Victoria, Australia Bushfires Flashcards
When did the fires occur?
February 2009
What were they nicknamed?
Black Saturday bushfires
How many fires were there all together?
400
Why is the temperature a cause of Victoria being a high risk of wildfire?
highs of 40 degrees in the summer with low humidity cause periods of droughts leading to tinder-dry vegetation only needing a spark to set off a major fire.
Why does high winds put Victoria at a higher risk of wildfires?
They not only produce drier conditions but can fan flames and drive them over considerable distances
Why does the interconnection of power cables throughout Australia put it at a high risk?
As lightning strikes and adverse weather conditions can provide the spark needed to ignite a fire.
What was the main cause of the Victoria bushfires?
Hot north-westerly winds of over 100km/h hit the state due to the configuration of the pressure systems and a January heatwave reaching 40 degrees caused very low humidity.
What are some examples of sources of the wildfires?
lightning strikes, sparks from falling power cables, sparks from power tools and machinery aswell as arson
How many deaths were there?
173 deaths including one firefighter
On estimate, how many properties were destroyed
3,500 with 1,500 being farm buildings
How many acres of land were destroyed?
1 million
What did the loss of national parks result in?
An estimated loss of 1 million animals estimated by the RSPCA
How many residents were disrupted by the damage to electricity supply?
60,000
What crime was a major problem after the evacuation of endangered people?
Looting
What was the total cost of the fires?
AU$4.4 billion
What was introduced in the October following the event?
A new fire hazard system that would forecast an outlook for the Fire Danger Index every day by considering the predicted weather including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and dryness of vegetation
