What caused the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires?
What caused the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires?
Around midday, as wind speeds were reaching their peak, an incorrectly-rigged ‘SWER’ (single-wire earth return) mains power cable was ripped down at Kilmore East. This sparked a bushfire that became the deadliest and most intense firestorm ever recorded in Australia.
Who responded to the Black Saturday bushfires and how?
Aid efforts. Humanitarian responses to the fires came quickly from government, businesses, individuals and aid agencies, including direct relief efforts as well as fundraising. The Victorian Government’s Department of Human Services offered immediate assistance of up to $1,067 for affected people.
What was the result 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 3,500 buildings including more than 2,000 houses destroyed. The RSPCA estimated that up to one million wild and domesticated animals died in the disaster.
What changed after the Black Saturday bushfires?
Subsequent changes included greater emphasis in public messaging on leaving early as the safest response to bushfires, revision of the Fire Danger Rating system to include an additional ‘Code Red’ or ‘Catastrophic’ rating, stringent land-use planning and building controls and greater provision of sheltering advice and …
How was the Black Saturday bushfire started?
The Black Saturday fires began with the Kilmore East fire when fallen power-lines started a blaze in farmland at 11.47 am. This fire spread quickly through a pine plantation and crossed the Hume Freeway at 1.58 pm. The fire burnt through Wandong and reached Mount Disappointment at approximately 3 pm.
What was the worst bushfire in Australian history?
On February 7, 2009, the “Black Saturday Bushfires” became the worst natural disaster in Australia’s history.
How did the government respond to the Australian bushfires?
The Government has committed an initial $50 million to protect wildlife and support longer term protection and restoration efforts. Each year there is a fire season during the Australian summer, with hot, dry weather making it easy for blazes to start and spread.
How did Black Saturday affect the environment?
Environmental/Social/Economic Impacts – ABC BUSHFIRES. One of the major impacts from the Black Saturday bushfires was the huge amount of loss on flora and fauna. The RSPCA estimated that over one million animals died from the Black Saturday bushfires, and the animals that did survive were severely burnt.
How did the 2009 Victorian bushfires start?
How did Black Friday fire start?
The Victorian bushfires of 13 January 1939, known as Black Friday, were the culmination of several years’ drought in the state, following by high temperatures and strong winds. These conditions fanned several fires – some of which had been burning since early December – into a massive fire front.
When did the Black Saturday bushfire start?
February 7, 2009Black Saturday bushfires / Start date