One thing that has always intrigued me - Volunteer firemen like all volunteering can cost financially, who pays their normal job wages when they are away from work protecting the community? It could be a heavy impost on the employer, do the States pay instead to ensure the Volunteer Firemen are re-imbursed for lost wages?

The Department of Family and Community Services has activated a number of evacuation centres and staff are working hard to support affected communities.

For updates about the bushfires in NSW, including donations, assistance, school closures, transport disruptions, and details about evacuation centres go to www.emergency.nsw.gov.au or telephone the information line on 1800 679 737.

One thing it is a relief to know is that along with taking good care of the people who have to evacuate that there is also a evacuee centre for animals, that would be horrible leaving your pet animals to die.

It is terrible to think so many native animals and birds will die.

They say more than half of the fires were lit intentionally by humans - they should bring back the death penalty.

While it is good to see the volunteers pitching in to help in different ways, it is sad to see the greed that disasters cause in some people.

Many people are now homeless having lost their homes to the fires, and now some greedy landlords are upping the rent knowing there is a shortage of rental properties.

From today's ABC:

"We've had one case where the landlord went to their agent and said I want you to put up the price as much as possible because of the lack of availability of homes following 200 homes being burnt down," Mr Roberts said.

"The real estate agent was very cooperative and of course contacted the authorities, and we'll be running a zero tolerance policy on this."

Mr Roberts said another home listed for $350 a week "not two weeks ago" is now priced at $420 a week.

He called the actions "white collar looting" and said the department would investigate and prosecute if necessary.

From the "Mid North Coast NSW Emergency Situations" facebook page.

These little Guys got saved from the Maria fire 17/10/13

nice pic i thought