REMEMBER WHEN

TOWNS were declared crime scenes and the death toll in Victoria’s bushfires was expected to approach 200 as the grisly search for bodies continued in communities that were wiped out.

Eighty-eight Australians were among the 202 who died in the 2002 Bali bombings.

The toll had already reached 130 but that figure was certain to climb as identification experts were called in to take over from volunteer firefighters with the grim task of recovering bodies. A Royal Commission was formed to investigate every aspect of the Victoria bushfires, including the possibility of greater danger resulting from climate change, said Victorian Premier John Brumby.

Mr Brumby said the commission would also look at whether the long-standing ‘stay or go’ policy needed to change.

More than 700 homes had been destroyed, 330,000 hectares were burnt out and more than 52 fires were listed as still burning throughout the state.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd described the arsonists as mass murderers.

Mr Brumby warned the bushfire emergency would get worse before things improved, including more fatalities.

“We’ve still got fires that are not contained,” said Mr Brumby.

“Tragically, we will have more deaths later this week.”

For the first time, Mr Brumby linked the fires to global warming.

“There’s clear evidence now that the climate is becoming more extreme.”

Mr Brumby said the Royal Commission would look at everything from planning laws to what caused the fires.