In my post on Greens as Environmental Vandals , I wondered whether the Royal Commission on the fatal Victorian bushfires was going to be about accountability or cover-up. Given the limitations on who can testify and the focus on warnings and responses once the bushfires had started , the answer appears to be cover-up. The limitations mean that the Royal Commission can concentrate on the narrowest...

...known as, the Department of Scorched Earth and No Water for, since 1992, large areas under its control have been burnt out in a serious of long-lasting, uncontrollable fires. The recent deadly bushfires just occurred in areas people lived, so the destruction was noticed. The officials of the Department have not exercised their property rights in a way that protects people or property. They have...

It's the one I start to get really excited when we see "massive flames". "Girls, get your shoes on, we may need to evacuate soon!" Also features my neighbors.

As promised, here's the footage I took of the bushfire before we had to evac. Yes, purdypiedad , I found it more fascinating than frightening. I could have let it scare me, but then I wouldn't...about oneself. As I was going back and reviewing what I shot, my first thought was, "Oh my gosh, that's so cool!" My second thought was, "I sound like a frickin' American!"

...had the cat with us, and I wasn't sure we'd be able to sneak him into the hotel room. So, prior to our bugging out... The whole neighborhood was up on their rooves watching the bushfire. Normally bushfires are contained by firebreaks, either ploughed into their perimeters, or by unintentional firebreaks like roads. For the most part, these firebreaks do their job and prevent fires from spreading...

Embers are falling onto our street. Before I go... Oh, I have got some cool videos to upload for you guys later!

The bushfires have leapt Ennis Avenue. Harrington Waters, the suburb south of us has been evacuated. We're next. Am packing to go. Prayers for us!

First footage. More later as they finish loading up to YouTube.

There is a really impressive bush fire burning about three kilometers east from my house right now. The smoke is thick, and so brown it's almost black. The column lifts into the sky, blocking about half...room up in Perth, thanks to His Grace being at Swancon this whole weekend. As soon as the videos are loaded to YouTube, I'll post here, unless I'm gone. Then you can find them under user hkneale

I've added some more pictures to the Strathewen post-fires album on Le Book Du Face... Damn, that must have been a scary place to be!