Exploroo.com

There have been many inspiring stories of survival and heroism in the face of the advancing flames. Yet there are uglier fears among Australians too. It is suspected that at least some of the fires were started deliberately; Victoria State Police have launched the aptly named Operation Phoenix to bring arsonists to justice. There are also claims of chaotic scenes when at least one hotel closed its doors to desperate fugitives.

But tales of generosity and help far outnumber those of cruelty and meanness. Firefighters and members of other emergency services, by all accounts, worked in exemplary fashion and far beyond any call of duty. Within hours of losing all they owned, destitute Australians were stoically vowing to pick themselves up and rebuild. And they sounded as though they meant it.

Australias Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, also showed something unusual and valuable in a national leader: genuine emotion and humanity in the face of individual and collective tragedy. His government also showed a humility rare from officials caught by adversity.

Rather than insisting that established disaster plans were unimpeachable and that any fault lay with individuals, they announced an immediate review of the advice that people should remain to defend their homes. They conceded that the ferocity of these fires had spelt death for some of those who had heeded this instruction.

Australias geography, and the planets changing climate, mean that extreme drought, and the bushfires that are one consequence of this, are likely to plague the country increasingly in years to come. Judging by the past week, Australia is better equipped than most to cope.