Hazards: Victoria Flashcards
(24 cards)
What date did the Victoria Wildfire occur?
7th February 2009
How many fires were reported across Victoria during the wildfire?
Over 400 fires
What was the peak temperature recorded in Melbourne during the wildfire?
Around 47°C
What natural conditions contributed to the spread of the wildfire?
- Drought
- Low humidity
- Strong winds up to 125km/h
What human activities were identified as causes of the Victoria Wildfire?
- Arson
- Urban expansion into fire-prone areas
- Delayed evacuation alerts
How many deaths resulted from the Victoria Wildfire?
Around 200 deaths
What was the estimated economic cost of the damages caused by the wildfire?
Around A$4.4 billion
What was the total area of land burned during the wildfire?
450,000 hectares
What immediate response involved the mobilization of personnel during the wildfire?
Mobilisation of 20,000 firefighters and emergency services
What type of organizations provided emergency resources during the wildfire?
Charities, e.g., The Red Cross
What was one of the long-term changes in policy following the wildfire?
Stricter fire insurance policies were introduced
True or False: The ‘stay or go’ policy was effective in ensuring resident safety during the wildfire.
False
What was one of the factors that made the wildfire severity worse?
- Lack of controlled burns
- Poor urban planning
- Sudden wind changes
Fill in the blank: The introduction of the _______ fire danger rating system included a ‘catastrophic’ warning level.
[catastrophic]
What measures were put in place for fire management after the wildfire?
- Stronger power line regulations
- New developments with firebreaks
- Increased funding for climate resilience projects
What was a significant limitation of Victoria’s preparedness for the wildfire?
No extreme classification for severe wildfire risk
How many homes were completely destroyed in the Victoria Wildfire?
Around 2,000 homes
What was a consequence of poor urban planning related to the wildfire?
Houses were too close to dense forests
What type of aircraft was used in the firefighting efforts?
Water Bombing aircraft
What was one of the social impacts of the wildfire on the population?
Some areas saw a decline in population even after recovery
What was the primary role of the emergency fund released after the wildfire?
Aid with evacuation and firefighting
What did the political response after the wildfire include?
Immediate questioning of the ‘stay or go’ policy
What environmental issue arose due to the wildfire?
Air pollution due to heavy smoke and ash
What was one of the key factors that contributed to the rapid spread of the wildfire?
Extreme heatwaves and dry vegetation
