2009, Black Saturday The Black Saturday bushfires were the worst in Australia's history, killing 173 people. Almost 80 communities and entire towns were left unrecognisable. The fires burned more than 2,000 properties and 61 businesses.
In terms of loss of life and property damage, the Black Saturday fires rank as the most devastating in Australian history. The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission was called to investigate the Victorian government's strategy regarding bushfires. The fires are widely considered the worst in Australian history.
Premier Brumby described the situation: "There's no activity, there's no people, there's no buildings, there's no birds, there's no animals, everything's just gone. So the fatality rate will be very high." Eventually 34 fatalities were confirmed in the Marysville area, with all but 14 of over 400 buildings destroyed.
In 2009, Australia was dominated by the devastating Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria, which killed 173 people, destroyed thousands of homes, and scorched vast areas, setting records for fire intensity and loss of life, alongside a deadly heatwave and significant events like the first female Queensland Premier, Anna Bligh, and the start of the National Broadband Network discussions, with the economy avoiding recession despite global fears.
The NFPA's data shows that 25 wildfires in U.S. history have killed at least 10 people, including Hawaii's Lahaina fire of 2023 and major California fires in 2017, 2018, and 2020. But none have been deadlier than the Peshtigo fire in October 1871, the world's deadliest wildfire.
In fact, Australia is the most fire-prone country on Earth. Fire services respond to between 45,000 and 60,000 bushfires in Australia each year. The impact of bushfires can be extensive and devastating, with significant loss of lives and massive property damage.
Factbox: Australia's worst natural disasters
Australia thrashed South Africa by 276 runs in the final one-day international in Mackay to avoid a first clean sweep in an ODI series on home soil. The hosts amassed their second-highest ODI total as they finished on 431, with their top three all scoring centuries.
Saint Patrick's Day: United States President Barack Obama meets Irish Taoiseach Brian Cowen and Northern Irish First Minister Peter Robinson and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness at the White House. (BBC)
Around 90% of all wildfires are caused by human activities, such as unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, arson, and equipment use, with natural causes like lightning making up the remaining 10% for wildfires; for structure fires, cooking, heating, electrical issues, smoking, and candles are top culprits. Human carelessness, accidental or intentional, is the overwhelming driver of destructive fires, notes National Geographic and Vesternet.
The Black Saturday bushfires killed 173 people, 120 in the Kinglake area alone. Another 414 people were injured. More than 450,000 hectares had burned and 3,500 buildings including more than 2,000 houses destroyed. The RSPCA estimated that up to one million wild and domesticated animals died in the disaster.
As a result of the 7 February 2009 ('Black Saturday') bushfires, 173 Victorians perished in Australia's worst bushfire disaster to date. In the aftermath, attention has been focused largely on these fatalities.
Deadliest bushfires on record
Many of the Victorian fires were thought to have been caused by sparks between short-circuiting power lines, and tree branches connecting with power lines.
The Top 20 Deadliest Fires in U.S. History
AB de Villiers of South Africa scored the fastest century in One-Day International (ODI) cricket, reaching 100 runs off just 31 balls against the West Indies on January 18, 2015, in Johannesburg, a record that still stands.
Summary. Australia scored the first ever team total over 400 in men's cricket in ODIs. South Africa chasing 434 was the highest successful ODI chase of all time and the highest team total in the second innings in ODIs.
The Proteas became the first team since England in 2010 during the T20 World Cup to outclass the Aussies in a high-pressure finale, and the fourth overall. West Indies and Sri Lanka were the first two teams to achieve the feat, beating Australia in the final of the 1975 World Cup and the 1996 World Cup, respectively.
By 2050, Australia will likely face significant climate impacts, including more intense heatwaves, droughts, floods, and threats to coastal communities from sea-level rise, while also experiencing technological advancements in daily life, shifts in energy, and changes in its population, with a growing emphasis on adaptation and green energy transitions, although significant disparities in wealth and infrastructure resilience could emerge.
The $1,000 Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) goes to eligible adults (and $400 per child) seriously affected by a declared major disaster, meaning they suffered major damage to homes/assets, serious injury, or have a family member who died/is missing, living in the declared area, and are an Australian resident or eligible visa holder, with claims made via Services Australia within a set timeframe after the disaster.
The largest known area burnt was between 100–117 million hectares (250–290 million acres), impacting approximately 15 per cent of Australia's physical land mass, during the 1974–75 Australian bushfire season.
BAL 40. 29 to 40 kW per sq m. This is a very high risk rating which means that the risk of ember attack is much greater with some likelihood of direct exposure to flames and radiant heat flux exposure up to 40kW per square metre. BAL FZ. 40 kW per sq m and flame contact.
Which is the safest place in Australia to live from natural disasters? Canberra is one of the safest places to live in Australia. It is considered as safest from natural disasters as well as the lowest crime rate in the country.