Black Saturday Flashcards
Wildfires
When
February 2009
Where
State of Victoria, south East Australia
Causes
Environmental conditions - ten year drought, recent temp 40°C+, strong winds
Human activity - faulty power lines, large amounts of dry oil rich material ie fuel
Blank.
Blank.
Social Impacts
173 died
400 injured
Many suffered stress and depression
2000 homes in 78 communities
Economic Impacts
60 businesses destroyed –> jobs, income, growth decline
Cost: AUS $4 billion
Environmental Impacts
4300km land burnt - national parks and forest
Millions of animals, birds and reptiles killed - rare species: spotted tree frog, sooty owl
Preparation
Australian Bureau of Meteorology predicted and advised evacuation or defend homes
Evacuation reduced death toll - maybe next time only evacuate
Response/Relief
Evacuation
20,000 firefighters and volunteers helped put out fires
Recovery/Reconstruct
$400 million donated to rebuild homes etc
Mitigation/Adaption/Preparation
Not everyone can afford expensive fire resistant homes - not all finished
Fire shelters in vulnerable areas
Warning systems
Improved evacuation strategy
