On 7 February 2009, catastrophic bushfires burned across Victoria during extreme heat, prolonged drought and strong, shifting winds. Almost 400 individual fires were burning across the state by the evening, affecting more than 78 communities. The fires resulted in 173 deaths and 414 injuries, burned more than 450,000 hectares, and destroyed more than 2,000 homes. The event became known as Black Saturday and led to one of Australia’s largest disaster recovery efforts, as well as the establishment of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission.
Weather conditions
In the two weeks preceding Black Saturday, Victoria experienced a severe heatwave. Melbourne had temperatures in excess of 43 °C for three consecutive days. Combined with the effects of the long term drought, extreme fire risk conditions were created when Melbourne reached 46 °C on 7 February. The wind gusts of more than 100 km per hour changed direction late in the day, causing unpredictable fire paths.
Specific fire events
Kilmore East
The Kilmore East fire began at approximately 11.47 am on 7 February 2009, when the failure of an electricity line sparked a fire near Saunders Road at Kilmore East. Burning initially in a south-easterly direction, the fire spread rapidly through farmland and a pine plantation, crossed the Hume Freeway and affected Wandong before moving towards Mount Disappointment.
The terrain, dry fuels and strong winds contributed to extreme fire behaviour and long-distance spotting. As the main fire front moved across Mount Disappointment, fires were reported at Wallaby Creek, Humevale, Strathewen, St Andrews, Steels Creek, Dixons Creek, Yarra Glen and in the Healesville area. Following the south-westerly wind change during the late afternoon and early evening, the eastern flank became the main fire front and conditions intensified. The fire affected Kinglake, Kinglake West, Clonbinane, Steels Creek, Chum Creek and Strathewen before progressing towards Flowerdale, Hazeldene, Castella and Glenburn. It further affected communities in Arthurs Creek, Broadford, Reedy Creek, Strath Creek and Toolangi.
The Kilmore East fire burnt 125,383 hectares. It resulted in 119 deaths and 232 casualties and destroyed 1,242 homes.
Kinglake Fire Complex
On 8 February, the Kilmore East and Murrindindi fires merged and became known as the Kinglake Fire Complex. The fires had already burnt through extensive areas of farmland, state forest and national park. Extreme temperatures, dry fuels and strong winds produced intense fire behaviour, including forest crown fires, powerful convection columns and long-distance spotting.
The combined Kilmore East and Murrindindi fire area was 168,542 hectares.
Murrindindi
The Murrindindi fire began at approximately 3 pm on 7 February 2009 near Wilhelmina Falls Road in the Murrindindi area. It spread rapidly through the Murrindindi State Forest and the Black Range towards communities including Narbethong and Marysville. The fire reached Narbethong during the late afternoon, destroying much of the town, and entered Marysville at approximately 6.45 pm. It also affected communities including Buxton, Taggerty, Acheron and Cambarville.
The fire continued burning for several weeks and was declared contained on 13 March. It resulted in 40 deaths and destroyed 538 houses.
Other major fires
- Bunyip: The Bunyip fire broke containment lines in Bunyip State Park on the morning of 7 February. It affected communities including Jindivick, Labertouche and Tonimbuk, and destroyed 31 houses.
- Horsham: The Horsham fire began as a grassfire at approximately 12.20 pm. Strong winds caused it to spread rapidly, destroying 13 homes.
- Churchill: The Churchill fire began in a plantation at approximately 1.30 pm. It affected communities including Callignee, Koornalla, Jeeralang and Hazelwood, resulting in 11 deaths and the destruction of 145 homes.
- Redesdale: The Redesdale fire began at approximately 3.10 pm and destroyed 14 homes.
- Narre Warren and Upper Ferntree Gully: Several fires began in Melbourne’s south-east during the afternoon, including fires at Harkaway, Lynbrook and Upper Ferntree Gully. Their proximity to residential areas and the Dandenong Ranges created the potential for significant impacts. Seven homes were destroyed.
- Bendigo: The Bendigo fire began at approximately 4 pm near Maiden Gully and spread through areas including Long Gully and Eaglehawk. One person died and 58 homes were destroyed.
- Beechworth-Mudgegonga: The Beechworth-Mudgegonga fire began during the evening and burnt through farmland and forested areas. Two people died, 12 were injured and 38 homes were destroyed.