Thanks, Kathy.  From what I can gather it has been mainly isolated
pyromaniacs getting caught up in the excitement.  So far, about 26
people have been arrested.  With hot summer weather and very dry
environments Australia is naturally at risk of bush fires.  We
certainly don't need any pyromaniacs contributing to the risk.  So far
there has been one fatality, a fireman. :-(

Rayna

On Fri, Jan 04, 2002 at 06:40:57AM -0500, Salkin Kathleen wrote:
    I'm glad you're not in the vicinity of the fires, Rayna.  It boggles my mind
    that arsonists would be so cruel and stupid, and show so much disregard for
    life.  Do the authorities think there's a group of arsonists organising this
    thing or do they think that there are pyromaniacs getting caught up in the
    excitement?   That 12/13 year old girl might be such a case.

    I hope that Perth (and you) escape the fires.