Why is it called Black Saturday bushfires?
The fires also destroyed 2,029 homes, and killed 173 people. Recovery cost more than a billion dollars. The so-called “Black Saturday Bushfires” are often called the worst natural disaster in Australia’s history. The fires were not fully contained or extinguished until March 14.
How did Black Saturday fires start?
The fire started at about 11.47am, on top of a rocky hill between two gullies near Saunders Road. The fire ignited at about 12.20pm; it was a grass fire and in the first hour spread rapidly, covering just over 10 kilometres.
What was the cause of Black Friday bushfire?
How the fires started. Black Friday was the culmination of a dry summer following a drought period that lasted several years. As a result, many creeks and rivers had dried up, and people living in Melbourne were under water restrictions. High temperatures and strong northerly winds fanned these separate fires.
What made the Black Saturday bushfire worse?
They occurred in the state of Victoria on Saturday, 7 February 2009. This day coincided with the worst bushfire weather conditions ever recorded. Extreme heat, high winds, low humidity, and severe drought were all factors in fanning the flames on that tragic day.
What happened during Black Saturday?
The Black Saturday bushfires killed 173 people, 120 in the Kinglake area alone. Another 414 people were injured. More than 450,000 hectares had burned and 3500 buildings including more than 2000 houses destroyed. The RSPCA estimated that up to one million wild and domesticated animals died in the disaster.
What were the causes of Black Saturday?
The Black Saturday fires began with the Kilmore East fire when fallen power-lines started a blaze in farmland at 11.47 am. Strong westerly winds blew the fire towards Humevale and Kinglake with embers causing spot fires up to 20 – 40 kilometres away.
What damage did the Black Friday bushfire do?
Fires burned almost 2,000,000 hectares (4,900,000 acres) of land in Victoria, where 71 people were killed, and several towns were entirely obliterated. Over 1,300 homes and 69 sawmills were burned, and 3,700 buildings were destroyed or damaged.
How many people died during the Black Friday fires?
71
The fires claimed 36 lives in Victoria on Black Friday; the total number of deaths across January was 71. Approximately 1300 buildings were lost – more than 700 homes, 69 sawmills, many businesses, farms and other buildings.
How hot was the Black Saturday fire?
As the day progressed, the highest-ever temperatures recorded to date were reached. Melbourne hit 46.4 °C (115.5 °F), the hottest temperature ever recorded for the city and humidity levels dropped to as low as two percent. The McArthur Forest Fire Danger Index reached unprecedented levels, ranging from 160 to over 200.