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About Ash Wednesday

On February 16 1983, CFA was involved in 180 fires throughout Victoria, eight of which were major fires. This day is known as Ash Wednesday. Leading up to Ash Wednesday there were also large fires in Greenvale on 8 January and at Macedon on 1 February. On 8 February there was a large dust storm, which covered large areas of Victoria.

13 CFA firefighters died during the Ash Wednesday fires. They represented Panton Hills, Narre Warren, Nar Nar Goon and Wallacedale Fire Brigades. A casual firefighter also lost his life on that day.

Below is a breakdown of the following townships affected by the Ash Wednesday Fires.

Location Details of fire Losses
Cudgee / Ballangeich The Cudgee fire started at 1.10pm. A private power line was suspected of being responsible for the Cudgee fire.
The Ballangeigh fire started at 2.27pm.
  • Fatalities: 9
  • Area burnt: 50,000 hectares
  • Houses: 157
  • Other buildings: 715
  • Cattle / Sheep: 19,300
East Trentham / Mount Macedon The started at 2.22pm. Suspected cause of the fire was due to power lines arcing when in contact with trees.
  • Fatalities: 7
  • Area burnt: 29,500 hectares
  • Houses: 157
  • Other buildings: 628
  • Cattle / Sheep: 7,700
Otways The fire started at 2.56pm in the Dean's Marsh area.
  • Fatalities: 3
  • Area burnt: 41,000 hectares
  • Houses: 729
  • Other buildings: 53
  • Cattle / Sheep: 2,782
Belgrave heights / Beaconsfield Upper The fire started at 3.24pm.
  • Fatalities: 21
  • Area burnt: 9,200 hectares
  • Houses and other buildings: 238
  • Cattle / Sheep: 97
Monivale (near Hamilton) The fire started at 3.39pm. Suspected cause of the fire was due to clashing power conductors on a private line.
  • Area burnt: 3,818 hectares
  • Houses: 3
  • Other buildings: numerous
  • Cattle / Sheep: 1,272
Branxholme The fire started at 4.30pm. Suspected cause of the fire is a high voltage power line that snapped at the base and fell to the ground.
  • Fatalities: 1
  • Area burnt: 200 hectares
  • Houses: 1
  • Other buildings: 9
Warburton The fire started at 7.20pm.
  • Area burnt: 14,00 hectares
  • Houses: 27 (including 14 holiday homes)
  • Other buildings: 30
Cockatoo The fire started at 7.28pm.
  • Fatalities: 6
  • Area burnt: 1,800 hectares
  • Houses and other buildings: 307

Print the Ash Wednesday fact sheet (pdf 88k)

Additional Information about Ash Wednesday

  • Severe rainfall deficiencies during 1982 produced drought conditions throughout Victoria during 1983
  • The ten months between April 1982 and January 1983 were at that time the driest period on record
  • Mid morning was hot and a dry northerly airflow from South Australia was strengthen rapidly over Victoria
  • In the afternoon a frontal system continued to intensify and ahead of the firefront the hot dry airflow continued to strengthen and become more turbulent, producing gale force winds, high temperatures, low humidity and extensive areas of raised dust and smoke
  • During February 1983, the weather was extremely hot. Temperatures were particularly hot on February 1, 8 and 16 when readings were in excess of 40 degrees
  • During the 1982/1983 fire season, 22 total fire ban days were declared
  • CFA attended nearly 3,200 fires during that fire danger period
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