Major Fires

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As one of the most bushfire-prone environments in the world, Victoria has faced many devastating fires throughout its history.

We remember all of those who were impacted.

For generations of Victorians, there are fires that are etched into our collective memory.

Black Friday 1939

About Black Friday

The lessons from the tragic 1939 bushfires established the foundations of our modern fire services. Read more about Black Friday 1939.

Tarrawingee fire 1943

Tarrawingee fires

As a result of the Tarrawingee fire, the Government saw the urgent need to improve firefighting resources and equipment. Read more about Tarrawingee fire 1943.

Ash Wednesday 1983

Ash Wednesday fires

Years of severe drought and soaring temperatures set the scene for more than 180 destructive fires across Victoria. Read more about Ash Wednesday 1983.

Linton fire 1998

Linton 1998 fire

Following the deaths of five volunteer firefighters in a tragic truck burnover, the CFA was forever changed. Read more about the Linton Bushfire 1998.

Black Saturday 2009

Black Saturday fires

Victoria’s most fatal bushfire, the events of Black Saturday were a defining moment in changing the way we live with the threat of bushfire. Read more about Black Saturday 2009.

2019-2020 Bushfires

2020 Gippsland fire 

The 2019-20 Black Summer fires raged for over 90 days, destroying more than 300 homes, claiming five lives and scorching 1.5 million hectares of land. Read more about the 2019-2020 Bushfires.

Hazelwood Mine Fire

For 45 days in 2014, a fire burned in the Hazelwood open cut coal mine, in the Latrobe Valley. CFA crews were faced with challenging conditions to safely and methodically reduce the size of the fire in the mine and protect the power station. Flare ups were frequent, given the nature of coal to burn continuously, coupled with extreme heat and changes in weather. Conditions were smoky, and the geology of the mine had to be carefully considered to avoid placing firefighters in danger and to effectively extinguish the fire.

On peak days, up to 200 firefighters plus crew were on site. The Latrobe Valley community were significantly affected by poor air quality caused by the incident. CFA worked closely with local authorities to keep the community informed about the fire and its impact on them.

Longford Gas Explosion

In September 1998, there was a major explosion at the Longford Gas Plant in Gippsland. The incident tragically kills two workers, one of whom was a CFA volunteer, and leaves eight others injured.

Fires at the plant last for four days. Many local CFA crews were the first to attend to the fire from the explosion, working alongside Esso employees to execute emergency procedures.

As the primary provider of natural gas to Victorians, the Longford gas plant explosion left the State without gas supplies for two weeks.

Tarrawingee 1943

The tragic deaths of 10 members of the Tarrawingee Brigade during the 1943 bushfires remains one of the greatest losses of firefighters in Victoria’s history. The fire started on December 22 at Bowser railway yard near the Hume Highway in dry conditions with high temperatures and strong winds.. It quickly spread towards Tarrawingee (east of Wangaratta), where crews were positioned ready to battle the fire.

Tragically the wind changed direction and the fire claimed the lives of eight men and two young boys. This fire, along with the Royal Commission of the 1939 bushfires, was also the catalyst for the formation of the Country Fire Authority, which occurred a year later in 1944.

In honour of the fallen firefighters, a monument was built near where the incident occurred. CFA has continued to hold services at the memorial to commemorate their bravery.

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CFA has been involved in many fires over the years.

Since the early days of community bushfire brigades, to our modern volunteer brigades working with emergency service partners, the Victorian community has been at the heart of our bushfire response.

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2021 to 2022

Year Date Name/Location Losses/Summary
2022 23 January Great Western Racecourse grassfire 18 cars destroyed
2022 1 January Calder Hwy, Hatter grassfire 734 hectares
2021 31 December Langkoop, Poolaijelo grassfire 7332 hectares. 5000 sheep lost and plantation loss of $10 million
2021 26 December Almond processing factory fire, Bannerton A fire in 5000 tonnes of almond hull spread into 6000 wooden bins and impacted the factory
2021 14 April Two restaurants and a shop fire, Apollo Bay Two restaurants and a shop destroyed

2019 to 2020

Year Date Name/Location Losses/Summary
2020 6 December Puckapunyal Army Base Primary School fire Structural collapse
2020 1 January Buenba – Pheasant Creek Tk 90,003 hectares
2019 31 December Shannonvale – McNamara Hut bushfire 44,308 hectares
2019 31 December Hotham Heights – Blue Bag Range 35,700 hectares
2019 31 December Abbeyard – Yarrabula South bushfire 151,221 hectares
2019 31 December Cobungra – Dinner Plain Tk 10,758 hectares
2019 30 December Budj Bim bushfire 6369 hectares
2019 29 December Upper Murray Walwa bushfire 200,442 hectares
2019 25 December Crawford River - Boulevard bushfire 2958 hectares
2019 20 December Lexton - Ben Major bushfire 2792 hectares
2019 22 November Tambo Complex 324,739 hectares
2019 22 November Snowy Complex 662,500 hectares
2019 29 March Bunkers Hill bushfire One house and 16 outbuildings lost. Two houses damaged
2019 29 March Mt Mercer bushfire 1547 hectares. 2300 sheep lost
2019 3 March Cambarville Rd bushfire 2629 hectares
2019 2 March Yinnar South bushfire 1913 hectares. Two houses and three outbuildings lost
2019 1 March Bunyip State Park 15,596 hectares. 29 houses and 67 outbuildings lost
2019 30 January Walhalla bushfire 8755 hectares. Two properties lost
2019 16 Janaury Nunnett/Timbarra River Complex bushfire 22,705 hectares
2019 4 January Rosedale bushfire 12,148 hectares. $22 million damage to plantations

