The canberra bushfires '03
During January in 2003, Canberra was a victim to a huge firestorm. It lasted just under 3 months. During the beginning of January, Southern-Eastern Australia was experiencing a cold front. Lightning strikes from storms had created storms throughout Victoria, New South Wales and in forest areas West of Canberra. There was not very much concern for Canberra residents at this point in time.
On January the 18th, Canberra was experiencing very warm weather. By midday it was 36 degrees Celsius. The Canberra weather conditions also contained very heavy winds that were highest by 3 pm, which were measured as 65km/h. This then caused the fires to spread towards the suburbs of Canberra.
The extreme fire conditions were caused through the following elements - dry conditions, low humidity, strong winds and hot temperatures.The fuel of the fire was supplied by Canberra's surrounding dry eucalypt forests and pine plantations.
As soon as the citizens of Canberra were aware of the fires, they were quickly evacuated by authorities. This minimised the loss of people's lives.
These fires destroyed 530 houses in 19 suburbs. This wasn't the main impact though - when evacuated families came back to find their homes destroyed, they also found all of their sentimental possessions destroyed. Another major impact was of the Mount Stromlo Observatory which housed 4 of Australia's most important telescopes. There was also the damage of 500 power poles. 35 electricity substations, the Chapman water reservoir control building and Lower Molongo sewage treatment plant.
The NSW Rural Fire service also then volunteered from the Sydney suburb of Schofields to help Canberra.
On January the 18th, Canberra was experiencing very warm weather. By midday it was 36 degrees Celsius. The Canberra weather conditions also contained very heavy winds that were highest by 3 pm, which were measured as 65km/h. This then caused the fires to spread towards the suburbs of Canberra.
The extreme fire conditions were caused through the following elements - dry conditions, low humidity, strong winds and hot temperatures.The fuel of the fire was supplied by Canberra's surrounding dry eucalypt forests and pine plantations.
As soon as the citizens of Canberra were aware of the fires, they were quickly evacuated by authorities. This minimised the loss of people's lives.
These fires destroyed 530 houses in 19 suburbs. This wasn't the main impact though - when evacuated families came back to find their homes destroyed, they also found all of their sentimental possessions destroyed. Another major impact was of the Mount Stromlo Observatory which housed 4 of Australia's most important telescopes. There was also the damage of 500 power poles. 35 electricity substations, the Chapman water reservoir control building and Lower Molongo sewage treatment plant.
The NSW Rural Fire service also then volunteered from the Sydney suburb of Schofields to help Canberra.
If you would like to see some videos about the Canberra Bushfires 2003:
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPpOXH0ADSg
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXNjGZ7qqnU
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rB5JN9BZzI
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wW4ItqEkuWQ