AUSTRLIAN WILDFIRES

• general info


  § "Black Saturday" Bush fires occurred on the south-east coast of Australia in Victoria. Effecting areas such as Melbourne, Marysville, Kinglake and Bendigo.

  § The fires started on the 7th Feb 2009 and finished a week later.

  § Had an 80 km radius of fires around Melbourne.

  § 8th deadliest bushfire in the world.
• causes


  o There are many different suspicions for the start of the fire...

  1. Many power lines falling/ banging together which ignite.

  2. There were 60mph dry winds.

  3. Could have been arson/ dropped cigarette.

  4. Sparks for power tools from workers in the forest.

  5. Weather at the time (Heat wave hit a week before: 45.1 °C in Melbourne, higher pressure system over Tasman Sea and very dry ground)
• primary economic impacts


  • 1400 buildings destroyed (excluding houses)

  2. Total of $4.4 billion AUD

  3. $1.2 million AUD of insurance claims had been made (84% residential and businesses/ 16% for vehicles)
• primary environmental impacts


  • 62,000 hectares of grazing pastures burnt
  • 11,800 heads of livestock lost in fires.
  • high level of contamination in catchment areas (5 of dams)
  • Put species at risk of extinction such as Leadbeater's Possum.
• primary social impacts


  1. 173 deaths (most in houses who were unable to evacuate)

  2. 2. 414 injured, only 22 with serious burns.

  3. 2030 houses destroyed.
• secondary economic impacts


  1.Many businesses closed as power lines down.

  2.Telephone exchanges and mobile phone stations destroyed.
• secondary environmental impacts


  1.By March 2009, Smoke from fires had travelled over Antarctica- impact in atmosphere unknown.

  2.Localised climate change occurred.

  3.Higher levels of CO2 were recorded for 4 months after the fires finished in Victoria.
• secondary social impacts


  1.Loss of communication with wider community.

  2.Homes without power for days.

  3.Caused many psychological issues and people being traumatised by the event. (rise in suicide rates and drug abuse since event).
• prevention methods


  1. Growth of forest Corridors

  2. Input hazard reports into land use planning.

  3. $75 million inputted each year into research.
• adaption from the event

  1. Having controlled fires to reduce the likelihood of a fire starting.

  2. Have good communication to give people warning to evacuate.
• mitigation methods


  1. Preventing housing being built on the edge of bush fires locations.

  2. Completing risk assessments.
• preparation


  1. Educate the population in ways to prevent fires (putting out campfires properly etc.)

  2. Improve awareness and warning systems.
• primary responses


  1. 5000 firefighters helped to control the wild fires (4000 from Victoria but other 1000 from NZ and US)

  2. Military aid was sent within first few days by Commonwealth Governor-General.

  3. People told to evacuate. (poor com meant people didn't get message)

  4. Care Package was given to every person who had been hospitalised or lost their homes.

  5. $1000 AUD given to every adult and $400 to every child.

  6. Salvation Army and National Australian Bank raised funds to help victims over first weeks.
• secondary responses


  1. Billions of dollars were funded into ensuring power lines in Victoria were updated.

  2. Premier Brumby announced a royal commission into the fires. (13th Feb)

  a. Bush fire education policy

  b. Modify building codes (banning construction of homes in certain areas)

  3. Police charged one man with arson in Churchill.