2015 to 2018

Year Date Name/Location Losses/Summary
2018 7 December Little River bushfire 1270 hectares. 38 properties lost
2018 17 March South-West bushfire 16,828
2018 19 January Big Desert bushfire 5596 hectares
2017 26 November Cann River bushfire 9746 hectares
2017 12 March Grass and scrub fire, Crooked River 3066 hectares
2016 25 December Grass and scrub fire, Woomelang 1816 hectares
2016 23 February Grass and scrub fire, Mt Bolton 1202 hectares
2015 20 December Grass and scrub fire, Barnawartha 6708 hectares
2015 19 December Wye River bushfire 2520 hectares. Significant loss of houses
2015 19 December Grass and scrub fire, Scotsburn 4570 hectares
2015 3 November Ship fire, Port of Portland 800 tonnes animal feed
2015 6 October Grass and scrub fire, Lancefield 5055 hectares
2015 7 January Grass and scrub fire, Little Desert 6000 hectares
2015 3 January Grass and scrub fire, Brimpaen 4500 hectares
2015 3 January Grass and scrub fire, Edenhope 1740 hectares
2015 2 January Grass and scrub fire, Moyston 4900 hectares

2014

Year Date Name/Location Losses/Summary
2014 16 December Grass and scrub fire, Stewarton 2000 hectares
2014 16 December Grass and scrub fire, Pastoria 800 hectares
2014 16 December Grass and scrub fire, Longwood East 5085 hectares
2014 16 December Grass and scrub fire, Lake Rowan 5743 hectares
2014 16 December Dairy processing factory fire $5 million
2014 15 December Grass and scrub fire, West Wodonga 800 hectares
2014 23 August Seymour factory fire One fatality
2014 9 February Fire and hazardous material, Hazelwood coalmine 407 hectares, protracted incident
2014 9 February Grass and scrub fire, Wunghnu 9283 hectares
2014 9 February Grass and scrub fire, Mickleham-Kilmore 22,877 hectars
2014 9 February Grass and scrub fire, Jack River 2894 hectares
2014 9 February Grass and scrub fire, Gisborne 2800 hectares
2014 7 February Grass and scrub fire, Morwell-Hernes Oak 2788 hectares
2014 16 January Goongerah-Deddick Trail bushfire 165,806 hectares
2014 15 January Grampians-Northern Complex bushfire 55,100 hectares
2014 14 January Big Desert Wilderness Park bushfire 29,896 hectares
2014 14 January Wyperfeld National Park bushfire 56,543 hectares

2013

Year Date Name/Location Losses/Summary
2013 26 December Grass and scrub fire, Toolleen 1050 hectares
2013 27 March Grass and scrub fire, Dereel 1280 hectares
2013 18 February Grass and scrub fire, Kal Kallo 2040 hectares
2013 14 February Grampians bushfire 35,875 hectares
2013 27 January Grass and scrub fire, Violet Town 1285 hectares
2013 21 January Bushfire, Harrietville 36,347 hectares
2013 8 January Grass and scrub fire, Goroke 920 hectares
2013 8 Janurary Grass and scrub fire, Chepstowe 1297 hectares
2013 4 January Grass and scrub fire, Kentbruck 12,055 hectares

2010 to 2012

Year Date Name/Location Losses/Summary
2012 25 February Grass and scrub fire, Bulgana 1000 hectares
2012 21 February Milk factory fire, longwarry $3 million
2011 11 December Tanker fire, Rowville 20,000 litre fuel
2011 19 May Tritech Lubricants factory fire, Dandenong $37.5 million
2011 1 February Tostaree scrub fire Two house, 11,365 hectares
2010 17 December Lascelles crop fire 800 hectares

2009 and Black Saturday

Year Date Name/Location Losses/Summary

2009

 23 February

Muskvale / Daylesford, Upwey
  • 3,000 hectares

2009

 13 February

Wilson's Promontory
  • 5,000 hectares

2009

 7 February

Black Saturday

Churchill, Kilmore and Murrundindi, Vectis (Horsham), Coleraine, Weerite, Redesdale, Harkaway, Upper Ferntree Gully, Maiden Gully / Eaglehawk, Lynbrook / Narre Warren, Beechworth. More detailed information.
  • 173 people
  • 2056 houses
  • 239,637 hectares

2009

 4-6 February

Bunyip State Park
  • 31 houses
  • 26,200 hectares

2009

 29 January

Branxholme
  • 40 hectares

2009

 28 January

Delburn
  • 44 houses
  • 6,534 hectares

2000 to 2007

Year Date Name/Location Losses/Summary

2007

1 March

Food Warehouse Fire - Wattle St, Springvale
  • About 50 firefighters took one hour to contain the blaze, preventing spread to a neighbouring school.
  • 15 people in a nearby block of flats were evacuated as a precaution.

