What damage was done in the January 2003 Canberra bushfires?
After burning for a week around the edges of the ACT, the fires entered the suburbs of Canberra on 18 January 2003. Over the next ten hours, four people died, over 490 were injured, and 470 homes were destroyed or severely damaged, requiring a significant relief and reconstruction effort.
How many animals died in Canberra bushfire 2003?
48 animals
The fire arrived in less than 15 minutes and burnt out the hospital building killing all 48 animals – but left the stables intact.
Did you know facts about Australian bushfires?
The 2019-2020 burnt an almost continuous 1,160 km from south east Queensland to eastern Victoria, encompassing 7.04 million hectares of land, of which 5.7 million hectares of forest and woodland was burnt, devastating Australian communities and killing and injuring an estimated three billion animals.
When did the 2003 Canberra bushfires end?
January 22, 2003
2003 Canberra bushfires/End dates
What caused the 2003 bushfires?
On 18 January 2003, a combination of extreme weather conditions (high temperatures of above 37 ºC, low humidity, lightning strikes and strong gusty winds) caused multiple bushfires to break out in the Kosciuszko and Namadgi National parks surrounding Canberra.
Where did the 2003 Canberra fires start?
The fires began on January 8, 2003, when a series of dry lightning storms swept over the vast expanse of Namadgi National Park, which makes up nearly two-thirds of south-west ACT. When authorities detected the fires, they dispatched small crews into some of the most remote sections of the bush.
What is the biggest bushfire in Australia?
2009, Black Saturday. The Black Saturday bushfires were the worst in Australia’s history, killing 173 people. Almost 80 communities and entire towns were left unrecognisable. The fires burned more than 2,000 properties and 61 businesses.
How long do bushfires last?
Bushfires are generally slower moving, but have a higher heat output. This means they pass in two to five minutes, but they can smoulder for days. Fire in the crown of the tree canopy can move rapidly.
When did the Canberra bushfires start?
January 18, 2003
2003 Canberra bushfires/Start dates
What was the weather like in the 2003 Canberra bushfires?
Where did the 2003 bushfires start?
Namadgi National Park
The fires began on January 8, 2003, when a series of dry lightning storms swept over the vast expanse of Namadgi National Park, which makes up nearly two-thirds of south-west ACT. When authorities detected the fires, they dispatched small crews into some of the most remote sections of the bush.
When did the Canberra bushfires start in 2003?
Almost 70% of the Australian Capital Territory’s (ACT) pastures, pine plantations, and nature parks were severely damaged, and most of the Mount Stromlo Observatory was destroyed. After burning for a week around the edges of the ACT, the fires entered the suburbs of Canberra on 18 January 2003.
What was the cause of the 2003 Act bushfires?
Over the past century the ACT has experienced several major bushfires during the hot and dry summer months. Most have been caused by lightning strikes in the Brindabella Ranges on the ACT’s western border. The 2003 Canberra bushfires resulted in a catastrophic firestorm that struck rural and urban areas of the ACT on 18 January.
How many people died in the Canberra fire?
The Canberra fires killed four people and injured 435. Almost 70 per cent of the ACT was burned, and about 500 homes and 23 government and commercial buildings were destroyed, including the internationally renowned Mount Stromlo Observatory. The estimated financial cost of the fires was between $600 million and $1 billion.
What was the weather like in Canberra in 2003?
On 18 January 2003, a combination of extreme weather conditions (high temperatures of above 37 ºC, low humidity, lightning strikes and strong gusty winds) caused multiple bushfires to break out in the Kosciuszko and Namadgi National parks surrounding Canberra.