Feb 08 2009
Victorian Bushfires
Saturday 7th February 2009
Victoria suffered temperatures that will go into the record books. With the temperatures and high winds fires swept across Victoria out of control, property destroyed and over 65 lives lost… What can I say except that out thoughts are with you all.
Ash Wednesday
Over 100 fires started on February 16 1983, a day known as Ash Wednesday. The day is now one of Australia’s most well-known bushfire events. Fires swept across Victoria and South Australia, killing 75 people and causing widespread damage.
The Victorian fires burned a total of around 210,000 hectares. There were 47 lives lost in Victoria and 2,080 homes were burnt. Many businesses, stores, equipment, machinery, stock and other private assets were also lost. The total cost of the property related damage in Victoria was estimated to be over $200 million.
Black Friday
The bushfires of January 13 1939, known as the ‘Black Friday’ fires, were the result of a long drought and a severe, hot, dry summer. Fanned by extremely strong winds, these fires swept rapidly across large areas of Victoria, causing widespread destruction.
 Larger version of Burnt Forest |
In Victoria an area of almost 2 million hectares was burnt, with 71 people losing their lives. Whole townships were destroyed, many sawmills burnt to the ground and thousands of sheep, cattle and horses were killed by the intense heat and flames. |
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