2007

17 January

DTM Logistics - Dandenong South
  • By the time the brigade arrived, the building was fully involved.
  • Losses were extensive including contents and vehicles.

2006

December-February 2007

Great Divide Complex
  • 33 houses
  • 13 houses damaged
  • 255 other buildings
  • 1334 animals and livestock
  • Fencing: 1,357km
  • 1,154,828 hectares

2006

12 October

Morwell Open Cut Mine

 Spontaneous Ignition

2006

19 January

Grampians
  • 2 people
  • 41 houses
  • 9 houses damaged
  • 231 other buildings
  • 65,598 animals and livestock
  • Fencing: 1,973
  • 116,380 hectares

2003

8 January-19 March

North East and Gippsland fires

71 days duration
  • 41 houses
  • 3 bridges
  • 213 other structures
  • 10,000 livestock
  • 1.2 million hectares

2002

March

Glenaroua
  • 1 house
  • 6,100 hectares grass and scrub

2001

December- January 2002

Deployment of CFA to NSW and ACT fires
  • 80 trucks and 2794 CFA personnel were committed for 14 days

2000

18 December

Dadswells Bridge
  • 1 house damaged
  • 14,500 hectares of crop and pasture
  • 8000 livestock (mainly sheep)
  • 500km of fencing

1926 to 1998

Year Date Name/Location Losses/Summary

1998

 2 December

Linton
  • 5 CFA firefighters
  • 1 CFA tanker
  • 780 hectares

1998

 25 September

Longford Plant
  • 2 people
  • 8 Injured
  • Gas Plant exploded due to leaking vapours.

1997

 21 January

Dandenong Ranges, Creswick, Heathcote, Teddywaddy, Gough's Bay.
  • 3 people
  • 41 houses
  • 1 CFA fire truck

1990

 27 December

Strathbogie
  • 1 person
  • 17 houses
  • More than 12,000 livestock

1985

 14 January

Maryborough, Avoca, Little River.
  • 3 people
  • 182 houses
  • 400 farms
  • 46,000 livestock
1983 16 February

Ash Wednesday

Monivae, Branxholme, Cockatoo, East Trentham, Mt Macedon, Otways, Warburton, Cudgee, Upper Beaconsfield. More detailed information.
  • 47 people
  • More than 27,000 livestock
  • Over 2000 houses/shops

1978

 15 January

Bairnsdale
  • 2 people
  • 1 house
  • 6500 livestock
1977 12 February

Penshurst, Tatyoon, Streatham, Creswick, Pura Pura, Werneth, Cressy, Rokewood, Beeac, Mingay, Lismore, Little River.
  • 4 people
  • 108 houses/shops
  • More than 236,000 livestock

1969

 8 January

Lara, Daylesford, Bulgana, Yea, Darraweit, Kangaroo Flat, Korongvale.
  • 22 people
  • 230 houses
  • 21 schools/church/halls
  • More than 12,000 livestock
  • 800,000 acres
1968 19 February

The Basin, Upwey
  • 64 houses
1965

21 February- 13 March

Gippsland

Fires burned for 17 days
  • More than 60 houses/shops
  • More than 4000 livestock
  • 750,000 acres of forest
  • 40,000 acres of grassland

1965

 17 January

Longwood
  • 7 people (all from one family)
  • 6 houses

1944

14 January -14 February

Central & western districts, Morwell, Yallourn
  • 32 people
  • 700 houses
  • Huge livestock losses
1943 22 December

Wangaratta
  • 10 people
  • Thousands of acres of grass country

1942

3-4 March

Hamilton, South Gippsland - Yarram

(burning on a 60 mile front)
  • 1 person
  • More than 20 houses
  • 100 sheep
  • 2 farms

1939

13 January

Black Friday

Rubicon, Woods Point, Warrandyte, Noojee, Omeo, Mansfield, Dromana, Yarra Glen, Warburton, Erica.
  • 71 people
  • More than 650 houses/shops

1926

n/a

Noojee, Kinglake, Warburton, Erica, Dandenong Ranges.
  • People and property

 

1851 - Black Thursday

Year Date Name/Location Losses/Summary

1851

 6 February

Black Thursday

Wimmera, Portland, Gippsland, Plenty Ranges, Westernport, Dandenong districts, Heidelberg.
  • 12 people
  • 1,000,000 plus livestock

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Page last updated:  Thursday, 28 December 2023 11:38:37 AM

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