Australian Bush Fires Continue to Rage
February 11, 2009
Photo by Mark Pardew / AP
Brush Bush fires in Australia continue to rage, with the death toll currently at 181 and sure to rise later in the week. The loss of life, property, land and wildlife has been staggering, with over 1000 people homeless and close to one million acres of land scorched. Australian authorities have initiated a hunt for the arson suspects that they believe are responsible for the tragedy and the Australian Army has been deployed to lend assistance to exhausted police and fire fighters. Humanitarian relief efforts are also underway.
Anyone that is willing to assist is encouraged to donate to the Red Cross.
I understand that sometimes things can be misconstrued in the translation, even when we both speak the same English language, the Australian version of English having some subtle differences.
The Australian term that we use for what you call Wild Fires in the US is ‘Bushfires’. (with no letter R in that word, and pronounced as you would George W Bush)
We have called them this since first settlement.
It’s probably a trick that your eyes play on you.
You know they are Wild Fires, and you see the word written there.
Your eyes see the word that your brain recognises it immediately as the word brush, hence brush fires and not bushfires.
Not meant as criticism, but as a polite explanation.
@TonyfromOz: Good to know, Tony. The very limited coverage we’ve received here is calling them bRushfires and I’m glad I know the difference now. My intent was just to bring some light on this tragedy and try to encourage people to assist because I don’t think it’s getting enough attention.
Hope you and yours are well and safe.