I don't think there are any Aussies from New South Wales on this board (a few from Victoria and South Australia I think), but those bushfires are terrible anywhere they start in Australia during Summer. Luckily in Melbourne we haven't had a really hot Christmas (yesterday it rained a bit and was quite cold) like we usually do, but in other capital cities there have been really high temperatures. Prayers etc... goes out to all the families who lost their houses and properties, one vollunteer firefighter lost his home while he was saving others across town.
