On Friday 4 February 1932, fires swept across the mountains and timber settlements from Warburton through to North Gippsland. The small town of Gilderoy between Yarra Junction and Powelltown was completely destroyed and there were big losses in the timber industry. One person died near Powelltown.
After a long fight to save Noojee, the township survived because of a change in wind direction. At Erica in North Gippsland, six people died.
Two firefighters were killed near Warragul. Eventually heavy rain put out most of the fires.
Bushfire - Gippsland
Quick Statistics
9
Fatalities
Information Sources
Council of Australian Government, National bushfire inquiry appendix D fire history in Australia, 2 April 2004, website viewed 22 December 2011
Collins P, Burn the epic story of bushfire in Australia.1st edn. Crows Nest, New South Wales: Allen & Unwin, 2006, pp 103 – 104
Fraser B, Macquarie book of events. 1st edn. Netley, South Australia: Macquarie Library Pty. Ltd. 1984, p 581
The Argus, ‘Nine deaths in bush fires: Six perish at Erica: Tragedy of father and son: Man suffocated near Powelltown: Homes and other property destroyed’, 6 February 1932, viewed on Trove website (ID 4419651) viewed 22 December 2011