February 7, 2009
Carmel Egan
The Age
It was a perfect day for a firestorm, with wind, heat and tinder dry bush to rival the conditions of Ash Wednesday in 1983.
Photo: A fire truck is seen as a bushfire approaches the town of Labertouche, 90km (56 miles) east of Melbourne, February 7, 2009. Aircraft dropped water bombs on raging Australian bush fires on Saturday as a "once in a century" heatwave sparked dozens of blazes across the country. (Reuters)
Last night it was unclear whether yesterday's fires would surpass the fatal toll of Ash Wednesday, a terrible day that claimed 47 lives and burnt 210,000 hectares (519,000 acres) of land. The more than 100 fires than started on Ash Wednesday, February 16, 1983, scorched two states - Victoria and South Australia - and caused $200 million damage in each jurisdiction.
As of last night, the police had confirmed 14 deaths from yesterday's fires and hinted the final toll could be up to 40. The Department of Sustainability and Environment said at least 100 homes had been destroyed in nine major blazes across the state in what was described as the worst fire conditions in Victoria'c history.
Like yesterday's fires, most loss of life and property on Ash Wednesday occurred after a wind change late in the day, with relatively narrow corridors of fire suddenly switching to wide areas of fire front. During Ash Wednesday, the gusts near and immediately behind the change exceeded 100 km/h.
But it was clear yesterday that much has been learnt in 25 years about fires: how to fight them and how to survive.
Experts were able to predict the path and behaviour of yesterday's Bunyip Ridge fire using weather patterns, bush conditions and likely wind direction.
"It has been behaving exactly as predicted," said Mr Ord.
Photo: The burnt remains of a house are left standing in the aftermath of a bushfire on February 3, 2009 in Boolarra, approximately 200 kms southeast of Melbourne, Australia. Over 400 fire fighters battled the blaze, which spread for over 6300 hectares and destroyed 29 homes in its path, plus numerous sheds, cars and a piggery. The fires are suspected to have started by a combination of lightning but some are considered to have been deliberately lit. (Chris Morley)
"Today has been one out of the box," said Country Fire Authority spokesman Stuart Ord. "I fought the fires in 1983 and this was worse … But the fire planning is better today. The community is more informed and there is more co-operation between the firefighting authorities."
Although there was greater expertise with "better equipment, the sky cranes water bombing with 9000 litres at a time, and a community more alert and educated, in the end it comes down to the community's embrace of fire plans.
"People know to have individual fire plans," Mr Ord said. "There are community meetings that didn't happen back then."
Photo: The remains of a sheep holding pen smoulder after a bushfire on the outskirts of Labertouche, 90km (56 miles) east of Melbourne February 7, 2009. Aircraft dropped water bombs on raging Australian bush fires on Saturday as a "once in a century" heatwave sparked dozens of blazes across the country. (Reuters)
This could have been the crucial difference for at least some of the 14 confirmed victims who lost their lives yesterday. It was reported many lost their lives in cars, presumably trying to escape blazes.
Authorities advise that residents enact fire plans early, making the decision to either leave well ahead of the fire or stay to defend a property well-prepared for ember attack.
On Ash Wednesday, the worst affected areas in Victoria were the Dandenong Ranges and the Macedon area.
Victoria's worst
Photo: A view of the fire near Boolarra and Yinnar South. (Chris Morley)
Feb 7, 2009 - 14 confirmed killed and fears for up to 40 in bushfires across rural Victoria
Jan 2006 - Three deaths and multimillion-dollar stock and property losses in 10 days of bushfires in Victoria
Dec 2, 1998 - Bushfire claims five firefighters at Linton in Victoria
Jan 21, 1997 - Three people die and 33 homes destroyed in fires in Dandenong Ranges
Feb 16, 1983 - Ash Wednesday bushfires in Victoria and South Australia claim 76 lives
Jan-Feb 1944 - 32 people killed over two months of fires
January 13, 1939 - The "Black Friday" fires claim 71 lives
With MELISSA FYFE
http://www.theage.com.au/national/worst-day-for-26-years-takes-its-terrible-toll-20090208-80i7.html?page=-1