Wildfires

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7878106.stm

The scale and devastation is huge but in comparison to an earthquake or cyclone they do not kill as many people. Maybe the horror of burning to death sparks a primeval fear.

Wildfires are not uncommon in Australia but there seems to be a lack of early warning system as people died panicking whilst trying to escape. 2 people died in a head on crash as they were speeding away from the fire on a single track road. How come they were both trying to escape in opposite directions. It is possible that new fires started that caught out the emergency services or it travelled very quickly in an unexpected direction. I can't find out any more information about this.