Victoria Bushfires February 2009 Flashcards

1
Q

What were these fires known as?

A

The Black Saturday bushfires

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2
Q

Why is Victoria vulnerable to wildfires?

A

The state is covered by eucalyptus forests which have oil rich foliage
Periodic droughts

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3
Q

What is the climate like in Victoria?

A

In summer, temperatures can be over 40 degrees C
Low humidity
Susceptible to high winds of up over 100 km/hour
Lightning strikes

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4
Q

How can power cables start fires?

A

Adverse weather conditions can bring them down, producing a spark

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5
Q

Why has there been a decline in rural services?

A

Due to depopulation

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6
Q

When and where did a heat wave affect Australia?

A

Late January 2009

South-eastern parts of Australia

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7
Q

What caused very low humidity on the 7th February?

A

Hot north-westerly winds of over 100km/hour

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8
Q

What were the causes of the fires?

A

Lightning strikes
Sparks from power cables
Sparks from power tools and machinery
Arson

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9
Q

How many deaths were there?

A

173

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10
Q

How many properties were destroyed?

A

3,500

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11
Q

How many people were displaced from their homes?

A

7000

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12
Q

How much forest was lost?

A

Over 1 million acres

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13
Q

What were the agricultural losses?

A

Death of 12,000 livestock
Loss of crops
Loss of boundary fences

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14
Q

How many animals died during the fire?

A

The RSPCA estimated that over 1 million perished in the fires

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15
Q

How many residents were disrupted by the electricity supply?

A

Over 60,000

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16
Q

How much did the fires cost?

A

AU $4.4 billion

17
Q

What was the cost of insurance claims?

A

AU $1.2 billion

18
Q

What was announced in October 2009?

A

A new fire hazard warning system would replace the old one

19
Q

What does the Bureau of Meteorology now do?

A

Forecast an outlook for the Fire Danger Index every day during fire season

20
Q

How is the Fire Danger Index calculated?

A

Temperature
Humidity
Dryness of vegetation
Wind speed

21
Q

What was fast tracked by the government as a result of the fires?

A

New building regulations for bushfire-prone areas

22
Q

Why did the government come under criticism?

A

For rebuilding Marysville which had been 90% destroyed during the event

23
Q

What do some people want to ban?

A

Housing in the highest risk areas