How did it occur?
The black saturday bushfires occurred on saturday the 7th of February, in Victoria, Australia. 170 people lost their lives, 2025 homes were destroyed, up to 7,000 people were left homeless and 4500 square kilometres of forest were burned. The main reasons the bushfire occurred are listed below: Record Temperatures In part, record temperatures were to blame for the bushfire. Nearly 90% of the state experienced the highest february temperatures ever recorded. The temperature in Melbourne on the day reached 46.48 on the day of the disaster- the highest in 154 years. During this period, drought was recorded, because the temperatures were so high. Wind The wind also had an impact on the furiously of the fire. The wind was hot and dry and reached above 100km/h. The wind allowed more oxygen to fuel the fire, which increased the speed and duration of the fire. A cold front, later in the day didn't bring any relief. The 100 degree wind, changed direction. This allowed the fire to spread in different angles, and increased the surface area of the fire. Fuel The months proceeding black Saturday were full of rainfall. This increased undergrowth. So when, the high temperatures hit, grasses were thick and fuel was abundant. This increased the heat and speed of the fire. Social
The impact of bushfires on the people of the region can be completely devastating and sometimes fatal. Effects include loss of life, injury, lasting health problems and loss of livelihood including property, income and business. As well as directly affecting people, a bushfire can also indirectly affect citizens with loss of power which then results in loss of communication. Due to poor education about bushfires people can be traumatised by their affects. With Black Saturday came the death of 173 people, 414 injured and over 2000 homes lost. At the hight of the bushfire Economic Bushfires have a devastating impact on our economy through destruction of home, property, business, livestock and crops. Fires destroyed over 2030 houses and more than 1400 other structures and thousands more damaged. The Royal Bushfire Commission estimated that the damage of the fires would cost 4.4 billion dollars. Insurance companies reported that 1.2 billion dollars worth of insurance claims had been made, 84% of these for property the other 16% for vehicles. It is estimated that 11 800 head of livestock, 62 000 hectares of grazing pasture and 32 000 tonnes of hay and silage were lost in the fires. Environmental impacts Although bushfires can be beneficial to the Australian bush as some plants use this fiery blaze to help germinate. In general though an out of control bushfire has dire consequences on the wildlife of Australia. RSPCA estimates that over 1 million animals died in the Black Saturday Bushfires and those that did suffered from serious burns. The area around Marysville which contains the only habitat for the already endangered species of possum known as Leadbeater's Possum was severely damaged by the bushfires and put their survival more at risk. Also water catchment areas which held important water for Melbourne was contaminated by ash and other material. Where did the bushfire occur? Many towns north-east of the state capital Melbourne were badly damaged or almost completely destroyed, including the Victorian towns of Kinglake, Marysville, Narbethong, Strathewen, and Flowerdale. Many houses in the towns of Steels Creek, Humevale, Wandong, St Andrews, Callignee, and Koornalla were also destroyed or damaged. Organisations that aided the black saturday bushfire clean up The black saturday bushfires, were truly devastating. As a result, the clean up efforts were strenuous and long. The bushfires not only called for federal action, but also brought a number of community based organisations into he clean up effort. The salvation effort and red cross, were two independent organisations that helped families recover from the fire. Other independent organisations also helped, including
A long-term plan was implemented to recover the bushland. The federal government also appointed a royal commission to inquire into the causes of the fires. 8 years on Black Saturday was a state wide disaster which touched the hearts of the nation. 8 years later most people have recovered from the fires and are getting on with life. Others are still struggling with the effects the fire has brought on the such as loss of livelihood and business. But support is ever available and are seeking out to help those affected. Why was it called a disaster Black saturday was labelled a disaster as it was an event that caused tremendous harm on the landscape and it's people. |
"Australia has witnessed its greatest natural disaster. Worse than black Friday. Worse than Ash Wednesday. Only in wartime has the toll of death and wounded been greater." Sydney morning herald
Timeline of events
(Source:http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/black-saturday/)
Facts
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