Even our volunteer firies are very experienced, Bob. Though they are saying this is the worst they've ever experienced they are doing a marvelous job of keeping people safe & saving properties. They are acting early to keep people safe. They are moving 30,000 out of Victoria's Gippsland just now, before fire closes the roads. What they can't defend will just be left to burn itself out. Only thing to do as so much terrain is inaccessible.
I agree with Bob, I find it all very frightening. Probably made worse because nothing even remotely like this occurs where I live. Everyone please stay safe.