VZCZCXRO6008
OO RUEHPT
DE RUEHBY #0134/01 0400735
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 090735Z FEB 09
FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0966
INFO RUEHBK/AMEMBASSY BANGKOK 2018
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 9338
RUEHJA/AMEMBASSY JAKARTA 5354
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 9681
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 3387
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 5619
RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE 5988
RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH 4252
RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY 4197
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHINGTON DC
RHEHAAA/THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 CANBERRA 000134 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
WHITE HOUSE FOR NSC BADER, BANGKOK FOR RDMA BERGER 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID SENV AS
SUBJECT: WILDFIRE DEATHS STUN AUSTRALIA 
 
REF: MELBOURNE 20 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary and Action Request.  Unprecedented wildfire 
deaths in Victoria (reftel) on February 7-8 have led to a 
suspension of Parliament, an outpouring of public grief, and 
a request for U. S. assistance.  With 130 deaths and the 
destruction of hundreds of households, and the very real 
possibility of more to come, Australia is reeling from the 
scale and speed with which the fires have exploded into a 
tragedy.  Post requests that, in addition to providing 
assistance, a letter of condolence be sent as soon as 
possible to Prime Minister Rudd, preferably from the 
President or the Secretary of State.  End Summary and Action 
Request. 
 
ONE OF WORST FIRES EVER 
----------------------- 
 
¶2.  (SBU) In addition to deploying fire fighting teams from 
neighboring states, the government has released Australian 
Defence Force assets, created an initial A$10 million 
recovery fund, and is facilitating a widespread investigation 
into the causes of the fires, many of which are suspected to 
be arson.  The horrible nature of many of the deaths is such 
that inter-state plans designed to respond to a terrorist 
attack have been invoked in the effort to identify victims. 
The wildfires exceed in death and destruction both the 1983 
Ash Wednesday disaster and the 1939 Black Friday fires.  The 
death toll would be equivalent to more then 1,787 Americans 
dying in a wildfire.  The fires will take their place among 
the other wildfire disasters that dominate Australian 
disaster lore, and will result in widespread efforts to 
review policies and strategies for dealing with wildfires. 
 
¶3. (SBU) The extent of the damage clearly took both Victoria 
and Canberra by surprise.  On February 9, Prime Minister 
Rudd, who flew to Victoria on February 8, was joined in 
offering condolences by members of Parliament, who convened 
in Canberra but suspended normal business to mark the 
stunning events.  As the scale of the destruction became 
clear with the penetration of fire and emergency services 
into affected areas, Post took steps to closely coordinate 
with the GOA.  On February 9, Charge called PM Rudd's foreign 
policy advisor to inform him that given the loss of life, the 
U.S. was prepared to offer assistance, including through the 
2007 Wildfire Arrangement Between the Department of Interior 
and the Department of Agriculture of the United States and 
the Australian Participating Agencies, which governs exchange 
of wildfire reduction assets between the U.S. and Australia. 
Emergency Management Australia indicated to MDRO on February 
9 that a U.S. disaster declaration was not appropriate given 
the wide range of assets Australia has available to deal with 
the crisis. 
 
EXCHANGE OFFICER ON THE GROUND 
------------------------------ 
 
¶4.  (SBU) Bodie Shaw, Deputy Director of the U.S. National 
Interagency Fire Coordination Center, who is on exchange with 
the Victoria Department of Sustainability and Environment, is 
leading Post efforts in coordinating its response to the 
tragedy.  Throughout the day on February 9, Shaw worked with 
DSE to finalize a request for USG assistance under the 
agreement, which will likely include up to two 13-person 
Qagreement, which will likely include up to two 13-person 
burned area reconstruction teams and a fire meteorologist. 
There is a possibility that Victoria DSE may also request 
specialized aviation assets.  Shaw advised Mission Disaster 
Response Officer (MDRO) that favorable weather conditions had 
moved in on February 8 and that immediate crisis conditions 
were easing, but that additional assistance, including fire 
crews, may be needed if the fires are not brought under 
control soon. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Action Request: In addition to the provision of U.S. 
wildfire fighting and recovery assets, Post suggests that a 
letter of condolence, along the lines proposed below, be sent 
immediately at the highest possible level. 
 
 
CANBERRA 00000134  002 OF 003 
 
 
BEGIN TEXT 
 
 
The Honorable Kevin Rudd 
 
Prime Minister 
House of Representatives 
Parliament House 
Canberra ACT 2600 
 
 
Dear Prime Minister Rudd: 
 
 
     On behalf of the American people, please accept my 
condolence at the loss of life and destruction of property 
cause by the recent wildfires in Victoria.  Although 
Australia is no stranger to wildfires, the Victoria fires 
were appalling in their speed and ferocity, as well as in the 
significant loss of life.  I share in the mourning, just as I 
share in the confidence that Australia will recover and 
rebuild with a renewed sense of national purpose. 
 
     The United States stands ready to provide assistance in 
whatever way may be most helpful.  As Australian and U.S. 
wildfire crews have done many time in the past, our 
firefighting experts are ready to travel to Australia to 
provide any support necessary to enable their counterparts in 
Victoria to reestablish control of the situation and 
recuperate to face future fire threats. 
 
     Please accept my heartfelt sympathy for the victims and 
their loved ones at this difficult time. 
 
 
                                    Sincerely, 
 
END TEXT 
 
¶6. (U) Post also posted a statement of condolence and support 
on the Mission website and will use it to respond to public 
and press queries.  Text of the statement is as follows: 
 
BEGIN TEXT 
 
I would like to convey my condolences, and those of all of us 
at the U.S. Embassy and U. S. Consulates across Australia, to 
the victims of the terrible bushfires in Victoria.  Our 
thoughts are with those who have lost loved ones and all 
those who have lost their homes. 
 
¶U. S. officials, including wildfire experts, have been in 
close consultation with Emergency Management Australia and 
Victorian firefighting authorities.  We stand ready to assist 
our Australian friends at this terrible time. 
 
I would also like to express our concern for those suffering 
in the Queensland floods.  The ongoing devastation to the 
lives of those in northern Queensland is heartbreaking. 
 
Americans have great affection and empathy for Australians 
and so I know I can speak for all Americans in sending our 
best wishes to you in this challenging time. 
 
Daniel Clune 
 
Charge D'Affaires, Embassy of the United States, Canberra 
 
END TEXT 
 
¶7. (SBU) Comment:  While this tragedy does not appear to 
warrant the declaration of a natural disaster by Post, the 
death toll has shocked Australians who are used to bush fire 
deaths, but not used to such a massive event.  That many of 
these deaths are the result of likely arson is even more 
shocking.  The U.S.-Australia Wildfire Agreement provides a 
unique opportunity to support Australia's hard pressed state 
emergency services and show support for Australia in this 
 
CANBERRA 00000134  003 OF 003 
 
 
tragic event.  End Comment. 
 
CLUNE