouts check. We believe that the two American
citizens concerned were likely turned away at the New South
Wales/Victoria border prior to entering the affected fire zone.
Post's consular section has also reached out to local American clubs
and the U.S. Veterans Association. We will continue to monitor the
impact of the fires on the American citizen population within our
consular district and will forward substantial developments septel.
US/AUS Fire Cooperation
--------------
MELBOURNE 00000020 002.2 OF 002
6. (SBU) Embassy's Mission Disaster Relief Officer (MDRO) and Consul
General contacted Bodie Shaw, Deputy Director of the NIFC (National
Interagency Fire Center, Bureau of Indian Affairs),who is on
temporary duty as an exchange officer with the Victorian Department
of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). According to Shaw,
Victoria is finalizing the details of a request for assistance,
which is likely to take the form of a fire meteorologist and burned
areas rehabilitation teams. There is a possibility that Victoria
could request aviation assistance with infrared capability. (Note:
Shaw is in Australia to refine and improve the 2007 agreement
between DOI and the Australian states on assistance in combating
wildfires. More on the possibility of deploying other U.S. wildfire
assets in Embassy septel. End note.)
Comment
--------------
7. (SBU) Although Australians are accustomed to annual brush fires,
this weekend's blazes have left Victoria's people and state
government reeling. Emotions are running high in Victoria as many
people remain missing or displaced and there are already concerns
that the financial impact of the fires will only further complicate
the state's long list of infrastructure woes. While Victoria, in
combination with some federal assistance, is wrestling with the
impact of this weekend's fires, fire crews are stretched thin and
many of our contacts agree that if the weather turns sour again, the
state would be pushed beyond its capacity to respond.
THURSTON
SENSITIVE
Department for CA/OCS/ACS/EAP
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: TBIO SENV ENRG CASC AS
SUBJECT: Catastrophic Fires Claim 130+ Lives in Victoria
Ref: A) Melbourne 17, B) Canberra 100
MELBOURNE 00000020 001.2 OF 002
Summary
--------------
1. (SBU) Brush fires ignited by record temperatures on February 7
are being labeled as the "worst natural disaster in Australian
history." At least 130 people have been killed, over 750 homes have
been destroyed, and nearly one million acres have burned. Officials
expect these numbers to jump sharply over the coming days as the
true damage is assessed. Post has received no reports of U.S.
citizens among the fire victims and remains in close contact with
state emergency response authorities as they wrestle with ongoing
fires. While accustomed to annual brush fires, the magnitude of
this weekend's fires has left the state reeling. End Summary.
Australia's "Worst Natural Disaster"
--------------
2. (SBU) At least 130 people have died and over 750 homes have been
destroyed as the deadliest brush fire in memory continues to burn in
Victoria. The state's Emergency Services Commissioner, Bruce Esplin
told post on February 9 that the death toll and number of houses
lost will likely rise "sharply" over the next day or two as
emergency workers access more remote areas. Record temperatures of
115-120 degrees Fahrenheit combined with sustained winds of 60-80
MPH on February 7 led to as many as 385 separate fires during peak
activity which have burned through approximately 940,000 acres of
land. Dozens of local roads have been closed, rail lines have been
burned and at least one water treatment plant has been damaged,
further burdening already tight water supplies in one Melbourne
suburb. Victorian Health Minister Daniel Andrews publicly stated on
February 8 that about 80 patients with fire-related injuries had
been admitted to major Melbourne hospitals, but that the trauma
centers are "coping well."
3. (SBU) According to Bruce Esplin, there is a short/immediate term
need for additional search and recovery personnel. He also noted
that there will be substantial long-term assistance required to
rebuild communities which have been "devastated." Key power lines
to Melbourne remain intact but continue to be at risk as fires burn
in the state's northeast. While current temperatures in the low
70's may ease the pressure on the more than 3,500 firefighters
deployed throughout the state, wind speeds remain high. Fire crews
from the neighboring states of New South Wales, the Australian
Capital Territory and South Australia were all deployed to Victoria.
Australian Defence Forces bulldozers and other machinery have been
released by the PM at the request of Premier Brumby to assist as
needed.
4. (SBU) At least 26 fires continue to burn throughout the state
with 12 reportedly out of control. Smaller towns such as Marysville
(located approximately 75 kilometers northeast of Melbourne) and
Kinglake (45 km. northeast of Melbourne) have been completely
leveled by the fires. Prime Minister Rudd visited Victoria over the
weekend and announced an A$10 million (US$6.75 million) emergency
relief fund which provides payments to those affected by the fires.
The PM suspended Parliament on February 9 to remain in Victoria to
assist in the response. According to PM Rudd: "hell and all its
fury has visited the good people of Victoria." The death toll in
Victoria has already exceeded that of the Black Friday fires in 1939
which left 70 dead and the Ash Wednesday fires of 1983 which killed
75 people.
American Citizens
--------------
5. (SBU) Post has established regular contact with Victoria's State
Emergency Service (SES),the Salvation Army, the Country Fire
Authority (CFA),the Victoria Department of Human Services
(Emergency Management and Public Health),the Office of the
Emergency Services Commissioner, and the Victoria Police to assess
the impact of the fire on U.S. citizens residing in its consular
district. As of 3:30 PM local time, post has received no reports of
U.S. citizens among the fire victims and only one request for a
welfare and whereabouts check. We believe that the two American
citizens concerned were likely turned away at the New South
Wales/Victoria border prior to entering the affected fire zone.
Post's consular section has also reached out to local American clubs
and the U.S. Veterans Association. We will continue to monitor the
impact of the fires on the American citizen population within our
consular district and will forward substantial developments septel.
US/AUS Fire Cooperation
--------------
MELBOURNE 00000020 002.2 OF 002
6. (SBU) Embassy's Mission Disaster Relief Officer (MDRO) and Consul
General contacted Bodie Shaw, Deputy Director of the NIFC (National
Interagency Fire Center, Bureau of Indian Affairs),who is on
temporary duty as an exchange officer with the Victorian Department
of Sustainability and Environment (DSE). According to Shaw,
Victoria is finalizing the details of a request for assistance,
which is likely to take the form of a fire meteorologist and burned
areas rehabilitation teams. There is a possibility that Victoria
could request aviation assistance with infrared capability. (Note:
Shaw is in Australia to refine and improve the 2007 agreement
between DOI and the Australian states on assistance in combating
wildfires. More on the possibility of deploying other U.S. wildfire
assets in Embassy septel. End note.)
Comment
--------------
7. (SBU) Although Australians are accustomed to annual brush fires,
this weekend's blazes have left Victoria's people and state
government reeling. Emotions are running high in Victoria as many
people remain missing or displaced and there are already concerns
that the financial impact of the fires will only further complicate
the state's long list of infrastructure woes. While Victoria, in
combination with some federal assistance, is wrestling with the
impact of this weekend's fires, fire crews are stretched thin and
many of our contacts agree that if the weather turns sour again, the
state would be pushed beyond its capacity to respond.
THURSTON