What caused the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria Australia?
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.
How did the community respond to Black Saturday?
Responses to the Black Saturday bushfires included immediate community response, donations and later, international aid efforts, Government inquiries including a Royal Commission and recommendations and discussions from a wide variety of bodies, organisations, authorities and communities.
What was the impact of 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.
Was Black Saturday the worst bushfire in Australia?
On February 7, 2009, the “Black Saturday Bushfires” became the worst natural disaster in Australia’s history.
What towns affect Black Saturday?
On 7 February, Black Saturday, Victorian townships including Marysville, Kinglake, Kinglake West, Narbethong, Flowerdale and Strathewen were devastated. More than 19,000 CFA members were involved in frontline firefighting, incident management and support behind the scenes.
What did Black Saturday teach?
The knowledge gained has resulted in better weather forecasting, better communication about fires and weather to the public, better coordination and cooperation between emergency response agencies and public land managers, and better building and planning regulations for fire-prone areas.
What was the biggest bushfire in Australia?
2009, Black Saturday. The Black Saturday bushfires were the worst in Australia’s history, killing 173 people. Almost 80 communities and entire towns were left unrecognisable. The fires burned more than 2,000 properties and 61 businesses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZoXkHVwQB4