Edit count of the user (user_editcount) | null |
Name of the user account (user_name) | '62.253.31.178' |
Age of the user account (user_age) | 0 |
Groups (including implicit) the user is in (user_groups) | [
0 => '*'
] |
Rights that the user has (user_rights) | [
0 => 'createaccount',
1 => 'read',
2 => 'edit',
3 => 'createtalk',
4 => 'writeapi',
5 => 'viewmyprivateinfo',
6 => 'editmyprivateinfo',
7 => 'editmyoptions',
8 => 'abusefilter-log-detail',
9 => 'urlshortener-create-url',
10 => 'centralauth-merge',
11 => 'abusefilter-view',
12 => 'abusefilter-log',
13 => 'vipsscaler-test'
] |
Whether or not a user is editing through the mobile interface (user_mobile) | false |
Whether the user is editing from mobile app (user_app) | false |
Page ID (page_id) | 21434255 |
Page namespace (page_namespace) | 0 |
Page title without namespace (page_title) | 'Black Saturday bushfires' |
Full page title (page_prefixedtitle) | 'Black Saturday bushfires' |
Edit protection level of the page (page_restrictions_edit) | [] |
Last ten users to contribute to the page (page_recent_contributors) | [
0 => '62.253.31.178',
1 => 'GreenC bot',
2 => 'Qwerty123M',
3 => 'ClueBot NG',
4 => '125.63.27.247',
5 => '123.51.107.94',
6 => 'HiLo48',
7 => 'Sidious385',
8 => 'Materialscientist',
9 => '14.203.174.111'
] |
Page age in seconds (page_age) | 479440370 |
Action (action) | 'edit' |
Edit summary/reason (summary) | 'added information' |
Old content model (old_content_model) | 'wikitext' |
New content model (new_content_model) | 'wikitext' |
Old page wikitext, before the edit (old_wikitext) | '{{Short description|Deadly bushfires in ohio, Australia, in 2009}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2014}}
{{Infobox wildfire
|title = Black Saturday Bushfires<!--This must be the same name as the article. Do not change unless the article is moved.-->
|image = February 7 Victoria Bushfires - MODIS Aqua.jpg
|caption = [[w:Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer|MODIS]] [[w:Aqua (satellite)|Aqua]] satellite image of smoke plumes and a [[pyrocumulus cloud]] northeast of [[Melbourne]] during the morning of 7 February 2009.
|location = [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]
|date = 7 February – 14 March 2009
|cause = Various confirmed sources including: {{ubl|Power lines<ref name=VBRC-Vol.01-ch.5-p.075/>|[[Arson]]<ref name='arson'>{{Cite news | first = Reko | last = Rennie | date = 1 April 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-fire-deliberately-lit-police-20090401-9j39.html | title = Marysville fire deliberately lit: police | work = [[The Age]] | publisher = [[Fairfax Media]] | access-date = 5 June 2010 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 7 September 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170907102348/http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-fire-deliberately-lit-police-20090401-9j39.html | url-status = live }}</ref>|[[Lightning]]<ref name='lightning grampians'>{{Cite news |title=Lightning starts new bushfires in Grampians |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/lightning-starts-new-bushfires-in-grampians/287662 |date=8 February 2009 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |access-date=9 February 2009 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807222753/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/lightning-starts-new-bushfires-in-grampians/287662 |url-status=live }}</ref>|Machinery<ref name="sparks">{{Cite news |title=Police track arsonists responsible for Victoria bushfires |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032884-2702,00.html |date=10 February 2009 |publisher=The Australian |work=News Limited |access-date=14 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213044555/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032884-2702,00.html |archive-date=13 February 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
|area = {{convert|450000|ha|acres}}<ref>{{cite news|author=Collins, Pádraig|title=Rudd criticised over bush fire compensation|newspaper=[[Irish Times]]|location=Ireland|date=12 February 2009|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0212/1233867933059.html|access-date=19 February 2009|archive-date=9 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009125342/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0212/1233867933059.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|landuse = Urban/Rural Fringe Areas, Farmland, and Forest Reserves/National Parks
|structures = 3,500+ (2,029 houses)
|fatalities = 173<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/black-saturday|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927004504/https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/black-saturday|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-09-27|title=About Black Saturday - Country Fire Authority|date=2019-09-27|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theconversation.com/what-has-australia-learned-from-black-saturday-111245|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416151401/https://theconversation.com/what-has-australia-learned-from-black-saturday-111245|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-04-16|title=What has Australia learned from Black Saturday?|date=2019-04-16|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vic.gov.au/2009-bushfires|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520081804/https://www.vic.gov.au/2009-bushfires|url-status=live|archive-date=2019-05-20|title=2009 Victorian Bushfires|date=2019-05-20|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref>
|injuries = 414<ref name="Australian Medical Journal"/>
}}
The '''Black Saturday bushfires''' were a series of [[Bushfires in Australia|bushfires]] that either ignited or were already burning across the [[Australian state|American state]] of [[Victoria (Australia)|Ohio]] on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009, and were one of Australia's all-time worst bushfire disasters. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest-ever loss of human life from a bushfire,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Horrific, but not the worst we've suffered |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/horrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=11 February 2009 |access-date=2020-07-16 |first=John |last=Huxley |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213204825/http://www.smh.com.au/national/horrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html |archive-date=2009-02-13 |url-status=live }}</ref> with 173 fatalities.<ref>{{Cite report |url=http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/finaldocuments/summary/PF/VBRC_Summary_PF.pdf |title=2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission - Final Report |date=July 2010 |publisher=Government Printer for the State of Victoria |access-date=2020-07-16 |archive-date=27 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227233416/http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/finaldocuments/summary/PF/VBRC_Summary_PF.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Many people were left homeless as a result.
As many as 400 individual fires were recorded on Saturday 7 February; the day has become widely referred to in Australia as Black Saturday
Deputy Prime Minister [[Julia Gillard]] described Black Saturday as "a tragedy beyond belief, beyond precedent and beyond words … one of the darkest days in Australia’s peacetime history."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/black-saturday-bushfires |archive-date=6 January 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200106114930/https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/black-saturday-bushfires|url-status=live|publisher=[[National Museum of Australia]] |date=7 February 2023 |quote=Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, 2009: A tragedy beyond belief, beyond precedent and beyond words … one of the darkest days in Australia’s peacetime history. |title=Black Saturday bushfires |location=Lawson Crescent Acton Peninsula, Canberra |access-date=10 April 2024}}</ref>
The [[2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission]], headed by Justice [[Bernard Teague]], was held in response to the bushfires.
==Background==
{{See also|Early 2009 southeastern Australia heat wave}}
[[File:Melbourne City Heatwave Min & Max Temps 09 (Concept).png|thumb|right|220px|Temperature graph for [[Melbourne]] during the peak of the heatwave]]
<!-- this includes some information from [[2009 southeastern Australia heat wave]] -->
A week before the fires, a significant heatwave affected southeastern Australia. From 28–30 January, [[Melbourne]] broke temperature records by experiencing three consecutive days above {{convert|43|°C|°F}}, with the temperature peaking at {{convert|45.1|°C|°F}} on 30 January, the third hottest day in the city's history.
The wave of heat was caused by a slow-moving [[Atmospheric pressure|high-pressure system]] that settled over the [[Tasman Sea]], with a combination of an intense [[Tropical Cyclone|tropical low]] located off the [[North West Australia]]n coast and a [[monsoon trough]] over [[northern Australia]], which produced ideal conditions for hot tropical air to be directed down over southeastern Australia.<ref name="NatClimate">{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs17d.pdf|title=The exceptional January–February 2009 heatwave in southeastern Australia|date=12 February 2009|publisher=National Climate Centre|work=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=18 November 2009|archive-date=13 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913022711/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs17d.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
The February fires commenced on a day when several localities across the state, including [[Melbourne]], recorded their highest temperatures since records began in 1859.<ref name="HottestDay">{{Cite news | last=Townsend | first=Hamish | url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/city-swelters-records-tumble-in-heat-20090207-80ai.html | title=City swelters, records tumble in heat | date=7 February 2009 | publisher=The Age | work=Fairfax Media | access-date=7 February 2009 | location=Melbourne | archive-date=8 February 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208073446/http://www.theage.com.au/national/city-swelters-records-tumble-in-heat-20090207-80ai.html | url-status=live }}</ref> On 6 February 2009—the day before the fires started—the [[Country Fire Authority]] chief Russell Rees warned "We are in almost uncharted territory" in terms of bushfire conditions. [https://iview.abc.net.au/video/NC1584H001S00] The [[Premier of Victoria]] [[John Brumby]] issued a warning about the [[extreme weather]] conditions expected on 7 February: "It's just as bad a day as you can imagine and on top of that the state is just tinder-dry. People need to exercise real common sense tomorrow".<ref name="BrumbyWarning">{{Cite news |last=Moncrief |first=Mark |url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/worst-day-in-history-brumby-warns-of-fire-danger-20090206-7zf1.html |title='Worst day in history': Brumby warns of fire danger |date=6 February 2009 |publisher=The Age |work=Fairfax Media |access-date=11 February 2009 |location=Melbourne |archive-date=9 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209100743/http://www.theage.com.au/national/worst-day-in-history-brumby-warns-of-fire-danger-20090206-7zf1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Premier went on to state that it was expected to be the "worst day [of fire conditions] in the history of the state".<ref name="BrumbyWarning" />
==Events of 7 February 2009==
{{more citations needed|section|date=February 2018}}<!--2 paragraphs have no citations-->
[[File:Melbourne-temp-2009-02-07.png|thumb|300px|right|Melbourne air temperature on 6, 7 and 8 February 2009]]
A total of 358 firefighting personnel, mainly from the [[Country Fire Authority]] (CFA) and [[Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria|Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)]], were deployed across the state on Friday evening (6 February) in anticipation of the extreme conditions the following day.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} By mid-morning Saturday, hot northwesterly winds in excess of {{convert|100|km/h|mph}} hit the state,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5cef8359d07b4b6984905c349f832af1|title=Black Saturday Bushfires|website=ArcGIS Story Maps|last1=Cripps|first1=Grace|date=25 November 2019|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-date=17 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094949/https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5cef8359d07b4b6984905c349f832af1|url-status=live}}</ref> accompanied by extremely high temperatures and extremely low humidity; a total fire ban was declared for the entire state of Victoria.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.themonthly.com.au/monthly-essays-robert-manne-why-we-weren-t-warned-victorian-bushfires-and-royal-commission-1780|title=Why we weren't warned: The Victorian bushfires and the royal commission|website=The Monthly|last1=Manne|first1=Robert|date=July 2009|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-date=2 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402010643/https://www.themonthly.com.au/monthly-essays-robert-manne-why-we-weren-t-warned-victorian-bushfires-and-royal-commission-1780|url-status=live}}</ref>
As the day progressed, the highest-ever temperatures recorded to date were reached. Melbourne hit {{convert|46.4|C|F}}, the hottest temperature ever recorded for the city<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/heat-records-smashed-ahead-of-hottest-day-since-black-saturday-20190125-p50tj1.html|title=Melbourne weather: Heat records smashed ahead of hottest day since Black Saturday|website=The Age|last1=Koob|first1=Simone F.|last2=Cunningham|first2=Melissa|date=25 January 2019|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-date=19 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019134708/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/heat-records-smashed-ahead-of-hottest-day-since-black-saturday-20190125-p50tj1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and humidity levels dropped to as low as two percent. The [[McArthur Forest Fire Danger Index]] reached unprecedented levels, ranging from 160 to over 200. This was higher than the fire weather conditions experienced on [[Black Friday (1939)|Black Friday]] in 1939 and [[Ash Wednesday fires|Ash Wednesday]] in 1983.<ref name="FireIndex">{{cite web|url=http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2009/02/bushfires-and-climate/#more-654|title=Bushfires and extreme heat in southeast Australia|last=Karoly|first=David|date=16 February 2009|publisher=Real Climate|access-date=17 February 2009|archive-date=19 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219171149/http://realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2009/02/bushfires-and-climate#more-654|url-status=live}}</ref>
Around midday, as wind speeds were reaching their peak, an incorrectly-rigged '[[SWER]]' (single-wire earth return) mains power cable was ripped down at [[Kilmore East]]. This sparked a bushfire that became the deadliest and most intense firestorm ever recorded in Australia. The overwhelming majority of fire activity occurred between the afternoon of 7 February and 7:00 pm, a period when wind speed and temperature were at their highest, and humidity at its lowest.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-04-23/power-company-faces-class-action-over-black/1660796|title=Power company faces class action over Black Saturday|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |last1=Brown |first1=Rachel |date=23 April 2009|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416090152/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-04-23/power-company-faces-class-action-over-black/1660796|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Chronology==
[[File:2009 Victorian bushfires smoke plume over NZ.jpg|thumb|right|300px
|[[Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer|MODIS]] imagery shows smoke from the fires carried by winds over the [[Tasman Sea]] to [[New Zealand]]'s South Island on 8 February]]
<!-- [[File:Killmore East-Murrindindi Complex South Fire 2009 Feb BH14.jpg|thumb|right|200px|NASA image of the Whittlesea-Kinglake area on 14 February]] -->
;Wednesday, 28 January 2009
*Delburn fire commenced in [[Central Gippsland]]; [[arson]] suspected.<ref name="weekly-times third fire">{{Cite news
|author1 = Lanigan, Roslyn
|author2 = Woods, Kim
|name-list-style = amp
|title = Gippsland faces third fire
|publisher = Weekly Times
|date = 29 January 2009
|url = http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/01/29/47075_latest-news.html
|access-date = 11 February 2009
|archive-date = 15 February 2009
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090215154148/http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/01/29/47075_latest-news.html
|url-status = live
}}</ref>
;Wednesday, 4 February
*[[Bunyip State Park]] blaze commenced.<ref name="berwick-district-journal battle bunyip"/>
;Saturday, 7 February (Black Saturday)
*05:00 am – Bunyip State Park fire jumped containment lines; no other major fire activity.<ref name="Bunyip fire breaches control lines">{{Cite web|title=Black Saturday|url=http://www.abc.net.au/innovation/blacksaturday/#/timeline/sequence/chapter/1/showid/0000271|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004221626/http://abc.net.au/innovation/blacksaturday/#/timeline/sequence/chapter/1/showid/0000271|archive-date=4 October 2009|website=ABC News|access-date=6 April 2016}}</ref>
*Late morning – Many fires sprang up as temperatures rose and wind speeds increased.
*11:50 am – Power lines fell in high winds igniting the [[Kilmore East]] fire ([[Kinglake, Victoria|Kinglake]]/[[Whittlesea, Victoria|Whittlesea]] area). The fire was fanned by {{convert|125|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} winds, entered a [[pine plantation]], grew in intensity, and rapidly headed southeast through the [[Wandong]] area.<ref name="heraldsun hill paddock">{{Cite news|title=Hill paddock is pinpointed as area where fire started|date=12 February 2009|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25043261-662,00.html | publisher = Herald Sun | work = News Limited |access-date=17 February 2009 }} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref>
*12:30 pm – [[Horsham, Victoria|Horsham]] fire commenced.<ref name="Wimmera Mail-Times Horsham fire">{{Cite news |url = http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/horsham-fire-the-latest-report/1427805.aspx |archive-url = https://archive.today/20121231084331/http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/horsham-fire-the-latest-report/1427805.aspx |url-status = dead |archive-date = 31 December 2012 |title = Horsham fire: The latest report |publisher = Wimmera Mail-Times |work = Fairfax Media |access-date = 18 February 2009 }}</ref>
*12:30 pm – [[ABC Local Radio]] abandoned regular programming to cover the fire situation.<ref name="Bunyip fire breaches control lines" />
*12:45 pm – [[Hume Highway|Hume Freeway]] was closed after fire crews were unable to contain Kilmore East fire.<ref name="Bunyip fire breaches control lines" />
*Early afternoon – ABC Local Radio received calls from residents of affected areas supplying immediate up-to-date information on fire activity.
*2:55 pm – Murrindindi Mill fire ([[Marysville, Victoria|Marysville]] area) first spotted from [[Mount Despair (Victoria)|Mt Despair]] fire tower.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009
|title=transcript page 8208, Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission
|publisher=Victorian Government
|date=6 October 2009
|access-date=10 February 2010
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100517022420/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009
|archive-date=17 May 2010
|url-status=dead
}}</ref><ref name="Marysville fire start">{{Cite news | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/the-trail-of-destruction--and-the-outlook-20090209-814n.html?page=fullpage | title = The trail of destruction ... and the outlook | newspaper = The Age | publisher = [[Fairfax Media|Fairfax]] | date = 9 February 2009 | access-date = 18 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | first1 = Ben | last1 = Schneiders | first2 = Farrah | last2 = Tomazin | archive-date = 3 November 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121103003239/http://www.theage.com.au/national/the-trail-of-destruction--and-the-outlook-20090209-814n.html?page=fullpage | url-status = live }}</ref>
*3:04 pm – temperature in [[Melbourne]] peaked at {{convert|46.4|C|F}}.<ref name="HottestDay"/>
*4:20 pm – [[Kilmore East]] fire front arrived at [[Strathewen, Victoria|Strathewen]].<ref name="australian how the battle">{{Cite news | last = Stewart | first = Cameron | author2 = Corrie Perkin | title = How the battle with Victoria's bushfires was fought and lost | publisher = Australian | work = News limited | date = 14 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/how-the-battle-for-victoria-was-fought-and-lost/story-e6frg6n6-1111118847125 | access-date = 17 February 2009 | archive-date = 31 March 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140331025837/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/how-the-battle-for-victoria-was-fought-and-lost/story-e6frg6n6-1111118847125 | url-status = live }}</ref>
*4:20 pm – Murrindindi Mill fire impacted [[Narbethong, Victoria|Narbethong]].
*Mid-afternoon – smoke from Kilmore East firestorm prevented planes from mapping the fire edge.
*4:30 pm – number of individual fires across the state increased into the hundreds.
*4:30 pm – fire commenced at [[Eaglehawk, Victoria|Eaglehawk]], near [[Bendigo]].<ref>{{Cite news| last = Perkin | first = Corrie | title = Cigarette butt blamed for town's losses | publisher = The Australian | work = News limited | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/cigarette-butt-blamed-for-towns-losses/story-e6frg6n6-1111118795113 | access-date = 17 February 2009}}</ref>
*4:45 pm – Kilmore East fire front arrived at Kinglake.
*5:00 pm – wind direction changed from northwesterly to southwesterly in Melbourne (see Fawkner Beacon Wind chart for 7 February 2009).
*5:10 pm – air temperature in Melbourne dropped from over {{convert|45|C|F}} to around {{convert|30|C|F}} in fifteen minutes.
*5:30 pm – wind change arrived at Kilmore East and Murrindindi Mill (Kinglake/Marysville) fire fronts.
*5:45 pm – Kilmore East fire front arrived in [[Flowerdale, Victoria|Flowerdale]].
*6:00 pm – [[Beechworth]] fire commenced.<ref name="Beechworth Area Fire">{{cite web |title=Beechworth Area Fire – Community Update Newsletter |url=http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/130209_Beechworth_Fire_Newsletter_FINALAM_(2)_21551.pdf |publisher=Country Fire Authority |date=13 February 2009 |access-date=18 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224220121/http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/130209_Beechworth_Fire_Newsletter_FINALAM_%282%29_21551.pdf |archive-date=24 February 2009}}</ref>
*6:00 pm – Kilmore East fire smoke plume and pyrocumulus cloud reached {{convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} high.
*6:45 pm – Murrindindi Mill fire front arrived at Marysville.<ref name="Marysville police probe">{{Cite news | title = Marysville residents recall Black Saturday for police probe | last = Strong | first = Geoff | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-recall-black-saturday-for-police-probe-20090305-8p25.html | publisher = The Age | work = Fairfax Media | date = 5 March 2009 | access-date = 7 March 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 6 November 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121106143039/http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-recall-black-saturday-for-police-probe-20090305-8p25.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="Marysville residents">{{Cite news | title = Marysville residents 'should have been warned to leave town | last = Milovanovic | first = Selma | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-should-have-been-warned-to-leave-town-20090406-9u3t.html | publisher = The Age | work = Fairfax Media | date = 6 April 2009 | access-date = 10 April 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 9 April 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090409064758/http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-should-have-been-warned-to-leave-town-20090406-9u3t.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
*8:30 pm – Victorian Health Emergency Co-ordination Centre notified Melbourne hospitals to prepare for burn victims.
*8:57 pm – CFA chief officer first notified that casualties had been confirmed.
*10:00 pm – [[Victoria Police]] announced an initial estimate of 14 fatalities.
;Sunday, 8 February
*Kilmore East and Murrindindi Mill fires merged to form the Kinglake fire complex.<ref name="Herald Yarra Valley">{{Cite news | title = Yarra Valley tourist town Marysville devastated by bushfire | url = http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,27574,25024406-2862,00.html | publisher = Herald Sun | work = News Limited | date = 8 February 2009 | access-date = 22 February 2009 | archive-date = 13 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090213044502/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,27574,25024406-2862,00.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
*[[Wilsons Promontory]] fire ignited by lightning.<ref name="Wilsons Prom">{{cite web | title = Tidal River camping ground evacuated as fire spreads | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486078.htm | work = ABC News | date = 9 February 2009 | access-date = 22 February 2009 | archive-date = 12 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090212174030/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486078.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>
*[[Victoria Police]] increased estimate to 25 fatalities.
[[File:2009 Victorian bushfires map 10 February annotated.JPG|thumb|300px|right|Map of fire locations on 10 February]]
;Tuesday, 10 February
*Spot fires from Kinglake complex fires merged to form the Maroondah/Yarra complex.
;Tuesday, 17 February
*Six fires still burned out of control, with another nineteen contained.<ref name="Healesville">{{Cite news
|title = Winds cause nervous moments for Healesville
|publisher = The Age
|work = Fairfax Media
|date = 17 February 2009
|url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/winds-cause-nervous-moments-for-healesville-20090217-89gu.html
|access-date = 17 February 2009
|location = Melbourne
|archive-date = 19 February 2009
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090219160428/http://www.theage.com.au/national/winds-cause-nervous-moments-for-healesville-20090217-89gu.html
|url-status = live
}}</ref>
*Containment lines surrounded 85 per cent of the Kinglake–Murrindindi complex.<ref name="Healesville"/>
*The Kilmore East – Murrindindi complex south fire burned in Melbourne's [[O'Shannassy River|O'Shannassy]] and [[Armstrong Creek, Victoria|Armstrong Creek]] water [[catchment]]s.<ref name="Healesville"/>
*Bunyip and Beechworth fires almost contained.<ref name="Healesville"/>
;Thursday, 19 February
*Victoria Police increased estimate to 208 fatalities.
;Monday, 23 February
*Temperatures in the mid-30 degrees Celsius (mid-90 degrees Fahrenheit), northerly winds, and a cool change precipitated a flare-up of many of the fires, and ignited several new fires.
*The most significant new fires were in the southern [[Dandenong Ranges]] near [[Upwey, Victoria|Upwey]], south of [[Daylesford, Victoria|Daylesford]] (near Hogans Lane, [[Musk, Victoria]]), and in the [[Otway Ranges]].
*Weather conditions directed previously burning fires in the [[Yarra Ranges Shire|Yarra Ranges]] towards settlements in the upper Yarra Valley, but the fires were of a low intensity and were quickly contained.
;Friday, 27 February
*Bunyip fire still burnt within control lines in the Bunyip State Park and State Forest areas.<ref>CFA Awareness Message – Bunyip Ridge Track Fire 7.00pm, 27 February 2009</ref>
*The Kilmore East – Murrindindi complex north fire burned within containment lines on the southeastern flank.<ref>CFA Downgrade Message – Alert to Awareness-Kilmore East Murrindindi Complex North Fire, 27 February 2009</ref>
*The Kilmore East – Murrindindi complex south fire activity continued in areas close to several towns in the [[Yarra Valley]] near both Yarra Glen and [[Warburton, Victoria|Warburton]].<ref>CFA Awareness Message – Kilmore East – Murrindindi Complex South Fire 7.20 pm, 27 February 2009</ref>
*The [[Wilsons Promontory]] Cathedral fire had burnt {{convert|24150|ha|acre|abbr=on}} and was still burning.<ref>CFA Awareness Message – Wilsons Prom Cathedral Fire 6.00pm, 27 February 2009</ref>
*The [[French Island (Victoria)|French Island]] fire slowly burnt in uninhabited grass and scrub bushland on the northeast end of the island.<ref>Awareness Message – French Island Fire 6.50pm, 27 February 2009</ref>
;Tuesday, 3 March 2009:
*Extreme bushfire conditions predicted for Monday night and early Tuesday morning, involving very strong northerlies, with a change forecast to arrive by Tuesday morning. Mobile phone companies trialled technology by sending Victorians and [[Tasmania]]ns three million [[Short message service|SMS]] messages on behalf of [[Victoria Police]].<ref name="SMS warning">{{Cite news | last = Dobbin | first = Marika | title = Victorians receive fire text warning | publisher = The Age | work = Fairfax Media | date = 3 March 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/victorians-receive-fire-text-warning-20090302-8mfq.html | access-date = 3 March 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 3 March 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090303121100/http://www.theage.com.au/national/victorians-receive-fire-text-warning-20090302-8mfq.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
;Wednesday, 4 March
*Cooler conditions and rain from 4–6 March enabled firefighters to control and contain several fires, with the Kilmore East – Murrindindi complex south fire being completely contained.
*Predictions for favourable weather signalled the easing of the threat to settlements from the major fires that had been burning since 7 February.
;Mid-March
*Favourable conditions aided containment efforts and extinguished many of the fires.
==Major fires==
===Kinglake–Marysville fires===
[[File:February 7 Victorian bushfires smoke east of Melbourne.JPG|thumb|right|The large smoke cloud from the Kilmore East fire, being blown across Melbourne's northeast at 2:49 pm]]
The [[Kinglake, Victoria|Kinglake]] fire complex was named after two earlier fires, the [[Kilmore East, Victoria|Kilmore East]] fire and the [[Murrindindi, Victoria|Murrindindi]] Mill fire, merged following the wind change on the evening of 7 February.<ref name="geelong-addy kinglake casualties">{{Cite news | title = Reports of major casualties at Kinglake | publisher = Geelong Advertiser | date = 8 February 2009 | url = http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49445_news.html | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090209073155/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49445_news.html | url-status = live }}</ref> The complex was the largest of the many fires burning on Black Saturday, ultimately destroying over {{convert|330000|ha|acre|abbr=on}}.<ref name="abc at a glance">{{Cite news | title = At a glance: where bushfires are burning | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 8 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485609.htm?section=justin | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090209112549/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485609.htm?section=justin | url-status = live }}</ref> It was also the most destructive, with over 1,800 houses destroyed and 159 lives lost in the region.
====Kinglake area (Kilmore East fire)====
Just before midday on 7 February, high winds felled a {{convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} section of power lines owned by [[AusNet Services|SP AusNet]] in Kilmore East, sparking a fire at approximately 11:45 am in open grasslands that adjoined pine plantations. The fire was fanned by extreme northwesterly winds, and travelled {{convert|50|km|abbr=on}} southeast in a narrow fire front through [[Wandong, Victoria|Wandong]] and [[Clonbinane, Victoria|Clonbinane]], into [[Kinglake National Park]], and then onto the towns of [[Humevale, Victoria|Humevale]], [[Kinglake West, Victoria|Kinglake West]], [[Strathewen, Victoria|Strathewen]] and [[St Andrews, Victoria|St Andrews]].<ref name="VBRC-Vol.01-ch.5-p.075">{{cite book |author1=Teague, Bernard|title=The Kilmore East Fire: Final Report|author2=McLeod, Ronald|author3=Pascoe, Susan|date=July 2010|isbn=978-0-9807408-2-0|edition=1|volume=1: The Fires and the Fire-Related Deaths|page=75|chapter=Chapter 5 |publisher=[[2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission]] |quote=The fire started after the conductor between poles 38 and 39 failed and the live conductor came into contact with a cable stay supporting pole 38. This contact caused arcing that ignited vegetation near the base of pole 38. An electrical fault was recorded at 11:45...|access-date=6 February 2015 |chapter-url=http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Finaldocuments/volume-1/PF/VBRC_Vol1_Chapter05_PF.pdf|chapter-format=PDF - 1,478 KB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015122/http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Finaldocuments/volume-1/PF/VBRC_Vol1_Chapter05_PF.pdf|archive-date=12 November 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Age7Feb">{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/death-toll-may-reach-more-than-40-police-20090207-80ao.html|title=Death toll may reach more than 40: police|date=7 February 2009|publisher=The Age|work=Fairfax Media|access-date=7 February 2009|location=Melbourne|archive-date=8 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208072330/http://www.theage.com.au/national/death-toll-may-reach-more-than-40-police-20090207-80ao.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
The cool change passed through the area around 5:30 pm, bringing strong southwesterly winds. The wind change turned the initial long and narrow fire band into a wide firefront that moved in a northeast direction through [[Kinglake, Victoria|Kinglake]], [[Steels Creek, Victoria|Steels Creek]], [[Dixons Creek, Victoria|Dixons Creek]], [[Chum Creek, Victoria|Chum Creek]], [[Toolangi, Victoria|Toolangi]], [[Hazeldene, Victoria|Hazeldene]], [[Broadford, Victoria|Broadford]] and [[Flowerdale, Victoria|Flowerdale]].<ref name="geelong-addy grave concern">{{Cite news|title=Kilmore fires cause grave concern |publisher=Geelong Advertiser |date=8 February 2009 |url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49421_news.html |access-date=9 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209073134/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49421_news.html |archive-date=9 February 2009 }}</ref>
The area became the worst-impacted in the state, with a total of 120 deaths<ref name="deathtoll">{{cite web|title=Bushfires death toll |url=http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19190 |access-date=31 March 2009 |date=30 March 2009 |work=Victoria Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313151520/http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19190 |archive-date=13 March 2009 }}</ref> and more than 1,200 homes destroyed.
The cause of the Kilmore East-Kinglake bushfire was found by the [[2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission]] to be an ageing SP AusNet power line.<ref name=abc-kilmore-settle/>
====Marysville area (Murrindindi Mill fire)====
[[File:Victorian 2009 Bushfires - Steels Creek 1.jpg|thumb|Fire approaching a residence in [[Steels Creek, Victoria|Steels Creek]] at 6:11 pm]]
[[File:2009 Victorian bushfires smoke Warrandyte.JPG|thumb|right|Smoke mixed with cloud over [[Warrandyte, Victoria|Warrandyte]], looking northeast across the [[Yarra River]], towards the Kinglake fire complex on 8 February]]
[[File:2009 Lake Mountain after bushfire DSC 0335.JPG|thumb|right|[[Lake Mountain (Victoria)|Lake Mountain]] toboggan run after the fire]]
According to eyewitnesses, the Murrindindi Mill fire started at 2:55 pm,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009|title=transcript pages 8208, 8225 & 8246, Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission|publisher=Victorian Government|access-date=10 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100517022420/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009|archive-date=17 May 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> while Victoria Police twice told the Royal Commission that it commenced at "about 2.30 pm".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-001-0338|title=Detective Superintendent Paul Hollowood's witness statement paragraph 65|publisher=Victorian Government|access-date=10 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706123119/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-001-0338|archive-date=6 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-003-0287 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924092239/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-003-0287 |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 September 2015 |title=Detective Superintendent Paul Hollowood's supplementary witness statement, paragraph 20 |publisher=Victorian Government |access-date=10 February 2010 }}</ref> It burned southeast across the Black Range, parallel to the Kilmore fire, towards [[Narbethong, Victoria|Narbethong]]. Experienced Air Attack Coordinator Shaun Lawlor reported flame heights of "at least 100 metres" as the fire traversed the Black Range.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009|title=transcript page 8261, Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission|publisher=Victorian Government|access-date=10 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100517022420/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009|archive-date=17 May 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> At Narbethong, it destroyed 95 per cent of the town's houses.<ref name="abc wiped out"/> When the southerly change struck, it swept towards the town of [[Marysville, Victoria|Marysville]].<ref name="abc wiped out">{{Cite news |last=Cowan |first=Jane |display-authors=etal |title=Wiped out: Town destroyed by killer fires |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=8 February 2009 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485378.htm |access-date=9 February 2009 |archive-date=9 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209112921/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485378.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
Late in the afternoon of 7 February, residents had anticipated that the fire front would bypass Marysville.<ref name="abc wiped out" /> At about 5:00 pm, power was lost to the town. Around 5:30 pm, the wind died away, however, minutes later it returned from a different direction, bringing the fire up the valley with it.<ref name="australian razed township">{{cite news | last = Davies | first = Julie-Anne | title = Razed township fears for missing | newspaper = The Australian | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25026480-2702,00.html | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211143130/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25026480-2702,00.html | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | url-status = dead}}</ref>
Afterwards, a police sergeant said that the main street in Marysville had been destroyed: "The motel at one end of it partially exists. The bakery has survived. Don't ask me how. Everything else is just nuked."<ref name="age sickening wait">{{Cite news | last = Coslovich | first = Gabriella | title = Sickening wait for proof of life, or death | publisher = The Age | work = Fairfax Media | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/sickening-wait-for-proof-of-life-or-death-20090208-8112.html?page=2 | access-date = 9 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211142434/http://www.theage.com.au/national/sickening-wait-for-proof-of-life-or-death-20090208-8112.html?page=2 | url-status = live }}</ref> Reports on 11 February estimated that around 100 of the town's population of approximately 500 were believed to have perished, and that only "a dozen" buildings were left. Premier Brumby described the situation: "There's no activity, there's no people, there's no buildings, there's no birds, there's no animals, everything's just gone. So the fatality rate will be very high."<ref name="marysville-one-in-five">{{cite web|title=Marysville toll may be 1 in 5|url=http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51975_latest-news.html|work=The Weekly Times|publisher=[[News Limited]]|access-date=9 February 2011|date=11 February 2009|archive-date=15 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315123959/http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51975_latest-news.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Eventually 34 fatalities were confirmed in the Marysville area, with all but 14 of over 400 buildings destroyed. Other localities severely affected included [[Buxton, Victoria|Buxton]] and [[Taggerty, Victoria|Taggerty]].<ref name=Yea-Murrundindi>{{cite web|title=Yea-Murrundindi map |publisher=CFA |url=http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/Yea-Murrundindi_MediaMap_20090208_0015_21109.pdf |access-date=8 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224220055/http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/Yea-Murrundindi_MediaMap_20090208_0015_21109.pdf |archive-date=24 February 2009 }}</ref>
To the south of the fire complex, visitors and residents were stranded at [[Yarra Glen, Victoria|Yarra Glen]] when fire surrounded the town on three sides.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/we-can-see-flames-people-stranded-in-yarra-glen-20090207-80e3.html |title='We can see flames': people stranded in Yarra Glen |date=8 February 2008 |publisher=The Age |work=Fairfax Media |access-date=8 February 2009 |location=Melbourne |first=Hamish |last=Townsend |archive-date=9 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209140340/http://www.theage.com.au/national/we-can-see-flames-people-stranded-in-yarra-glen-20090207-80e3.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Houses just to the north of Yarra Glen were destroyed and large areas of grassy paddocks burnt.
Investigators initially believed that the cause of the fire that originated near the Murrundindi Mill and swept through Narbethong and Marysville was arson, with several suspects investigated.<ref name="TheAge">{{Cite news | title = Arsonists may have lit Marysville fire – Nixon | publisher = The Age | work = Fairfax Media | date = 12 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/arsonists-may-have-lit-marysville-fire-nixon-20090212-852y.html | access-date = 12 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | first = Robyn | last = Grace | archive-date = 17 July 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094950/https://www.theage.com.au/national/arson-suspects-arrested-20090212-852y.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Later investigations prompted a 2011 declaration that arson had not been responsible.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/marysville-blaze-not-the-work-of-arsonist-20110625-1gkan.html |location=Melbourne |work=The Age |title=Marysville blaze not the work of arsonist |date=25 June 2011 |access-date=25 June 2011 |archive-date=28 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628204827/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/marysville-blaze-not-the-work-of-arsonist-20110625-1gkan.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Beechworth fire===
In [[Beechworth]], a fire burnt over {{convert|30000|ha|acre}} and threatened the towns of [[Yackandandah, Victoria|Yackandandah]], [[Stanley, Victoria|Stanley]], [[Bruarong, Victoria|Bruarong]], [[Dederang, Victoria|Dederang]], [[Kancoona, Victoria|Kancoona]], [[Kancoona South, Victoria|Kancoona South]], [[Coralbank, Victoria|Coralbank]], [[Glen Creek, Victoria|Glen Creek]], and [[Running Creek, Victoria|Running Creek]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485588.htm|title=Smoke, cloud restrict Beechworth fire info|date=8 February 2009|work=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=8 February 2009|archive-date=9 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209112539/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485588.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The fire ignited from a felled power line at around 6:00 pm<ref name="Beechworth Area Fire"/> on 7 February, {{convert|3|km|abbr=on}} south of Beechworth, before being driven south through pine plantations by hot northerly winds.<ref name="herald-sun fast-moving blaze">{{cite news | author1 = McNaught, Megan | author2 = Pilcher, Georgie | name-list-style = amp | title = Fast-moving blaze hit with little warning | newspaper = Herald Sun | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25025982-2862,00.html | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 31 December 2012 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121231004421/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archives/old-news-pages/blaze-hit-with-little-warning/story-e6frf8zo-1111118794037 | url-status = live }}</ref>
The fire destroyed an unknown number of buildings at [[Mudgegonga, Victoria|Mudgegonga]], southeast of Beechworth, with two residents confirmed dead.<ref name="abc buildings mudgeegonga">{{Cite news | title = Buildings destroyed near Beechworth | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 8 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485547.htm | access-date = 8 February 2009 | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211163000/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485547.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> Dense smoke and cloud cover had hindered assessment of the Beechworth fire, but as conditions cleared late on 8 February, aerial crews were able to commence surveys of the situation.<ref name="abc smoke cloud beechworth">{{Cite news | title = Smoke, cloud restrict Beechworth fire info | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 8 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485588.htm | access-date = 8 February 2009 | archive-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090209112539/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485588.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>
Strong winds fuelled the fire on the night of 8 February, and lightning ignited a new fire near [[Kergunyah, Victoria|Kergunyah]] around midday on 9 February.<ref name="herald-sun fresh fire">{{cite news | last = Pilcher | first = Georgie | title = Fresh fire jumps river and threatens towns | newspaper = Herald Sun | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/hundreds-battle-to-control-blazes/story-e6frf7jo-1111118804624 | access-date = 10 February 2009 | archive-date = 22 March 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140322124845/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/hundreds-battle-to-control-blazes/story-e6frf7jo-1111118804624 | url-status = live }}</ref> More than 440 personnel worked to contain a separate front that threatened [[Gundowring, Victoria|Gundowring]] and [[Eskdale, Victoria|Eskdale]], having jumped the [[Kiewa River]]. Late on the night of 9 February the greatest threat was to Eskdale, and fires also burnt in pine plantations {{convert|8|km|mi}} from the large town of [[Myrtleford, Victoria|Myrtleford]], at the western end of the fire area.<ref name="herald-sun fresh fire" /> While smaller towns to the east, including Gundowring and Kergunyah, remained under threat, the CFA said that there was no immediate danger to the larger towns of Beechworth and Yackandandah on the northern fringe of the fire area.<ref name="australian inquiry ordered">{{cite news|author1=Hannan, Ewin |author2=Wallace, Rick |name-list-style=amp | title = Inquiry ordered into Victoria bushfires, hunt for arsonists begins | newspaper = The Australian | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation-weeps-as-toll-tops-166/story-e6frg6n6-1111118804823 | access-date = 10 February 2009}}</ref>
By 10 February, firefighters had completed a {{convert|115|km|mi|adj=on|abbr=on}} containment line around the Beechworth fire, and sought to construct {{convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} more, though the fire continued to burn out of control.<ref name="canberra-times prisoners help">{{cite news|title=Prisoners help fight Beechworth blaze |newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=10 February 2009 |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/prisoners-help-fight-beechworth-blaze/1429502.aspx |access-date=10 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215011337/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/prisoners-help-fight-beechworth-blaze/1429502.aspx |archive-date=15 February 2009 }}</ref> By that afternoon, threat messages for the area had been downgraded, though firefighters were tackling a separate fire near [[Koetong, Victoria|Koetong]], to the east of the main Beechworth fire, of between {{convert|50|and|80|ha|acre|abbr=on}}.<ref name="abc north-east urged">{{Cite news | title = North-east residents urged to remain on fire alert | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487509.htm | access-date = 10 February 2009 | archive-date = 13 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090213064816/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487509.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> Residents of Beechworth and surrounding towns were advised on the evening of 10 February to expect increased smoke cover as 250 firefighters would be undertaking backburning to eliminate fuel within the control lines.<ref name="border-mail smoke increases">{{Cite news | title = Smoke increases with Beechworth backburning | work = Border Mail | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/local/news/general/smoke-increases-with-beechworth-backburning/1429957.aspx | access-date = 10 February 2009 | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211211108/http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/local/news/general/smoke-increases-with-beechworth-backburning/1429957.aspx | url-status = live }}</ref>
The [[Beechworth Correctional Centre]] minimum-security prison offered up to thirty of its inmates to provide assistance to firefighters; a local DSE manager said that though untrained personnel would not be allowed at the fire front, the prisoners would be welcome in support roles.<ref name="canberra-times prisoners help" />
===Bendigo fire===
[[File:Bendigo Fires 07022009 1.jpg|thumb|right|Fire threatening houses near Dean Street in Long Gully, west of [[Bendigo, Victoria|Bendigo]] at 5:52 pm]]
A fire to the west of the city of [[Bendigo, Victoria|Bendigo]] burned out {{convert|500|ha|acre}}.<ref name="abc bendigo meeting">{{Cite news | title = Meeting held for fire-affected Bendigo residents | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485623.htm | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090209222753/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485623.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> The fire broke out at about 4:30 pm on the afternoon of 7 February, and burned through [[Long Gully, Victoria|Long Gully]] and [[Eaglehawk, Victoria|Eaglehawk]], coming within {{convert|2|km|abbr=on}} of central Bendigo, before it was brought under control late on 7 February.<ref name="abc bendigo meeting" /> It destroyed around 61 houses<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/inferno-warning-cfa/1435265.aspx |title=Inferno warning: CFA – Local News – News – General |publisher=Bendigo Advertiser |date=17 February 2009 |access-date=29 December 2011 |archive-date=13 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213003037/http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/inferno-warning-cfa/1435265.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> in Bendigo's western suburbs, and damaged an electricity distribution line, resulting in blackouts to substantial parts of the city.<ref name="herald-sun man on fire">{{cite news | title = The man up the road is on fire | newspaper = Herald Sun | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25025484-2862,00.html | access-date = 9 February 2009 | first1 = Emily | last1 = Power | first2 = Karen | last2 = Collier | archive-date = 30 December 2012 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121230150352/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archives/old-news-pages/the-man-up-the-road-is-on-fire/story-e6frf8zo-1111118793125 | url-status = live }}</ref> One Long Gully resident, ill and confined to his house, was killed in the fire despite the efforts of his neighbours to rescue him.<ref name="herald-sun man on fire" /> The fire changed direction late on 7 February with the cool change, and headed back towards Eaglehawk; it was contained at 9:52 pm, though it was still burning within containment lines well into the next day.<ref name="age mind beast">{{cite news | last = Kennedy | first = Peter | title = Fire had a mind of its own, like a beast | newspaper = The Age | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/fire-had-a-mind-of-its-own-like-a-beast-20090208-8115.html | access-date = 9 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211143240/http://www.theage.com.au/national/fire-had-a-mind-of-its-own-like-a-beast-20090208-8115.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
A relief centre was set up at [[Kangaroo Flat, Victoria|Kangaroo Flat]] Senior Citizens Centre.<ref name="CFA 1476708465993">{{cite web|title=Downgrade Message – Urgent Threat to Final Advice Bracewell Fire (Bendigo), 2.30 am |publisher=CFA |url=http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/incident_updates.htm#1476708465993 |access-date=8 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118001216/http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/incident_updates.htm |archive-date=18 January 2009 }}</ref> During the fire, residents from Long Gully, Eaglehawk, Maiden Gully, California Gully, and West Bendigo were evacuated and advised to assemble at the centre.<ref name="bendigo-advertiser wall of flames">{{Cite news | title = Bendigo Battles Wall of Flames | publisher = Bendigo Advertiser | date = 8 February 2009 | url = http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/bendigo-battles-wall-of-flames/1427780.aspx | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211085656/http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/bendigo-battles-wall-of-flames/1427780.aspx | url-status = live }}</ref> A town meeting was held for the affected residents on 8 February.<ref name="abc bendigo meeting" /> On the same day, [[Victoria Police]] indicated that they were investigating whether arson was the cause of the fire.<ref name="abc bendigo meeting" />
The CFA initially suspected that the most likely cause was a [[cigarette butt]] discarded from a car or truck along Bracewell Street in Maiden Gully.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Perkin |first=Corrie |title=Cigarette butt blamed for West Bendigo fire; two dead, 50 homes lost |work=news.com.au |publisher=News Limited |date=9 February 2009 |url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25027063-1243,00.html |access-date=9 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210111138/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C27574%2C25027063-1243%2C00.html |archive-date=10 February 2009}}</ref> However, the arson squad and local Bendigo detectives spent 9 February investigating the fire scene, and while they could not determine exactly what had caused the fire as of 10 February, they suspected arson.<ref name="abc arson bendigo">{{Cite news | title = Arson suspected in deadly Bendigo blaze | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487050.htm | access-date = 10 February 2009 | archive-date = 12 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090212185307/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487050.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> On 10 June 2009, Victoria Police announced that they were 'completely satisfied' that the fire had been deliberately lit.<ref name="bendigo arson">{{cite news | last = Cooper | first = Mex | title = Black Saturday: Bendigo fatal fire 'arson' | newspaper = The Age | date = 10 July 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-bendigo-fatal-fire-arson-20090610-c2pw.html | access-date = 14 December 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 12 December 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091212190754/http://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-bendigo-fatal-fire-arson-20090610-c2pw.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
On 2 February 2010, police announced that the taskforce investigating the arson had arrested two youths in relation to the Bendigo fires. The youths, aged 14 and 15, were each charged with arson causing death, deliberately lighting a bushfire, lighting of a fire on a day of total fire ban and lighting of a fire in a country area during extreme weather conditions. They were also charged with multiple counts of using telecommunications systems to menace, harass and offend as well as 135 counts each of arson.<ref>{{cite news |title=Teens charged over killer Bendigo fire on Black Saturday |first=Thomas |last=Hunter |newspaper=[[The Age]] |url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/teens-charged-over-killer-bendigo-fire-on-black-saturday-20100202-na6u.html |date=2 February 2010 |access-date=25 August 2010 |location=Melbourne |archive-date=6 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406011406/http://www.theage.com.au/national/teens-charged-over-killer-bendigo-fire-on-black-saturday-20100202-na6u.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 7 November 2011, the Victorian Supreme Court Justice, Paul Coghlan, on advice from the prosecutor, Steven Milesi, found that the two youths were unfit to stand trial before a jury due to their intellectual disabilities.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Teens in Black Saturday arson case let off |first=Michelle |last=Henderson |publisher=9 News |url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8370820/black-saturday-arson-case-discontinued |access-date=7 November 2011 |location=Melbourne |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107163011/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8370820/black-saturday-arson-case-discontinued |archive-date=7 November 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Redesdale fire===
In [[Redesdale, Victoria|Redesdale]], southeast of Bendigo, a fire starting {{convert|9|km|abbr=on}} west of the town burnt {{convert|10000|ha|acre|abbr=on}} and destroyed twelve houses and various outbuildings. The fire threatened the towns of [[Baynton, Victoria|Baynton]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Cain|first=Kim|date=2 March 2009|title=Five minutes and it's fire|url=http://crosslight.org.au/2009/03/02/five-minutes-and-its-fire/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331020948/http://crosslight.org.au/2009/03/02/five-minutes-and-its-fire/|archive-date=31 March 2014|access-date=5 February 2014|website=Crosslight}}</ref> and [[Glenhope, Victoria|Glenhope]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 August 2013|title=Back from the brink|url=http://www.elliottmidnews.com.au/story/1731025/back-from-the-brink/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221195508/http://www.elliottmidnews.com.au/story/1731025/back-from-the-brink/|archive-date=21 February 2014|access-date=5 February 2014|website=Midland Express}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}} Glenhope was threatened again on 9 February from a smaller fire that broke away from the main front, resulting in extra fire crews being brought in from Bendigo and [[Kyneton, Victoria|Kyneton]].<ref name="abc arson bendigo"/> The fire was contained by 10 February.<ref name="abc arson bendigo" />
===Bunyip State Park fire===
A fire started at Bunyip Ridge in the [[Bunyip State Park]] on 4 February, originating near walking tracks; it was thought to have been deliberately lit.<ref name="berwick-district-journal battle bunyip">{{Cite news | last = Miller | first = Elisa | title = Battle to control Bunyip State Park blaze | publisher = Berwick & District Journal | date = 12 February 2009 | url = http://berwick.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/battle-to-control-bunyip-state-park-blaze/1432527.aspx | archive-url = https://archive.today/20110821174141/http://berwick.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/battle-to-control-bunyip-state-park-blaze/1432527.aspx | url-status = dead | archive-date = 21 August 2011 | access-date = 22 February 2009 }}</ref> By 6 February, the fire had burned out {{convert|123|ha|acre}}, and emergency services personnel engaged in fighting the fire feared, despite efforts to establish containment lines in the park, that once the extreme weather conditions of 7 February arrived the fire would escape the confines of the park and threaten surrounding towns.<ref name="australian threatens break free">{{cite news | title = Bushfire threatens to break free | newspaper = The Australian | date = 6 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25015607-12377,00.html | access-date = 22 February 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
By the morning of 7 February, the fire had broken through containment lines.<ref name="abc fire breaks lines">{{Cite news | title = Residents warned as fire breaks lines | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 7 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/07/2484988.htm | access-date = 22 February 2009 | archive-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090209155734/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/07/2484988.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> According to the DSE incident controller for the fire, the weather conditions deteriorated much more quickly than predicted, stating that "conditions overnight and in the early hours are usually mild, but our firefighters are reporting strong winds and flame heights of five to 10 metres".<ref name="australian residents high alert">{{cite news | title = Residents on high alert as fire nears | newspaper = The Australian | date = 7 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25020249-12377,00.html | access-date = 22 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090210143048/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25020249-12377,00.html | archive-date = 10 February 2009 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Ground-based fire crews had to retreat from the fire front as the escalating conditions made firefighting in the bushland terrain impossible.<ref name="australian crews retreat">{{cite news | title = Fire crews forced to retreat | newspaper = The Australian | date = 7 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25020330-12377,00.html | access-date = 22 February 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The fire broke out of the park around 4:00 pm, and by 6:00 pm had burnt out {{convert|2400|ha|acre}} of forest and farmland, threatening the towns of [[Labertouche, Victoria|Labertouche]], [[Tonimbuk, Victoria|Tonimbuk]], [[Jindivick, Victoria|Jindivick]], [[Drouin, Victoria|Drouin]], [[Warragul, Victoria|Warragul]] and [[Longwarry, Victoria|Longwarry]], and embers were starting spot fires up to {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the south.<ref name="age inferno terrorises">{{cite news | author1 = Egan, Carmel | author2 = Holland, Steve | name-list-style = amp | title = Inferno terrorises communities as it rages out of control | newspaper = The Age | date = 7 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/inferno-terrorises-communities-as-it-rages-out-of-control-20090207-80fw.html | access-date = 22 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 10 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090210132444/http://www.theage.com.au/national/inferno-terrorises-communities-as-it-rages-out-of-control-20090207-80fw.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
The fire destroyed approximately a dozen houses at Labertouche, Tonimbuk, and Drouin West,<ref name="weekly-times rain only hope">{{Cite news | last = White | first = Leslie | title = Rain the only fire hope | work = Weekly Times | date = 11 February 2009 | url = http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51711_latest-news.html | access-date = 22 February 2009 | archive-date = 21 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090221034725/http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51711_latest-news.html | url-status = live }}</ref> in addition to various outbuildings and a factory.<ref name="herald-sun towns alert">{{cite news | last = Wotherspoon | first = Sarah | title = Dozens of towns on high alert as strong winds fan flames | newspaper = Herald Sun | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/towns-on-high-alert-as-winds-change/story-e6frf7jo-1111118796733 | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 22 March 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140322111824/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/towns-on-high-alert-as-winds-change/story-e6frf7jo-1111118796733 | url-status = live }}</ref> The progress of the fire had been stopped by the afternoon of 9 February, though it had burned through {{convert|24500|ha|acre}}.<ref name="abc glance 9feb">{{Cite news | title = At a glance: fires of concern | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485733.htm | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 10 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090210122727/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485733.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> DSE crews conducted [[controlled burn|backburning]] operations to ensure containment of the fire on 9 February, warning residents of areas between [[Pakenham, Victoria|Pakenham]] and [[Warragul, Victoria|Warragul]] about smoke from those fires.<ref name="herald-sun towns alert" />
The fire was controlled and co-ordinated at the Pakenham ICC in the Combined Emergency Services building, with CFA and DSE personnel running the operation depending on where the fire was at the time. Pakenham VICSES, who shared the building, also provided assistance during the fire operation.
[[File:Churchill Fires Black Saturday.jpg|thumb]]
===Central Gippsland fires===
The Central Gippsland bushfires began in a pine plantation {{convert|1|km|miles|abbr=on}} southeast of [[Churchill, Victoria|Churchill]] at about 1:30 pm on the afternoon of 7 February.<ref name="latrobe-valley-express blaze claims lives">{{cite web | last=Jackson | first=Nicole | website=Latrobe Valley Express | title=Blaze claims lives | date=12 February 2009 | url=http://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/blaze-claims-lives/1428488.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212204101/http://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/blaze-claims-lives/1428488.aspx | archive-date=12 February 2009 | url-status=dead | access-date=30 September 2023}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2009-02-08|title=Nine confirmed dead in Gippsland, fires still burning|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/nine-confirmed-dead-in-gippsland-fires-still/287424|access-date=2021-07-17|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU|archive-date=2 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202065323/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/nine-confirmed-dead-in-gippsland-fires-still/287424|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|author=|date=July 2010|title=The Churchill Fire|url=http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/commission-reports/final-report/volume-1/chapters/the-churchill-fire|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330051237/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/commission-reports/final-report/volume-1/chapters/the-churchill-fire|archive-date=30 March 2014|access-date=17 July 2021|website=2009 VBRC - Final Report - Vol 1|publisher=Victorian Government|via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Within 30 minutes it had spread to the southeast, threatening [[Hazelwood South, Victoria|Hazelwood South]], [[Jeeralang, Victoria|Jeeralang]], and [[Budgeree East, Victoria|Budgeree East]], and by late afternoon the fire was approaching [[Yarram, Victoria|Yarram]] and [[Woodside, Victoria|Woodside]] on the south Gippsland coast.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="latrobe-valley-express blaze claims lives" /> The cool change came through the area about 6:00 pm, but the southwesterly winds it brought pushed the fire northeast through [[Callignee, Victoria|Callignee]], destroying 57 of its 61 homes.<ref name="Black Saturday">{{Cite book| last = McGourty | first = John | title = Black Saturday | publisher = Harper Collins | year = 2009 | isbn = 978-0-7322-9010-8}}</ref> The fire continued on to [[Koornalla, Victoria|Koornalla]] and [[Traralgon South, Victoria|Traralgon South]],<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> and towards [[Gormandale, Victoria|Gormandale]] and [[Willung South, Victoria|Willung South]] on the [[Hyland Highway]].<ref name="latrobe-valley-express blaze claims lives" /> About 500 evacuees from the area sheltered at an emergency centre established in a theatre in [[Traralgon, Victoria|Traralgon]].<ref name="latrobe-valley-express blaze claims lives" />
The fire threatened the [[Loy Yang Power Station, Victoria|Loy Yang Power Station]], particularly the station's [[open-pit mining|open-cut coal mine]].<ref name="abc power secure">{{Cite news | title = Victoria's power 'secure but under threat' | publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] ABC News (Australian radio network) | date = 8 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485646.htm | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211150924/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485646.htm | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name=":1" /> On the night of 7 February, the fire approached the mine's [[overburden]] dump, but did not damage any infrastructure, nor did it affect the station's operations.<ref name="latrobe-valley-express loy yang alert">{{Cite news | title = Loy Yang on alert | newspaper = Latrobe Valley Express | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/loy-yang-on-alert/1428502.aspx | archive-url = https://archive.today/20110822020413/http://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/loy-yang-on-alert/1428502.aspx | url-status = dead | archive-date = 22 August 2011 | access-date = 9 February 2009 }}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Several small fires broke out in the bunker storing raw coal from the mine, but were contained with no damage.<ref name="latrobe-valley-express loy yang alert" /> The threat eased by the evening of 8 February as temperatures cooled and some light rain fell. One small [[spot fire]] broke out to the south of the power station, but it was contained by water bombing aircraft.<ref name="abc power secure" />
By 9 February, the ''Churchill fire complex'' was still burning out of control, with fronts through the [[Latrobe Valley]] and the [[Strzelecki Ranges]].<ref name="abc gippsland fires rage">{{Cite news | title = Gippsland fires continue to rage | publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485927.htm | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211161012/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485927.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> By late that afternoon, the complex had burnt out {{convert|32860|ha|acre}} and had killed eleven people.<ref name="geelong-addy loy yang">{{Cite news | title = Bushfire races towards Loy Yang power station | newspaper = [[Geelong Advertiser]] | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49745_news.html | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 12 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090212152755/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49745_news.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Wind changes that evening exacerbated parts of the Churchill complex, causing the CFA to issue further warnings to residents at [[Won Wron, Victoria|Won Wron]] and surrounding areas.<ref name="herald-sun shifting winds">{{cite news | title = Shifting winds flare up fire fronts | newspaper = [[Herald Sun]] | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.news.com.au/news/towns-under-attack-as-fires-rage/story-fna7dq6e-1111118800360 | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 27 October 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131027115706/http://www.news.com.au/news/towns-under-attack-as-fires-rage/story-fna7dq6e-1111118800360 | url-status = live }}</ref>
Investigators revealed that they strongly believed arson was the most likely cause of the Churchill fire.<ref name="TheAge"/> A man from Churchill,<ref name="age churchill arrest" /> Brendan Sokaluk of Chuchill,<ref name=age-arsonist>{{cite news|last=Moses|first=Asher|title=Vigilantes publish alleged arsonist's image online|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632703992.html|work=[[The Age]]|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|access-date=10 February 2011|date=16 February 2009|location=Melbourne|archive-date=16 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116075502/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632703992.html|url-status=live}}</ref> was arrested by police on 12 February and charged with one count each of arson causing death and intentionally lighting a bushfire.<ref name="age churchill arrest" /> He was convicted of 10 counts of arson causing death and sentenced to 17 years 9 months' imprisonment in April 2012.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-27/black-saturday-arsonist-sentenced-to-28holdholdhold29/3976564| title=Black Saturday arsonist jailed for almost 18 years| newspaper=ABC News| date=27 April 2012| access-date=10 March 2017| archive-date=14 March 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314053912/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-27/black-saturday-arsonist-sentenced-to-28holdholdhold29/3976564| url-status=live}}</ref>
===Dandenong Ranges fire===
[[File:Ringwood - Belgrave Rail Trail Bushfires.JPG|thumb|right|Fire damaged bushland surrounds the [[Ringwood - Belgrave Rail Trail]] in [[Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria|Upper Ferntree Gully]]]]
[[File:Ftgfire.jpg|thumb|right|A car burnt as a result of the Upper Ferntree Gully fires]]
In [[Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria|Upper Ferntree Gully]] a fire damaged the rail track and caused the closure of the [[Belgrave railway line]], as well as all major roads.<ref name="trains">{{cite web | title = Gippsland, Seymour & Warrnambool lines ~ Services suspended due to bushfires ~ Sun 8 Feb | publisher = V/Line | date = 8 February 2009 | url = http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/361096156/Article.aspx | access-date = 8 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110928175315/http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/361096156/Article.aspx | archive-date = 28 September 2011 | url-status = dead}}</ref> The fire, which was contained by CFA crews within three hours, burned at least {{convert|2|ha|acre|abbr=on}} along the railway.<ref name="herald-sun owners flee">{{cite news| title = Owners flee as fires gut homes| newspaper = Herald Sun| date = 8 February 2009| url = http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25023951-662,00.html| access-date = 9 February 2009| archive-date = 31 December 2012| archive-url = https://archive.today/20121231003707/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/owners-flee-as-fires-gut-homes/story-e6frf7kx-1111118788735| url-status = live}}</ref>
In the southern Dandenong Ranges, bushfires ignited around [[Narre Warren, Victoria|Narre Warren]], one of which was caused by sparks from a power tool.<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bushfires-ravage-state/2009/02/07/1233423565321.html | title=Many may be trapped in homes | date=8 February 2009 | work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] | publisher=Fairfax Media | access-date=8 February 2009 | archive-date=11 February 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211094350/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bushfires-ravage-state/2009/02/07/1233423565321.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Six homes were destroyed in [[Narre Warren South, Victoria|Narre Warren South]] and three in [[Narre Warren North, Victoria|Narre Warren North]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://dandenong-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/bunyip-fires-continue/|title=Fire crews mop up after Narre Warren South blaze|date=8 February 2009|publisher=Dandenong Leader|access-date=8 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706113405/http://dandenong-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/bunyip-fires-continue/|archive-date=6 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In the weeks following Black Saturday, fires were started in bushland along Terrys Avenue in [[Belgrave, Victoria|Belgrave]] (which was quickly contained and extinguished by the CFA), and Lysterfield State Forest in [[Upwey, Victoria|Upwey]]. Amongst the damage was the almost new [[Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria|Upper Ferntree Gully]] CFA Tanker 1.
===Wilsons Promontory fire===
On 8 February lightning sparked a fire in [[Wilsons Promontory]] which burned more than {{convert|11000|ha|acre|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/17/2493953.htm|title=Crews unable to slow Wilsons Promontory blaze|date=17 February 2009|work=ABC News|access-date=18 February 2009|archive-date=21 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221005908/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/17/2493953.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> This fire posed no immediate threat to campers, but due to excessive fuel and inaccessibility authorities chose to evacuate the park, with some campers being evacuated by boat.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486078.htm?section=australia|title=Tidal River camping ground evacuated as fire spreads|date=9 February 2009|work=ABC News|access-date=10 February 2009|archive-date=17 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094926/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-09/tidal-river-camping-ground-evacuated-as-fire/288950|url-status=live}}</ref>
At a community meeting on 11 February, DSE and [[Parks Victoria]] authorities revealed a plan to back-burn across the entrance to the promontory, in order to prevent any possibility of the fire burning out of the park and into farmland and towards the towns of [[Yanakie, Victoria|Yanakie]] and [[Sandy Point, Victoria|Sandy Point]].<ref name="age park backburning debate">{{cite news | last = Millar | first = Royce | title = National park at forefront of backburning debate | newspaper = The Age | date = 12 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/national-park-at-forefront-of-backburning-debate-20090212-85iy.html | access-date = 16 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 15 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090215202216/http://www.theage.com.au/national/national-park-at-forefront-of-backburning-debate-20090212-85iy.html | url-status = live }}</ref> [[Crikey]] reported that locals were divided on the merits of the plan, some concerned as to why the back-burning had not been carried out earlier, and some worried at the large scale of the proposed burns, which were reported to be larger than both the existing fire as well as the April 2005 fires that affected the park<ref name="crikey light up prom">{{cite magazine | last = Elmore | first = Lionel | title = Parks Victoria uses the fire crisis to light up the Prom again | magazine = Crikey | date = 12 February 2009 | url = http://www.crikey.com.au/Bushfires/20090212-Parks-Victoria-use-the-fire-crisis-to-light-the-prom-again.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121230111835/http://www.crikey.com.au/Bushfires/20090212-Parks-Victoria-use-the-fire-crisis-to-light-the-prom-again.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 30 December 2012 | access-date = 16 February 2009 }}</ref> Strong easterly winds on 12 February forced authorities to postpone the proposed burns lest they themselves pose a danger to surrounding communities, though they did proceed with preparatory work.<ref name="abc winds force change">{{Cite news | title = Winds force change to backburning plans | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 12 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/12/2489694.htm | access-date = 16 February 2009 | archive-date = 15 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090215222633/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/12/2489694.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>
===Maroondah/Yarra fires===
[[File:09 vic bushfires maroondah yarra complex 01.JPG|thumb|right|Part of the Maroondah/Yarra complex, east of [[Yarra Glen, Victoria|Yarra Glen]], on 10 February]]
The ''Maroondah/Yarra complex'' was a combination of several fires that had earlier been burning to the east of [[Healesville, Victoria|Healesville]] and [[Toolangi, Victoria|Toolangi]] on 10 February, as part of the greater Kilmore East – Murrindindi complex south.<ref name="age yarra valley threat">{{cite news | last = Smith | first = Britt | title = Fires threaten Yarra Valley | newspaper = The Age | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-threaten-yarra-valley-20090210-82m1.html | access-date = 10 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 12 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090212063639/http://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-threaten-yarra-valley-20090210-82m1.html | url-status = live }}</ref> By late that morning, the complex had burned out {{convert|505|ha|acre}}, with 184 personnel and 56 tankers responding to the fires.<ref name="age yarra valley threat" /> A CFA spokesperson said that while temperatures had cooled, strong winds were proving problematic, with towns in the area being threatened by [[ember]]s blown from the fires.<ref name="age yarra valley threat" /> Around midday, the immediate threat to property in the areas around Healesville was downgraded, though a DSE spokesperson said that residents should be mindful of localised changes in the weather.<ref name="age healesville threat downgraded">{{cite news | last = Grace | first = Robyn | title = Healesville fire threat downgraded | newspaper = The Age | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/healesville-fire-threat-downgraded-20090210-82ur.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121230215716/http://www.theage.com.au/national/healesville-fire-threat-downgraded-20090210-82ur.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 30 December 2012 | access-date = 10 February 2009 | location = Melbourne }}</ref>
===Horsham fire===
The [[Horsham, Victoria|Horsham]] fire burnt {{convert|5700|ha|acre|abbr=on}}, including the golf club and eight homes.<ref name="Age7Feb"/> Two firefighters from the [[Dimboola, Victoria|Dimboola]] brigade narrowly escaped when their [[Utility vehicle|ute]] was engulfed by fire.<ref name="ABCHorsham">{{Cite news | url = http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/02/08/2485469.htm | title = Horsham assesses bushfire damage | work = ABC South East SA | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 8 February 2009 | access-date = 20 February 2009 | archive-date = 8 November 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121108210447/http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/02/08/2485469.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>
The fire was ignited at 12:30 pm on 7 February when strong winds initiated the failure of a 40-year-old tie wire, felling a power line at Remlaw, west of the city.<ref name="herald-sun firing line">{{cite news | last = Thom | first = Greg | title = It's frightening in the firing line | newspaper = Herald Sun | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25025676-2862,00.html | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 30 December 2012 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121230180027/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/its-frightening-in-the-firing-line/story-e6frf7kx-1111118793625 | url-status = live }}</ref> The fire spread southwest and then southeast, across the [[Wimmera Highway]] and [[Wimmera River]], to the Horsham Golf Course, and then to [[Haven, Victoria|Haven]], south of the city.<ref name="wimmera-mail-times latest report">{{Cite news | title = Horsham fire: The latest report | publisher = Wimmera Mail-Times | date = 8 February 2009 | url = http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/horsham-fire-the-latest-report/1427805.aspx | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121231084331/http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/horsham-fire-the-latest-report/1427805.aspx | url-status = dead | archive-date = 31 December 2012 | access-date = 8 February 2009 }}</ref> Firefighters managed to save the general store, town hall and school at Haven, though flames came within metres of those buildings.<ref name="wimmera-mail-times haven saved">{{Cite news | title = Haven school, hall, general store saved | publisher = Wimmera Mail-Times | date = 7 February 2009 | url = http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/haven-school-hall-general-store-saved/1427514.aspx | access-date = 7 February 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211152700/http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/haven-school-hall-general-store-saved/1427514.aspx | archive-date = 11 February 2009}}</ref> Winds of up to {{convert|90|km/h|abbr=on}} changed direction three times throughout the day, producing conditions described by the local CFA incident controller as the worst he had ever seen.<ref name="herald-sun firing line" /> To the southwest of Horsham an 82-year-old woman in a wheelchair and her daughter were collected from her house by a taxi when the fire was no more than {{convert|100|m|yd|abbr=on}} away; the house was alight as the taxi drove off, and burned down within minutes.<ref name="age molly cab">{{cite news | last = Flitton | first = Daniel | title = Molly flees the scene of 61 good years in a cab | newspaper = The Age | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/molly-flees-the-scene-of-61-good-years-in-a-cab-20090208-8117.html | access-date = 9 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211142417/http://www.theage.com.au/national/molly-flees-the-scene-of-61-good-years-in-a-cab-20090208-8117.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
At 3:00 pm more than 400 personnel were engaged in fighting the fire,<ref name="wimmera-mail-times latest report" /> as well as two water-bombing aircraft, 54 CFA tankers, and 35 DSE units.<ref name="wimmera-mail-times haven saved" /> By 6:00 pm the front had moved east, and a wind change then pushed it northeast across the [[Western Highway (Victoria)|Western Highway]] to [[Drung, Victoria|Drung]], east of Horsham.<ref name="wimmera-mail-times latest report" />
===Coleraine fire===
Shortly before 12:30 pm on 7 February 2009 a fire started on farmland, {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of [[Coleraine, Victoria|Coleraine]] in western Victoria.<ref name="SUBM-202-006-0001">{{cite web | title = Counsel Assisting submission re Coleraine fire | publisher = 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission | date = 23 December 2009 | url = http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/2d57334a-d7a3-41fd-a469-04891009875e/SUBM-202-006-0001 | access-date = 14 February 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110314181415/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/2d57334a-d7a3-41fd-a469-04891009875e/SUBM-202-006-0001 | archive-date = 14 March 2011 | url-status = dead }}</ref> In gusting winds, a corroded tie wire holding a 48-year-old [[single wire earth return]] (SWER) conductor to an insulator failed due to metal fatigue.<ref name="SUBM-202-006-0001" /> The insulator was atop Pole 3 {{Coord|37|34|51.7|S|141|38|28.8|E|display=inline|type:event}} on the 12,700-volt Colfitz North spur line. The galvanised steel conductor swung free in the wind, suspended by poles 2 and 4, a span of {{convert|540|m|ft|abbr=on}}. It is not believed to have touched the ground, but was pushed into a nearby [[eucalyptus]] tree by the strong prevailing wind.
Burning gumleaves fell to the ground and ignited grass, from which the fire grew extremely rapidly in the hot, dry and windy conditions.<ref name="SUBM-202-006-0001" /> Over 230 firefighters, with 43 appliances and two water bombing aircraft, worked to contain the fire which burnt {{convert|770|ha|acre|abbr=on}}.<ref name="warrnambool-standard man badly burnt">{{Cite news | last = Johnson | first = Alex | title = Man badly burnt when wind gust changes blaze direction | work = Warrnambool Standard | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/man-badly-burnt-when-wind-gust-changes-blaze-direction/1427877.aspx | access-date = 17 February 2009 | archive-date = 22 October 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091022222401/http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/man-badly-burnt-when-wind-gust-changes-blaze-direction/1427877.aspx | url-status = live }}</ref> The fire destroyed one house, two haysheds, three tractors, the Coleraine Avenue of Honour, and {{convert|200|km|mi|abbr=on}} of fences,<ref name="SUBM-202-006-0001" /> as well as injuring livestock, but firefighters were able to save six other homes, including that of the parents of [[Premier of Victoria|Victorian Premier]] [[John Brumby]].<ref name="warrnambool-standard man badly burnt" />
The fire threatened to burn through the township, but a wind change around 2:00 pm pushed the fire to the northeast instead.<ref name="border-watch coleraine saved">{{Cite news|title=Coleraine saved from fire devastation |publisher=The Border Watch |date=9 February 2009 |url=http://www.borderwatch.com.au/archives/2307 |access-date=17 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212123437/http://www.borderwatch.com.au/archives/2307 |archive-date=12 February 2009 }}</ref> The regional CFA operations officer said of the wind change that "[a]ll that happened within about an hour and we were lucky; we thought it would go through Coleraine, but it headed off at the last minute."<ref name="border-watch coleraine saved" /> At about 6:00 pm the fire was controlled.<ref name="border-watch coleraine saved" />
A local man was badly burned while helping a farmer move livestock out of harm's way; the man was caught when the same wind change that saved the town pushed the fire in his direction, and he suffered burns to 50% of his body,<ref name="warrnambool-standard man badly burnt" /> but recovered.<ref name="smeets">{{Cite news | title = Bushfire burns victim takes first steps in recovery | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 9 March 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/09/2510820.htm | access-date = 14 February 2010 | archive-date = 17 July 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094927/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-03-09/bushfire-burns-victim-takes-first-steps-in-recovery/1612584 | url-status = live }}</ref>
===Weerite fire===
At [[Weerite, Victoria|Weerite]], east of [[Camperdown, Victoria|Camperdown]], a fire burnt {{convert|1300|ha|acre|abbr=on}}, and damaged the rail line between [[Geelong, Victoria|Geelong]] and [[Warrnambool, Victoria|Warrnambool]].<ref name="raildamage">{{cite web|url=http://www.vline.com.au/media/news/MediaReleases/167160954/Article.aspx|title=Urgent travel advice – Train disruptions to continue on Sunday due to bush fires|work=VLine|access-date=8 February 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121231080137/http://www.vline.com.au/media/news/MediaReleases/167160954/Article.aspx|archive-date=31 December 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Approximately 3,000 sleepers were burnt across a {{convert|4|km|mi|abbr=on}} section of track.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487383.htm?site=southwestvic|title=Rail services to get back on track|work=[[ABC Local Radio]]|access-date=11 February 2009|date=10 February 2009|archive-date=12 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112115111/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487383.htm?site=southwestvic|url-status=live}}</ref> The rail line was re-opened by 16 February.<ref name="vline-reopenings">{{cite web|url=http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/1619813874/Article.aspx|title=Warrnambool services – Full train service has returned|work=[[V/Line]]|access-date=17 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314012913/http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/1619813874/Article.aspx|archive-date=14 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The fire caused unquantified losses of stock, and destroyed several outbuildings, but all houses under threat were saved by CFA firefighters.<ref name="warrnambool-standard pombo fire">{{Cite news | title = Breaking News: Fire races through Pombo | work = Warrnambool Standard | date = 8 February 2009 | url = http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/breaking-news-fire-races-through-pombo/1427768.aspx | access-date = 8 February 2009 | archive-date = 12 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090212190204/http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/breaking-news-fire-races-through-pombo/1427768.aspx | url-status = live }}</ref> The fire is thought to have been started by sparking from felled power lines along the [[Princes Highway]], which carried restricted speeds for a short time due to the heavy smoke in the area.<ref name="vicroads closures">{{cite web|url=http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/NewsRoom/BushFiresRoadClosures/ |title=Bush Fires – Road Closures: VicRoads |work=VicRoads |access-date=9 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090516031620/http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/NewsRoom/BushFiresRoadClosures/ |archive-date=16 May 2009 }}</ref>
==Investigations==
[[File:CSIRO ScienceImage 10300 Property destroyed by fire at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires.jpg|thumb|Property destroyed by fire at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires]]
[[File:CSIRO ScienceImage 10347 Remains of a destroyed property at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires.jpg|thumb|Remains of a destroyed property at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires]]
[[File:CSIRO ScienceImage 10346 A burntout car at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires.jpg|thumb|A burnt out car at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires]]
[[File:CSIRO ScienceImage 10430 A destroyed property at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires.jpg|thumb|Destroyed property at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires]]
Investigations began almost immediately following the fires to determine a wide variety of things, including identification of victims, cause of ignition sources, and assessments of authority responses. A [[Royal Commission]] into the Black Saturday bushfires was conducted, a process that was intended to determine the true nature of the background causes, preparation of responsible agencies, circumstances on the day, chronology, and impacts of the events in question.
===Forensic===
Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, [[Christine Nixon]], formed a taskforce to assist in identifying victims, coordinated by Inspector Greg Hough.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moncrief |first=Mark |url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/emotional-premier-gives-fire-warning-20090208-80n3.html |title=Emotional Premier gives fire warning |date=8 February 2009 |publisher=The Age |work=Fairfax Media |access-date=8 February 2009 |location=Melbourne |archive-date=17 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094922/https://www.theage.com.au/national/10-million-government-fund-for-bushfire-victims-20090208-80n3.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25031605-662,00.html |title=Months to identify bodies in Victorian bushfires, police say |date=9 February 2009 |publisher=Herald Sun |work=News Limited |access-date=9 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210115638/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0%2C21985%2C25031605-662%2C00.html |archive-date=10 February 2009}}</ref> Around forty police from interstate and overseas assisted with Disaster Victim Identification (DVI). The police were sourced from the Australian Federal Police, Tasmania, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia. New Zealand police also provided four victim identification dogs and handlers.<ref>Victoria Police Media Release 17 February 2009. http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19541 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930133323/http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19541 |date=30 September 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | title = Kiwis to help identify victims | work = The New Zealand Herald | publisher = APN News & Media | date = 11 February 2009 | url = http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10556104 | access-date = 11 February 2009 | first = Beck | last = Vass | archive-date = 20 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121020063650/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10556104 | url-status = live }}</ref>
===Criminal===
====Arson====
Some of the fires were suspected to have been deliberately lit by [[arsonists]]. Chief Commissioner Nixon stated on 9 February 2009 that all fire sites would be treated as [[crime scene]]s.<ref name="australian police track arsonists">{{cite news | author1 = Callick, Rowan | author2 = Akerman, Pia | name-list-style = amp | title = Police track arsonists responsible for Victoria bushfires | newspaper = The Australian | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032884-2702,00.html | access-date = 10 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090213044555/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032884-2702,00.html | archive-date = 13 February 2009 | url-status = dead}}</ref>
On 9 February a man was arrested in connection with the fires at Narre Warren; it was alleged by police that he had been operating a power tool, sparks from which ignited a grass fire, destroying two houses.<ref name="australian police track arsonists" /> On 12 February, two people were arrested in connection with the fires, having been observed by members of the public acting suspiciously in areas between [[Yea, Victoria|Yea]] and [[Seymour, Victoria|Seymour]]; however, they were subsequently released without charges being laid.<ref name="age suspects arrested">{{cite news | last = Grace | first = Robyn | title = Arson suspects arrested | newspaper = The Age | date = 12 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/arson-suspects-arrested-20090212-852y.html | access-date = 12 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 13 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090213065608/http://www.theage.com.au/national/arson-suspects-arrested-20090212-852y.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
A man from Churchill, Brendan Sokaluk, was arrested by police on 12 February, in relation to the Churchill fires, and was questioned at the Morwell police station, before being charged on 13 February with one count each of arson causing death, intentionally lighting a bushfire, and possession of [[child pornography]].<ref name="age churchill arrest">{{cite news | last = Silvester | first = John | title = Churchill arson suspect arrested | newspaper = The Age | date = 13 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-suspect-arrested-20090213-86o3.html | access-date = 13 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 17 July 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094943/https://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-suspect-charged-20090213-86o3.html | url-status = live }}</ref> At a file hearing in the [[Magistrates' Court of Victoria|Magistrates' Court]] in Melbourne on 16 February the man was [[detention of suspects|remanded in custody]] ahead of a [[committal procedure|committal hearing]] scheduled for 26 May.<ref name="age accused fails face court">{{cite news | last = Rennie | first = Reko | title = Churchill arson accused fails to face court | newspaper = The Age | date = 16 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-accused-fails-to-face-court-20090216-88bq.html | access-date = 16 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 17 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090217025530/http://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-accused-fails-to-face-court-20090216-88bq.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Following the hearing, a [[suppression order]] on the 42-year-old man's identity was lifted, though the order remained in force with respect to publishing his address or any images of him.<ref name="age accused fails face court" /> Despite the order, several members of the public obtained his photograph from his [[MySpace]] profile and published it on the [[social networking]] website [[Facebook]] along with his home address, and others made threats of violence against him.<ref name="age vigilantes publish">{{cite news | last = Moses | first = Asher | title = Vigilantes publish alleged arsonist's image online | newspaper = The Age | date = 16 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632703992.html | access-date = 16 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 18 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090218080339/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632703992.html | url-status = live }}</ref> The man's lawyer said that, as a consequence of that information being published, threats were made against the man's family.<ref name="age threats taken down">{{cite news | last = Moses | first = Asher | title = 'Arsonist' online threats taken down | newspaper = The Age | date = 17 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/17/1234632787036.html | access-date = 17 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 19 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090219012633/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/17/1234632787036.html | url-status = live }}</ref> The man's ex-girlfriend and her family were also harassed after the [[Herald Sun]] newspaper published a photograph and a story about her.<ref name="australian ex-girlfriend">{{cite news | title = Family of Brendan Sokaluk's ex-girlfriend calls for calm | newspaper = The Australian | date = 17 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/accused-arsonists-ex-harassed/story-e6frg6n6-1111118877151 | access-date = 17 February 2009 | archive-date = 25 February 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140225040248/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/accused-arsonists-ex-harassed/story-e6frg6n6-1111118877151 | url-status = live }}</ref> On 17 February, after requests from Victoria Police, the man's MySpace profile was removed; Facebook commenced deleting postings containing threats, and deleted a photo from one group.<ref name="age threats taken down" />
====Looting====
By the morning of 11 February 2009, reports of [[looting]] had been posted. Witnesses reported seeing acts of looting occurring at a property at [[Heathcote Junction, Victoria|Heathcote Junction]], shortly after the removal of the body of a victim from the property.<ref name="heathcote-looters">{{Cite news
|url = http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/looters-move-in-to-rob-the-dead/story-e6frf7jo-1111118813856
|title = Looters move in to rob the dead at Heathcote Junction
|newspaper = [[Herald Sun]]
|publisher = News Limited
|date = 11 February 2009
|access-date = 6 April 2016
|archive-date = 22 March 2014
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140322101806/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/looters-move-in-to-rob-the-dead/story-e6frf7jo-1111118813856
|url-status = live
}}</ref> That evening, via a report on [[ABC Local Radio]], a number of residents of [[Kinglake, Victoria|Kinglake]] who had been allowed back into the area to inspect the damage, revealed that a "Looters Will Be Shot" sign had been posted in the town, after a number of suspicious people and vehicles were seen moving through the town. On 12 February, a small number of arrests were made, and charges laid against people in relation to "looting offences", as announced by the Victoria Police chief commissioner, [[Christine Nixon]].<ref name="looting-arrests-charges">{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/13/2490280.htm?section=justin|title=Alleged looters charged in bushfire aftermath|work=ABC Online|date=13 February 2009|access-date=13 February 2009|archive-date=17 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094928/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-13/alleged-looters-charged-in-bushfire-aftermath/293976|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Royal commission===
{{Main|2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission}}
The Premier of Victoria, John Brumby, announced in April 2009 that a royal commission into the fires would be held which would examine "all aspects of the government's bushfire strategy".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486489.htm?section=justin|title=Brumby announces bushfires Royal Commission|date=9 February 2009|work=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=9 February 2009|archive-date=12 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212071911/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486489.htm?section=justin|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25029098-5001021,00.html|title=Victorian fires royal commission|date=9 February 2009|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=9 February 2009|archive-date=10 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210103658/http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25029098-5001021,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==<span id="Consequences"> Casualties</span>==
[[File:09 vic bushfire damage Yarra Glen 03.JPG|thumb|Bushfire damage to property just north of Yarra Glen, with just the [[Hills Hoist]] left standing]]
[[File:2009 vic bushfire damage Yarra Glen 01.JPG|thumb|Bushfire damage to property just north of Yarra Glen]]
A total of 173 people were confirmed to have died as a result of the fires. The figure was originally estimated at 14 on the night of 7 February, and steadily increased over the following two weeks to 210.<ref name="deathtoll"/> It was feared that it could rise as high as 240–280,<ref name="Death toll could be 280">{{Cite news |last=Dobbin |first=Marika |url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/missing-may-lift-death-toll-to-240-20090225-8hy7.html |title=Missing may lift death toll to 240 |publisher=The Age |work=Fairfax Media |access-date=26 February 2009 |date=26 February 2009 |location=Melbourne |archive-date=28 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228072343/http://www.theage.com.au/national/missing-may-lift-death-toll-to-240-20090225-8hy7.html |url-status=live }}</ref> but these figures were later revised down to 173 after further forensic examinations of remains, and after several missing people were located.<ref name="lowertoll">{{Cite news | url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/victorian-bushfires-death-toll-slashed-to-173-20090330-9g9s.html | title=Victorian bushfires death toll slashed to 173 | date=30 March 2009 | publisher=The Age | work=Fairfax Media | access-date=30 March 2009 | location=Melbourne | first=Mex | last=Cooper | archive-date=17 July 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094953/https://www.theage.com.au/national/bushfires-toll-cut-to-173-police-suggest-mass-funeral-for-unidentified-20141112-9g9s.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
A temporary morgue was established at the Coronial Services Centre at [[Southbank, Victoria|Southbank]], capable of holding up to three hundred bodies. The Victorian Coroner compared this to a similar facility established after the [[7 July 2005 London bombings|July 2005 London bombings]].<ref name="age identity">{{cite news | last = Smith | first = Bridie | title = Identity may not be possible for all | newspaper = The Age | date = 11 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/identity-may-not-be-possible-for-all-20090210-83kb.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121230171906/http://www.theage.com.au/national/identity-may-not-be-possible-for-all-20090210-83kb.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 30 December 2012 | access-date = 11 February 2009 | location = Melbourne }}</ref> By the morning of 10 February 101 bodies had been transported to the temporary morgue.<ref name="age identity" /> The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine stated that it could be impossible to positively identify many of the remains.<ref name="australian fifty bodies">{{Cite news | title = Fifty bodies may never be identified in Victoria fires | publisher = The Australian | work = News Limited | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25037227-26103,00.html | access-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090212165833/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25037227-26103,00.html | archive-date = 12 February 2009 | url-status = dead}}</ref>
On 11 February, fire authorities estimated that as many as 100 of [[Marysville, Victoria|Marysville]]'s 519 residents could have perished.<ref name="marysville-one-in-five" /> By 16 February, over 150 forensic investigators were engaged in searching the ruins of Marysville.<ref name="age fire's intensity">{{Cite news | last = Murdoch | first = Lindsay | title = Fire's intensity leaves no trace of victims | publisher = The Age | work = Fairfax Media | date = 16 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-intensity-leaves-no-trace-of-victims-20090215-886b.html | access-date = 16 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 17 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090217031118/http://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-intensity-leaves-no-trace-of-victims-20090215-886b.html | url-status = live }}</ref> A senior lecturer in fire ecology from the [[University of Melbourne]] estimated that the fires may have been burning at temperatures of {{convert|1200|C|F}}, and concluded that, as a result, the remains of some people caught in the fires may have been obliterated.<ref name="age fire's intensity" /> The final death toll for Marysville was later downgraded to 34 after a large group of residents who remained unaccounted for were officially located.
Among the dead in the [[Kinglake, Victoria|Kinglake]] West area were former [[Seven Network]] and [[Nine Network]] television personality [[Brian Naylor (broadcaster)|Brian Naylor]], and his wife Moiree.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49501_news.html|title=Brian Naylor and wife die in Kinglake inferno|date=9 February 2009|work=Geelong Advertiser|access-date=9 February 2009|archive-date=11 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311061848/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49501_news.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25026070-661,00.html|title=TV legend Brian Naylor found dead|date=9 February 2009|work=The Herald Sun|access-date=9 February 2009|first=Aap|last=And|archive-date=30 December 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121230130349/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archives/old-news-pages/tv-legend-found-dead/story-e6frf8zo-1111118794286|url-status=live}}</ref> Actor [[Reg Evans]] and his partner, artist Angela Brunton, residing on a small farm in the [[St Andrews, Victoria|St Andrews]] area, also died in the Kinglake area fire.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25038335-5013404,00.html|title=TV star dies with partner in Victorian Bushfires|date=11 February 2009|work=The Australian|access-date=11 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214191252/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25038335-5013404,00.html|archive-date=14 February 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ornithologist [[Richard Zann]] perished in the Kinglake fire, together with his wife Eileen and daughter Eva.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25042616-5006785,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120703165536/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25042616-5006785,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 July 2012|title=Birdsong expert was ready for Victoria bushfires but it was no use|last=Trounson|first=Andrew|date=12 February 2009|work=The Australian|publisher=News Limited|access-date=12 February 2009}}</ref>
===Fatalities===
[[File:Feb 7 09 vic bushfires map.PNG|thumb|450px|right|Map of affected areas and number of casualties in each area]]
'''General statistics'''
*164 people died in the fires themselves, 12 died later in hospital, and 4 died from other causes including car crashes
*Out of the 173 deaths, 100 were male, 73 were female.
*There were 164 Australians, 9 foreign nationals,<ref name="police-toll">Victoria Police, Press conference: Bushfires death toll revised to 173, Release date: Mon 30 March 2009 http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=20350 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019173953/http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=20350 |date=19 October 2013 }}</ref> killed in the bushfires. The foreign nationals comprised citizens of:
**[[Greece]] (2)<ref>{{Cite news|title=Fire in Australia Kills two Greeks |url=http://news.ert.gr/en/world/news/18807-ena-zeygari-ellinon-metaksy-ton-thymaton-tis-fotias-sti-biktoria-tis-aystralias.htm |access-date=12 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215190817/http://news.ert.gr/en/world/news/18807-ena-zeygari-ellinon-metaksy-ton-thymaton-tis-fotias-sti-biktoria-tis-aystralias.htm |archive-date=15 February 2009 }}</ref>
**[[Indonesia]] (2)<ref name=aust-lastcalls>{{cite web|last=Hughes|first=Gary|title=Black Saturday inquiry hears of victims' last calls|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/black-saturday-inquiry-hears-of-victims-last-calls/story-e6frg6of-1225794498802|work=[[The Australian]]|publisher=[[News Limited]]|access-date=11 February 2011|date=5 November 2009|archive-date=30 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530064738/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/black-saturday-inquiry-hears-of-victims-last-calls/story-e6frg6of-1225794498802|url-status=live}}</ref>
**[[Philippines]] (2)<ref>{{Cite news | title = Two Filipinos killed in bushfires in Australia | url = http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=439109&publicationSubCategoryId=200 | access-date = 12 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160602212754/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=439109&publicationSubCategoryId=200 | archive-date = 2 June 2016 | url-status = dead}}</ref>
**[[Chile]] (1)<ref>{{Cite news | title = Chilena muere en incendios de Australia | url = http://www.chilesomostodos.gov.cl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=527&Itemid=7 | access-date = 21 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110707010413/http://www.chilesomostodos.gov.cl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=527&Itemid=7 | archive-date = 7 July 2011 | url-status = dead}}</ref>
**[[New Zealand]] (1)<ref name=scnz-nzvictim>{{cite web|title=Bushfires claim first NZ victim|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/1396780|work=[[stuff.co.nz]]|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|access-date=13 February 2009|date=8 February 2009|archive-date=22 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422111052/http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/1396780|url-status=live}}</ref>
**[[United Kingdom]] (1)<ref>{{Cite news | title = British Family's Grief Over Bushfire Victims | url = http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/84455/British-family-s-grief-over-bushfire-victims | access-date = 13 February 2009 | archive-date = 28 January 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120128102957/http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/84455/British-family-s-grief-over-bushfire-victims | url-status = live }}</ref>
*7 of the deaths occurred in bunkers of both fire-specific and non-fire-specific design.
*1 firefighter, David Balfour, 47, from [[Gilmore, Australian Capital Territory|Gilmore, ACT]], was killed near [[Cambarville, Victoria|Cambarville]] on the night of 17 February, when a burnt-out tree fell on him as he attached a hose to a fire tanker.<ref name=age-actff>{{cite news|last=Murdoch|first=Lindsay|title=Dead firefighter professional with young family|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/dead-firefighter-professional-with-young-family-20090218-8aol.html|work=[[The Age]]|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|access-date=13 February 2011|date=18 February 2009|location=Melbourne|archive-date=28 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628183708/http://www.theage.com.au/national/dead-firefighter-professional-with-young-family-20090218-8aol.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''Location of deaths:'''<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-data-reveals-where-victims-died-20090528-borp.html Black Saturday data reveals where victims died] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090529100226/http://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-data-reveals-where-victims-died-20090528-borp.html |date=29 May 2009 }}, 28 May 2009, ''The Age''</ref>
*Inside houses (113)
*Outside houses (27)
*In vehicles (11)
*In garages (6)
*Near vehicles (5)
*On roadways (5)
*Attributed to or associated with the fire but not within fire location (4)
*On reserves (1)
*In sheds (1)
'''Locality of deaths:'''
; Kinglake/Whittlesea Area (120)
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
*[[Kinglake, Victoria|Kinglake]] (38)
*[[Strathewen, Victoria|Strathewen]] (27)
*[[St Andrews, Victoria|St Andrews]] (12)
*[[Steels Creek, Victoria|Steels Creek]] (10)
{{col-break}}
*[[Hazeldene, Victoria|Hazeldene]] (10)
*[[Humevale, Victoria|Humevale]] (6)
*[[Kinglake West, Victoria|Kinglake West]] (4)
*[[Flowerdale, Victoria|Flowerdale]] (2)
{{col-break}}
*[[Whittlesea, Victoria|Whittlesea]] (2)
*[[Toolangi, Victoria|Toolangi]] (2)
*[[Arthurs Creek, Victoria|Arthurs Creek]] (2)
*[[Clonbinane, Victoria|Clonbinane]] (1)
{{col-break}}
*[[Heathcote Junction, Victoria|Heathcote Junction]] (1)
*[[Strath Creek, Victoria|Strath Creek]] (1)
*Upper Plenty (1)
*[[Yarra Glen, Victoria|Yarra Glen]] (1)
{{col-end}}
; Marysville Area (39)
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
*[[Marysville, Victoria|Marysville]] (34)
{{col-break}}
*[[Narbethong, Victoria|Narbethong]] (4)
{{col-break}}
*[[Cambarville, Victoria|Cambarville]] (ACT firefighter) (1)
{{col-break}}
{{col-end}}
; Central Gippsland (11)
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
*[[Callignee, Victoria|Callignee]] (4)
{{col-break}}
*Koornalla (4)
{{col-break}}
*[[Churchill, Victoria|Churchill]] (2)
{{col-break}}
*Jeerralang Junction (1)
{{col-end}}
; Beechworth (2)
*[[Mudgegonga, Victoria|Mudgegonga]] (2)
; Bendigo (1)
*[[Eaglehawk, Victoria|Eaglehawk]] (1)
; Total: '''173'''
===Injuries===
[[File:09 vic bushfire damage Steels Creek 01.JPG|thumb|Bushfire damage to property in [[Steels Creek, Victoria|Steels Creek]]]]
A total of 414 people were injured during the Black Saturday bushfires. Due to the intensity and speed of the fires, most casualties of the bushfires either died, or survived with minor injuries. There were significantly fewer major burns than in previous bushfires, such as [[Ash Wednesday fires|Ash Wednesday]]. Of the people who presented to medical treatment centres and hospitals, there were 22 with serious burns and 390 with minor burns and other bushfire-related injuries.<ref name="Australian Medical Journal">[http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/191_01_060709/cam10194_fm.html Australian Medical Journal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606125345/http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/191_01_060709/cam10194_fm.html |date=6 June 2011 }} article abstract</ref>
National and statewide burns disaster plans were activated. Twenty-two patients with major burns presented to the state's burns referral centres, of which eighteen were adults. One patient admitted to the [[Royal Children's Hospital]] and two at [[The Alfred Hospital]] died from their injuries. Adult burns patients at The Alfred spent 48.7 hours in theatre in the first 72 hours. There were a further 390 bushfire-related presentations across the state in the first 72 hours. Most patients with serious burns were [[triage]]d to, and managed at, burns referral centres. Throughout the disaster, burns referral centres continued to have substantial surge capacity.<ref name="Australian Medical Journal" />
==Overall statistics==
[[File:CSIRO ScienceImage 10345 The Kinglake National Park after the Black Saturday bushfires.jpg|thumb|The Kinglake National Park after the Black Saturday bushfires]]
[[File:St.Andrews Kinglake Road April 2009.JPG|thumb|right|The St. Andrews-Kinglake Road, one of the few roads out of the fire area, two months after the bushfires]]
[[File:2009 Victorian bushfires Acheron Way DSC 0324.JPG|thumb|right|Forest regrowing along Acheron Way in April 2009]]
It was estimated that the amount of energy released during the firestorm in the Kinglake-Marysville area was equivalent to the amount of energy that would be released by 1,500 [[Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki|Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2009/11/the-australian-%22black-saturday%22-bushfires-of-2009/|title=The Australian "Black Saturday" Bushfires of 2009|last=Stewart|first=Cameron|date=23 November 2009|encyclopedia=Advocates for Animals|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=3 May 2010}}{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/black-saturday-fires-had-power-of-1500-a-bombs/story-e6frg6nf-1225714533980|title=Black Saturday fires had power of 1500 A-bombs|last=Hughes|first=Gary|date=22 May 2009|newspaper=The Australian|access-date=3 May 2010|archive-date=11 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711232035/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/black-saturday-fires-had-power-of-1500-a-bombs/story-e6frg6nf-1225714533980|url-status=live}}</ref>
Beyond the casualty list detailed above, physical damage caused by the bushfires included:
* {{Convert|450000|ha|acre|abbr=on}} burnt
* 7,562 people displaced
* Over 3,500 structures destroyed, including:
**2,029+ houses
**59 commercial properties (shops, pubs, service stations, golf clubs, etc.)
**12 community buildings (including 2 police stations, 3 schools, 3 churches, 1 fire station)
**399 machinery sheds, 363 hay sheds, 19 dairies, 26 woolsheds, 729 other farm buildings
*Agricultural and horticultural losses:
** Over 11,800 head of livestock,<ref name=age-4.4bill /> consisting of 2,150 sheep, 1,207 cattle, and an unknown number of horses, goats, alpacas, poultry, and pigs<ref>The Land, "Farmers do their bit", Peter J Austin, p.12, Rural Press, 19 February 2009</ref>
** {{Convert|25600|t|ton}} of stored fodder and grain
** {{Convert|32000|t|ton}} of hay and silage<ref name=age-4.4bill />
** {{Convert|190|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of standing crops
** {{Convert|62000|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of pasture<ref name=age-4.4bill />
** {{Convert|735|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of fruit trees, olives and vines
** Over {{convert|10000|km}} of boundary and internal fencing destroyed or damaged<ref name="Norther Daily Leader">Northern Daily Leader, 18 May 2009, "Steady progress on bushfire clean-up", p. 8</ref>
** {{Convert|7000|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of [[plantation timber]]
* {{Convert|98932|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of parks damaged, 90 per cent of which was national park.<ref name=age-4.4bill /> It was claimed that 950 local parks, 70 national parks and reserves, and over 600 cultural sites and historic places were impacted or destroyed<ref name="Norther Daily Leader"/>
* {{Convert|3921|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of private bushland
* Over 55 businesses destroyed<ref name="AR08-9">{{cite web|url=http://www.diird.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/121581/Black-Saturday.pdf|title=Black Saturday|work=Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development|publisher=Victorian Government|access-date=3 May 2010}}</ref>
* Electricity supply was disrupted to 60,000 residents<ref name="AR08-9"/>
* Several mobile phone base stations and telephone exchanges damaged or destroyed<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/telco-says-its-ready-for-the-next-black-saturday/story-e6frgakx-1225805505764|title=Telstra says it's ready for the next Black Saturday |last=Bingemann|first=Mitchell |date=1 December 2009|newspaper=The Australian|access-date=3 May 2010}}</ref>
===Damage by locality===
{|class="wikitable"
|+Summary of damage by locality <ref name=brc-ch1>{{cite web|title=Final Report Report of 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission: Chapter 1|url=http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/PF-Chapters/Chapter1_PF.pdf|publisher=[[Government of Victoria (Australia)|Government of Victoria]]|date=31 July 2010|access-date=22 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911235725/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/PF-Chapters/Chapter1_PF.pdf|archive-date=11 September 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
! Area
! Area (ha)
! Fatalities
! Buildings destroyed
! Ignition source
! Fire name/origin
|-
| Kinglake Area
| {{center|180,000+}}
| {{center|120}}
| 1,244 houses, many commercial buildings
| Power lines
| Kilmore East fire
|-
| Marysville Area
| {{center|150,000+}}
| {{center|39}}
| 590 houses, many commercial buildings
| Break in an electrical conductor on a power pole near the Murrindindi Saw Mill
| Murrindindi Mill fire
|-
| Central Gippsland
| {{center|32,860+}}
| {{center|11}}
| 247 houses
| Arson
| Churchill-Jeeralang fire
|-
| Beechworth
| {{center|30,000+}}
| {{center|2}}
| 29 houses
| Power lines
| Mudgegonga fire
|-
| Bunyip State Park
| {{center|24,500}}
| {{center|0}}
| 24 houses, several other buildings
| Arson/lightning suspected
| Bunyip State Park fire
|-
| Wilsons Promontory
| {{center|11,000+}}
| {{center|0}}
| None
| Lightning
| –
|-
| Redesdale
| {{center|10,000}}
| {{center|0}}
| 12 houses, several outbuildings
| Unknown
| –
|-
| Horsham
| {{center|5,700}}
| {{center|0}}
| 8 houses, several other buildings
| Power lines
| Remlaw fire
|-
| Weerite
| {{center|1,300}}
| {{center|0}}
| Several outbuildings
| Power lines
| –
|-
| Coleraine
| {{center|770}}
| {{center|0}}
| 1 house, several outbuildings
| Power lines
| –
|-
| Maroondah/Upper Yarra
| {{center|505}}
| {{center|0}}
| None
| Spotting
| Maroondah/Yarra complex
|-
| Bendigo
| {{center|384}}
| {{center|1}}
| 61 houses, 125 sheds and outbuildings
| Arson
| Maiden Gully/Bracewell Street fire
|-
| Dandenong Ranges
| {{center|5+}}
| {{center|0}}
|
| Unknown, machinery
| Upper Ferntree Gully fire
|-
| '''Totals'''
| {{center|'''450,000+'''}}
| {{center|'''173'''}}
| '''3,500+ (2,029+ houses)'''
|
|
|}
==Responses==
{{Main|Reactions to the Black Saturday bushfire crisis}}
Responses to the Black Saturday bushfires included immediate community response, donations, and international aid efforts. Later responses included Government inquiries including a Royal Commission, and recommendations and discussions from a wide variety of bodies, organisations, authorities and communities.
In September 2009 it was announced that Australia's most prominent [[fire ecology|fire ecologist]], Kevin Tolhurst, was developing a new course for the [[University of Melbourne]] on fire behaviour.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Costigan |first=Justine |title=Responding to Tragedy |work=Melbourne University Magazine |date=September 2009 |pages=15–17 |url=http://mag.alumni.unimelb.edu.au/major-feature/responding-tragedy |access-date=3 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090910093356/http://mag.alumni.unimelb.edu.au/major-feature/responding-tragedy |archive-date=10 September 2009 }}</ref> Later that month the [[City of Manningham]] announced it was developing the state's first integrated fire management plan in conjunction with the interim findings of the Royal Commission.<ref>{{Cite news | last = Crowe | first = Danielle | title = Hotspots register | work = Manningham Leader | date = 9 September 2009 | page = 5 | url = http://manningham-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/pilot-project-manningham-council-is-mapping-our-fire-hotspots/ | access-date = 22 September 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090914125600/http://manningham-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/pilot-project-manningham-council-is-mapping-our-fire-hotspots/ | archive-date = 14 September 2009 | url-status = dead}}</ref> It is expected that eventually all Victorian councils responsible for both urban and rural land will need to develop such plans, which define fire risks in [[Landscape|open space]] areas, along major roads, and in parkland.
In September/October 2009, it was announced that a new fire hazard system would replace the previous one. The new system involves a six-tier scale to indicating such things as the level of risk and activity of the fire. This standardised ''[[Bushfires in Australia#Warnings|Fire Danger Rating]]'' (FDR) was subsequently adopted by all Australian states in late 2009. Every day during the fire season the [[Bureau of Meteorology (Australia)|Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)]] forecasts an outlook of the ''Fire Danger Index'' (FDI) by considering the predicted weather including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and dryness of vegetation.<ref name="Country Fire Authority">{{cite web |url=http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=873 |title=New Warning System Explained |publisher=[[Country Fire Authority]] |access-date=1 February 2010 |archive-date=6 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706123231/http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=873 |url-status=live }}</ref> On the highest risk days, residents are advised to leave the potentially affected areas.
The [[RSPCA Australia|RSPCA]] estimated that over a million animals perished in the bushfires.<ref name=age-4.4bill /> Additionally, many of the surviving [[Fauna of Australia|wildlife]] suffered from severe burns. For example, large numbers of [[kangaroo]]s were afflicted with burned feet due to territorial instincts that drew them back to their recently burned and smouldering home ranges.<ref name="AP-2009Feb11-Animals">{{cite news|last=Gelineau |first=Kristen |title=Millions of animals dead in Australia fires |agency=Associated Press |date=11 February 2009 |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hn9MswZT1UDQOM4JFexha4JktfeQD969HIS80 |access-date=11 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090215064620/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hn9MswZT1UDQOM4JFexha4JktfeQD969HIS80 |archive-date=15 February 2009 }}</ref> The affected area, particularly around Marysville, contains the only known habitat of [[Leadbeater's possum]], Victoria's faunal emblem,<ref>[http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=95950 Last captive Leadbeater's possum dies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405140432/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=95950 |date=5 April 2012 }}. ninemsn.com.au. 15 April 2006.</ref> putting this species under further threat.
Forested [[drainage basin|catchment areas]] supplying five of Melbourne's nine major dams were affected by the fires, with the worst affected being the [[Maroondah Reservoir]] and [[O'Shannassy Reservoir]].<ref name="age dash save water">{{cite news | last = Ker | first = Peter | title = Dash to save Melbourne's drinking water | newspaper = The Age | date = 17 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/dash-to-save-melbournes-drinking-water-20090217-89wm.html | access-date = 17 February 2009 | archive-date = 21 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090221000233/http://www.theage.com.au/national/dash-to-save-melbournes-drinking-water-20090217-89wm.html | url-status = live }}</ref> As of 17 February 2009, over ten billion litres of water had been shifted out of affected dams into others.<ref name="age dash save water" /><ref>{{Cite news | last = Roberts | first = Greg | title = Vic bushfires may affect water supplies | newspaper = The Age | date = 17 February 2009 | url = http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/vic-bushfires-may-affect-water-supplies-20090217-89zb.html | access-date = 14 December 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 18 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090218075849/http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/vic-bushfires-may-affect-water-supplies-20090217-89zb.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
In early March 2009, smoke from the fires was discovered in the atmosphere over Antarctica at record altitudes.<ref>{{Cite news | title = Bushfire aftermath: smoke trapped over Antarctica | location = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 28 May 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/28/2583676.htm | access-date = 14 December 2009 | archive-date = 13 December 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091213104147/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/28/2583676.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>
===Economic impact===
[[File:Kinglake aerial.jpg|thumb|right|Aerial view of the Kinglake area looking north, nine months after bushfires (burnt area top third of image)]]
The Bushfires Royal Commission gave a "conservative" estimate of the total cost of the Black Saturday bushfires of $4.4 billion. This figure included a value of $645 million placed on the 173 lives lost using an accepted method the government uses to value lives, however did not include any assessment of the cost of the injuries received.<ref name=age-4.4bill>{{cite news|last=Gray|first=Darren|title=Black Saturday cost $4.4 billion|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/black-saturday-cost-44-billion-20100801-11116.html|work=[[The Age]]|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|access-date=15 February 2011|date=1 August 2010|location=Melbourne|archive-date=28 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628185757/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/black-saturday-cost-44-billion-20100801-11116.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
The largest contributor to the total cost was insurance claims, which the Insurance Council of Australia reported as $1.2 billion as of August 2010. This figure was composed of 84 per cent for property or contents, and 16 per cent for vehicles. However, the report also estimated that up to 13 per cent of residential properties destroyed may have had no insurance, with many more under-insured, thus suggesting that the actual cost of asset damage in the bushfires was considerably higher than that recorded. The report from the commission said that: "... the level of insurance claims is likely to underestimate the true extent of property losses, but it is unable to calculate the extent of this underestimation".<ref name=age-4.4bill />
Also omitted from the $4.4 billion figure were the agricultural losses sustained in the fires, and the ongoing impacts on agriculture in following seasons. The Victorian Department of Primary Industries estimated losses shortly after the fires as 11,800 head of livestock, {{convert|62000|ha|acres}} of grazing [[pasture]], and {{Convert|32000|t|ton}} of [[hay]] and [[silage]].<ref name=age-4.4bill />
As of February 2011, two years after the fires, the ''Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority'' stated that based on figures from the end of 2010, permits had been issued for the rebuilding of only 731 of the 1,795, or 41 per cent of the principal places of residence destroyed in the fires.<ref name=age-slowpath>{{cite news|last=Johanson|first=Simon|title=Recovery a painfully slow path|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/recovery-a-painfully-slow-path-20110206-1aigz.html|work=[[The Age]]|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|access-date=15 February 2011|date=7 February 2011|location=Melbourne|archive-date=10 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210211234/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/recovery-a-painfully-slow-path-20110206-1aigz.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Lawsuits===
A [[class action]] lawsuit was initiated in the [[Supreme Court of Victoria]] on 13 February 2009 by Slidders Lawyers against electricity distribution company [[SP AusNet]], in relation to the [[Kilmore East, Victoria|Kilmore East]] fire that became part of the Kinglake complex, and the [[Beechworth, Victoria|Beechworth]] fires. A partner at the firm indicated that the claim would centre on alleged [[negligence]] by SP AusNet in its management of electricity infrastructure. On 12 February police had taken away a section of power line as well as a power pole from near Kilmore East, part of a two-kilometre section of line that fell on the morning of 7 February and was believed to have started the fire there.<ref name="age class action">{{cite news | author1 = Houston, Cameron | author-link2 = Michael Bachelard | author2 = Bachelard, Michael | name-list-style = amp | title = Huge fire class action launched | newspaper = The Age | date = 15 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/huge-fire-class-action-launched-20090214-87pg.html?page=-1 | access-date = 15 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 18 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090218081252/http://www.theage.com.au/national/huge-fire-class-action-launched-20090214-87pg.html?page=-1 | url-status = live }}</ref> The class action was ultimately run by law firm [[Maurice Blackburn (law firm)|Maurice Blackburn]]. The action alleged the power company failed to fit a $10 protective device on the power line, which contributed to it breaking and starting the devastating Kilmore East/Kinglake fire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/1072983/hundreds-sign-for-bushfire-class-action |title=Hundreds sign for bushfire class action |date=19 June 2010 |work=[[Ninemsn]] |access-date=16 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623001848/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/1072983/hundreds-sign-for-bushfire-class-action |archive-date=23 June 2010}}</ref> The case settled in December 2014 with a settlement of $494.67 million,<ref name=scv>{{cite web | title=Court approves distribution of almost $700M in 2009 Black Saturday bushfire class actions | website=The Supreme Court of Victoria | url=https://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/for-the-media/media-releases/court-approves-distribution-of-almost-700m-in-2009-black-saturday | access-date=30 September 2023}}</ref> the country's largest class action settlement,<ref name=bbc-payout>{{cite news |title=Record payout over Australia Black Saturday fires |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28305127 |access-date=6 February 2015 |work=BBC News (Asia) |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) |date=15 July 2014 |quote=A 2009 Royal Commission found that the fire began when an electricity line failed between two poles. Contact between the live conductor and a cable stay supporting the pole caused arcing that ignited vegetation. |archive-date=16 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216082200/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28305127 |url-status=live }}</ref> approved by the [[Supreme Court of Victoria]].<ref name=abc-kilmore-settle>{{cite news |title=Black Saturday class action: Judge approves $494m Kilmore East bushfire settlement |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-23/judge-approves-black-saturday-class-action-settlement/5984374 |access-date=6 February 2015 |work=ABC News |agency=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=23 December 2014 |location=Australia |quote=Victoria's Supreme Court has approved a $494 million payout to victims of the deadly 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, in what is considered to be the biggest class action in Australia's legal history. |archive-date=8 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208221316/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-23/judge-approves-black-saturday-class-action-settlement/5984374 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=abc-kilmore-class-act>{{cite news |title=Black Saturday bushfire survivors secure $500 million in Australia's largest class action payout |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-15/black-saturday-bushfire-survivors-secure-record-payout/5597062 |access-date=6 February 2015 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=15 July 2014 |location=Australia |archive-date=16 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216101154/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-15/black-saturday-bushfire-survivors-secure-record-payout/5597062 |url-status=live }}</ref> (The previous highest payout was $200 Million in ''Kirby v [[Vicinity Centres|Centro Properties]] Limited (No 6)'' [2012] FCA 650 (19 June 2012).<ref name=mary-comm-record>{{cite web|title=Record settlement in Black Saturday bushfires class action|url=http://www.marysvillecommunity.net/index.php/kilmore-east-kinglake-bushfire-class-action/98-record-settlement-in-black-saturday-bushfires-class-action.html|publisher=marysvillecommunity.net|access-date=6 February 2015|date=15 July 2014|quote=At nearly $500 million, the payout is more than double the previous highest Australian [[class action]] [[Settlement (litigation)|settlement]] of $200 million in the Centro shareholder class action|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206070754/http://www.marysvillecommunity.net/index.php/kilmore-east-kinglake-bushfire-class-action/98-record-settlement-in-black-saturday-bushfires-class-action.html|archive-date=6 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>)
In February 2014 a class action trial against SP AusNet by victims of the Marysville blaze was begun in the Supreme Court. It was alleged that the fire was caused by a "break in an electrical conductor on a power pole near the Murrindindi Saw Mill". A $300 million [[Settlement (litigation)|settlement]] was announced before the trial began.<ref name=abc-mary-settle>{{cite news|last1=Ferrier|first1=Steph|title=Marysville bushfire class action: Black Saturday bushfire victims to get $300 million payout|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-06/class-action-over-marysville-black-saturday-bushfire-reached/6071068|access-date=6 February 2015|work=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=6 February 2015|quote=Electricity company AusNet has announced a $300 million settlement with the Marysville victims of the Black Saturday bushfires.|archive-date=10 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210080239/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-06/class-action-over-marysville-black-saturday-bushfire-reached/6071068|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=abc-mary-class-act>{{cite news |title=Victims of Black Saturday fire launch class action |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-07/victims-of--black-saturday-fire-launch-class-action/4181682 |access-date=6 February 2015 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=7 August 2012 |location=Australia |quote=A class action will be launched in the Supreme Court today on behalf of victims of the Murrindindi bushfire on Black Saturday in 2009. |archive-date=16 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216095533/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-07/victims-of--black-saturday-fire-launch-class-action/4181682 |url-status=live }}</ref> The class action by Murrindindi/Marysville victims was settled in February 2015 for $300 million.<ref name=scv/>
A total of nearly $700 million (after legal expenses) was shared among the claimants of the two highly complex class actions, which were presided over by Justices [[Jack Forrest (judge)|Jack Forrest]] and [[John Dixon (judge)|John Dixon]]. Various other claimants by communities around Coleraine, Horsham, Weerite-Pomborneit, and Beechworth-Mudgegonga also had lawsuits managed by the Supreme Court.<ref name=scv/>
===Fire policy===
[[File:09 vic bushfire damage Yarra Glen 02.JPG|thumb|right|Yarra Glen three days after the fires showing differential property survival]]
In the wake of the fires and the mounting casualty toll, there was debate about policies for dealing with bushfires and the management practices that may have contributed to them. Naomi Brown, chief executive of the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council, argued that the high number of fatalities in these fires, as opposed to earlier fires such as the [[Ash Wednesday fires]], was partly attributable to increased population densities on Melbourne's fringes.<ref name="age strategies questioned" /> David Packham, bushfire expert and research fellow at [[Monash University]], argued that high fuel loads in bushland led to the destructive intensity of the fires, saying that "There has been total mismanagement of the Australian forest environment."<ref name="age strategies questioned">{{cite news | last = Rood | first = David | title = Forest strategies questioned | newspaper = The Age | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/forest-strategies-questioned-20090209-82d7.html?page=-1 | access-date = 10 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 14 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090214024137/http://www.theage.com.au/national/forest-strategies-questioned-20090209-82d7.html?page=-1 | url-status = live }}</ref>
In announcing that the fires would be investigated by a [[Royal Commission]], the [[Premier of Victoria]], [[John Brumby]], suggested that the long-standing "stay-and-defend-or-leave-early" policy would be reviewed, saying that while it had proven reliable during normal conditions, the conditions on 7 February had been exceptional.<ref name="australian nsw commissioner policy">{{cite news |title=Stay-at-home policy best, says NSW fire commissioner |newspaper=The Australian |date=9 February 2009 |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032778-5006784,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211064832/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0%2C25197%2C25032778-5006784%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 February 2009 |access-date=10 February 2009}}</ref> Brumby said that "There were many people who had done all of the preparations, had the best fire plans in the world and tragically it didn't save them."<ref name="age strategies questioned" />
Commissioner Nixon, however, defended the policy, saying that it was "well thought of and well based and has stood the test of time and we support it".<ref name="abc nixon defends policy">{{Cite news | title = Nixon defends fire policy | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486729.htm | access-date = 10 February 2009 | archive-date = 10 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090210123639/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486729.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> Similarly, Commissioner of the [[New South Wales Rural Fire Service]], Shane Fitzsimmons, said that "Decades of science, practice and history show that a well-prepared home provides the best refuge in the event of fire".<ref name="australian nsw commissioner policy" /> Nixon also dismissed potential policies involving forced evacuations, saying "There used to be policies where you could make people leave but we're talking about adults."<ref name="abc nixon defends policy" /> A former Victorian police minister, [[Pat McNamara (Australian politician)|Pat McNamara]], argued that forced evacuations could have worsened the death toll, as many of the dead appeared to have been killed while attempting to evacuate the fire areas by car.<ref name="age strategies questioned" />
===Building codes===
In response to the Black Saturday bushfires new building regulations for Victorian bushfire-prone areas were fast tracked by Standards Australia.<ref name="StandardsUpdate">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria-looks-at-changes-to-building-standards-20090215-887t.html?skin=text-only|title=Victoria looks at changes to building standards|date=16 February 2009|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=15 February 2009|archive-date=4 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104014652/http://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria-looks-at-changes-to-building-standards-20090215-887t.html?skin=text-only|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.standards.org.au/downloads/091002_Bushfire_Standard_Statement_FINAL.pdf |title=Media Release – Standards Australia to fast track completion of bushfire Standard |publisher=Standards Australia |access-date=17 February 2009 |date=11 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219142939/http://standards.org.au/downloads/091002_Bushfire_Standard_Statement_FINAL.pdf |archive-date=19 February 2009 }}</ref> Through the ''Department of Planning and Community Development'' the Victorian government has published a range of new guidelines and standards for bushfire planning and building.<ref name=dpcd-bpb>{{cite web|title=Bushfire planning and building|url=http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/planning-policy-and-projects/bushfire-planning-and-building-resource|work=Department of Planning and Community Development official website|publisher=State Government of Victoria|access-date=22 April 2011|date=1 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110328120453/http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/planning-policy-and-projects/bushfire-planning-and-building-resource|archive-date=28 March 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Based on this information, the ''Building Commission Victoria'' has released a range of publications to assist with people returning to properties, moving into temporary dwellings, [[retrofitting]] existing dwellings, and building new dwellings in bushfire areas.<ref name=pfs-bcv>{{cite web|title=Publications and Fact Sheets|url=http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/www/html/2436-publications-and-fact-sheets.asp|work=Official website|publisher=Building Commission Victoria|access-date=22 April 2011|date=19 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405075215/http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/www/html/2436-publications-and-fact-sheets.asp|archive-date=5 April 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The new standard states that all properties (not just those in bushfire areas) will now require a "bushfire attack assessment", and will be given a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating that outlines the type of construction required. The BAL takes into consideration such factors as the [[McArthur Forest Fire Danger Index|Fire Danger Index]], the slope, and surrounding vegetation. BALs range from "BAL-LOW", for properties with no specific construction requirements such as suburban buildings, to "BAL-FZ" for properties in the fire zone likely to experience direct exposure to the fire front, as well as high heat flux and ember attacks.<ref name=gtbab-bcv>{{cite web|title=A guide to building in Victoria after bushfires|url=http://www.vba.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/40583/Guide-to-building-in-Victoria-after-bushfires.pdf|work=Official website|publisher=Building Commission Victoria|access-date=23 October 2017|date=19 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313112305/http://www.vba.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/40583/Guide-to-building-in-Victoria-after-bushfires.pdf|archive-date=13 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
While a draft national building code for bushfire-prone areas proposed using {{convert|1000|K|C F|lk=on}} as the standard for the assumed temperature to which houses are subject when hit by bushfire, fire engineers argued that standards should be based on a {{convert|1090|K|C F}} temperature. This was in line with existing New South Wales building laws for bushfire-prone areas, although the temperature of fires can actually peak at approximately {{convert|1600|K|C F}}.<ref name="BuildingCodes">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/foolhardy-to-set-building-code-that-underestimates-heat-of-fires-20090211-84r4.html?page=-1|title='Foolhardy' to set building code that underestimates heat of fires|date=12 February 2009|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=14 February 2009|first=Debra|last=Jopson|archive-date=21 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221034418/http://www.smh.com.au/national/foolhardy-to-set-building-code-that-underestimates-heat-of-fires-20090211-84r4.html?page=-1|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''[[Australian Building Codes Board]]'' incorporated the {{convert|1090|K|C F}} temperature in the standard, with the support of the CFA and [[Australasian Fire Authorities Council]].<ref name=gtbab-bcv />
====Banning housing in highest risk areas====
As part of the building codes debate, an expert panel recommended in 2010 that the state government ban housing in the highest fire risk areas, which are some of the most dangerous in the world.<ref name=aust-ban-dev>{{cite web |last=Rintoul |first=Stuart |title=Ban development in fire-prone areas, experts tell royal commission |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/ban-development-in-fire-prone-areas-experts-tell-royal-commission/story-e6frg6nf-1225830521084 |work=[[The Australian]] |publisher=[[News Limited]] |access-date=19 February 2011 |date=15 February 2010 |archive-date=4 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504034232/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/ban-development-in-fire-prone-areas-experts-tell-royal-commission/story-e6frg6nf-1225830521084 |url-status=live }}</ref> Michael Buxton, a professor at [[RMIT University]], said that after the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires the government bought back tens of thousands of lots across the [[Dandenong Ranges]] because they were in extremely high fire risk areas; he backed another similar large-scale buyback scheme to move people away from unacceptably high risk areas.<ref name=aust-ban-dev />
Another member of the panel, international planning expert Roz Hansen, said that she was "disappointed and alarmed" about the decision to rebuild Marysville, stating that it was unlikely that a new development would have been permitted in the area. She went on to say that in parts of Asia, people had been forcibly moved out of unacceptably high risk cyclone and flooding areas in the public interest despite the difficulties this involved.<ref name=abc-norebuild>{{cite web|last=Cowan|first=Jane|title=Marysville should never have been rebuilt, commission told|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/15/2819672.htm|work=ABC News|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|access-date=19 February 2011|date=15 February 2010|archive-date=21 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121124559/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/15/2819672.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also==
{{Portal bar|Australia}}
*[[Ash Wednesday bushfires]]
*[[Black Friday (1939)]]
*[[Firestorm#Black Saturday firestorm (Wildfire case study)|Black Saturday firestorm (Wildfire case study)]]
*[[Electric utility]]
*[[List of disasters in Australia by death toll]]
*[[List of major bushfires in Australia]]
*[[List of wildfires]]
*[[Recloser]]
*[[Sam (koala)|Sam the Koala]]
*[[1967 Tasmanian fires]]
*[[2008–09 Australian bushfire season]]
*[[2019–20 Australian bushfire season]]
{{Clear}}
==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<!-- THESE REFS ARE NOT USED PLEASE USE THEM <ref name=firefightersunion>Marshall, Peter (12 February 2009). "[http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/face-global-warming-or-lives-will-be-at-risk-20090211-84od.html Face global warming or firefighters' lives will be ever at risk]". ''The Age'': p. 25. Retrieved 18 February 2009.</ref>
<ref name="glw firefighter">McDonald, Shaun (9 September 2009). "[http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/809/41594 Government fiddles while bush burns]". ''Green Left Weekly'' (809): pp. 3, 6. Retrieved 22 September 2009.</ref>
<ref name="Fire-weather">{{cite web|url=http://www.cmar.csiro.au/e-print/open/hennessykj_2005b.pdf|title=Climate change impacts on fire-weather in south-east Australia|last=Hennessy|first=K|coauthors=C. Lucas N. Nicholls J. Bathols, R. Suppiah and J. Ricketts|date=December 2005|publisher=CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Bushfire CRC and Australian Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=13 February 2009}}</ref>-->
}}
== Further reading==
*{{cite book|last=Hooper|first=Chloe|title=The Arsonist: A Mind on Fire|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4YFlDwAAQBAJ|year=2018|publisher=Penguin Random House Australia|isbn=978-1-74348-552-1}}
*{{Cite book|last=Hyland|first=Adrian|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KZApBgAAQBAJ|title=Kinglake-350|publisher=[[Text Publishing]]|year=2015|isbn=9781922182920|location=Melbourne}}
*{{cite book|last1=Stewart|first1=Kath|last2=Hawkins|first2=Deidre|title=Living with Fire: A Brief History of Fires in the Kinglake Ranges|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ms0KwQEACAAJ|year=2018|publisher=Kinglake Historical Society|isbn=978-0-9871217-8-3}}
==External links==
{{Commons category|2009 Victorian bushfires }}
{{Wikinews|More than 160 dead in bushfires in Australia | Class action launched by Australian bushfire survivors against SP AusNet}}
* [http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/ 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission website with transcripts exhibits submissions etc] (very large file)
* [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=black+saturday+bushfires&aq=f Black Saturday bushfires] on YouTube
* [https://www.youtube.com/user/cfavic#grid/user/B3D49B5C05D0FE0E CFA Black Saturday video footage] on YouTube
* {{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/anatomy-of-a-firestorm-20090225-8hvi.html?page=-1 | newspaper = [[The Age|Age]]
| publisher= [[Fairfax Media|Fairfax]] | date=26 February 2009 |title=Anatomy of a Firestorm, an article on the conditions and air movements of 7 February 2009|first=William |last=Kininmonth |access-date=26 February 2009 | location=Melbourne}}
* [http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/2009/02/08/1234027828219.html The Age's image gallery]
* [http://mp3.news.com.au/hwt/Victoria_fire/index.html The Herald Sun's interactive fire map]
* {{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/special_eds/20090427/fires2/ | title=Eye of the Storm | work=Four Corners | access-date=27 April 2009 | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}
*[http://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/content.php?pid=36394&sid=267991 State Library of Victoria's Bushfires in Victoria Research Guide] Guide to locating books, government reports, websites, statistics, newspaper reports and images about the Black Saturday fires.
* {{citation|doi=10.1002/qj.1986|title=The meteorology of Black Saturday|journal=Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society|volume=139|issue=672|pages=585–599|year=2013|last1=Engel|first1=Chermelle B.|last2=Lane|first2=Todd P.|last3=Reeder|first3=Michael J.|last4=Rezny|first4=Michael|bibcode=2013QJRMS.139..585E|s2cid=123623810 |doi-access=free}}
{{Bushfires in Australia}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Black Saturday Bushfires}}
[[Category:2009 crimes in Australia]]
[[Category:Arson in Australia]]
[[Category:2009 wildfires]]
[[Category:Bushfires in Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:Forests of Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:2000s in Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:February 2009 events in Australia]]' |
New page wikitext, after the edit (new_wikitext) | '{{Short description|Deadly bushfires in ohio, Australia, in 2009}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2014}}
{{Infobox wildfire
|title = Black Saturday Bushfires<!--This must be the same name as the article. Do not change unless the article is moved.-->
|image = February 7 Victoria Bushfires - MODIS Aqua.jpg
|caption = [[w:Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer|MODIS]] [[w:Aqua (satellite)|Aqua]] satellite image of smoke plumes and a [[pyrocumulus cloud]] northeast of [[Melbourne]] during the morning of 7 February 2009.
|location = [[Victoria (Australia)|Victoria]], [[Australia]]
|date = 7 February – 14 March 2009
|cause = Various confirmed sources including: {{ubl|Power lines<ref name=VBRC-Vol.01-ch.5-p.075/>|[[Arson]]<ref name='arson'>{{Cite news | first = Reko | last = Rennie | date = 1 April 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-fire-deliberately-lit-police-20090401-9j39.html | title = Marysville fire deliberately lit: police | work = [[The Age]] | publisher = [[Fairfax Media]] | access-date = 5 June 2010 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 7 September 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170907102348/http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-fire-deliberately-lit-police-20090401-9j39.html | url-status = live }}</ref>|[[Lightning]]<ref name='lightning grampians'>{{Cite news |title=Lightning starts new bushfires in Grampians |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/lightning-starts-new-bushfires-in-grampians/287662 |date=8 February 2009 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |access-date=9 February 2009 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807222753/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/lightning-starts-new-bushfires-in-grampians/287662 |url-status=live }}</ref>|Machinery<ref name="sparks">{{Cite news |title=Police track arsonists responsible for Victoria bushfires |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032884-2702,00.html |date=10 February 2009 |publisher=The Australian |work=News Limited |access-date=14 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213044555/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032884-2702,00.html |archive-date=13 February 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>}}
|area = {{convert|450000|ha|acres}}<ref>{{cite news|author=Collins, Pádraig|title=Rudd criticised over bush fire compensation|newspaper=[[Irish Times]]|location=Ireland|date=12 February 2009|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0212/1233867933059.html|access-date=19 February 2009|archive-date=9 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121009125342/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0212/1233867933059.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
|landuse = Urban/Rural Fringe Areas, Farmland, and Forest Reserves/National Parks
|structures = 3,500+ (2,029 houses)
|fatalities = 173<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/black-saturday|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927004504/https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/black-saturday|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-09-27|title=About Black Saturday - Country Fire Authority|date=2019-09-27|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://theconversation.com/what-has-australia-learned-from-black-saturday-111245|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416151401/https://theconversation.com/what-has-australia-learned-from-black-saturday-111245|url-status=dead|archive-date=2019-04-16|title=What has Australia learned from Black Saturday?|date=2019-04-16|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vic.gov.au/2009-bushfires|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520081804/https://www.vic.gov.au/2009-bushfires|url-status=live|archive-date=2019-05-20|title=2009 Victorian Bushfires|date=2019-05-20|access-date=2019-12-31}}</ref>
|injuries = 414<ref name="Australian Medical Journal"/>
}}
The '''Black Saturday bushfires''' were a series of sigmas that either ignited or were already rizzing across the [[Australian state|American state]] of [[Victoria (Australia)|Ohio]] on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009, and were one of Australia's all-time worst bushfire disasters. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest-ever loss of human life from a bushfire,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Horrific, but not the worst we've suffered |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/horrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=11 February 2009 |access-date=2020-07-16 |first=John |last=Huxley |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213204825/http://www.smh.com.au/national/horrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html |archive-date=2009-02-13 |url-status=live }}</ref> with 173 gyatts..<ref>{{Cite report |url=http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/finaldocuments/summary/PF/VBRC_Summary_PF.pdf |title=2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission - Final Report |date=July 2010 |publisher=Government Printer for the State of Victoria |access-date=2020-07-16 |archive-date=27 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227233416/http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/finaldocuments/summary/PF/VBRC_Summary_PF.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Many people were left homeless as a result.
As many as 400 individual fires were recorded on Saturday 7 February; the day has become widely referred to in Australia as Black Saturday
Deputy Prime Minister [[Julia Gillard]] described Black Saturday as "a tragedy beyond belief, beyond precedent and beyond words … one of the darkest days in Australia’s peacetime history."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/black-saturday-bushfires |archive-date=6 January 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200106114930/https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/black-saturday-bushfires|url-status=live|publisher=[[National Museum of Australia]] |date=7 February 2023 |quote=Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, 2009: A tragedy beyond belief, beyond precedent and beyond words … one of the darkest days in Australia’s peacetime history. |title=Black Saturday bushfires |location=Lawson Crescent Acton Peninsula, Canberra |access-date=10 April 2024}}</ref>
The [[2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission]], headed by Justice [[Bernard Teague]], was held in response to the bushfires.
==Background==
{{See also|Early 2009 southeastern Australia heat wave}}
[[File:Melbourne City Heatwave Min & Max Temps 09 (Concept).png|thumb|right|220px|Temperature graph for [[Melbourne]] during the peak of the heatwave]]
<!-- this includes some information from [[2009 southeastern Australia heat wave]] -->
A week before the fires, a significant heatwave affected southeastern Australia. From 28–30 January, [[Melbourne]] broke temperature records by experiencing three consecutive days above {{convert|43|°C|°F}}, with the temperature peaking at {{convert|45.1|°C|°F}} on 30 January, the third hottest day in the city's history.
The wave of heat was caused by a slow-moving [[Atmospheric pressure|high-pressure system]] that settled over the [[Tasman Sea]], with a combination of an intense [[Tropical Cyclone|tropical low]] located off the [[North West Australia]]n coast and a [[monsoon trough]] over [[northern Australia]], which produced ideal conditions for hot tropical air to be directed down over southeastern Australia.<ref name="NatClimate">{{cite web|url=http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs17d.pdf|title=The exceptional January–February 2009 heatwave in southeastern Australia|date=12 February 2009|publisher=National Climate Centre|work=Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=18 November 2009|archive-date=13 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913022711/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs17d.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
The February fires commenced on a day when several localities across the state, including [[Melbourne]], recorded their highest temperatures since records began in 1859.<ref name="HottestDay">{{Cite news | last=Townsend | first=Hamish | url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/city-swelters-records-tumble-in-heat-20090207-80ai.html | title=City swelters, records tumble in heat | date=7 February 2009 | publisher=The Age | work=Fairfax Media | access-date=7 February 2009 | location=Melbourne | archive-date=8 February 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208073446/http://www.theage.com.au/national/city-swelters-records-tumble-in-heat-20090207-80ai.html | url-status=live }}</ref> On 6 February 2009—the day before the fires started—the [[Country Fire Authority]] chief Russell Rees warned "We are in almost uncharted territory" in terms of bushfire conditions. [https://iview.abc.net.au/video/NC1584H001S00] The [[Premier of Victoria]] [[John Brumby]] issued a warning about the [[extreme weather]] conditions expected on 7 February: "It's just as bad a day as you can imagine and on top of that the state is just tinder-dry. People need to exercise real common sense tomorrow".<ref name="BrumbyWarning">{{Cite news |last=Moncrief |first=Mark |url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/worst-day-in-history-brumby-warns-of-fire-danger-20090206-7zf1.html |title='Worst day in history': Brumby warns of fire danger |date=6 February 2009 |publisher=The Age |work=Fairfax Media |access-date=11 February 2009 |location=Melbourne |archive-date=9 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209100743/http://www.theage.com.au/national/worst-day-in-history-brumby-warns-of-fire-danger-20090206-7zf1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The Premier went on to state that it was expected to be the "worst day [of fire conditions] in the history of the state".<ref name="BrumbyWarning" />
==Events of 7 February 2009==
{{more citations needed|section|date=February 2018}}<!--2 paragraphs have no citations-->
[[File:Melbourne-temp-2009-02-07.png|thumb|300px|right|Melbourne air temperature on 6, 7 and 8 February 2009]]
A total of 358 firefighting personnel, mainly from the [[Country Fire Authority]] (CFA) and [[Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria|Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)]], were deployed across the state on Friday evening (6 February) in anticipation of the extreme conditions the following day.{{citation needed|date=March 2020}} By mid-morning Saturday, hot northwesterly winds in excess of {{convert|100|km/h|mph}} hit the state,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5cef8359d07b4b6984905c349f832af1|title=Black Saturday Bushfires|website=ArcGIS Story Maps|last1=Cripps|first1=Grace|date=25 November 2019|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-date=17 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094949/https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5cef8359d07b4b6984905c349f832af1|url-status=live}}</ref> accompanied by extremely high temperatures and extremely low humidity; a total fire ban was declared for the entire state of Victoria.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.themonthly.com.au/monthly-essays-robert-manne-why-we-weren-t-warned-victorian-bushfires-and-royal-commission-1780|title=Why we weren't warned: The Victorian bushfires and the royal commission|website=The Monthly|last1=Manne|first1=Robert|date=July 2009|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-date=2 April 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200402010643/https://www.themonthly.com.au/monthly-essays-robert-manne-why-we-weren-t-warned-victorian-bushfires-and-royal-commission-1780|url-status=live}}</ref>
As the day progressed, the highest-ever temperatures recorded to date were reached. Melbourne hit {{convert|46.4|C|F}}, the hottest temperature ever recorded for the city<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/heat-records-smashed-ahead-of-hottest-day-since-black-saturday-20190125-p50tj1.html|title=Melbourne weather: Heat records smashed ahead of hottest day since Black Saturday|website=The Age|last1=Koob|first1=Simone F.|last2=Cunningham|first2=Melissa|date=25 January 2019|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-date=19 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019134708/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/heat-records-smashed-ahead-of-hottest-day-since-black-saturday-20190125-p50tj1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> and humidity levels dropped to as low as two percent. The [[McArthur Forest Fire Danger Index]] reached unprecedented levels, ranging from 160 to over 200. This was higher than the fire weather conditions experienced on [[Black Friday (1939)|Black Friday]] in 1939 and [[Ash Wednesday fires|Ash Wednesday]] in 1983.<ref name="FireIndex">{{cite web|url=http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2009/02/bushfires-and-climate/#more-654|title=Bushfires and extreme heat in southeast Australia|last=Karoly|first=David|date=16 February 2009|publisher=Real Climate|access-date=17 February 2009|archive-date=19 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219171149/http://realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2009/02/bushfires-and-climate#more-654|url-status=live}}</ref>
Around midday, as wind speeds were reaching their peak, an incorrectly-rigged '[[SWER]]' (single-wire earth return) mains power cable was ripped down at [[Kilmore East]]. This sparked a bushfire that became the deadliest and most intense firestorm ever recorded in Australia. The overwhelming majority of fire activity occurred between the afternoon of 7 February and 7:00 pm, a period when wind speed and temperature were at their highest, and humidity at its lowest.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-04-23/power-company-faces-class-action-over-black/1660796|title=Power company faces class action over Black Saturday|website=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |last1=Brown |first1=Rachel |date=23 April 2009|access-date=13 March 2020|archive-date=16 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416090152/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-04-23/power-company-faces-class-action-over-black/1660796|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Chronology==
[[File:2009 Victorian bushfires smoke plume over NZ.jpg|thumb|right|300px
|[[Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer|MODIS]] imagery shows smoke from the fires carried by winds over the [[Tasman Sea]] to [[New Zealand]]'s South Island on 8 February]]
<!-- [[File:Killmore East-Murrindindi Complex South Fire 2009 Feb BH14.jpg|thumb|right|200px|NASA image of the Whittlesea-Kinglake area on 14 February]] -->
;Wednesday, 28 January 2009
*Delburn fire commenced in [[Central Gippsland]]; [[arson]] suspected.<ref name="weekly-times third fire">{{Cite news
|author1 = Lanigan, Roslyn
|author2 = Woods, Kim
|name-list-style = amp
|title = Gippsland faces third fire
|publisher = Weekly Times
|date = 29 January 2009
|url = http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/01/29/47075_latest-news.html
|access-date = 11 February 2009
|archive-date = 15 February 2009
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090215154148/http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/01/29/47075_latest-news.html
|url-status = live
}}</ref>
;Wednesday, 4 February
*[[Bunyip State Park]] blaze commenced.<ref name="berwick-district-journal battle bunyip"/>
;Saturday, 7 February (Black Saturday)
*05:00 am – Bunyip State Park fire jumped containment lines; no other major fire activity.<ref name="Bunyip fire breaches control lines">{{Cite web|title=Black Saturday|url=http://www.abc.net.au/innovation/blacksaturday/#/timeline/sequence/chapter/1/showid/0000271|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091004221626/http://abc.net.au/innovation/blacksaturday/#/timeline/sequence/chapter/1/showid/0000271|archive-date=4 October 2009|website=ABC News|access-date=6 April 2016}}</ref>
*Late morning – Many fires sprang up as temperatures rose and wind speeds increased.
*11:50 am – Power lines fell in high winds igniting the [[Kilmore East]] fire ([[Kinglake, Victoria|Kinglake]]/[[Whittlesea, Victoria|Whittlesea]] area). The fire was fanned by {{convert|125|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} winds, entered a [[pine plantation]], grew in intensity, and rapidly headed southeast through the [[Wandong]] area.<ref name="heraldsun hill paddock">{{Cite news|title=Hill paddock is pinpointed as area where fire started|date=12 February 2009|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25043261-662,00.html | publisher = Herald Sun | work = News Limited |access-date=17 February 2009 }} {{Dead link|date=August 2010|bot=RjwilmsiBot}}</ref>
*12:30 pm – [[Horsham, Victoria|Horsham]] fire commenced.<ref name="Wimmera Mail-Times Horsham fire">{{Cite news |url = http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/horsham-fire-the-latest-report/1427805.aspx |archive-url = https://archive.today/20121231084331/http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/horsham-fire-the-latest-report/1427805.aspx |url-status = dead |archive-date = 31 December 2012 |title = Horsham fire: The latest report |publisher = Wimmera Mail-Times |work = Fairfax Media |access-date = 18 February 2009 }}</ref>
*12:30 pm – [[ABC Local Radio]] abandoned regular programming to cover the fire situation.<ref name="Bunyip fire breaches control lines" />
*12:45 pm – [[Hume Highway|Hume Freeway]] was closed after fire crews were unable to contain Kilmore East fire.<ref name="Bunyip fire breaches control lines" />
*Early afternoon – ABC Local Radio received calls from residents of affected areas supplying immediate up-to-date information on fire activity.
*2:55 pm – Murrindindi Mill fire ([[Marysville, Victoria|Marysville]] area) first spotted from [[Mount Despair (Victoria)|Mt Despair]] fire tower.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009
|title=transcript page 8208, Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission
|publisher=Victorian Government
|date=6 October 2009
|access-date=10 February 2010
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100517022420/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009
|archive-date=17 May 2010
|url-status=dead
}}</ref><ref name="Marysville fire start">{{Cite news | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/the-trail-of-destruction--and-the-outlook-20090209-814n.html?page=fullpage | title = The trail of destruction ... and the outlook | newspaper = The Age | publisher = [[Fairfax Media|Fairfax]] | date = 9 February 2009 | access-date = 18 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | first1 = Ben | last1 = Schneiders | first2 = Farrah | last2 = Tomazin | archive-date = 3 November 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121103003239/http://www.theage.com.au/national/the-trail-of-destruction--and-the-outlook-20090209-814n.html?page=fullpage | url-status = live }}</ref>
*3:04 pm – temperature in [[Melbourne]] peaked at {{convert|46.4|C|F}}.<ref name="HottestDay"/>
*4:20 pm – [[Kilmore East]] fire front arrived at [[Strathewen, Victoria|Strathewen]].<ref name="australian how the battle">{{Cite news | last = Stewart | first = Cameron | author2 = Corrie Perkin | title = How the battle with Victoria's bushfires was fought and lost | publisher = Australian | work = News limited | date = 14 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/how-the-battle-for-victoria-was-fought-and-lost/story-e6frg6n6-1111118847125 | access-date = 17 February 2009 | archive-date = 31 March 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140331025837/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/how-the-battle-for-victoria-was-fought-and-lost/story-e6frg6n6-1111118847125 | url-status = live }}</ref>
*4:20 pm – Murrindindi Mill fire impacted [[Narbethong, Victoria|Narbethong]].
*Mid-afternoon – smoke from Kilmore East firestorm prevented planes from mapping the fire edge.
*4:30 pm – number of individual fires across the state increased into the hundreds.
*4:30 pm – fire commenced at [[Eaglehawk, Victoria|Eaglehawk]], near [[Bendigo]].<ref>{{Cite news| last = Perkin | first = Corrie | title = Cigarette butt blamed for town's losses | publisher = The Australian | work = News limited | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/cigarette-butt-blamed-for-towns-losses/story-e6frg6n6-1111118795113 | access-date = 17 February 2009}}</ref>
*4:45 pm – Kilmore East fire front arrived at Kinglake.
*5:00 pm – wind direction changed from northwesterly to southwesterly in Melbourne (see Fawkner Beacon Wind chart for 7 February 2009).
*5:10 pm – air temperature in Melbourne dropped from over {{convert|45|C|F}} to around {{convert|30|C|F}} in fifteen minutes.
*5:30 pm – wind change arrived at Kilmore East and Murrindindi Mill (Kinglake/Marysville) fire fronts.
*5:45 pm – Kilmore East fire front arrived in [[Flowerdale, Victoria|Flowerdale]].
*6:00 pm – [[Beechworth]] fire commenced.<ref name="Beechworth Area Fire">{{cite web |title=Beechworth Area Fire – Community Update Newsletter |url=http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/130209_Beechworth_Fire_Newsletter_FINALAM_(2)_21551.pdf |publisher=Country Fire Authority |date=13 February 2009 |access-date=18 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224220121/http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/130209_Beechworth_Fire_Newsletter_FINALAM_%282%29_21551.pdf |archive-date=24 February 2009}}</ref>
*6:00 pm – Kilmore East fire smoke plume and pyrocumulus cloud reached {{convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} high.
*6:45 pm – Murrindindi Mill fire front arrived at Marysville.<ref name="Marysville police probe">{{Cite news | title = Marysville residents recall Black Saturday for police probe | last = Strong | first = Geoff | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-recall-black-saturday-for-police-probe-20090305-8p25.html | publisher = The Age | work = Fairfax Media | date = 5 March 2009 | access-date = 7 March 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 6 November 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121106143039/http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-recall-black-saturday-for-police-probe-20090305-8p25.html | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name="Marysville residents">{{Cite news | title = Marysville residents 'should have been warned to leave town | last = Milovanovic | first = Selma | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-should-have-been-warned-to-leave-town-20090406-9u3t.html | publisher = The Age | work = Fairfax Media | date = 6 April 2009 | access-date = 10 April 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 9 April 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090409064758/http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-should-have-been-warned-to-leave-town-20090406-9u3t.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
*8:30 pm – Victorian Health Emergency Co-ordination Centre notified Melbourne hospitals to prepare for burn victims.
*8:57 pm – CFA chief officer first notified that casualties had been confirmed.
*10:00 pm – [[Victoria Police]] announced an initial estimate of 14 fatalities.
;Sunday, 8 February
*Kilmore East and Murrindindi Mill fires merged to form the Kinglake fire complex.<ref name="Herald Yarra Valley">{{Cite news | title = Yarra Valley tourist town Marysville devastated by bushfire | url = http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,27574,25024406-2862,00.html | publisher = Herald Sun | work = News Limited | date = 8 February 2009 | access-date = 22 February 2009 | archive-date = 13 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090213044502/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,27574,25024406-2862,00.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
*[[Wilsons Promontory]] fire ignited by lightning.<ref name="Wilsons Prom">{{cite web | title = Tidal River camping ground evacuated as fire spreads | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486078.htm | work = ABC News | date = 9 February 2009 | access-date = 22 February 2009 | archive-date = 12 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090212174030/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486078.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>
*[[Victoria Police]] increased estimate to 25 fatalities.
[[File:2009 Victorian bushfires map 10 February annotated.JPG|thumb|300px|right|Map of fire locations on 10 February]]
;Tuesday, 10 February
*Spot fires from Kinglake complex fires merged to form the Maroondah/Yarra complex.
;Tuesday, 17 February
*Six fires still burned out of control, with another nineteen contained.<ref name="Healesville">{{Cite news
|title = Winds cause nervous moments for Healesville
|publisher = The Age
|work = Fairfax Media
|date = 17 February 2009
|url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/winds-cause-nervous-moments-for-healesville-20090217-89gu.html
|access-date = 17 February 2009
|location = Melbourne
|archive-date = 19 February 2009
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090219160428/http://www.theage.com.au/national/winds-cause-nervous-moments-for-healesville-20090217-89gu.html
|url-status = live
}}</ref>
*Containment lines surrounded 85 per cent of the Kinglake–Murrindindi complex.<ref name="Healesville"/>
*The Kilmore East – Murrindindi complex south fire burned in Melbourne's [[O'Shannassy River|O'Shannassy]] and [[Armstrong Creek, Victoria|Armstrong Creek]] water [[catchment]]s.<ref name="Healesville"/>
*Bunyip and Beechworth fires almost contained.<ref name="Healesville"/>
;Thursday, 19 February
*Victoria Police increased estimate to 208 fatalities.
;Monday, 23 February
*Temperatures in the mid-30 degrees Celsius (mid-90 degrees Fahrenheit), northerly winds, and a cool change precipitated a flare-up of many of the fires, and ignited several new fires.
*The most significant new fires were in the southern [[Dandenong Ranges]] near [[Upwey, Victoria|Upwey]], south of [[Daylesford, Victoria|Daylesford]] (near Hogans Lane, [[Musk, Victoria]]), and in the [[Otway Ranges]].
*Weather conditions directed previously burning fires in the [[Yarra Ranges Shire|Yarra Ranges]] towards settlements in the upper Yarra Valley, but the fires were of a low intensity and were quickly contained.
;Friday, 27 February
*Bunyip fire still burnt within control lines in the Bunyip State Park and State Forest areas.<ref>CFA Awareness Message – Bunyip Ridge Track Fire 7.00pm, 27 February 2009</ref>
*The Kilmore East – Murrindindi complex north fire burned within containment lines on the southeastern flank.<ref>CFA Downgrade Message – Alert to Awareness-Kilmore East Murrindindi Complex North Fire, 27 February 2009</ref>
*The Kilmore East – Murrindindi complex south fire activity continued in areas close to several towns in the [[Yarra Valley]] near both Yarra Glen and [[Warburton, Victoria|Warburton]].<ref>CFA Awareness Message – Kilmore East – Murrindindi Complex South Fire 7.20 pm, 27 February 2009</ref>
*The [[Wilsons Promontory]] Cathedral fire had burnt {{convert|24150|ha|acre|abbr=on}} and was still burning.<ref>CFA Awareness Message – Wilsons Prom Cathedral Fire 6.00pm, 27 February 2009</ref>
*The [[French Island (Victoria)|French Island]] fire slowly burnt in uninhabited grass and scrub bushland on the northeast end of the island.<ref>Awareness Message – French Island Fire 6.50pm, 27 February 2009</ref>
;Tuesday, 3 March 2009:
*Extreme bushfire conditions predicted for Monday night and early Tuesday morning, involving very strong northerlies, with a change forecast to arrive by Tuesday morning. Mobile phone companies trialled technology by sending Victorians and [[Tasmania]]ns three million [[Short message service|SMS]] messages on behalf of [[Victoria Police]].<ref name="SMS warning">{{Cite news | last = Dobbin | first = Marika | title = Victorians receive fire text warning | publisher = The Age | work = Fairfax Media | date = 3 March 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/victorians-receive-fire-text-warning-20090302-8mfq.html | access-date = 3 March 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 3 March 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090303121100/http://www.theage.com.au/national/victorians-receive-fire-text-warning-20090302-8mfq.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
;Wednesday, 4 March
*Cooler conditions and rain from 4–6 March enabled firefighters to control and contain several fires, with the Kilmore East – Murrindindi complex south fire being completely contained.
*Predictions for favourable weather signalled the easing of the threat to settlements from the major fires that had been burning since 7 February.
;Mid-March
*Favourable conditions aided containment efforts and extinguished many of the fires.
==Major fires==
===Kinglake–Marysville fires===
[[File:February 7 Victorian bushfires smoke east of Melbourne.JPG|thumb|right|The large smoke cloud from the Kilmore East fire, being blown across Melbourne's northeast at 2:49 pm]]
The [[Kinglake, Victoria|Kinglake]] fire complex was named after two earlier fires, the [[Kilmore East, Victoria|Kilmore East]] fire and the [[Murrindindi, Victoria|Murrindindi]] Mill fire, merged following the wind change on the evening of 7 February.<ref name="geelong-addy kinglake casualties">{{Cite news | title = Reports of major casualties at Kinglake | publisher = Geelong Advertiser | date = 8 February 2009 | url = http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49445_news.html | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090209073155/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49445_news.html | url-status = live }}</ref> The complex was the largest of the many fires burning on Black Saturday, ultimately destroying over {{convert|330000|ha|acre|abbr=on}}.<ref name="abc at a glance">{{Cite news | title = At a glance: where bushfires are burning | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 8 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485609.htm?section=justin | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090209112549/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485609.htm?section=justin | url-status = live }}</ref> It was also the most destructive, with over 1,800 houses destroyed and 159 lives lost in the region.
====Kinglake area (Kilmore East fire)====
Just before midday on 7 February, high winds felled a {{convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on}} section of power lines owned by [[AusNet Services|SP AusNet]] in Kilmore East, sparking a fire at approximately 11:45 am in open grasslands that adjoined pine plantations. The fire was fanned by extreme northwesterly winds, and travelled {{convert|50|km|abbr=on}} southeast in a narrow fire front through [[Wandong, Victoria|Wandong]] and [[Clonbinane, Victoria|Clonbinane]], into [[Kinglake National Park]], and then onto the towns of [[Humevale, Victoria|Humevale]], [[Kinglake West, Victoria|Kinglake West]], [[Strathewen, Victoria|Strathewen]] and [[St Andrews, Victoria|St Andrews]].<ref name="VBRC-Vol.01-ch.5-p.075">{{cite book |author1=Teague, Bernard|title=The Kilmore East Fire: Final Report|author2=McLeod, Ronald|author3=Pascoe, Susan|date=July 2010|isbn=978-0-9807408-2-0|edition=1|volume=1: The Fires and the Fire-Related Deaths|page=75|chapter=Chapter 5 |publisher=[[2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission]] |quote=The fire started after the conductor between poles 38 and 39 failed and the live conductor came into contact with a cable stay supporting pole 38. This contact caused arcing that ignited vegetation near the base of pole 38. An electrical fault was recorded at 11:45...|access-date=6 February 2015 |chapter-url=http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Finaldocuments/volume-1/PF/VBRC_Vol1_Chapter05_PF.pdf|chapter-format=PDF - 1,478 KB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015122/http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Finaldocuments/volume-1/PF/VBRC_Vol1_Chapter05_PF.pdf|archive-date=12 November 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="Age7Feb">{{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/death-toll-may-reach-more-than-40-police-20090207-80ao.html|title=Death toll may reach more than 40: police|date=7 February 2009|publisher=The Age|work=Fairfax Media|access-date=7 February 2009|location=Melbourne|archive-date=8 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208072330/http://www.theage.com.au/national/death-toll-may-reach-more-than-40-police-20090207-80ao.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
The cool change passed through the area around 5:30 pm, bringing strong southwesterly winds. The wind change turned the initial long and narrow fire band into a wide firefront that moved in a northeast direction through [[Kinglake, Victoria|Kinglake]], [[Steels Creek, Victoria|Steels Creek]], [[Dixons Creek, Victoria|Dixons Creek]], [[Chum Creek, Victoria|Chum Creek]], [[Toolangi, Victoria|Toolangi]], [[Hazeldene, Victoria|Hazeldene]], [[Broadford, Victoria|Broadford]] and [[Flowerdale, Victoria|Flowerdale]].<ref name="geelong-addy grave concern">{{Cite news|title=Kilmore fires cause grave concern |publisher=Geelong Advertiser |date=8 February 2009 |url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49421_news.html |access-date=9 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209073134/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49421_news.html |archive-date=9 February 2009 }}</ref>
The area became the worst-impacted in the state, with a total of 120 deaths<ref name="deathtoll">{{cite web|title=Bushfires death toll |url=http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19190 |access-date=31 March 2009 |date=30 March 2009 |work=Victoria Police |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090313151520/http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19190 |archive-date=13 March 2009 }}</ref> and more than 1,200 homes destroyed.
The cause of the Kilmore East-Kinglake bushfire was found by the [[2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission]] to be an ageing SP AusNet power line.<ref name=abc-kilmore-settle/>
====Marysville area (Murrindindi Mill fire)====
[[File:Victorian 2009 Bushfires - Steels Creek 1.jpg|thumb|Fire approaching a residence in [[Steels Creek, Victoria|Steels Creek]] at 6:11 pm]]
[[File:2009 Victorian bushfires smoke Warrandyte.JPG|thumb|right|Smoke mixed with cloud over [[Warrandyte, Victoria|Warrandyte]], looking northeast across the [[Yarra River]], towards the Kinglake fire complex on 8 February]]
[[File:2009 Lake Mountain after bushfire DSC 0335.JPG|thumb|right|[[Lake Mountain (Victoria)|Lake Mountain]] toboggan run after the fire]]
According to eyewitnesses, the Murrindindi Mill fire started at 2:55 pm,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009|title=transcript pages 8208, 8225 & 8246, Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission|publisher=Victorian Government|access-date=10 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100517022420/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009|archive-date=17 May 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> while Victoria Police twice told the Royal Commission that it commenced at "about 2.30 pm".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-001-0338|title=Detective Superintendent Paul Hollowood's witness statement paragraph 65|publisher=Victorian Government|access-date=10 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706123119/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-001-0338|archive-date=6 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-003-0287 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924092239/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-003-0287 |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 September 2015 |title=Detective Superintendent Paul Hollowood's supplementary witness statement, paragraph 20 |publisher=Victorian Government |access-date=10 February 2010 }}</ref> It burned southeast across the Black Range, parallel to the Kilmore fire, towards [[Narbethong, Victoria|Narbethong]]. Experienced Air Attack Coordinator Shaun Lawlor reported flame heights of "at least 100 metres" as the fire traversed the Black Range.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009|title=transcript page 8261, Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission|publisher=Victorian Government|access-date=10 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100517022420/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009|archive-date=17 May 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> At Narbethong, it destroyed 95 per cent of the town's houses.<ref name="abc wiped out"/> When the southerly change struck, it swept towards the town of [[Marysville, Victoria|Marysville]].<ref name="abc wiped out">{{Cite news |last=Cowan |first=Jane |display-authors=etal |title=Wiped out: Town destroyed by killer fires |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=8 February 2009 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485378.htm |access-date=9 February 2009 |archive-date=9 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209112921/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485378.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
Late in the afternoon of 7 February, residents had anticipated that the fire front would bypass Marysville.<ref name="abc wiped out" /> At about 5:00 pm, power was lost to the town. Around 5:30 pm, the wind died away, however, minutes later it returned from a different direction, bringing the fire up the valley with it.<ref name="australian razed township">{{cite news | last = Davies | first = Julie-Anne | title = Razed township fears for missing | newspaper = The Australian | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25026480-2702,00.html | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211143130/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25026480-2702,00.html | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | url-status = dead}}</ref>
Afterwards, a police sergeant said that the main street in Marysville had been destroyed: "The motel at one end of it partially exists. The bakery has survived. Don't ask me how. Everything else is just nuked."<ref name="age sickening wait">{{Cite news | last = Coslovich | first = Gabriella | title = Sickening wait for proof of life, or death | publisher = The Age | work = Fairfax Media | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/sickening-wait-for-proof-of-life-or-death-20090208-8112.html?page=2 | access-date = 9 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211142434/http://www.theage.com.au/national/sickening-wait-for-proof-of-life-or-death-20090208-8112.html?page=2 | url-status = live }}</ref> Reports on 11 February estimated that around 100 of the town's population of approximately 500 were believed to have perished, and that only "a dozen" buildings were left. Premier Brumby described the situation: "There's no activity, there's no people, there's no buildings, there's no birds, there's no animals, everything's just gone. So the fatality rate will be very high."<ref name="marysville-one-in-five">{{cite web|title=Marysville toll may be 1 in 5|url=http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51975_latest-news.html|work=The Weekly Times|publisher=[[News Limited]]|access-date=9 February 2011|date=11 February 2009|archive-date=15 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315123959/http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51975_latest-news.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Eventually 34 fatalities were confirmed in the Marysville area, with all but 14 of over 400 buildings destroyed. Other localities severely affected included [[Buxton, Victoria|Buxton]] and [[Taggerty, Victoria|Taggerty]].<ref name=Yea-Murrundindi>{{cite web|title=Yea-Murrundindi map |publisher=CFA |url=http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/Yea-Murrundindi_MediaMap_20090208_0015_21109.pdf |access-date=8 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090224220055/http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/Yea-Murrundindi_MediaMap_20090208_0015_21109.pdf |archive-date=24 February 2009 }}</ref>
To the south of the fire complex, visitors and residents were stranded at [[Yarra Glen, Victoria|Yarra Glen]] when fire surrounded the town on three sides.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/we-can-see-flames-people-stranded-in-yarra-glen-20090207-80e3.html |title='We can see flames': people stranded in Yarra Glen |date=8 February 2008 |publisher=The Age |work=Fairfax Media |access-date=8 February 2009 |location=Melbourne |first=Hamish |last=Townsend |archive-date=9 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209140340/http://www.theage.com.au/national/we-can-see-flames-people-stranded-in-yarra-glen-20090207-80e3.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Houses just to the north of Yarra Glen were destroyed and large areas of grassy paddocks burnt.
Investigators initially believed that the cause of the fire that originated near the Murrundindi Mill and swept through Narbethong and Marysville was arson, with several suspects investigated.<ref name="TheAge">{{Cite news | title = Arsonists may have lit Marysville fire – Nixon | publisher = The Age | work = Fairfax Media | date = 12 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/arsonists-may-have-lit-marysville-fire-nixon-20090212-852y.html | access-date = 12 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | first = Robyn | last = Grace | archive-date = 17 July 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094950/https://www.theage.com.au/national/arson-suspects-arrested-20090212-852y.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Later investigations prompted a 2011 declaration that arson had not been responsible.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/marysville-blaze-not-the-work-of-arsonist-20110625-1gkan.html |location=Melbourne |work=The Age |title=Marysville blaze not the work of arsonist |date=25 June 2011 |access-date=25 June 2011 |archive-date=28 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628204827/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/marysville-blaze-not-the-work-of-arsonist-20110625-1gkan.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
===Beechworth fire===
In [[Beechworth]], a fire burnt over {{convert|30000|ha|acre}} and threatened the towns of [[Yackandandah, Victoria|Yackandandah]], [[Stanley, Victoria|Stanley]], [[Bruarong, Victoria|Bruarong]], [[Dederang, Victoria|Dederang]], [[Kancoona, Victoria|Kancoona]], [[Kancoona South, Victoria|Kancoona South]], [[Coralbank, Victoria|Coralbank]], [[Glen Creek, Victoria|Glen Creek]], and [[Running Creek, Victoria|Running Creek]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485588.htm|title=Smoke, cloud restrict Beechworth fire info|date=8 February 2009|work=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=8 February 2009|archive-date=9 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090209112539/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485588.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> The fire ignited from a felled power line at around 6:00 pm<ref name="Beechworth Area Fire"/> on 7 February, {{convert|3|km|abbr=on}} south of Beechworth, before being driven south through pine plantations by hot northerly winds.<ref name="herald-sun fast-moving blaze">{{cite news | author1 = McNaught, Megan | author2 = Pilcher, Georgie | name-list-style = amp | title = Fast-moving blaze hit with little warning | newspaper = Herald Sun | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25025982-2862,00.html | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 31 December 2012 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121231004421/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archives/old-news-pages/blaze-hit-with-little-warning/story-e6frf8zo-1111118794037 | url-status = live }}</ref>
The fire destroyed an unknown number of buildings at [[Mudgegonga, Victoria|Mudgegonga]], southeast of Beechworth, with two residents confirmed dead.<ref name="abc buildings mudgeegonga">{{Cite news | title = Buildings destroyed near Beechworth | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 8 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485547.htm | access-date = 8 February 2009 | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211163000/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485547.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> Dense smoke and cloud cover had hindered assessment of the Beechworth fire, but as conditions cleared late on 8 February, aerial crews were able to commence surveys of the situation.<ref name="abc smoke cloud beechworth">{{Cite news | title = Smoke, cloud restrict Beechworth fire info | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 8 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485588.htm | access-date = 8 February 2009 | archive-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090209112539/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485588.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>
Strong winds fuelled the fire on the night of 8 February, and lightning ignited a new fire near [[Kergunyah, Victoria|Kergunyah]] around midday on 9 February.<ref name="herald-sun fresh fire">{{cite news | last = Pilcher | first = Georgie | title = Fresh fire jumps river and threatens towns | newspaper = Herald Sun | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/hundreds-battle-to-control-blazes/story-e6frf7jo-1111118804624 | access-date = 10 February 2009 | archive-date = 22 March 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140322124845/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/hundreds-battle-to-control-blazes/story-e6frf7jo-1111118804624 | url-status = live }}</ref> More than 440 personnel worked to contain a separate front that threatened [[Gundowring, Victoria|Gundowring]] and [[Eskdale, Victoria|Eskdale]], having jumped the [[Kiewa River]]. Late on the night of 9 February the greatest threat was to Eskdale, and fires also burnt in pine plantations {{convert|8|km|mi}} from the large town of [[Myrtleford, Victoria|Myrtleford]], at the western end of the fire area.<ref name="herald-sun fresh fire" /> While smaller towns to the east, including Gundowring and Kergunyah, remained under threat, the CFA said that there was no immediate danger to the larger towns of Beechworth and Yackandandah on the northern fringe of the fire area.<ref name="australian inquiry ordered">{{cite news|author1=Hannan, Ewin |author2=Wallace, Rick |name-list-style=amp | title = Inquiry ordered into Victoria bushfires, hunt for arsonists begins | newspaper = The Australian | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation-weeps-as-toll-tops-166/story-e6frg6n6-1111118804823 | access-date = 10 February 2009}}</ref>
By 10 February, firefighters had completed a {{convert|115|km|mi|adj=on|abbr=on}} containment line around the Beechworth fire, and sought to construct {{convert|15|km|mi|abbr=on}} more, though the fire continued to burn out of control.<ref name="canberra-times prisoners help">{{cite news|title=Prisoners help fight Beechworth blaze |newspaper=The Canberra Times|date=10 February 2009 |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/prisoners-help-fight-beechworth-blaze/1429502.aspx |access-date=10 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215011337/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/prisoners-help-fight-beechworth-blaze/1429502.aspx |archive-date=15 February 2009 }}</ref> By that afternoon, threat messages for the area had been downgraded, though firefighters were tackling a separate fire near [[Koetong, Victoria|Koetong]], to the east of the main Beechworth fire, of between {{convert|50|and|80|ha|acre|abbr=on}}.<ref name="abc north-east urged">{{Cite news | title = North-east residents urged to remain on fire alert | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487509.htm | access-date = 10 February 2009 | archive-date = 13 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090213064816/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487509.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> Residents of Beechworth and surrounding towns were advised on the evening of 10 February to expect increased smoke cover as 250 firefighters would be undertaking backburning to eliminate fuel within the control lines.<ref name="border-mail smoke increases">{{Cite news | title = Smoke increases with Beechworth backburning | work = Border Mail | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/local/news/general/smoke-increases-with-beechworth-backburning/1429957.aspx | access-date = 10 February 2009 | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211211108/http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/local/news/general/smoke-increases-with-beechworth-backburning/1429957.aspx | url-status = live }}</ref>
The [[Beechworth Correctional Centre]] minimum-security prison offered up to thirty of its inmates to provide assistance to firefighters; a local DSE manager said that though untrained personnel would not be allowed at the fire front, the prisoners would be welcome in support roles.<ref name="canberra-times prisoners help" />
===Bendigo fire===
[[File:Bendigo Fires 07022009 1.jpg|thumb|right|Fire threatening houses near Dean Street in Long Gully, west of [[Bendigo, Victoria|Bendigo]] at 5:52 pm]]
A fire to the west of the city of [[Bendigo, Victoria|Bendigo]] burned out {{convert|500|ha|acre}}.<ref name="abc bendigo meeting">{{Cite news | title = Meeting held for fire-affected Bendigo residents | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485623.htm | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090209222753/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485623.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> The fire broke out at about 4:30 pm on the afternoon of 7 February, and burned through [[Long Gully, Victoria|Long Gully]] and [[Eaglehawk, Victoria|Eaglehawk]], coming within {{convert|2|km|abbr=on}} of central Bendigo, before it was brought under control late on 7 February.<ref name="abc bendigo meeting" /> It destroyed around 61 houses<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/inferno-warning-cfa/1435265.aspx |title=Inferno warning: CFA – Local News – News – General |publisher=Bendigo Advertiser |date=17 February 2009 |access-date=29 December 2011 |archive-date=13 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213003037/http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/inferno-warning-cfa/1435265.aspx |url-status=live }}</ref> in Bendigo's western suburbs, and damaged an electricity distribution line, resulting in blackouts to substantial parts of the city.<ref name="herald-sun man on fire">{{cite news | title = The man up the road is on fire | newspaper = Herald Sun | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25025484-2862,00.html | access-date = 9 February 2009 | first1 = Emily | last1 = Power | first2 = Karen | last2 = Collier | archive-date = 30 December 2012 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121230150352/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archives/old-news-pages/the-man-up-the-road-is-on-fire/story-e6frf8zo-1111118793125 | url-status = live }}</ref> One Long Gully resident, ill and confined to his house, was killed in the fire despite the efforts of his neighbours to rescue him.<ref name="herald-sun man on fire" /> The fire changed direction late on 7 February with the cool change, and headed back towards Eaglehawk; it was contained at 9:52 pm, though it was still burning within containment lines well into the next day.<ref name="age mind beast">{{cite news | last = Kennedy | first = Peter | title = Fire had a mind of its own, like a beast | newspaper = The Age | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/fire-had-a-mind-of-its-own-like-a-beast-20090208-8115.html | access-date = 9 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211143240/http://www.theage.com.au/national/fire-had-a-mind-of-its-own-like-a-beast-20090208-8115.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
A relief centre was set up at [[Kangaroo Flat, Victoria|Kangaroo Flat]] Senior Citizens Centre.<ref name="CFA 1476708465993">{{cite web|title=Downgrade Message – Urgent Threat to Final Advice Bracewell Fire (Bendigo), 2.30 am |publisher=CFA |url=http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/incident_updates.htm#1476708465993 |access-date=8 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090118001216/http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/incident_updates.htm |archive-date=18 January 2009 }}</ref> During the fire, residents from Long Gully, Eaglehawk, Maiden Gully, California Gully, and West Bendigo were evacuated and advised to assemble at the centre.<ref name="bendigo-advertiser wall of flames">{{Cite news | title = Bendigo Battles Wall of Flames | publisher = Bendigo Advertiser | date = 8 February 2009 | url = http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/bendigo-battles-wall-of-flames/1427780.aspx | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211085656/http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/bendigo-battles-wall-of-flames/1427780.aspx | url-status = live }}</ref> A town meeting was held for the affected residents on 8 February.<ref name="abc bendigo meeting" /> On the same day, [[Victoria Police]] indicated that they were investigating whether arson was the cause of the fire.<ref name="abc bendigo meeting" />
The CFA initially suspected that the most likely cause was a [[cigarette butt]] discarded from a car or truck along Bracewell Street in Maiden Gully.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Perkin |first=Corrie |title=Cigarette butt blamed for West Bendigo fire; two dead, 50 homes lost |work=news.com.au |publisher=News Limited |date=9 February 2009 |url=http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25027063-1243,00.html |access-date=9 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210111138/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C27574%2C25027063-1243%2C00.html |archive-date=10 February 2009}}</ref> However, the arson squad and local Bendigo detectives spent 9 February investigating the fire scene, and while they could not determine exactly what had caused the fire as of 10 February, they suspected arson.<ref name="abc arson bendigo">{{Cite news | title = Arson suspected in deadly Bendigo blaze | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487050.htm | access-date = 10 February 2009 | archive-date = 12 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090212185307/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487050.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> On 10 June 2009, Victoria Police announced that they were 'completely satisfied' that the fire had been deliberately lit.<ref name="bendigo arson">{{cite news | last = Cooper | first = Mex | title = Black Saturday: Bendigo fatal fire 'arson' | newspaper = The Age | date = 10 July 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-bendigo-fatal-fire-arson-20090610-c2pw.html | access-date = 14 December 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 12 December 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091212190754/http://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-bendigo-fatal-fire-arson-20090610-c2pw.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
On 2 February 2010, police announced that the taskforce investigating the arson had arrested two youths in relation to the Bendigo fires. The youths, aged 14 and 15, were each charged with arson causing death, deliberately lighting a bushfire, lighting of a fire on a day of total fire ban and lighting of a fire in a country area during extreme weather conditions. They were also charged with multiple counts of using telecommunications systems to menace, harass and offend as well as 135 counts each of arson.<ref>{{cite news |title=Teens charged over killer Bendigo fire on Black Saturday |first=Thomas |last=Hunter |newspaper=[[The Age]] |url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/teens-charged-over-killer-bendigo-fire-on-black-saturday-20100202-na6u.html |date=2 February 2010 |access-date=25 August 2010 |location=Melbourne |archive-date=6 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100406011406/http://www.theage.com.au/national/teens-charged-over-killer-bendigo-fire-on-black-saturday-20100202-na6u.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
On 7 November 2011, the Victorian Supreme Court Justice, Paul Coghlan, on advice from the prosecutor, Steven Milesi, found that the two youths were unfit to stand trial before a jury due to their intellectual disabilities.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Teens in Black Saturday arson case let off |first=Michelle |last=Henderson |publisher=9 News |url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8370820/black-saturday-arson-case-discontinued |access-date=7 November 2011 |location=Melbourne |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107163011/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8370820/black-saturday-arson-case-discontinued |archive-date=7 November 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Redesdale fire===
In [[Redesdale, Victoria|Redesdale]], southeast of Bendigo, a fire starting {{convert|9|km|abbr=on}} west of the town burnt {{convert|10000|ha|acre|abbr=on}} and destroyed twelve houses and various outbuildings. The fire threatened the towns of [[Baynton, Victoria|Baynton]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Cain|first=Kim|date=2 March 2009|title=Five minutes and it's fire|url=http://crosslight.org.au/2009/03/02/five-minutes-and-its-fire/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331020948/http://crosslight.org.au/2009/03/02/five-minutes-and-its-fire/|archive-date=31 March 2014|access-date=5 February 2014|website=Crosslight}}</ref> and [[Glenhope, Victoria|Glenhope]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 August 2013|title=Back from the brink|url=http://www.elliottmidnews.com.au/story/1731025/back-from-the-brink/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221195508/http://www.elliottmidnews.com.au/story/1731025/back-from-the-brink/|archive-date=21 February 2014|access-date=5 February 2014|website=Midland Express}}</ref>{{Citation needed|date=February 2009}} Glenhope was threatened again on 9 February from a smaller fire that broke away from the main front, resulting in extra fire crews being brought in from Bendigo and [[Kyneton, Victoria|Kyneton]].<ref name="abc arson bendigo"/> The fire was contained by 10 February.<ref name="abc arson bendigo" />
===Bunyip State Park fire===
A fire started at Bunyip Ridge in the [[Bunyip State Park]] on 4 February, originating near walking tracks; it was thought to have been deliberately lit.<ref name="berwick-district-journal battle bunyip">{{Cite news | last = Miller | first = Elisa | title = Battle to control Bunyip State Park blaze | publisher = Berwick & District Journal | date = 12 February 2009 | url = http://berwick.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/battle-to-control-bunyip-state-park-blaze/1432527.aspx | archive-url = https://archive.today/20110821174141/http://berwick.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/battle-to-control-bunyip-state-park-blaze/1432527.aspx | url-status = dead | archive-date = 21 August 2011 | access-date = 22 February 2009 }}</ref> By 6 February, the fire had burned out {{convert|123|ha|acre}}, and emergency services personnel engaged in fighting the fire feared, despite efforts to establish containment lines in the park, that once the extreme weather conditions of 7 February arrived the fire would escape the confines of the park and threaten surrounding towns.<ref name="australian threatens break free">{{cite news | title = Bushfire threatens to break free | newspaper = The Australian | date = 6 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25015607-12377,00.html | access-date = 22 February 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
By the morning of 7 February, the fire had broken through containment lines.<ref name="abc fire breaks lines">{{Cite news | title = Residents warned as fire breaks lines | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 7 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/07/2484988.htm | access-date = 22 February 2009 | archive-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090209155734/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/07/2484988.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> According to the DSE incident controller for the fire, the weather conditions deteriorated much more quickly than predicted, stating that "conditions overnight and in the early hours are usually mild, but our firefighters are reporting strong winds and flame heights of five to 10 metres".<ref name="australian residents high alert">{{cite news | title = Residents on high alert as fire nears | newspaper = The Australian | date = 7 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25020249-12377,00.html | access-date = 22 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090210143048/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25020249-12377,00.html | archive-date = 10 February 2009 | url-status = dead }}</ref> Ground-based fire crews had to retreat from the fire front as the escalating conditions made firefighting in the bushland terrain impossible.<ref name="australian crews retreat">{{cite news | title = Fire crews forced to retreat | newspaper = The Australian | date = 7 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25020330-12377,00.html | access-date = 22 February 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The fire broke out of the park around 4:00 pm, and by 6:00 pm had burnt out {{convert|2400|ha|acre}} of forest and farmland, threatening the towns of [[Labertouche, Victoria|Labertouche]], [[Tonimbuk, Victoria|Tonimbuk]], [[Jindivick, Victoria|Jindivick]], [[Drouin, Victoria|Drouin]], [[Warragul, Victoria|Warragul]] and [[Longwarry, Victoria|Longwarry]], and embers were starting spot fires up to {{convert|20|km|mi|abbr=on}} to the south.<ref name="age inferno terrorises">{{cite news | author1 = Egan, Carmel | author2 = Holland, Steve | name-list-style = amp | title = Inferno terrorises communities as it rages out of control | newspaper = The Age | date = 7 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/inferno-terrorises-communities-as-it-rages-out-of-control-20090207-80fw.html | access-date = 22 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 10 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090210132444/http://www.theage.com.au/national/inferno-terrorises-communities-as-it-rages-out-of-control-20090207-80fw.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
The fire destroyed approximately a dozen houses at Labertouche, Tonimbuk, and Drouin West,<ref name="weekly-times rain only hope">{{Cite news | last = White | first = Leslie | title = Rain the only fire hope | work = Weekly Times | date = 11 February 2009 | url = http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51711_latest-news.html | access-date = 22 February 2009 | archive-date = 21 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090221034725/http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51711_latest-news.html | url-status = live }}</ref> in addition to various outbuildings and a factory.<ref name="herald-sun towns alert">{{cite news | last = Wotherspoon | first = Sarah | title = Dozens of towns on high alert as strong winds fan flames | newspaper = Herald Sun | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/towns-on-high-alert-as-winds-change/story-e6frf7jo-1111118796733 | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 22 March 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140322111824/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/towns-on-high-alert-as-winds-change/story-e6frf7jo-1111118796733 | url-status = live }}</ref> The progress of the fire had been stopped by the afternoon of 9 February, though it had burned through {{convert|24500|ha|acre}}.<ref name="abc glance 9feb">{{Cite news | title = At a glance: fires of concern | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485733.htm | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 10 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090210122727/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485733.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> DSE crews conducted [[controlled burn|backburning]] operations to ensure containment of the fire on 9 February, warning residents of areas between [[Pakenham, Victoria|Pakenham]] and [[Warragul, Victoria|Warragul]] about smoke from those fires.<ref name="herald-sun towns alert" />
The fire was controlled and co-ordinated at the Pakenham ICC in the Combined Emergency Services building, with CFA and DSE personnel running the operation depending on where the fire was at the time. Pakenham VICSES, who shared the building, also provided assistance during the fire operation.
[[File:Churchill Fires Black Saturday.jpg|thumb]]
===Central Gippsland fires===
The Central Gippsland bushfires began in a pine plantation {{convert|1|km|miles|abbr=on}} southeast of [[Churchill, Victoria|Churchill]] at about 1:30 pm on the afternoon of 7 February.<ref name="latrobe-valley-express blaze claims lives">{{cite web | last=Jackson | first=Nicole | website=Latrobe Valley Express | title=Blaze claims lives | date=12 February 2009 | url=http://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/blaze-claims-lives/1428488.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212204101/http://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/blaze-claims-lives/1428488.aspx | archive-date=12 February 2009 | url-status=dead | access-date=30 September 2023}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2009-02-08|title=Nine confirmed dead in Gippsland, fires still burning|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/nine-confirmed-dead-in-gippsland-fires-still/287424|access-date=2021-07-17|website=www.abc.net.au|language=en-AU|archive-date=2 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202065323/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/nine-confirmed-dead-in-gippsland-fires-still/287424|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|author=|date=July 2010|title=The Churchill Fire|url=http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/commission-reports/final-report/volume-1/chapters/the-churchill-fire|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330051237/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/commission-reports/final-report/volume-1/chapters/the-churchill-fire|archive-date=30 March 2014|access-date=17 July 2021|website=2009 VBRC - Final Report - Vol 1|publisher=Victorian Government|via=National Library of Australia}}</ref> Within 30 minutes it had spread to the southeast, threatening [[Hazelwood South, Victoria|Hazelwood South]], [[Jeeralang, Victoria|Jeeralang]], and [[Budgeree East, Victoria|Budgeree East]], and by late afternoon the fire was approaching [[Yarram, Victoria|Yarram]] and [[Woodside, Victoria|Woodside]] on the south Gippsland coast.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="latrobe-valley-express blaze claims lives" /> The cool change came through the area about 6:00 pm, but the southwesterly winds it brought pushed the fire northeast through [[Callignee, Victoria|Callignee]], destroying 57 of its 61 homes.<ref name="Black Saturday">{{Cite book| last = McGourty | first = John | title = Black Saturday | publisher = Harper Collins | year = 2009 | isbn = 978-0-7322-9010-8}}</ref> The fire continued on to [[Koornalla, Victoria|Koornalla]] and [[Traralgon South, Victoria|Traralgon South]],<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> and towards [[Gormandale, Victoria|Gormandale]] and [[Willung South, Victoria|Willung South]] on the [[Hyland Highway]].<ref name="latrobe-valley-express blaze claims lives" /> About 500 evacuees from the area sheltered at an emergency centre established in a theatre in [[Traralgon, Victoria|Traralgon]].<ref name="latrobe-valley-express blaze claims lives" />
The fire threatened the [[Loy Yang Power Station, Victoria|Loy Yang Power Station]], particularly the station's [[open-pit mining|open-cut coal mine]].<ref name="abc power secure">{{Cite news | title = Victoria's power 'secure but under threat' | publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] ABC News (Australian radio network) | date = 8 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485646.htm | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211150924/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485646.htm | url-status = live }}</ref><ref name=":1" /> On the night of 7 February, the fire approached the mine's [[overburden]] dump, but did not damage any infrastructure, nor did it affect the station's operations.<ref name="latrobe-valley-express loy yang alert">{{Cite news | title = Loy Yang on alert | newspaper = Latrobe Valley Express | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/loy-yang-on-alert/1428502.aspx | archive-url = https://archive.today/20110822020413/http://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/loy-yang-on-alert/1428502.aspx | url-status = dead | archive-date = 22 August 2011 | access-date = 9 February 2009 }}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Several small fires broke out in the bunker storing raw coal from the mine, but were contained with no damage.<ref name="latrobe-valley-express loy yang alert" /> The threat eased by the evening of 8 February as temperatures cooled and some light rain fell. One small [[spot fire]] broke out to the south of the power station, but it was contained by water bombing aircraft.<ref name="abc power secure" />
By 9 February, the ''Churchill fire complex'' was still burning out of control, with fronts through the [[Latrobe Valley]] and the [[Strzelecki Ranges]].<ref name="abc gippsland fires rage">{{Cite news | title = Gippsland fires continue to rage | publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485927.htm | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211161012/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485927.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> By late that afternoon, the complex had burnt out {{convert|32860|ha|acre}} and had killed eleven people.<ref name="geelong-addy loy yang">{{Cite news | title = Bushfire races towards Loy Yang power station | newspaper = [[Geelong Advertiser]] | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49745_news.html | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 12 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090212152755/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49745_news.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Wind changes that evening exacerbated parts of the Churchill complex, causing the CFA to issue further warnings to residents at [[Won Wron, Victoria|Won Wron]] and surrounding areas.<ref name="herald-sun shifting winds">{{cite news | title = Shifting winds flare up fire fronts | newspaper = [[Herald Sun]] | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.news.com.au/news/towns-under-attack-as-fires-rage/story-fna7dq6e-1111118800360 | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 27 October 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131027115706/http://www.news.com.au/news/towns-under-attack-as-fires-rage/story-fna7dq6e-1111118800360 | url-status = live }}</ref>
Investigators revealed that they strongly believed arson was the most likely cause of the Churchill fire.<ref name="TheAge"/> A man from Churchill,<ref name="age churchill arrest" /> Brendan Sokaluk of Chuchill,<ref name=age-arsonist>{{cite news|last=Moses|first=Asher|title=Vigilantes publish alleged arsonist's image online|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632703992.html|work=[[The Age]]|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|access-date=10 February 2011|date=16 February 2009|location=Melbourne|archive-date=16 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100116075502/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632703992.html|url-status=live}}</ref> was arrested by police on 12 February and charged with one count each of arson causing death and intentionally lighting a bushfire.<ref name="age churchill arrest" /> He was convicted of 10 counts of arson causing death and sentenced to 17 years 9 months' imprisonment in April 2012.<ref>{{Cite news| url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-27/black-saturday-arsonist-sentenced-to-28holdholdhold29/3976564| title=Black Saturday arsonist jailed for almost 18 years| newspaper=ABC News| date=27 April 2012| access-date=10 March 2017| archive-date=14 March 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170314053912/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-27/black-saturday-arsonist-sentenced-to-28holdholdhold29/3976564| url-status=live}}</ref>
===Dandenong Ranges fire===
[[File:Ringwood - Belgrave Rail Trail Bushfires.JPG|thumb|right|Fire damaged bushland surrounds the [[Ringwood - Belgrave Rail Trail]] in [[Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria|Upper Ferntree Gully]]]]
[[File:Ftgfire.jpg|thumb|right|A car burnt as a result of the Upper Ferntree Gully fires]]
In [[Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria|Upper Ferntree Gully]] a fire damaged the rail track and caused the closure of the [[Belgrave railway line]], as well as all major roads.<ref name="trains">{{cite web | title = Gippsland, Seymour & Warrnambool lines ~ Services suspended due to bushfires ~ Sun 8 Feb | publisher = V/Line | date = 8 February 2009 | url = http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/361096156/Article.aspx | access-date = 8 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110928175315/http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/361096156/Article.aspx | archive-date = 28 September 2011 | url-status = dead}}</ref> The fire, which was contained by CFA crews within three hours, burned at least {{convert|2|ha|acre|abbr=on}} along the railway.<ref name="herald-sun owners flee">{{cite news| title = Owners flee as fires gut homes| newspaper = Herald Sun| date = 8 February 2009| url = http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25023951-662,00.html| access-date = 9 February 2009| archive-date = 31 December 2012| archive-url = https://archive.today/20121231003707/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/owners-flee-as-fires-gut-homes/story-e6frf7kx-1111118788735| url-status = live}}</ref>
In the southern Dandenong Ranges, bushfires ignited around [[Narre Warren, Victoria|Narre Warren]], one of which was caused by sparks from a power tool.<ref>{{Cite news | url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bushfires-ravage-state/2009/02/07/1233423565321.html | title=Many may be trapped in homes | date=8 February 2009 | work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] | publisher=Fairfax Media | access-date=8 February 2009 | archive-date=11 February 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211094350/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bushfires-ravage-state/2009/02/07/1233423565321.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Six homes were destroyed in [[Narre Warren South, Victoria|Narre Warren South]] and three in [[Narre Warren North, Victoria|Narre Warren North]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://dandenong-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/bunyip-fires-continue/|title=Fire crews mop up after Narre Warren South blaze|date=8 February 2009|publisher=Dandenong Leader|access-date=8 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706113405/http://dandenong-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/bunyip-fires-continue/|archive-date=6 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In the weeks following Black Saturday, fires were started in bushland along Terrys Avenue in [[Belgrave, Victoria|Belgrave]] (which was quickly contained and extinguished by the CFA), and Lysterfield State Forest in [[Upwey, Victoria|Upwey]]. Amongst the damage was the almost new [[Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria|Upper Ferntree Gully]] CFA Tanker 1.
===Wilsons Promontory fire===
On 8 February lightning sparked a fire in [[Wilsons Promontory]] which burned more than {{convert|11000|ha|acre|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/17/2493953.htm|title=Crews unable to slow Wilsons Promontory blaze|date=17 February 2009|work=ABC News|access-date=18 February 2009|archive-date=21 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221005908/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/17/2493953.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> This fire posed no immediate threat to campers, but due to excessive fuel and inaccessibility authorities chose to evacuate the park, with some campers being evacuated by boat.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486078.htm?section=australia|title=Tidal River camping ground evacuated as fire spreads|date=9 February 2009|work=ABC News|access-date=10 February 2009|archive-date=17 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094926/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-09/tidal-river-camping-ground-evacuated-as-fire/288950|url-status=live}}</ref>
At a community meeting on 11 February, DSE and [[Parks Victoria]] authorities revealed a plan to back-burn across the entrance to the promontory, in order to prevent any possibility of the fire burning out of the park and into farmland and towards the towns of [[Yanakie, Victoria|Yanakie]] and [[Sandy Point, Victoria|Sandy Point]].<ref name="age park backburning debate">{{cite news | last = Millar | first = Royce | title = National park at forefront of backburning debate | newspaper = The Age | date = 12 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/national-park-at-forefront-of-backburning-debate-20090212-85iy.html | access-date = 16 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 15 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090215202216/http://www.theage.com.au/national/national-park-at-forefront-of-backburning-debate-20090212-85iy.html | url-status = live }}</ref> [[Crikey]] reported that locals were divided on the merits of the plan, some concerned as to why the back-burning had not been carried out earlier, and some worried at the large scale of the proposed burns, which were reported to be larger than both the existing fire as well as the April 2005 fires that affected the park<ref name="crikey light up prom">{{cite magazine | last = Elmore | first = Lionel | title = Parks Victoria uses the fire crisis to light up the Prom again | magazine = Crikey | date = 12 February 2009 | url = http://www.crikey.com.au/Bushfires/20090212-Parks-Victoria-use-the-fire-crisis-to-light-the-prom-again.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121230111835/http://www.crikey.com.au/Bushfires/20090212-Parks-Victoria-use-the-fire-crisis-to-light-the-prom-again.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 30 December 2012 | access-date = 16 February 2009 }}</ref> Strong easterly winds on 12 February forced authorities to postpone the proposed burns lest they themselves pose a danger to surrounding communities, though they did proceed with preparatory work.<ref name="abc winds force change">{{Cite news | title = Winds force change to backburning plans | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 12 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/12/2489694.htm | access-date = 16 February 2009 | archive-date = 15 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090215222633/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/12/2489694.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>
===Maroondah/Yarra fires===
[[File:09 vic bushfires maroondah yarra complex 01.JPG|thumb|right|Part of the Maroondah/Yarra complex, east of [[Yarra Glen, Victoria|Yarra Glen]], on 10 February]]
The ''Maroondah/Yarra complex'' was a combination of several fires that had earlier been burning to the east of [[Healesville, Victoria|Healesville]] and [[Toolangi, Victoria|Toolangi]] on 10 February, as part of the greater Kilmore East – Murrindindi complex south.<ref name="age yarra valley threat">{{cite news | last = Smith | first = Britt | title = Fires threaten Yarra Valley | newspaper = The Age | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-threaten-yarra-valley-20090210-82m1.html | access-date = 10 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 12 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090212063639/http://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-threaten-yarra-valley-20090210-82m1.html | url-status = live }}</ref> By late that morning, the complex had burned out {{convert|505|ha|acre}}, with 184 personnel and 56 tankers responding to the fires.<ref name="age yarra valley threat" /> A CFA spokesperson said that while temperatures had cooled, strong winds were proving problematic, with towns in the area being threatened by [[ember]]s blown from the fires.<ref name="age yarra valley threat" /> Around midday, the immediate threat to property in the areas around Healesville was downgraded, though a DSE spokesperson said that residents should be mindful of localised changes in the weather.<ref name="age healesville threat downgraded">{{cite news | last = Grace | first = Robyn | title = Healesville fire threat downgraded | newspaper = The Age | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/healesville-fire-threat-downgraded-20090210-82ur.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121230215716/http://www.theage.com.au/national/healesville-fire-threat-downgraded-20090210-82ur.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 30 December 2012 | access-date = 10 February 2009 | location = Melbourne }}</ref>
===Horsham fire===
The [[Horsham, Victoria|Horsham]] fire burnt {{convert|5700|ha|acre|abbr=on}}, including the golf club and eight homes.<ref name="Age7Feb"/> Two firefighters from the [[Dimboola, Victoria|Dimboola]] brigade narrowly escaped when their [[Utility vehicle|ute]] was engulfed by fire.<ref name="ABCHorsham">{{Cite news | url = http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/02/08/2485469.htm | title = Horsham assesses bushfire damage | work = ABC South East SA | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 8 February 2009 | access-date = 20 February 2009 | archive-date = 8 November 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121108210447/http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/02/08/2485469.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>
The fire was ignited at 12:30 pm on 7 February when strong winds initiated the failure of a 40-year-old tie wire, felling a power line at Remlaw, west of the city.<ref name="herald-sun firing line">{{cite news | last = Thom | first = Greg | title = It's frightening in the firing line | newspaper = Herald Sun | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25025676-2862,00.html | access-date = 9 February 2009 | archive-date = 30 December 2012 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121230180027/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/its-frightening-in-the-firing-line/story-e6frf7kx-1111118793625 | url-status = live }}</ref> The fire spread southwest and then southeast, across the [[Wimmera Highway]] and [[Wimmera River]], to the Horsham Golf Course, and then to [[Haven, Victoria|Haven]], south of the city.<ref name="wimmera-mail-times latest report">{{Cite news | title = Horsham fire: The latest report | publisher = Wimmera Mail-Times | date = 8 February 2009 | url = http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/horsham-fire-the-latest-report/1427805.aspx | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121231084331/http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/horsham-fire-the-latest-report/1427805.aspx | url-status = dead | archive-date = 31 December 2012 | access-date = 8 February 2009 }}</ref> Firefighters managed to save the general store, town hall and school at Haven, though flames came within metres of those buildings.<ref name="wimmera-mail-times haven saved">{{Cite news | title = Haven school, hall, general store saved | publisher = Wimmera Mail-Times | date = 7 February 2009 | url = http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/haven-school-hall-general-store-saved/1427514.aspx | access-date = 7 February 2009 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211152700/http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/haven-school-hall-general-store-saved/1427514.aspx | archive-date = 11 February 2009}}</ref> Winds of up to {{convert|90|km/h|abbr=on}} changed direction three times throughout the day, producing conditions described by the local CFA incident controller as the worst he had ever seen.<ref name="herald-sun firing line" /> To the southwest of Horsham an 82-year-old woman in a wheelchair and her daughter were collected from her house by a taxi when the fire was no more than {{convert|100|m|yd|abbr=on}} away; the house was alight as the taxi drove off, and burned down within minutes.<ref name="age molly cab">{{cite news | last = Flitton | first = Daniel | title = Molly flees the scene of 61 good years in a cab | newspaper = The Age | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/molly-flees-the-scene-of-61-good-years-in-a-cab-20090208-8117.html | access-date = 9 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090211142417/http://www.theage.com.au/national/molly-flees-the-scene-of-61-good-years-in-a-cab-20090208-8117.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
At 3:00 pm more than 400 personnel were engaged in fighting the fire,<ref name="wimmera-mail-times latest report" /> as well as two water-bombing aircraft, 54 CFA tankers, and 35 DSE units.<ref name="wimmera-mail-times haven saved" /> By 6:00 pm the front had moved east, and a wind change then pushed it northeast across the [[Western Highway (Victoria)|Western Highway]] to [[Drung, Victoria|Drung]], east of Horsham.<ref name="wimmera-mail-times latest report" />
===Coleraine fire===
Shortly before 12:30 pm on 7 February 2009 a fire started on farmland, {{convert|5|km|mi|abbr=on}} northwest of [[Coleraine, Victoria|Coleraine]] in western Victoria.<ref name="SUBM-202-006-0001">{{cite web | title = Counsel Assisting submission re Coleraine fire | publisher = 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission | date = 23 December 2009 | url = http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/2d57334a-d7a3-41fd-a469-04891009875e/SUBM-202-006-0001 | access-date = 14 February 2010 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110314181415/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/2d57334a-d7a3-41fd-a469-04891009875e/SUBM-202-006-0001 | archive-date = 14 March 2011 | url-status = dead }}</ref> In gusting winds, a corroded tie wire holding a 48-year-old [[single wire earth return]] (SWER) conductor to an insulator failed due to metal fatigue.<ref name="SUBM-202-006-0001" /> The insulator was atop Pole 3 {{Coord|37|34|51.7|S|141|38|28.8|E|display=inline|type:event}} on the 12,700-volt Colfitz North spur line. The galvanised steel conductor swung free in the wind, suspended by poles 2 and 4, a span of {{convert|540|m|ft|abbr=on}}. It is not believed to have touched the ground, but was pushed into a nearby [[eucalyptus]] tree by the strong prevailing wind.
Burning gumleaves fell to the ground and ignited grass, from which the fire grew extremely rapidly in the hot, dry and windy conditions.<ref name="SUBM-202-006-0001" /> Over 230 firefighters, with 43 appliances and two water bombing aircraft, worked to contain the fire which burnt {{convert|770|ha|acre|abbr=on}}.<ref name="warrnambool-standard man badly burnt">{{Cite news | last = Johnson | first = Alex | title = Man badly burnt when wind gust changes blaze direction | work = Warrnambool Standard | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/man-badly-burnt-when-wind-gust-changes-blaze-direction/1427877.aspx | access-date = 17 February 2009 | archive-date = 22 October 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091022222401/http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/man-badly-burnt-when-wind-gust-changes-blaze-direction/1427877.aspx | url-status = live }}</ref> The fire destroyed one house, two haysheds, three tractors, the Coleraine Avenue of Honour, and {{convert|200|km|mi|abbr=on}} of fences,<ref name="SUBM-202-006-0001" /> as well as injuring livestock, but firefighters were able to save six other homes, including that of the parents of [[Premier of Victoria|Victorian Premier]] [[John Brumby]].<ref name="warrnambool-standard man badly burnt" />
The fire threatened to burn through the township, but a wind change around 2:00 pm pushed the fire to the northeast instead.<ref name="border-watch coleraine saved">{{Cite news|title=Coleraine saved from fire devastation |publisher=The Border Watch |date=9 February 2009 |url=http://www.borderwatch.com.au/archives/2307 |access-date=17 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212123437/http://www.borderwatch.com.au/archives/2307 |archive-date=12 February 2009 }}</ref> The regional CFA operations officer said of the wind change that "[a]ll that happened within about an hour and we were lucky; we thought it would go through Coleraine, but it headed off at the last minute."<ref name="border-watch coleraine saved" /> At about 6:00 pm the fire was controlled.<ref name="border-watch coleraine saved" />
A local man was badly burned while helping a farmer move livestock out of harm's way; the man was caught when the same wind change that saved the town pushed the fire in his direction, and he suffered burns to 50% of his body,<ref name="warrnambool-standard man badly burnt" /> but recovered.<ref name="smeets">{{Cite news | title = Bushfire burns victim takes first steps in recovery | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 9 March 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/09/2510820.htm | access-date = 14 February 2010 | archive-date = 17 July 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094927/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-03-09/bushfire-burns-victim-takes-first-steps-in-recovery/1612584 | url-status = live }}</ref>
===Weerite fire===
At [[Weerite, Victoria|Weerite]], east of [[Camperdown, Victoria|Camperdown]], a fire burnt {{convert|1300|ha|acre|abbr=on}}, and damaged the rail line between [[Geelong, Victoria|Geelong]] and [[Warrnambool, Victoria|Warrnambool]].<ref name="raildamage">{{cite web|url=http://www.vline.com.au/media/news/MediaReleases/167160954/Article.aspx|title=Urgent travel advice – Train disruptions to continue on Sunday due to bush fires|work=VLine|access-date=8 February 2009|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121231080137/http://www.vline.com.au/media/news/MediaReleases/167160954/Article.aspx|archive-date=31 December 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> Approximately 3,000 sleepers were burnt across a {{convert|4|km|mi|abbr=on}} section of track.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487383.htm?site=southwestvic|title=Rail services to get back on track|work=[[ABC Local Radio]]|access-date=11 February 2009|date=10 February 2009|archive-date=12 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121112115111/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487383.htm?site=southwestvic|url-status=live}}</ref> The rail line was re-opened by 16 February.<ref name="vline-reopenings">{{cite web|url=http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/1619813874/Article.aspx|title=Warrnambool services – Full train service has returned|work=[[V/Line]]|access-date=17 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314012913/http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/1619813874/Article.aspx|archive-date=14 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
The fire caused unquantified losses of stock, and destroyed several outbuildings, but all houses under threat were saved by CFA firefighters.<ref name="warrnambool-standard pombo fire">{{Cite news | title = Breaking News: Fire races through Pombo | work = Warrnambool Standard | date = 8 February 2009 | url = http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/breaking-news-fire-races-through-pombo/1427768.aspx | access-date = 8 February 2009 | archive-date = 12 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090212190204/http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/breaking-news-fire-races-through-pombo/1427768.aspx | url-status = live }}</ref> The fire is thought to have been started by sparking from felled power lines along the [[Princes Highway]], which carried restricted speeds for a short time due to the heavy smoke in the area.<ref name="vicroads closures">{{cite web|url=http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/NewsRoom/BushFiresRoadClosures/ |title=Bush Fires – Road Closures: VicRoads |work=VicRoads |access-date=9 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090516031620/http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/NewsRoom/BushFiresRoadClosures/ |archive-date=16 May 2009 }}</ref>
==Investigations==
[[File:CSIRO ScienceImage 10300 Property destroyed by fire at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires.jpg|thumb|Property destroyed by fire at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires]]
[[File:CSIRO ScienceImage 10347 Remains of a destroyed property at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires.jpg|thumb|Remains of a destroyed property at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires]]
[[File:CSIRO ScienceImage 10346 A burntout car at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires.jpg|thumb|A burnt out car at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires]]
[[File:CSIRO ScienceImage 10430 A destroyed property at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires.jpg|thumb|Destroyed property at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires]]
Investigations began almost immediately following the fires to determine a wide variety of things, including identification of victims, cause of ignition sources, and assessments of authority responses. A [[Royal Commission]] into the Black Saturday bushfires was conducted, a process that was intended to determine the true nature of the background causes, preparation of responsible agencies, circumstances on the day, chronology, and impacts of the events in question.
===Forensic===
Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, [[Christine Nixon]], formed a taskforce to assist in identifying victims, coordinated by Inspector Greg Hough.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Moncrief |first=Mark |url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/emotional-premier-gives-fire-warning-20090208-80n3.html |title=Emotional Premier gives fire warning |date=8 February 2009 |publisher=The Age |work=Fairfax Media |access-date=8 February 2009 |location=Melbourne |archive-date=17 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094922/https://www.theage.com.au/national/10-million-government-fund-for-bushfire-victims-20090208-80n3.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25031605-662,00.html |title=Months to identify bodies in Victorian bushfires, police say |date=9 February 2009 |publisher=Herald Sun |work=News Limited |access-date=9 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210115638/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0%2C21985%2C25031605-662%2C00.html |archive-date=10 February 2009}}</ref> Around forty police from interstate and overseas assisted with Disaster Victim Identification (DVI). The police were sourced from the Australian Federal Police, Tasmania, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia. New Zealand police also provided four victim identification dogs and handlers.<ref>Victoria Police Media Release 17 February 2009. http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19541 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090930133323/http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19541 |date=30 September 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | title = Kiwis to help identify victims | work = The New Zealand Herald | publisher = APN News & Media | date = 11 February 2009 | url = http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10556104 | access-date = 11 February 2009 | first = Beck | last = Vass | archive-date = 20 October 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121020063650/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10556104 | url-status = live }}</ref>
===Criminal===
====Arson====
Some of the fires were suspected to have been deliberately lit by [[arsonists]]. Chief Commissioner Nixon stated on 9 February 2009 that all fire sites would be treated as [[crime scene]]s.<ref name="australian police track arsonists">{{cite news | author1 = Callick, Rowan | author2 = Akerman, Pia | name-list-style = amp | title = Police track arsonists responsible for Victoria bushfires | newspaper = The Australian | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032884-2702,00.html | access-date = 10 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090213044555/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032884-2702,00.html | archive-date = 13 February 2009 | url-status = dead}}</ref>
On 9 February a man was arrested in connection with the fires at Narre Warren; it was alleged by police that he had been operating a power tool, sparks from which ignited a grass fire, destroying two houses.<ref name="australian police track arsonists" /> On 12 February, two people were arrested in connection with the fires, having been observed by members of the public acting suspiciously in areas between [[Yea, Victoria|Yea]] and [[Seymour, Victoria|Seymour]]; however, they were subsequently released without charges being laid.<ref name="age suspects arrested">{{cite news | last = Grace | first = Robyn | title = Arson suspects arrested | newspaper = The Age | date = 12 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/arson-suspects-arrested-20090212-852y.html | access-date = 12 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 13 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090213065608/http://www.theage.com.au/national/arson-suspects-arrested-20090212-852y.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
A man from Churchill, Brendan Sokaluk, was arrested by police on 12 February, in relation to the Churchill fires, and was questioned at the Morwell police station, before being charged on 13 February with one count each of arson causing death, intentionally lighting a bushfire, and possession of [[child pornography]].<ref name="age churchill arrest">{{cite news | last = Silvester | first = John | title = Churchill arson suspect arrested | newspaper = The Age | date = 13 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-suspect-arrested-20090213-86o3.html | access-date = 13 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 17 July 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094943/https://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-suspect-charged-20090213-86o3.html | url-status = live }}</ref> At a file hearing in the [[Magistrates' Court of Victoria|Magistrates' Court]] in Melbourne on 16 February the man was [[detention of suspects|remanded in custody]] ahead of a [[committal procedure|committal hearing]] scheduled for 26 May.<ref name="age accused fails face court">{{cite news | last = Rennie | first = Reko | title = Churchill arson accused fails to face court | newspaper = The Age | date = 16 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-accused-fails-to-face-court-20090216-88bq.html | access-date = 16 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 17 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090217025530/http://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-accused-fails-to-face-court-20090216-88bq.html | url-status = live }}</ref> Following the hearing, a [[suppression order]] on the 42-year-old man's identity was lifted, though the order remained in force with respect to publishing his address or any images of him.<ref name="age accused fails face court" /> Despite the order, several members of the public obtained his photograph from his [[MySpace]] profile and published it on the [[social networking]] website [[Facebook]] along with his home address, and others made threats of violence against him.<ref name="age vigilantes publish">{{cite news | last = Moses | first = Asher | title = Vigilantes publish alleged arsonist's image online | newspaper = The Age | date = 16 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632703992.html | access-date = 16 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 18 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090218080339/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632703992.html | url-status = live }}</ref> The man's lawyer said that, as a consequence of that information being published, threats were made against the man's family.<ref name="age threats taken down">{{cite news | last = Moses | first = Asher | title = 'Arsonist' online threats taken down | newspaper = The Age | date = 17 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/17/1234632787036.html | access-date = 17 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 19 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090219012633/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/17/1234632787036.html | url-status = live }}</ref> The man's ex-girlfriend and her family were also harassed after the [[Herald Sun]] newspaper published a photograph and a story about her.<ref name="australian ex-girlfriend">{{cite news | title = Family of Brendan Sokaluk's ex-girlfriend calls for calm | newspaper = The Australian | date = 17 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/accused-arsonists-ex-harassed/story-e6frg6n6-1111118877151 | access-date = 17 February 2009 | archive-date = 25 February 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140225040248/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/accused-arsonists-ex-harassed/story-e6frg6n6-1111118877151 | url-status = live }}</ref> On 17 February, after requests from Victoria Police, the man's MySpace profile was removed; Facebook commenced deleting postings containing threats, and deleted a photo from one group.<ref name="age threats taken down" />
====Looting====
By the morning of 11 February 2009, reports of [[looting]] had been posted. Witnesses reported seeing acts of looting occurring at a property at [[Heathcote Junction, Victoria|Heathcote Junction]], shortly after the removal of the body of a victim from the property.<ref name="heathcote-looters">{{Cite news
|url = http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/looters-move-in-to-rob-the-dead/story-e6frf7jo-1111118813856
|title = Looters move in to rob the dead at Heathcote Junction
|newspaper = [[Herald Sun]]
|publisher = News Limited
|date = 11 February 2009
|access-date = 6 April 2016
|archive-date = 22 March 2014
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140322101806/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/looters-move-in-to-rob-the-dead/story-e6frf7jo-1111118813856
|url-status = live
}}</ref> That evening, via a report on [[ABC Local Radio]], a number of residents of [[Kinglake, Victoria|Kinglake]] who had been allowed back into the area to inspect the damage, revealed that a "Looters Will Be Shot" sign had been posted in the town, after a number of suspicious people and vehicles were seen moving through the town. On 12 February, a small number of arrests were made, and charges laid against people in relation to "looting offences", as announced by the Victoria Police chief commissioner, [[Christine Nixon]].<ref name="looting-arrests-charges">{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/13/2490280.htm?section=justin|title=Alleged looters charged in bushfire aftermath|work=ABC Online|date=13 February 2009|access-date=13 February 2009|archive-date=17 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094928/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-13/alleged-looters-charged-in-bushfire-aftermath/293976|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Royal commission===
{{Main|2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission}}
The Premier of Victoria, John Brumby, announced in April 2009 that a royal commission into the fires would be held which would examine "all aspects of the government's bushfire strategy".<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486489.htm?section=justin|title=Brumby announces bushfires Royal Commission|date=9 February 2009|work=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|access-date=9 February 2009|archive-date=12 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090212071911/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486489.htm?section=justin|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25029098-5001021,00.html|title=Victorian fires royal commission|date=9 February 2009|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=9 February 2009|archive-date=10 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090210103658/http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25029098-5001021,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==<span id="Consequences"> Casualties</span>==
[[File:09 vic bushfire damage Yarra Glen 03.JPG|thumb|Bushfire damage to property just north of Yarra Glen, with just the [[Hills Hoist]] left standing]]
[[File:2009 vic bushfire damage Yarra Glen 01.JPG|thumb|Bushfire damage to property just north of Yarra Glen]]
A total of 173 people were confirmed to have died as a result of the fires. The figure was originally estimated at 14 on the night of 7 February, and steadily increased over the following two weeks to 210.<ref name="deathtoll"/> It was feared that it could rise as high as 240–280,<ref name="Death toll could be 280">{{Cite news |last=Dobbin |first=Marika |url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/missing-may-lift-death-toll-to-240-20090225-8hy7.html |title=Missing may lift death toll to 240 |publisher=The Age |work=Fairfax Media |access-date=26 February 2009 |date=26 February 2009 |location=Melbourne |archive-date=28 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090228072343/http://www.theage.com.au/national/missing-may-lift-death-toll-to-240-20090225-8hy7.html |url-status=live }}</ref> but these figures were later revised down to 173 after further forensic examinations of remains, and after several missing people were located.<ref name="lowertoll">{{Cite news | url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/victorian-bushfires-death-toll-slashed-to-173-20090330-9g9s.html | title=Victorian bushfires death toll slashed to 173 | date=30 March 2009 | publisher=The Age | work=Fairfax Media | access-date=30 March 2009 | location=Melbourne | first=Mex | last=Cooper | archive-date=17 July 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094953/https://www.theage.com.au/national/bushfires-toll-cut-to-173-police-suggest-mass-funeral-for-unidentified-20141112-9g9s.html | url-status=live }}</ref>
A temporary morgue was established at the Coronial Services Centre at [[Southbank, Victoria|Southbank]], capable of holding up to three hundred bodies. The Victorian Coroner compared this to a similar facility established after the [[7 July 2005 London bombings|July 2005 London bombings]].<ref name="age identity">{{cite news | last = Smith | first = Bridie | title = Identity may not be possible for all | newspaper = The Age | date = 11 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/identity-may-not-be-possible-for-all-20090210-83kb.html | archive-url = https://archive.today/20121230171906/http://www.theage.com.au/national/identity-may-not-be-possible-for-all-20090210-83kb.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = 30 December 2012 | access-date = 11 February 2009 | location = Melbourne }}</ref> By the morning of 10 February 101 bodies had been transported to the temporary morgue.<ref name="age identity" /> The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine stated that it could be impossible to positively identify many of the remains.<ref name="australian fifty bodies">{{Cite news | title = Fifty bodies may never be identified in Victoria fires | publisher = The Australian | work = News Limited | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25037227-26103,00.html | access-date = 11 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090212165833/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25037227-26103,00.html | archive-date = 12 February 2009 | url-status = dead}}</ref>
On 11 February, fire authorities estimated that as many as 100 of [[Marysville, Victoria|Marysville]]'s 519 residents could have perished.<ref name="marysville-one-in-five" /> By 16 February, over 150 forensic investigators were engaged in searching the ruins of Marysville.<ref name="age fire's intensity">{{Cite news | last = Murdoch | first = Lindsay | title = Fire's intensity leaves no trace of victims | publisher = The Age | work = Fairfax Media | date = 16 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-intensity-leaves-no-trace-of-victims-20090215-886b.html | access-date = 16 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 17 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090217031118/http://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-intensity-leaves-no-trace-of-victims-20090215-886b.html | url-status = live }}</ref> A senior lecturer in fire ecology from the [[University of Melbourne]] estimated that the fires may have been burning at temperatures of {{convert|1200|C|F}}, and concluded that, as a result, the remains of some people caught in the fires may have been obliterated.<ref name="age fire's intensity" /> The final death toll for Marysville was later downgraded to 34 after a large group of residents who remained unaccounted for were officially located.
Among the dead in the [[Kinglake, Victoria|Kinglake]] West area were former [[Seven Network]] and [[Nine Network]] television personality [[Brian Naylor (broadcaster)|Brian Naylor]], and his wife Moiree.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49501_news.html|title=Brian Naylor and wife die in Kinglake inferno|date=9 February 2009|work=Geelong Advertiser|access-date=9 February 2009|archive-date=11 March 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311061848/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49501_news.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25026070-661,00.html|title=TV legend Brian Naylor found dead|date=9 February 2009|work=The Herald Sun|access-date=9 February 2009|first=Aap|last=And|archive-date=30 December 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121230130349/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archives/old-news-pages/tv-legend-found-dead/story-e6frf8zo-1111118794286|url-status=live}}</ref> Actor [[Reg Evans]] and his partner, artist Angela Brunton, residing on a small farm in the [[St Andrews, Victoria|St Andrews]] area, also died in the Kinglake area fire.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25038335-5013404,00.html|title=TV star dies with partner in Victorian Bushfires|date=11 February 2009|work=The Australian|access-date=11 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090214191252/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25038335-5013404,00.html|archive-date=14 February 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ornithologist [[Richard Zann]] perished in the Kinglake fire, together with his wife Eileen and daughter Eva.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25042616-5006785,00.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120703165536/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25042616-5006785,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 July 2012|title=Birdsong expert was ready for Victoria bushfires but it was no use|last=Trounson|first=Andrew|date=12 February 2009|work=The Australian|publisher=News Limited|access-date=12 February 2009}}</ref>
===Fatalities===
[[File:Feb 7 09 vic bushfires map.PNG|thumb|450px|right|Map of affected areas and number of casualties in each area]]
'''General statistics'''
*164 people died in the fires themselves, 12 died later in hospital, and 4 died from other causes including car crashes
*Out of the 173 deaths, 100 were male, 73 were female.
*There were 164 Australians, 9 foreign nationals,<ref name="police-toll">Victoria Police, Press conference: Bushfires death toll revised to 173, Release date: Mon 30 March 2009 http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=20350 {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019173953/http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=20350 |date=19 October 2013 }}</ref> killed in the bushfires. The foreign nationals comprised citizens of:
**[[Greece]] (2)<ref>{{Cite news|title=Fire in Australia Kills two Greeks |url=http://news.ert.gr/en/world/news/18807-ena-zeygari-ellinon-metaksy-ton-thymaton-tis-fotias-sti-biktoria-tis-aystralias.htm |access-date=12 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215190817/http://news.ert.gr/en/world/news/18807-ena-zeygari-ellinon-metaksy-ton-thymaton-tis-fotias-sti-biktoria-tis-aystralias.htm |archive-date=15 February 2009 }}</ref>
**[[Indonesia]] (2)<ref name=aust-lastcalls>{{cite web|last=Hughes|first=Gary|title=Black Saturday inquiry hears of victims' last calls|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/black-saturday-inquiry-hears-of-victims-last-calls/story-e6frg6of-1225794498802|work=[[The Australian]]|publisher=[[News Limited]]|access-date=11 February 2011|date=5 November 2009|archive-date=30 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530064738/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/black-saturday-inquiry-hears-of-victims-last-calls/story-e6frg6of-1225794498802|url-status=live}}</ref>
**[[Philippines]] (2)<ref>{{Cite news | title = Two Filipinos killed in bushfires in Australia | url = http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=439109&publicationSubCategoryId=200 | access-date = 12 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160602212754/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=439109&publicationSubCategoryId=200 | archive-date = 2 June 2016 | url-status = dead}}</ref>
**[[Chile]] (1)<ref>{{Cite news | title = Chilena muere en incendios de Australia | url = http://www.chilesomostodos.gov.cl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=527&Itemid=7 | access-date = 21 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110707010413/http://www.chilesomostodos.gov.cl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=527&Itemid=7 | archive-date = 7 July 2011 | url-status = dead}}</ref>
**[[New Zealand]] (1)<ref name=scnz-nzvictim>{{cite web|title=Bushfires claim first NZ victim|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/1396780|work=[[stuff.co.nz]]|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|access-date=13 February 2009|date=8 February 2009|archive-date=22 April 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422111052/http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/1396780|url-status=live}}</ref>
**[[United Kingdom]] (1)<ref>{{Cite news | title = British Family's Grief Over Bushfire Victims | url = http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/84455/British-family-s-grief-over-bushfire-victims | access-date = 13 February 2009 | archive-date = 28 January 2012 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120128102957/http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/84455/British-family-s-grief-over-bushfire-victims | url-status = live }}</ref>
*7 of the deaths occurred in bunkers of both fire-specific and non-fire-specific design.
*1 firefighter, David Balfour, 47, from [[Gilmore, Australian Capital Territory|Gilmore, ACT]], was killed near [[Cambarville, Victoria|Cambarville]] on the night of 17 February, when a burnt-out tree fell on him as he attached a hose to a fire tanker.<ref name=age-actff>{{cite news|last=Murdoch|first=Lindsay|title=Dead firefighter professional with young family|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/dead-firefighter-professional-with-young-family-20090218-8aol.html|work=[[The Age]]|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|access-date=13 February 2011|date=18 February 2009|location=Melbourne|archive-date=28 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628183708/http://www.theage.com.au/national/dead-firefighter-professional-with-young-family-20090218-8aol.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
'''Location of deaths:'''<ref>[http://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-data-reveals-where-victims-died-20090528-borp.html Black Saturday data reveals where victims died] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090529100226/http://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-data-reveals-where-victims-died-20090528-borp.html |date=29 May 2009 }}, 28 May 2009, ''The Age''</ref>
*Inside houses (113)
*Outside houses (27)
*In vehicles (11)
*In garages (6)
*Near vehicles (5)
*On roadways (5)
*Attributed to or associated with the fire but not within fire location (4)
*On reserves (1)
*In sheds (1)
'''Locality of deaths:'''
; Kinglake/Whittlesea Area (120)
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
*[[Kinglake, Victoria|Kinglake]] (38)
*[[Strathewen, Victoria|Strathewen]] (27)
*[[St Andrews, Victoria|St Andrews]] (12)
*[[Steels Creek, Victoria|Steels Creek]] (10)
{{col-break}}
*[[Hazeldene, Victoria|Hazeldene]] (10)
*[[Humevale, Victoria|Humevale]] (6)
*[[Kinglake West, Victoria|Kinglake West]] (4)
*[[Flowerdale, Victoria|Flowerdale]] (2)
{{col-break}}
*[[Whittlesea, Victoria|Whittlesea]] (2)
*[[Toolangi, Victoria|Toolangi]] (2)
*[[Arthurs Creek, Victoria|Arthurs Creek]] (2)
*[[Clonbinane, Victoria|Clonbinane]] (1)
{{col-break}}
*[[Heathcote Junction, Victoria|Heathcote Junction]] (1)
*[[Strath Creek, Victoria|Strath Creek]] (1)
*Upper Plenty (1)
*[[Yarra Glen, Victoria|Yarra Glen]] (1)
{{col-end}}
; Marysville Area (39)
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
*[[Marysville, Victoria|Marysville]] (34)
{{col-break}}
*[[Narbethong, Victoria|Narbethong]] (4)
{{col-break}}
*[[Cambarville, Victoria|Cambarville]] (ACT firefighter) (1)
{{col-break}}
{{col-end}}
; Central Gippsland (11)
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
*[[Callignee, Victoria|Callignee]] (4)
{{col-break}}
*Koornalla (4)
{{col-break}}
*[[Churchill, Victoria|Churchill]] (2)
{{col-break}}
*Jeerralang Junction (1)
{{col-end}}
; Beechworth (2)
*[[Mudgegonga, Victoria|Mudgegonga]] (2)
; Bendigo (1)
*[[Eaglehawk, Victoria|Eaglehawk]] (1)
; Total: '''173'''
===Injuries===
[[File:09 vic bushfire damage Steels Creek 01.JPG|thumb|Bushfire damage to property in [[Steels Creek, Victoria|Steels Creek]]]]
A total of 414 people were injured during the Black Saturday bushfires. Due to the intensity and speed of the fires, most casualties of the bushfires either died, or survived with minor injuries. There were significantly fewer major burns than in previous bushfires, such as [[Ash Wednesday fires|Ash Wednesday]]. Of the people who presented to medical treatment centres and hospitals, there were 22 with serious burns and 390 with minor burns and other bushfire-related injuries.<ref name="Australian Medical Journal">[http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/191_01_060709/cam10194_fm.html Australian Medical Journal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606125345/http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/191_01_060709/cam10194_fm.html |date=6 June 2011 }} article abstract</ref>
National and statewide burns disaster plans were activated. Twenty-two patients with major burns presented to the state's burns referral centres, of which eighteen were adults. One patient admitted to the [[Royal Children's Hospital]] and two at [[The Alfred Hospital]] died from their injuries. Adult burns patients at The Alfred spent 48.7 hours in theatre in the first 72 hours. There were a further 390 bushfire-related presentations across the state in the first 72 hours. Most patients with serious burns were [[triage]]d to, and managed at, burns referral centres. Throughout the disaster, burns referral centres continued to have substantial surge capacity.<ref name="Australian Medical Journal" />
==Overall statistics==
[[File:CSIRO ScienceImage 10345 The Kinglake National Park after the Black Saturday bushfires.jpg|thumb|The Kinglake National Park after the Black Saturday bushfires]]
[[File:St.Andrews Kinglake Road April 2009.JPG|thumb|right|The St. Andrews-Kinglake Road, one of the few roads out of the fire area, two months after the bushfires]]
[[File:2009 Victorian bushfires Acheron Way DSC 0324.JPG|thumb|right|Forest regrowing along Acheron Way in April 2009]]
It was estimated that the amount of energy released during the firestorm in the Kinglake-Marysville area was equivalent to the amount of energy that would be released by 1,500 [[Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki|Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs]].<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2009/11/the-australian-%22black-saturday%22-bushfires-of-2009/|title=The Australian "Black Saturday" Bushfires of 2009|last=Stewart|first=Cameron|date=23 November 2009|encyclopedia=Advocates for Animals|publisher=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=3 May 2010}}{{Dead link|date=June 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/black-saturday-fires-had-power-of-1500-a-bombs/story-e6frg6nf-1225714533980|title=Black Saturday fires had power of 1500 A-bombs|last=Hughes|first=Gary|date=22 May 2009|newspaper=The Australian|access-date=3 May 2010|archive-date=11 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711232035/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/black-saturday-fires-had-power-of-1500-a-bombs/story-e6frg6nf-1225714533980|url-status=live}}</ref>
Beyond the casualty list detailed above, physical damage caused by the bushfires included:
* {{Convert|450000|ha|acre|abbr=on}} burnt
* 7,562 people displaced
* Over 3,500 structures destroyed, including:
**2,029+ houses
**59 commercial properties (shops, pubs, service stations, golf clubs, etc.)
**12 community buildings (including 2 police stations, 3 schools, 3 churches, 1 fire station)
**399 machinery sheds, 363 hay sheds, 19 dairies, 26 woolsheds, 729 other farm buildings
*Agricultural and horticultural losses:
** Over 11,800 head of livestock,<ref name=age-4.4bill /> consisting of 2,150 sheep, 1,207 cattle, and an unknown number of horses, goats, alpacas, poultry, and pigs<ref>The Land, "Farmers do their bit", Peter J Austin, p.12, Rural Press, 19 February 2009</ref>
** {{Convert|25600|t|ton}} of stored fodder and grain
** {{Convert|32000|t|ton}} of hay and silage<ref name=age-4.4bill />
** {{Convert|190|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of standing crops
** {{Convert|62000|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of pasture<ref name=age-4.4bill />
** {{Convert|735|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of fruit trees, olives and vines
** Over {{convert|10000|km}} of boundary and internal fencing destroyed or damaged<ref name="Norther Daily Leader">Northern Daily Leader, 18 May 2009, "Steady progress on bushfire clean-up", p. 8</ref>
** {{Convert|7000|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of [[plantation timber]]
* {{Convert|98932|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of parks damaged, 90 per cent of which was national park.<ref name=age-4.4bill /> It was claimed that 950 local parks, 70 national parks and reserves, and over 600 cultural sites and historic places were impacted or destroyed<ref name="Norther Daily Leader"/>
* {{Convert|3921|ha|acre|abbr=on}} of private bushland
* Over 55 businesses destroyed<ref name="AR08-9">{{cite web|url=http://www.diird.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/121581/Black-Saturday.pdf|title=Black Saturday|work=Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development|publisher=Victorian Government|access-date=3 May 2010}}</ref>
* Electricity supply was disrupted to 60,000 residents<ref name="AR08-9"/>
* Several mobile phone base stations and telephone exchanges damaged or destroyed<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/telco-says-its-ready-for-the-next-black-saturday/story-e6frgakx-1225805505764|title=Telstra says it's ready for the next Black Saturday |last=Bingemann|first=Mitchell |date=1 December 2009|newspaper=The Australian|access-date=3 May 2010}}</ref>
===Damage by locality===
{|class="wikitable"
|+Summary of damage by locality <ref name=brc-ch1>{{cite web|title=Final Report Report of 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission: Chapter 1|url=http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/PF-Chapters/Chapter1_PF.pdf|publisher=[[Government of Victoria (Australia)|Government of Victoria]]|date=31 July 2010|access-date=22 August 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090911235725/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/PF-Chapters/Chapter1_PF.pdf|archive-date=11 September 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
! Area
! Area (ha)
! Fatalities
! Buildings destroyed
! Ignition source
! Fire name/origin
|-
| Kinglake Area
| {{center|180,000+}}
| {{center|120}}
| 1,244 houses, many commercial buildings
| Power lines
| Kilmore East fire
|-
| Marysville Area
| {{center|150,000+}}
| {{center|39}}
| 590 houses, many commercial buildings
| Break in an electrical conductor on a power pole near the Murrindindi Saw Mill
| Murrindindi Mill fire
|-
| Central Gippsland
| {{center|32,860+}}
| {{center|11}}
| 247 houses
| Arson
| Churchill-Jeeralang fire
|-
| Beechworth
| {{center|30,000+}}
| {{center|2}}
| 29 houses
| Power lines
| Mudgegonga fire
|-
| Bunyip State Park
| {{center|24,500}}
| {{center|0}}
| 24 houses, several other buildings
| Arson/lightning suspected
| Bunyip State Park fire
|-
| Wilsons Promontory
| {{center|11,000+}}
| {{center|0}}
| None
| Lightning
| –
|-
| Redesdale
| {{center|10,000}}
| {{center|0}}
| 12 houses, several outbuildings
| Unknown
| –
|-
| Horsham
| {{center|5,700}}
| {{center|0}}
| 8 houses, several other buildings
| Power lines
| Remlaw fire
|-
| Weerite
| {{center|1,300}}
| {{center|0}}
| Several outbuildings
| Power lines
| –
|-
| Coleraine
| {{center|770}}
| {{center|0}}
| 1 house, several outbuildings
| Power lines
| –
|-
| Maroondah/Upper Yarra
| {{center|505}}
| {{center|0}}
| None
| Spotting
| Maroondah/Yarra complex
|-
| Bendigo
| {{center|384}}
| {{center|1}}
| 61 houses, 125 sheds and outbuildings
| Arson
| Maiden Gully/Bracewell Street fire
|-
| Dandenong Ranges
| {{center|5+}}
| {{center|0}}
|
| Unknown, machinery
| Upper Ferntree Gully fire
|-
| '''Totals'''
| {{center|'''450,000+'''}}
| {{center|'''173'''}}
| '''3,500+ (2,029+ houses)'''
|
|
|}
==Responses==
{{Main|Reactions to the Black Saturday bushfire crisis}}
Responses to the Black Saturday bushfires included immediate community response, donations, and international aid efforts. Later responses included Government inquiries including a Royal Commission, and recommendations and discussions from a wide variety of bodies, organisations, authorities and communities.
In September 2009 it was announced that Australia's most prominent [[fire ecology|fire ecologist]], Kevin Tolhurst, was developing a new course for the [[University of Melbourne]] on fire behaviour.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Costigan |first=Justine |title=Responding to Tragedy |work=Melbourne University Magazine |date=September 2009 |pages=15–17 |url=http://mag.alumni.unimelb.edu.au/major-feature/responding-tragedy |access-date=3 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090910093356/http://mag.alumni.unimelb.edu.au/major-feature/responding-tragedy |archive-date=10 September 2009 }}</ref> Later that month the [[City of Manningham]] announced it was developing the state's first integrated fire management plan in conjunction with the interim findings of the Royal Commission.<ref>{{Cite news | last = Crowe | first = Danielle | title = Hotspots register | work = Manningham Leader | date = 9 September 2009 | page = 5 | url = http://manningham-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/pilot-project-manningham-council-is-mapping-our-fire-hotspots/ | access-date = 22 September 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090914125600/http://manningham-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/pilot-project-manningham-council-is-mapping-our-fire-hotspots/ | archive-date = 14 September 2009 | url-status = dead}}</ref> It is expected that eventually all Victorian councils responsible for both urban and rural land will need to develop such plans, which define fire risks in [[Landscape|open space]] areas, along major roads, and in parkland.
In September/October 2009, it was announced that a new fire hazard system would replace the previous one. The new system involves a six-tier scale to indicating such things as the level of risk and activity of the fire. This standardised ''[[Bushfires in Australia#Warnings|Fire Danger Rating]]'' (FDR) was subsequently adopted by all Australian states in late 2009. Every day during the fire season the [[Bureau of Meteorology (Australia)|Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)]] forecasts an outlook of the ''Fire Danger Index'' (FDI) by considering the predicted weather including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and dryness of vegetation.<ref name="Country Fire Authority">{{cite web |url=http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=873 |title=New Warning System Explained |publisher=[[Country Fire Authority]] |access-date=1 February 2010 |archive-date=6 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706123231/http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=873 |url-status=live }}</ref> On the highest risk days, residents are advised to leave the potentially affected areas.
The [[RSPCA Australia|RSPCA]] estimated that over a million animals perished in the bushfires.<ref name=age-4.4bill /> Additionally, many of the surviving [[Fauna of Australia|wildlife]] suffered from severe burns. For example, large numbers of [[kangaroo]]s were afflicted with burned feet due to territorial instincts that drew them back to their recently burned and smouldering home ranges.<ref name="AP-2009Feb11-Animals">{{cite news|last=Gelineau |first=Kristen |title=Millions of animals dead in Australia fires |agency=Associated Press |date=11 February 2009 |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hn9MswZT1UDQOM4JFexha4JktfeQD969HIS80 |access-date=11 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20090215064620/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hn9MswZT1UDQOM4JFexha4JktfeQD969HIS80 |archive-date=15 February 2009 }}</ref> The affected area, particularly around Marysville, contains the only known habitat of [[Leadbeater's possum]], Victoria's faunal emblem,<ref>[http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=95950 Last captive Leadbeater's possum dies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405140432/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=95950 |date=5 April 2012 }}. ninemsn.com.au. 15 April 2006.</ref> putting this species under further threat.
Forested [[drainage basin|catchment areas]] supplying five of Melbourne's nine major dams were affected by the fires, with the worst affected being the [[Maroondah Reservoir]] and [[O'Shannassy Reservoir]].<ref name="age dash save water">{{cite news | last = Ker | first = Peter | title = Dash to save Melbourne's drinking water | newspaper = The Age | date = 17 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/dash-to-save-melbournes-drinking-water-20090217-89wm.html | access-date = 17 February 2009 | archive-date = 21 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090221000233/http://www.theage.com.au/national/dash-to-save-melbournes-drinking-water-20090217-89wm.html | url-status = live }}</ref> As of 17 February 2009, over ten billion litres of water had been shifted out of affected dams into others.<ref name="age dash save water" /><ref>{{Cite news | last = Roberts | first = Greg | title = Vic bushfires may affect water supplies | newspaper = The Age | date = 17 February 2009 | url = http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/vic-bushfires-may-affect-water-supplies-20090217-89zb.html | access-date = 14 December 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 18 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090218075849/http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/vic-bushfires-may-affect-water-supplies-20090217-89zb.html | url-status = live }}</ref>
In early March 2009, smoke from the fires was discovered in the atmosphere over Antarctica at record altitudes.<ref>{{Cite news | title = Bushfire aftermath: smoke trapped over Antarctica | location = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 28 May 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/28/2583676.htm | access-date = 14 December 2009 | archive-date = 13 December 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091213104147/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/28/2583676.htm | url-status = live }}</ref>
===Economic impact===
[[File:Kinglake aerial.jpg|thumb|right|Aerial view of the Kinglake area looking north, nine months after bushfires (burnt area top third of image)]]
The Bushfires Royal Commission gave a "conservative" estimate of the total cost of the Black Saturday bushfires of $4.4 billion. This figure included a value of $645 million placed on the 173 lives lost using an accepted method the government uses to value lives, however did not include any assessment of the cost of the injuries received.<ref name=age-4.4bill>{{cite news|last=Gray|first=Darren|title=Black Saturday cost $4.4 billion|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/black-saturday-cost-44-billion-20100801-11116.html|work=[[The Age]]|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|access-date=15 February 2011|date=1 August 2010|location=Melbourne|archive-date=28 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628185757/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/black-saturday-cost-44-billion-20100801-11116.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
The largest contributor to the total cost was insurance claims, which the Insurance Council of Australia reported as $1.2 billion as of August 2010. This figure was composed of 84 per cent for property or contents, and 16 per cent for vehicles. However, the report also estimated that up to 13 per cent of residential properties destroyed may have had no insurance, with many more under-insured, thus suggesting that the actual cost of asset damage in the bushfires was considerably higher than that recorded. The report from the commission said that: "... the level of insurance claims is likely to underestimate the true extent of property losses, but it is unable to calculate the extent of this underestimation".<ref name=age-4.4bill />
Also omitted from the $4.4 billion figure were the agricultural losses sustained in the fires, and the ongoing impacts on agriculture in following seasons. The Victorian Department of Primary Industries estimated losses shortly after the fires as 11,800 head of livestock, {{convert|62000|ha|acres}} of grazing [[pasture]], and {{Convert|32000|t|ton}} of [[hay]] and [[silage]].<ref name=age-4.4bill />
As of February 2011, two years after the fires, the ''Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority'' stated that based on figures from the end of 2010, permits had been issued for the rebuilding of only 731 of the 1,795, or 41 per cent of the principal places of residence destroyed in the fires.<ref name=age-slowpath>{{cite news|last=Johanson|first=Simon|title=Recovery a painfully slow path|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/recovery-a-painfully-slow-path-20110206-1aigz.html|work=[[The Age]]|publisher=[[Fairfax Media]]|access-date=15 February 2011|date=7 February 2011|location=Melbourne|archive-date=10 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210211234/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/recovery-a-painfully-slow-path-20110206-1aigz.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
===Lawsuits===
A [[class action]] lawsuit was initiated in the [[Supreme Court of Victoria]] on 13 February 2009 by Slidders Lawyers against electricity distribution company [[SP AusNet]], in relation to the [[Kilmore East, Victoria|Kilmore East]] fire that became part of the Kinglake complex, and the [[Beechworth, Victoria|Beechworth]] fires. A partner at the firm indicated that the claim would centre on alleged [[negligence]] by SP AusNet in its management of electricity infrastructure. On 12 February police had taken away a section of power line as well as a power pole from near Kilmore East, part of a two-kilometre section of line that fell on the morning of 7 February and was believed to have started the fire there.<ref name="age class action">{{cite news | author1 = Houston, Cameron | author-link2 = Michael Bachelard | author2 = Bachelard, Michael | name-list-style = amp | title = Huge fire class action launched | newspaper = The Age | date = 15 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/huge-fire-class-action-launched-20090214-87pg.html?page=-1 | access-date = 15 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 18 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090218081252/http://www.theage.com.au/national/huge-fire-class-action-launched-20090214-87pg.html?page=-1 | url-status = live }}</ref> The class action was ultimately run by law firm [[Maurice Blackburn (law firm)|Maurice Blackburn]]. The action alleged the power company failed to fit a $10 protective device on the power line, which contributed to it breaking and starting the devastating Kilmore East/Kinglake fire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/1072983/hundreds-sign-for-bushfire-class-action |title=Hundreds sign for bushfire class action |date=19 June 2010 |work=[[Ninemsn]] |access-date=16 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100623001848/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/1072983/hundreds-sign-for-bushfire-class-action |archive-date=23 June 2010}}</ref> The case settled in December 2014 with a settlement of $494.67 million,<ref name=scv>{{cite web | title=Court approves distribution of almost $700M in 2009 Black Saturday bushfire class actions | website=The Supreme Court of Victoria | url=https://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/for-the-media/media-releases/court-approves-distribution-of-almost-700m-in-2009-black-saturday | access-date=30 September 2023}}</ref> the country's largest class action settlement,<ref name=bbc-payout>{{cite news |title=Record payout over Australia Black Saturday fires |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28305127 |access-date=6 February 2015 |work=BBC News (Asia) |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) |date=15 July 2014 |quote=A 2009 Royal Commission found that the fire began when an electricity line failed between two poles. Contact between the live conductor and a cable stay supporting the pole caused arcing that ignited vegetation. |archive-date=16 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216082200/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28305127 |url-status=live }}</ref> approved by the [[Supreme Court of Victoria]].<ref name=abc-kilmore-settle>{{cite news |title=Black Saturday class action: Judge approves $494m Kilmore East bushfire settlement |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-23/judge-approves-black-saturday-class-action-settlement/5984374 |access-date=6 February 2015 |work=ABC News |agency=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=23 December 2014 |location=Australia |quote=Victoria's Supreme Court has approved a $494 million payout to victims of the deadly 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, in what is considered to be the biggest class action in Australia's legal history. |archive-date=8 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208221316/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-23/judge-approves-black-saturday-class-action-settlement/5984374 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=abc-kilmore-class-act>{{cite news |title=Black Saturday bushfire survivors secure $500 million in Australia's largest class action payout |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-15/black-saturday-bushfire-survivors-secure-record-payout/5597062 |access-date=6 February 2015 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=15 July 2014 |location=Australia |archive-date=16 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216101154/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-15/black-saturday-bushfire-survivors-secure-record-payout/5597062 |url-status=live }}</ref> (The previous highest payout was $200 Million in ''Kirby v [[Vicinity Centres|Centro Properties]] Limited (No 6)'' [2012] FCA 650 (19 June 2012).<ref name=mary-comm-record>{{cite web|title=Record settlement in Black Saturday bushfires class action|url=http://www.marysvillecommunity.net/index.php/kilmore-east-kinglake-bushfire-class-action/98-record-settlement-in-black-saturday-bushfires-class-action.html|publisher=marysvillecommunity.net|access-date=6 February 2015|date=15 July 2014|quote=At nearly $500 million, the payout is more than double the previous highest Australian [[class action]] [[Settlement (litigation)|settlement]] of $200 million in the Centro shareholder class action|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206070754/http://www.marysvillecommunity.net/index.php/kilmore-east-kinglake-bushfire-class-action/98-record-settlement-in-black-saturday-bushfires-class-action.html|archive-date=6 February 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>)
In February 2014 a class action trial against SP AusNet by victims of the Marysville blaze was begun in the Supreme Court. It was alleged that the fire was caused by a "break in an electrical conductor on a power pole near the Murrindindi Saw Mill". A $300 million [[Settlement (litigation)|settlement]] was announced before the trial began.<ref name=abc-mary-settle>{{cite news|last1=Ferrier|first1=Steph|title=Marysville bushfire class action: Black Saturday bushfire victims to get $300 million payout|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-06/class-action-over-marysville-black-saturday-bushfire-reached/6071068|access-date=6 February 2015|work=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|date=6 February 2015|quote=Electricity company AusNet has announced a $300 million settlement with the Marysville victims of the Black Saturday bushfires.|archive-date=10 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210080239/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-06/class-action-over-marysville-black-saturday-bushfire-reached/6071068|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=abc-mary-class-act>{{cite news |title=Victims of Black Saturday fire launch class action |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-07/victims-of--black-saturday-fire-launch-class-action/4181682 |access-date=6 February 2015 |work=ABC News |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=7 August 2012 |location=Australia |quote=A class action will be launched in the Supreme Court today on behalf of victims of the Murrindindi bushfire on Black Saturday in 2009. |archive-date=16 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150216095533/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-07/victims-of--black-saturday-fire-launch-class-action/4181682 |url-status=live }}</ref> The class action by Murrindindi/Marysville victims was settled in February 2015 for $300 million.<ref name=scv/>
A total of nearly $700 million (after legal expenses) was shared among the claimants of the two highly complex class actions, which were presided over by Justices [[Jack Forrest (judge)|Jack Forrest]] and [[John Dixon (judge)|John Dixon]]. Various other claimants by communities around Coleraine, Horsham, Weerite-Pomborneit, and Beechworth-Mudgegonga also had lawsuits managed by the Supreme Court.<ref name=scv/>
===Fire policy===
[[File:09 vic bushfire damage Yarra Glen 02.JPG|thumb|right|Yarra Glen three days after the fires showing differential property survival]]
In the wake of the fires and the mounting casualty toll, there was debate about policies for dealing with bushfires and the management practices that may have contributed to them. Naomi Brown, chief executive of the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council, argued that the high number of fatalities in these fires, as opposed to earlier fires such as the [[Ash Wednesday fires]], was partly attributable to increased population densities on Melbourne's fringes.<ref name="age strategies questioned" /> David Packham, bushfire expert and research fellow at [[Monash University]], argued that high fuel loads in bushland led to the destructive intensity of the fires, saying that "There has been total mismanagement of the Australian forest environment."<ref name="age strategies questioned">{{cite news | last = Rood | first = David | title = Forest strategies questioned | newspaper = The Age | date = 10 February 2009 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/national/forest-strategies-questioned-20090209-82d7.html?page=-1 | access-date = 10 February 2009 | location = Melbourne | archive-date = 14 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090214024137/http://www.theage.com.au/national/forest-strategies-questioned-20090209-82d7.html?page=-1 | url-status = live }}</ref>
In announcing that the fires would be investigated by a [[Royal Commission]], the [[Premier of Victoria]], [[John Brumby]], suggested that the long-standing "stay-and-defend-or-leave-early" policy would be reviewed, saying that while it had proven reliable during normal conditions, the conditions on 7 February had been exceptional.<ref name="australian nsw commissioner policy">{{cite news |title=Stay-at-home policy best, says NSW fire commissioner |newspaper=The Australian |date=9 February 2009 |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032778-5006784,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211064832/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0%2C25197%2C25032778-5006784%2C00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 February 2009 |access-date=10 February 2009}}</ref> Brumby said that "There were many people who had done all of the preparations, had the best fire plans in the world and tragically it didn't save them."<ref name="age strategies questioned" />
Commissioner Nixon, however, defended the policy, saying that it was "well thought of and well based and has stood the test of time and we support it".<ref name="abc nixon defends policy">{{Cite news | title = Nixon defends fire policy | publisher = Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date = 9 February 2009 | url = http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486729.htm | access-date = 10 February 2009 | archive-date = 10 February 2009 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090210123639/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486729.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> Similarly, Commissioner of the [[New South Wales Rural Fire Service]], Shane Fitzsimmons, said that "Decades of science, practice and history show that a well-prepared home provides the best refuge in the event of fire".<ref name="australian nsw commissioner policy" /> Nixon also dismissed potential policies involving forced evacuations, saying "There used to be policies where you could make people leave but we're talking about adults."<ref name="abc nixon defends policy" /> A former Victorian police minister, [[Pat McNamara (Australian politician)|Pat McNamara]], argued that forced evacuations could have worsened the death toll, as many of the dead appeared to have been killed while attempting to evacuate the fire areas by car.<ref name="age strategies questioned" />
===Building codes===
In response to the Black Saturday bushfires new building regulations for Victorian bushfire-prone areas were fast tracked by Standards Australia.<ref name="StandardsUpdate">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria-looks-at-changes-to-building-standards-20090215-887t.html?skin=text-only|title=Victoria looks at changes to building standards|date=16 February 2009|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=15 February 2009|archive-date=4 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104014652/http://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria-looks-at-changes-to-building-standards-20090215-887t.html?skin=text-only|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.standards.org.au/downloads/091002_Bushfire_Standard_Statement_FINAL.pdf |title=Media Release – Standards Australia to fast track completion of bushfire Standard |publisher=Standards Australia |access-date=17 February 2009 |date=11 February 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090219142939/http://standards.org.au/downloads/091002_Bushfire_Standard_Statement_FINAL.pdf |archive-date=19 February 2009 }}</ref> Through the ''Department of Planning and Community Development'' the Victorian government has published a range of new guidelines and standards for bushfire planning and building.<ref name=dpcd-bpb>{{cite web|title=Bushfire planning and building|url=http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/planning-policy-and-projects/bushfire-planning-and-building-resource|work=Department of Planning and Community Development official website|publisher=State Government of Victoria|access-date=22 April 2011|date=1 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110328120453/http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/planning-policy-and-projects/bushfire-planning-and-building-resource|archive-date=28 March 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Based on this information, the ''Building Commission Victoria'' has released a range of publications to assist with people returning to properties, moving into temporary dwellings, [[retrofitting]] existing dwellings, and building new dwellings in bushfire areas.<ref name=pfs-bcv>{{cite web|title=Publications and Fact Sheets|url=http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/www/html/2436-publications-and-fact-sheets.asp|work=Official website|publisher=Building Commission Victoria|access-date=22 April 2011|date=19 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110405075215/http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/www/html/2436-publications-and-fact-sheets.asp|archive-date=5 April 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> The new standard states that all properties (not just those in bushfire areas) will now require a "bushfire attack assessment", and will be given a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating that outlines the type of construction required. The BAL takes into consideration such factors as the [[McArthur Forest Fire Danger Index|Fire Danger Index]], the slope, and surrounding vegetation. BALs range from "BAL-LOW", for properties with no specific construction requirements such as suburban buildings, to "BAL-FZ" for properties in the fire zone likely to experience direct exposure to the fire front, as well as high heat flux and ember attacks.<ref name=gtbab-bcv>{{cite web|title=A guide to building in Victoria after bushfires|url=http://www.vba.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/40583/Guide-to-building-in-Victoria-after-bushfires.pdf|work=Official website|publisher=Building Commission Victoria|access-date=23 October 2017|date=19 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313112305/http://www.vba.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/40583/Guide-to-building-in-Victoria-after-bushfires.pdf|archive-date=13 March 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
While a draft national building code for bushfire-prone areas proposed using {{convert|1000|K|C F|lk=on}} as the standard for the assumed temperature to which houses are subject when hit by bushfire, fire engineers argued that standards should be based on a {{convert|1090|K|C F}} temperature. This was in line with existing New South Wales building laws for bushfire-prone areas, although the temperature of fires can actually peak at approximately {{convert|1600|K|C F}}.<ref name="BuildingCodes">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/foolhardy-to-set-building-code-that-underestimates-heat-of-fires-20090211-84r4.html?page=-1|title='Foolhardy' to set building code that underestimates heat of fires|date=12 February 2009|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=14 February 2009|first=Debra|last=Jopson|archive-date=21 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221034418/http://www.smh.com.au/national/foolhardy-to-set-building-code-that-underestimates-heat-of-fires-20090211-84r4.html?page=-1|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''[[Australian Building Codes Board]]'' incorporated the {{convert|1090|K|C F}} temperature in the standard, with the support of the CFA and [[Australasian Fire Authorities Council]].<ref name=gtbab-bcv />
====Banning housing in highest risk areas====
As part of the building codes debate, an expert panel recommended in 2010 that the state government ban housing in the highest fire risk areas, which are some of the most dangerous in the world.<ref name=aust-ban-dev>{{cite web |last=Rintoul |first=Stuart |title=Ban development in fire-prone areas, experts tell royal commission |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/ban-development-in-fire-prone-areas-experts-tell-royal-commission/story-e6frg6nf-1225830521084 |work=[[The Australian]] |publisher=[[News Limited]] |access-date=19 February 2011 |date=15 February 2010 |archive-date=4 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110504034232/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/ban-development-in-fire-prone-areas-experts-tell-royal-commission/story-e6frg6nf-1225830521084 |url-status=live }}</ref> Michael Buxton, a professor at [[RMIT University]], said that after the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires the government bought back tens of thousands of lots across the [[Dandenong Ranges]] because they were in extremely high fire risk areas; he backed another similar large-scale buyback scheme to move people away from unacceptably high risk areas.<ref name=aust-ban-dev />
Another member of the panel, international planning expert Roz Hansen, said that she was "disappointed and alarmed" about the decision to rebuild Marysville, stating that it was unlikely that a new development would have been permitted in the area. She went on to say that in parts of Asia, people had been forcibly moved out of unacceptably high risk cyclone and flooding areas in the public interest despite the difficulties this involved.<ref name=abc-norebuild>{{cite web|last=Cowan|first=Jane|title=Marysville should never have been rebuilt, commission told|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/15/2819672.htm|work=ABC News|publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|access-date=19 February 2011|date=15 February 2010|archive-date=21 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110121124559/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/15/2819672.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
==See also==
{{Portal bar|Australia}}
*[[Ash Wednesday bushfires]]
*[[Black Friday (1939)]]
*[[Firestorm#Black Saturday firestorm (Wildfire case study)|Black Saturday firestorm (Wildfire case study)]]
*[[Electric utility]]
*[[List of disasters in Australia by death toll]]
*[[List of major bushfires in Australia]]
*[[List of wildfires]]
*[[Recloser]]
*[[Sam (koala)|Sam the Koala]]
*[[1967 Tasmanian fires]]
*[[2008–09 Australian bushfire season]]
*[[2019–20 Australian bushfire season]]
{{Clear}}
==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<!-- THESE REFS ARE NOT USED PLEASE USE THEM <ref name=firefightersunion>Marshall, Peter (12 February 2009). "[http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/face-global-warming-or-lives-will-be-at-risk-20090211-84od.html Face global warming or firefighters' lives will be ever at risk]". ''The Age'': p. 25. Retrieved 18 February 2009.</ref>
<ref name="glw firefighter">McDonald, Shaun (9 September 2009). "[http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/809/41594 Government fiddles while bush burns]". ''Green Left Weekly'' (809): pp. 3, 6. Retrieved 22 September 2009.</ref>
<ref name="Fire-weather">{{cite web|url=http://www.cmar.csiro.au/e-print/open/hennessykj_2005b.pdf|title=Climate change impacts on fire-weather in south-east Australia|last=Hennessy|first=K|coauthors=C. Lucas N. Nicholls J. Bathols, R. Suppiah and J. Ricketts|date=December 2005|publisher=CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Bushfire CRC and Australian Bureau of Meteorology|access-date=13 February 2009}}</ref>-->
}}
== Further reading==
*{{cite book|last=Hooper|first=Chloe|title=The Arsonist: A Mind on Fire|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4YFlDwAAQBAJ|year=2018|publisher=Penguin Random House Australia|isbn=978-1-74348-552-1}}
*{{Cite book|last=Hyland|first=Adrian|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KZApBgAAQBAJ|title=Kinglake-350|publisher=[[Text Publishing]]|year=2015|isbn=9781922182920|location=Melbourne}}
*{{cite book|last1=Stewart|first1=Kath|last2=Hawkins|first2=Deidre|title=Living with Fire: A Brief History of Fires in the Kinglake Ranges|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ms0KwQEACAAJ|year=2018|publisher=Kinglake Historical Society|isbn=978-0-9871217-8-3}}
==External links==
{{Commons category|2009 Victorian bushfires }}
{{Wikinews|More than 160 dead in bushfires in Australia | Class action launched by Australian bushfire survivors against SP AusNet}}
* [http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/ 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission website with transcripts exhibits submissions etc] (very large file)
* [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=black+saturday+bushfires&aq=f Black Saturday bushfires] on YouTube
* [https://www.youtube.com/user/cfavic#grid/user/B3D49B5C05D0FE0E CFA Black Saturday video footage] on YouTube
* {{Cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/anatomy-of-a-firestorm-20090225-8hvi.html?page=-1 | newspaper = [[The Age|Age]]
| publisher= [[Fairfax Media|Fairfax]] | date=26 February 2009 |title=Anatomy of a Firestorm, an article on the conditions and air movements of 7 February 2009|first=William |last=Kininmonth |access-date=26 February 2009 | location=Melbourne}}
* [http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/2009/02/08/1234027828219.html The Age's image gallery]
* [http://mp3.news.com.au/hwt/Victoria_fire/index.html The Herald Sun's interactive fire map]
* {{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/special_eds/20090427/fires2/ | title=Eye of the Storm | work=Four Corners | access-date=27 April 2009 | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}
*[http://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/content.php?pid=36394&sid=267991 State Library of Victoria's Bushfires in Victoria Research Guide] Guide to locating books, government reports, websites, statistics, newspaper reports and images about the Black Saturday fires.
* {{citation|doi=10.1002/qj.1986|title=The meteorology of Black Saturday|journal=Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society|volume=139|issue=672|pages=585–599|year=2013|last1=Engel|first1=Chermelle B.|last2=Lane|first2=Todd P.|last3=Reeder|first3=Michael J.|last4=Rezny|first4=Michael|bibcode=2013QJRMS.139..585E|s2cid=123623810 |doi-access=free}}
{{Bushfires in Australia}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Black Saturday Bushfires}}
[[Category:2009 crimes in Australia]]
[[Category:Arson in Australia]]
[[Category:2009 wildfires]]
[[Category:Bushfires in Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:Forests of Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:2000s in Victoria (state)]]
[[Category:February 2009 events in Australia]]' |
Unified diff of changes made by edit (edit_diff) | '@@ -16,5 +16,5 @@
}}
-The '''Black Saturday bushfires''' were a series of [[Bushfires in Australia|bushfires]] that either ignited or were already burning across the [[Australian state|American state]] of [[Victoria (Australia)|Ohio]] on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009, and were one of Australia's all-time worst bushfire disasters. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest-ever loss of human life from a bushfire,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Horrific, but not the worst we've suffered |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/horrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=11 February 2009 |access-date=2020-07-16 |first=John |last=Huxley |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213204825/http://www.smh.com.au/national/horrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html |archive-date=2009-02-13 |url-status=live }}</ref> with 173 fatalities.<ref>{{Cite report |url=http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/finaldocuments/summary/PF/VBRC_Summary_PF.pdf |title=2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission - Final Report |date=July 2010 |publisher=Government Printer for the State of Victoria |access-date=2020-07-16 |archive-date=27 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227233416/http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/finaldocuments/summary/PF/VBRC_Summary_PF.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Many people were left homeless as a result.
+The '''Black Saturday bushfires''' were a series of sigmas that either ignited or were already rizzing across the [[Australian state|American state]] of [[Victoria (Australia)|Ohio]] on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009, and were one of Australia's all-time worst bushfire disasters. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest-ever loss of human life from a bushfire,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Horrific, but not the worst we've suffered |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/horrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=11 February 2009 |access-date=2020-07-16 |first=John |last=Huxley |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213204825/http://www.smh.com.au/national/horrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html |archive-date=2009-02-13 |url-status=live }}</ref> with 173 gyatts..<ref>{{Cite report |url=http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/finaldocuments/summary/PF/VBRC_Summary_PF.pdf |title=2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission - Final Report |date=July 2010 |publisher=Government Printer for the State of Victoria |access-date=2020-07-16 |archive-date=27 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227233416/http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/finaldocuments/summary/PF/VBRC_Summary_PF.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Many people were left homeless as a result.
As many as 400 individual fires were recorded on Saturday 7 February; the day has become widely referred to in Australia as Black Saturday
' |
New page size (new_size) | 161160 |
Old page size (old_size) | 161193 |
Size change in edit (edit_delta) | -33 |
Lines added in edit (added_lines) | [
0 => 'The '''Black Saturday bushfires''' were a series of sigmas that either ignited or were already rizzing across the [[Australian state|American state]] of [[Victoria (Australia)|Ohio]] on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009, and were one of Australia's all-time worst bushfire disasters. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest-ever loss of human life from a bushfire,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Horrific, but not the worst we've suffered |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/horrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=11 February 2009 |access-date=2020-07-16 |first=John |last=Huxley |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213204825/http://www.smh.com.au/national/horrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html |archive-date=2009-02-13 |url-status=live }}</ref> with 173 gyatts..<ref>{{Cite report |url=http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/finaldocuments/summary/PF/VBRC_Summary_PF.pdf |title=2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission - Final Report |date=July 2010 |publisher=Government Printer for the State of Victoria |access-date=2020-07-16 |archive-date=27 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227233416/http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/finaldocuments/summary/PF/VBRC_Summary_PF.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Many people were left homeless as a result.'
] |
Lines removed in edit (removed_lines) | [
0 => 'The '''Black Saturday bushfires''' were a series of [[Bushfires in Australia|bushfires]] that either ignited or were already burning across the [[Australian state|American state]] of [[Victoria (Australia)|Ohio]] on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009, and were one of Australia's all-time worst bushfire disasters. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest-ever loss of human life from a bushfire,<ref>{{Cite news |title=Horrific, but not the worst we've suffered |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/horrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |publisher=Fairfax Media |date=11 February 2009 |access-date=2020-07-16 |first=John |last=Huxley |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213204825/http://www.smh.com.au/national/horrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html |archive-date=2009-02-13 |url-status=live }}</ref> with 173 fatalities.<ref>{{Cite report |url=http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/finaldocuments/summary/PF/VBRC_Summary_PF.pdf |title=2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission - Final Report |date=July 2010 |publisher=Government Printer for the State of Victoria |access-date=2020-07-16 |archive-date=27 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227233416/http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/finaldocuments/summary/PF/VBRC_Summary_PF.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> Many people were left homeless as a result.'
] |
All external links added in the edit (added_links) | [] |
All external links removed in the edit (removed_links) | [] |
All external links in the new text (all_links) | [
0 => 'http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0212/1233867933059.html',
1 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20121009125342/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0212/1233867933059.html',
2 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20190927004504/https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/black-saturday',
3 => 'https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/black-saturday',
4 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20190416151401/https://theconversation.com/what-has-australia-learned-from-black-saturday-111245',
5 => 'https://theconversation.com/what-has-australia-learned-from-black-saturday-111245',
6 => 'https://www.vic.gov.au/2009-bushfires',
7 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20190520081804/https://www.vic.gov.au/2009-bushfires',
8 => 'http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/191_01_060709/cam10194_fm.html',
9 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110606125345/http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/191_01_060709/cam10194_fm.html',
10 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015122/http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Finaldocuments/volume-1/PF/VBRC_Vol1_Chapter05_PF.pdf',
11 => 'http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Finaldocuments/volume-1/PF/VBRC_Vol1_Chapter05_PF.pdf',
12 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-fire-deliberately-lit-police-20090401-9j39.html',
13 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20170907102348/http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-fire-deliberately-lit-police-20090401-9j39.html',
14 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/lightning-starts-new-bushfires-in-grampians/287662',
15 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20200807222753/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/lightning-starts-new-bushfires-in-grampians/287662',
16 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090213044555/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032884-2702,00.html',
17 => 'http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032884-2702,00.html',
18 => 'http://www.smh.com.au/national/horrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html',
19 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090213204825/http://www.smh.com.au/national/horrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html',
20 => 'http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/finaldocuments/summary/PF/VBRC_Summary_PF.pdf',
21 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20190227233416/http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/finaldocuments/summary/PF/VBRC_Summary_PF.pdf',
22 => 'https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/black-saturday-bushfires',
23 => 'https://archive.today/20200106114930/https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/black-saturday-bushfires',
24 => 'http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs17d.pdf',
25 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20160913022711/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs17d.pdf',
26 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/city-swelters-records-tumble-in-heat-20090207-80ai.html',
27 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090208073446/http://www.theage.com.au/national/city-swelters-records-tumble-in-heat-20090207-80ai.html',
28 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/worst-day-in-history-brumby-warns-of-fire-danger-20090206-7zf1.html',
29 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090209100743/http://www.theage.com.au/national/worst-day-in-history-brumby-warns-of-fire-danger-20090206-7zf1.html',
30 => 'https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5cef8359d07b4b6984905c349f832af1',
31 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094949/https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5cef8359d07b4b6984905c349f832af1',
32 => 'https://www.themonthly.com.au/monthly-essays-robert-manne-why-we-weren-t-warned-victorian-bushfires-and-royal-commission-1780',
33 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20200402010643/https://www.themonthly.com.au/monthly-essays-robert-manne-why-we-weren-t-warned-victorian-bushfires-and-royal-commission-1780',
34 => 'https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/heat-records-smashed-ahead-of-hottest-day-since-black-saturday-20190125-p50tj1.html',
35 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20191019134708/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/heat-records-smashed-ahead-of-hottest-day-since-black-saturday-20190125-p50tj1.html',
36 => 'http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2009/02/bushfires-and-climate/#more-654',
37 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090219171149/http://realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2009/02/bushfires-and-climate#more-654',
38 => 'https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-04-23/power-company-faces-class-action-over-black/1660796',
39 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20180416090152/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-04-23/power-company-faces-class-action-over-black/1660796',
40 => 'http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/01/29/47075_latest-news.html',
41 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090215154148/http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/01/29/47075_latest-news.html',
42 => 'https://archive.today/20110821174141/http://berwick.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/battle-to-control-bunyip-state-park-blaze/1432527.aspx',
43 => 'http://berwick.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/battle-to-control-bunyip-state-park-blaze/1432527.aspx',
44 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/innovation/blacksaturday/#/timeline/sequence/chapter/1/showid/0000271',
45 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20091004221626/http://abc.net.au/innovation/blacksaturday/#/timeline/sequence/chapter/1/showid/0000271',
46 => 'http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25043261-662,00.html',
47 => 'https://archive.today/20121231084331/http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/horsham-fire-the-latest-report/1427805.aspx',
48 => 'http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/horsham-fire-the-latest-report/1427805.aspx',
49 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20100517022420/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009',
50 => 'http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009',
51 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/the-trail-of-destruction--and-the-outlook-20090209-814n.html?page=fullpage',
52 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20121103003239/http://www.theage.com.au/national/the-trail-of-destruction--and-the-outlook-20090209-814n.html?page=fullpage',
53 => 'http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/how-the-battle-for-victoria-was-fought-and-lost/story-e6frg6n6-1111118847125',
54 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140331025837/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/how-the-battle-for-victoria-was-fought-and-lost/story-e6frg6n6-1111118847125',
55 => 'http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/cigarette-butt-blamed-for-towns-losses/story-e6frg6n6-1111118795113',
56 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090224220121/http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/130209_Beechworth_Fire_Newsletter_FINALAM_(2)_21551.pdf',
57 => 'http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/130209_Beechworth_Fire_Newsletter_FINALAM_(2)_21551.pdf',
58 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-recall-black-saturday-for-police-probe-20090305-8p25.html',
59 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20121106143039/http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-recall-black-saturday-for-police-probe-20090305-8p25.html',
60 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-should-have-been-warned-to-leave-town-20090406-9u3t.html',
61 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090409064758/http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-should-have-been-warned-to-leave-town-20090406-9u3t.html',
62 => 'http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,27574,25024406-2862,00.html',
63 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090213044502/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,27574,25024406-2862,00.html',
64 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486078.htm',
65 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090212174030/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486078.htm',
66 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/winds-cause-nervous-moments-for-healesville-20090217-89gu.html',
67 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090219160428/http://www.theage.com.au/national/winds-cause-nervous-moments-for-healesville-20090217-89gu.html',
68 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/victorians-receive-fire-text-warning-20090302-8mfq.html',
69 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090303121100/http://www.theage.com.au/national/victorians-receive-fire-text-warning-20090302-8mfq.html',
70 => 'http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49445_news.html',
71 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090209073155/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49445_news.html',
72 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485609.htm?section=justin',
73 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090209112549/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485609.htm?section=justin',
74 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/death-toll-may-reach-more-than-40-police-20090207-80ao.html',
75 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090208072330/http://www.theage.com.au/national/death-toll-may-reach-more-than-40-police-20090207-80ao.html',
76 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090209073134/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49421_news.html',
77 => 'http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49421_news.html',
78 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090313151520/http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19190',
79 => 'http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19190',
80 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-23/judge-approves-black-saturday-class-action-settlement/5984374',
81 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150208221316/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-23/judge-approves-black-saturday-class-action-settlement/5984374',
82 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110706123119/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-001-0338',
83 => 'http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-001-0338',
84 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150924092239/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-003-0287',
85 => 'http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-003-0287',
86 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485378.htm',
87 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090209112921/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485378.htm',
88 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211143130/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25026480-2702,00.html',
89 => 'http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25026480-2702,00.html',
90 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/sickening-wait-for-proof-of-life-or-death-20090208-8112.html?page=2',
91 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211142434/http://www.theage.com.au/national/sickening-wait-for-proof-of-life-or-death-20090208-8112.html?page=2',
92 => 'http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51975_latest-news.html',
93 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120315123959/http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51975_latest-news.html',
94 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090224220055/http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/Yea-Murrundindi_MediaMap_20090208_0015_21109.pdf',
95 => 'http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/Yea-Murrundindi_MediaMap_20090208_0015_21109.pdf',
96 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/we-can-see-flames-people-stranded-in-yarra-glen-20090207-80e3.html',
97 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090209140340/http://www.theage.com.au/national/we-can-see-flames-people-stranded-in-yarra-glen-20090207-80e3.html',
98 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/arsonists-may-have-lit-marysville-fire-nixon-20090212-852y.html',
99 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094950/https://www.theage.com.au/national/arson-suspects-arrested-20090212-852y.html',
100 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/marysville-blaze-not-the-work-of-arsonist-20110625-1gkan.html',
101 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110628204827/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/marysville-blaze-not-the-work-of-arsonist-20110625-1gkan.html',
102 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485588.htm',
103 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090209112539/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485588.htm',
104 => 'http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25025982-2862,00.html',
105 => 'https://archive.today/20121231004421/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archives/old-news-pages/blaze-hit-with-little-warning/story-e6frf8zo-1111118794037',
106 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485547.htm',
107 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211163000/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485547.htm',
108 => 'http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/hundreds-battle-to-control-blazes/story-e6frf7jo-1111118804624',
109 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140322124845/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/hundreds-battle-to-control-blazes/story-e6frf7jo-1111118804624',
110 => 'http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation-weeps-as-toll-tops-166/story-e6frg6n6-1111118804823',
111 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090215011337/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/prisoners-help-fight-beechworth-blaze/1429502.aspx',
112 => 'http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/prisoners-help-fight-beechworth-blaze/1429502.aspx',
113 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487509.htm',
114 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090213064816/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487509.htm',
115 => 'http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/local/news/general/smoke-increases-with-beechworth-backburning/1429957.aspx',
116 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211211108/http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/local/news/general/smoke-increases-with-beechworth-backburning/1429957.aspx',
117 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485623.htm',
118 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090209222753/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485623.htm',
119 => 'http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/inferno-warning-cfa/1435265.aspx',
120 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120213003037/http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/inferno-warning-cfa/1435265.aspx',
121 => 'http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25025484-2862,00.html',
122 => 'https://archive.today/20121230150352/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archives/old-news-pages/the-man-up-the-road-is-on-fire/story-e6frf8zo-1111118793125',
123 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/fire-had-a-mind-of-its-own-like-a-beast-20090208-8115.html',
124 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211143240/http://www.theage.com.au/national/fire-had-a-mind-of-its-own-like-a-beast-20090208-8115.html',
125 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090118001216/http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/incident_updates.htm',
126 => 'http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/incident_updates.htm#1476708465993',
127 => 'http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/bendigo-battles-wall-of-flames/1427780.aspx',
128 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211085656/http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/bendigo-battles-wall-of-flames/1427780.aspx',
129 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090210111138/http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25027063-1243,00.html',
130 => 'http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25027063-1243,00.html',
131 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487050.htm',
132 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090212185307/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487050.htm',
133 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-bendigo-fatal-fire-arson-20090610-c2pw.html',
134 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20091212190754/http://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-bendigo-fatal-fire-arson-20090610-c2pw.html',
135 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/teens-charged-over-killer-bendigo-fire-on-black-saturday-20100202-na6u.html',
136 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20100406011406/http://www.theage.com.au/national/teens-charged-over-killer-bendigo-fire-on-black-saturday-20100202-na6u.html',
137 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20111107163011/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8370820/black-saturday-arson-case-discontinued',
138 => 'http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8370820/black-saturday-arson-case-discontinued',
139 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140331020948/http://crosslight.org.au/2009/03/02/five-minutes-and-its-fire/',
140 => 'http://crosslight.org.au/2009/03/02/five-minutes-and-its-fire/',
141 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140221195508/http://www.elliottmidnews.com.au/story/1731025/back-from-the-brink/',
142 => 'http://www.elliottmidnews.com.au/story/1731025/back-from-the-brink/',
143 => 'http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25015607-12377,00.html',
144 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/07/2484988.htm',
145 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090209155734/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/07/2484988.htm',
146 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090210143048/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25020249-12377,00.html',
147 => 'http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25020249-12377,00.html',
148 => 'http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25020330-12377,00.html',
149 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/inferno-terrorises-communities-as-it-rages-out-of-control-20090207-80fw.html',
150 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090210132444/http://www.theage.com.au/national/inferno-terrorises-communities-as-it-rages-out-of-control-20090207-80fw.html',
151 => 'http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51711_latest-news.html',
152 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090221034725/http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51711_latest-news.html',
153 => 'http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/towns-on-high-alert-as-winds-change/story-e6frf7jo-1111118796733',
154 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140322111824/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/towns-on-high-alert-as-winds-change/story-e6frf7jo-1111118796733',
155 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485733.htm',
156 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090210122727/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485733.htm',
157 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090212204101/http://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/blaze-claims-lives/1428488.aspx',
158 => 'http://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/blaze-claims-lives/1428488.aspx',
159 => 'https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/nine-confirmed-dead-in-gippsland-fires-still/287424',
160 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20201202065323/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/nine-confirmed-dead-in-gippsland-fires-still/287424',
161 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140330051237/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/commission-reports/final-report/volume-1/chapters/the-churchill-fire',
162 => 'http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/commission-reports/final-report/volume-1/chapters/the-churchill-fire',
163 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485646.htm',
164 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211150924/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485646.htm',
165 => 'https://archive.today/20110822020413/http://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/loy-yang-on-alert/1428502.aspx',
166 => 'http://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/loy-yang-on-alert/1428502.aspx',
167 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485927.htm',
168 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211161012/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485927.htm',
169 => 'http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49745_news.html',
170 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090212152755/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49745_news.html',
171 => 'http://www.news.com.au/news/towns-under-attack-as-fires-rage/story-fna7dq6e-1111118800360',
172 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20131027115706/http://www.news.com.au/news/towns-under-attack-as-fires-rage/story-fna7dq6e-1111118800360',
173 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-suspect-arrested-20090213-86o3.html',
174 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094943/https://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-suspect-charged-20090213-86o3.html',
175 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632703992.html',
176 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20100116075502/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632703992.html',
177 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-27/black-saturday-arsonist-sentenced-to-28holdholdhold29/3976564',
178 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20170314053912/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-27/black-saturday-arsonist-sentenced-to-28holdholdhold29/3976564',
179 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110928175315/http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/361096156/Article.aspx',
180 => 'http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/361096156/Article.aspx',
181 => 'http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25023951-662,00.html',
182 => 'https://archive.today/20121231003707/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/owners-flee-as-fires-gut-homes/story-e6frf7kx-1111118788735',
183 => 'http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bushfires-ravage-state/2009/02/07/1233423565321.html',
184 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211094350/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bushfires-ravage-state/2009/02/07/1233423565321.html',
185 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110706113405/http://dandenong-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/bunyip-fires-continue/',
186 => 'http://dandenong-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/bunyip-fires-continue/',
187 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/17/2493953.htm',
188 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090221005908/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/17/2493953.htm',
189 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486078.htm?section=australia',
190 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094926/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-09/tidal-river-camping-ground-evacuated-as-fire/288950',
191 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/national-park-at-forefront-of-backburning-debate-20090212-85iy.html',
192 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090215202216/http://www.theage.com.au/national/national-park-at-forefront-of-backburning-debate-20090212-85iy.html',
193 => 'https://archive.today/20121230111835/http://www.crikey.com.au/Bushfires/20090212-Parks-Victoria-use-the-fire-crisis-to-light-the-prom-again.html',
194 => 'http://www.crikey.com.au/Bushfires/20090212-Parks-Victoria-use-the-fire-crisis-to-light-the-prom-again.html',
195 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/12/2489694.htm',
196 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090215222633/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/12/2489694.htm',
197 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-threaten-yarra-valley-20090210-82m1.html',
198 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090212063639/http://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-threaten-yarra-valley-20090210-82m1.html',
199 => 'https://archive.today/20121230215716/http://www.theage.com.au/national/healesville-fire-threat-downgraded-20090210-82ur.html',
200 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/healesville-fire-threat-downgraded-20090210-82ur.html',
201 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/02/08/2485469.htm',
202 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20121108210447/http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/02/08/2485469.htm',
203 => 'http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25025676-2862,00.html',
204 => 'https://archive.today/20121230180027/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/its-frightening-in-the-firing-line/story-e6frf7kx-1111118793625',
205 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211152700/http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/haven-school-hall-general-store-saved/1427514.aspx',
206 => 'http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/haven-school-hall-general-store-saved/1427514.aspx',
207 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/molly-flees-the-scene-of-61-good-years-in-a-cab-20090208-8117.html',
208 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211142417/http://www.theage.com.au/national/molly-flees-the-scene-of-61-good-years-in-a-cab-20090208-8117.html',
209 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110314181415/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/2d57334a-d7a3-41fd-a469-04891009875e/SUBM-202-006-0001',
210 => 'http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/2d57334a-d7a3-41fd-a469-04891009875e/SUBM-202-006-0001',
211 => 'http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/man-badly-burnt-when-wind-gust-changes-blaze-direction/1427877.aspx',
212 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20091022222401/http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/man-badly-burnt-when-wind-gust-changes-blaze-direction/1427877.aspx',
213 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090212123437/http://www.borderwatch.com.au/archives/2307',
214 => 'http://www.borderwatch.com.au/archives/2307',
215 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/09/2510820.htm',
216 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094927/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-03-09/bushfire-burns-victim-takes-first-steps-in-recovery/1612584',
217 => 'https://archive.today/20121231080137/http://www.vline.com.au/media/news/MediaReleases/167160954/Article.aspx',
218 => 'http://www.vline.com.au/media/news/MediaReleases/167160954/Article.aspx',
219 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487383.htm?site=southwestvic',
220 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20121112115111/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487383.htm?site=southwestvic',
221 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120314012913/http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/1619813874/Article.aspx',
222 => 'http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/1619813874/Article.aspx',
223 => 'http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/breaking-news-fire-races-through-pombo/1427768.aspx',
224 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090212190204/http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/breaking-news-fire-races-through-pombo/1427768.aspx',
225 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090516031620/http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/NewsRoom/BushFiresRoadClosures/',
226 => 'http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/NewsRoom/BushFiresRoadClosures/',
227 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/emotional-premier-gives-fire-warning-20090208-80n3.html',
228 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094922/https://www.theage.com.au/national/10-million-government-fund-for-bushfire-victims-20090208-80n3.html',
229 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090210115638/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25031605-662,00.html',
230 => 'http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25031605-662,00.html',
231 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090930133323/http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19541',
232 => 'http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10556104',
233 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20121020063650/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10556104',
234 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/arson-suspects-arrested-20090212-852y.html',
235 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090213065608/http://www.theage.com.au/national/arson-suspects-arrested-20090212-852y.html',
236 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-accused-fails-to-face-court-20090216-88bq.html',
237 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090217025530/http://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-accused-fails-to-face-court-20090216-88bq.html',
238 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090218080339/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632703992.html',
239 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/17/1234632787036.html',
240 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090219012633/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/17/1234632787036.html',
241 => 'http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/accused-arsonists-ex-harassed/story-e6frg6n6-1111118877151',
242 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140225040248/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/accused-arsonists-ex-harassed/story-e6frg6n6-1111118877151',
243 => 'http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/looters-move-in-to-rob-the-dead/story-e6frf7jo-1111118813856',
244 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140322101806/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/looters-move-in-to-rob-the-dead/story-e6frf7jo-1111118813856',
245 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/13/2490280.htm?section=justin',
246 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094928/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-13/alleged-looters-charged-in-bushfire-aftermath/293976',
247 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486489.htm?section=justin',
248 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090212071911/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486489.htm?section=justin',
249 => 'http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25029098-5001021,00.html',
250 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090210103658/http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25029098-5001021,00.html',
251 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/missing-may-lift-death-toll-to-240-20090225-8hy7.html',
252 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090228072343/http://www.theage.com.au/national/missing-may-lift-death-toll-to-240-20090225-8hy7.html',
253 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/victorian-bushfires-death-toll-slashed-to-173-20090330-9g9s.html',
254 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094953/https://www.theage.com.au/national/bushfires-toll-cut-to-173-police-suggest-mass-funeral-for-unidentified-20141112-9g9s.html',
255 => 'https://archive.today/20121230171906/http://www.theage.com.au/national/identity-may-not-be-possible-for-all-20090210-83kb.html',
256 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/identity-may-not-be-possible-for-all-20090210-83kb.html',
257 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090212165833/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25037227-26103,00.html',
258 => 'http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25037227-26103,00.html',
259 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-intensity-leaves-no-trace-of-victims-20090215-886b.html',
260 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090217031118/http://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-intensity-leaves-no-trace-of-victims-20090215-886b.html',
261 => 'http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49501_news.html',
262 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120311061848/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49501_news.html',
263 => 'http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25026070-661,00.html',
264 => 'https://archive.today/20121230130349/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archives/old-news-pages/tv-legend-found-dead/story-e6frf8zo-1111118794286',
265 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090214191252/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25038335-5013404,00.html',
266 => 'http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25038335-5013404,00.html',
267 => 'https://archive.today/20120703165536/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25042616-5006785,00.html',
268 => 'http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25042616-5006785,00.html',
269 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20131019173953/http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=20350',
270 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090215190817/http://news.ert.gr/en/world/news/18807-ena-zeygari-ellinon-metaksy-ton-thymaton-tis-fotias-sti-biktoria-tis-aystralias.htm',
271 => 'http://news.ert.gr/en/world/news/18807-ena-zeygari-ellinon-metaksy-ton-thymaton-tis-fotias-sti-biktoria-tis-aystralias.htm',
272 => 'http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/black-saturday-inquiry-hears-of-victims-last-calls/story-e6frg6of-1225794498802',
273 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20130530064738/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/black-saturday-inquiry-hears-of-victims-last-calls/story-e6frg6of-1225794498802',
274 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20160602212754/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=439109&publicationSubCategoryId=200',
275 => 'http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=439109&publicationSubCategoryId=200',
276 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110707010413/http://www.chilesomostodos.gov.cl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=527&Itemid=7',
277 => 'http://www.chilesomostodos.gov.cl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=527&Itemid=7',
278 => 'http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/1396780',
279 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090422111052/http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/1396780',
280 => 'http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/84455/British-family-s-grief-over-bushfire-victims',
281 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120128102957/http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/84455/British-family-s-grief-over-bushfire-victims',
282 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/dead-firefighter-professional-with-young-family-20090218-8aol.html',
283 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110628183708/http://www.theage.com.au/national/dead-firefighter-professional-with-young-family-20090218-8aol.html',
284 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-data-reveals-where-victims-died-20090528-borp.html',
285 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090529100226/http://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-data-reveals-where-victims-died-20090528-borp.html',
286 => 'http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2009/11/the-australian-%22black-saturday%22-bushfires-of-2009/',
287 => 'http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/black-saturday-fires-had-power-of-1500-a-bombs/story-e6frg6nf-1225714533980',
288 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110711232035/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/black-saturday-fires-had-power-of-1500-a-bombs/story-e6frg6nf-1225714533980',
289 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/black-saturday-cost-44-billion-20100801-11116.html',
290 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110628185757/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/black-saturday-cost-44-billion-20100801-11116.html',
291 => 'http://www.diird.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/121581/Black-Saturday.pdf',
292 => 'http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/telco-says-its-ready-for-the-next-black-saturday/story-e6frgakx-1225805505764',
293 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090911235725/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/PF-Chapters/Chapter1_PF.pdf',
294 => 'http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/PF-Chapters/Chapter1_PF.pdf',
295 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090910093356/http://mag.alumni.unimelb.edu.au/major-feature/responding-tragedy',
296 => 'http://mag.alumni.unimelb.edu.au/major-feature/responding-tragedy',
297 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090914125600/http://manningham-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/pilot-project-manningham-council-is-mapping-our-fire-hotspots/',
298 => 'http://manningham-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/pilot-project-manningham-council-is-mapping-our-fire-hotspots/',
299 => 'http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=873',
300 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110706123231/http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=873',
301 => 'https://archive.today/20090215064620/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hn9MswZT1UDQOM4JFexha4JktfeQD969HIS80',
302 => 'https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hn9MswZT1UDQOM4JFexha4JktfeQD969HIS80',
303 => 'http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=95950',
304 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120405140432/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=95950',
305 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/dash-to-save-melbournes-drinking-water-20090217-89wm.html',
306 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090221000233/http://www.theage.com.au/national/dash-to-save-melbournes-drinking-water-20090217-89wm.html',
307 => 'http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/vic-bushfires-may-affect-water-supplies-20090217-89zb.html',
308 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090218075849/http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/vic-bushfires-may-affect-water-supplies-20090217-89zb.html',
309 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/28/2583676.htm',
310 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20091213104147/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/28/2583676.htm',
311 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/recovery-a-painfully-slow-path-20110206-1aigz.html',
312 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110210211234/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/recovery-a-painfully-slow-path-20110206-1aigz.html',
313 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/huge-fire-class-action-launched-20090214-87pg.html?page=-1',
314 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090218081252/http://www.theage.com.au/national/huge-fire-class-action-launched-20090214-87pg.html?page=-1',
315 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20100623001848/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/1072983/hundreds-sign-for-bushfire-class-action',
316 => 'http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/1072983/hundreds-sign-for-bushfire-class-action',
317 => 'https://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/for-the-media/media-releases/court-approves-distribution-of-almost-700m-in-2009-black-saturday',
318 => 'https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28305127',
319 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150216082200/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28305127',
320 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-15/black-saturday-bushfire-survivors-secure-record-payout/5597062',
321 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150216101154/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-15/black-saturday-bushfire-survivors-secure-record-payout/5597062',
322 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150206070754/http://www.marysvillecommunity.net/index.php/kilmore-east-kinglake-bushfire-class-action/98-record-settlement-in-black-saturday-bushfires-class-action.html',
323 => 'http://www.marysvillecommunity.net/index.php/kilmore-east-kinglake-bushfire-class-action/98-record-settlement-in-black-saturday-bushfires-class-action.html',
324 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-06/class-action-over-marysville-black-saturday-bushfire-reached/6071068',
325 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150210080239/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-06/class-action-over-marysville-black-saturday-bushfire-reached/6071068',
326 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-07/victims-of--black-saturday-fire-launch-class-action/4181682',
327 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150216095533/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-07/victims-of--black-saturday-fire-launch-class-action/4181682',
328 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/forest-strategies-questioned-20090209-82d7.html?page=-1',
329 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090214024137/http://www.theage.com.au/national/forest-strategies-questioned-20090209-82d7.html?page=-1',
330 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211064832/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032778-5006784,00.html',
331 => 'http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032778-5006784,00.html',
332 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486729.htm',
333 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090210123639/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486729.htm',
334 => 'http://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria-looks-at-changes-to-building-standards-20090215-887t.html?skin=text-only',
335 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20121104014652/http://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria-looks-at-changes-to-building-standards-20090215-887t.html?skin=text-only',
336 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090219142939/http://standards.org.au/downloads/091002_Bushfire_Standard_Statement_FINAL.pdf',
337 => 'http://www.standards.org.au/downloads/091002_Bushfire_Standard_Statement_FINAL.pdf',
338 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110328120453/http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/planning-policy-and-projects/bushfire-planning-and-building-resource',
339 => 'http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/planning-policy-and-projects/bushfire-planning-and-building-resource',
340 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110405075215/http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/www/html/2436-publications-and-fact-sheets.asp',
341 => 'http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/www/html/2436-publications-and-fact-sheets.asp',
342 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20180313112305/http://www.vba.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/40583/Guide-to-building-in-Victoria-after-bushfires.pdf',
343 => 'http://www.vba.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/40583/Guide-to-building-in-Victoria-after-bushfires.pdf',
344 => 'http://www.smh.com.au/national/foolhardy-to-set-building-code-that-underestimates-heat-of-fires-20090211-84r4.html?page=-1',
345 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090221034418/http://www.smh.com.au/national/foolhardy-to-set-building-code-that-underestimates-heat-of-fires-20090211-84r4.html?page=-1',
346 => 'http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/ban-development-in-fire-prone-areas-experts-tell-royal-commission/story-e6frg6nf-1225830521084',
347 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110504034232/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/ban-development-in-fire-prone-areas-experts-tell-royal-commission/story-e6frg6nf-1225830521084',
348 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/15/2819672.htm',
349 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110121124559/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/15/2819672.htm',
350 => 'http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19541',
351 => 'http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=20350',
352 => 'https://iview.abc.net.au/video/NC1584H001S00',
353 => 'https://www.google.com/search?as_eq=wikipedia&q=%22Black+Saturday+bushfires%22',
354 => 'https://www.google.com/search?tbm=nws&q=%22Black+Saturday+bushfires%22+-wikipedia&tbs=ar:1',
355 => 'https://www.google.com/search?&q=%22Black+Saturday+bushfires%22&tbs=bkt:s&tbm=bks',
356 => 'https://www.google.com/search?tbs=bks:1&q=%22Black+Saturday+bushfires%22+-wikipedia',
357 => 'https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=%22Black+Saturday+bushfires%22',
358 => 'https://www.jstor.org/action/doBasicSearch?Query=%22Black+Saturday+bushfires%22&acc=on&wc=on',
359 => 'https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Black_Saturday_bushfires¶ms=37_34_51.7_S_141_38_28.8_E_type:event',
360 => 'https://books.google.com/books?id=4YFlDwAAQBAJ',
361 => 'https://books.google.com/books?id=KZApBgAAQBAJ',
362 => 'https://books.google.com/books?id=ms0KwQEACAAJ',
363 => 'http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/',
364 => 'https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=black+saturday+bushfires&aq=f',
365 => 'https://www.youtube.com/user/cfavic#grid/user/B3D49B5C05D0FE0E',
366 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/anatomy-of-a-firestorm-20090225-8hvi.html?page=-1',
367 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/2009/02/08/1234027828219.html',
368 => 'http://mp3.news.com.au/hwt/Victoria_fire/index.html',
369 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/special_eds/20090427/fires2/',
370 => 'http://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/content.php?pid=36394&sid=267991',
371 => 'https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2013QJRMS.139..585E',
372 => 'https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fqj.1986',
373 => 'https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:123623810'
] |
Links in the page, before the edit (old_links) | [
0 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/black-saturday-cost-44-billion-20100801-11116.html',
1 => 'http://manningham-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/pilot-project-manningham-council-is-mapping-our-fire-hotspots/',
2 => 'http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=873',
3 => 'https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hn9MswZT1UDQOM4JFexha4JktfeQD969HIS80',
4 => 'http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=95950',
5 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120405140432/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=95950',
6 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/dash-to-save-melbournes-drinking-water-20090217-89wm.html',
7 => 'http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/vic-bushfires-may-affect-water-supplies-20090217-89zb.html',
8 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/28/2583676.htm',
9 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/recovery-a-painfully-slow-path-20110206-1aigz.html',
10 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/huge-fire-class-action-launched-20090214-87pg.html?page=-1',
11 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20100623001848/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/1072983/hundreds-sign-for-bushfire-class-action',
12 => 'http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/1072983/hundreds-sign-for-bushfire-class-action',
13 => 'https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28305127',
14 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/forest-strategies-questioned-20090209-82d7.html?page=-1',
15 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211064832/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032778-5006784,00.html',
16 => 'http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032778-5006784,00.html',
17 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486729.htm',
18 => 'http://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria-looks-at-changes-to-building-standards-20090215-887t.html?skin=text-only',
19 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090219142939/http://standards.org.au/downloads/091002_Bushfire_Standard_Statement_FINAL.pdf',
20 => 'http://www.standards.org.au/downloads/091002_Bushfire_Standard_Statement_FINAL.pdf',
21 => 'http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/planning-policy-and-projects/bushfire-planning-and-building-resource',
22 => 'http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/www/html/2436-publications-and-fact-sheets.asp',
23 => 'http://www.vba.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/40583/Guide-to-building-in-Victoria-after-bushfires.pdf',
24 => 'http://www.smh.com.au/national/foolhardy-to-set-building-code-that-underestimates-heat-of-fires-20090211-84r4.html?page=-1',
25 => 'http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/ban-development-in-fire-prone-areas-experts-tell-royal-commission/story-e6frg6nf-1225830521084',
26 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/15/2819672.htm',
27 => 'http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/',
28 => 'https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=black+saturday+bushfires&aq=f',
29 => 'https://www.youtube.com/user/cfavic#grid/user/B3D49B5C05D0FE0E',
30 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/anatomy-of-a-firestorm-20090225-8hvi.html?page=-1',
31 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/2009/02/08/1234027828219.html',
32 => 'http://mp3.news.com.au/hwt/Victoria_fire/index.html',
33 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/special_eds/20090427/fires2/',
34 => 'http://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/content.php?pid=36394&sid=267991',
35 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090914125600/http://manningham-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/pilot-project-manningham-council-is-mapping-our-fire-hotspots/',
36 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110405075215/http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/www/html/2436-publications-and-fact-sheets.asp',
37 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110328120453/http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/planning-policy-and-projects/bushfire-planning-and-building-resource',
38 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20180313112305/http://www.vba.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/40583/Guide-to-building-in-Victoria-after-bushfires.pdf',
39 => 'https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2013QJRMS.139..585E',
40 => 'http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Finaldocuments/volume-1/PF/VBRC_Vol1_Chapter05_PF.pdf',
41 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-fire-deliberately-lit-police-20090401-9j39.html',
42 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090213044555/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032884-2702,00.html',
43 => 'http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032884-2702,00.html',
44 => 'http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/191_01_060709/cam10194_fm.html',
45 => 'http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/01/29/47075_latest-news.html',
46 => 'http://berwick.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/battle-to-control-bunyip-state-park-blaze/1432527.aspx',
47 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/innovation/blacksaturday/#/timeline/sequence/chapter/1/showid/0000271',
48 => 'http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25043261-662,00.html',
49 => 'http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/horsham-fire-the-latest-report/1427805.aspx',
50 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20100517022420/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009',
51 => 'http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009',
52 => 'http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/how-the-battle-for-victoria-was-fought-and-lost/story-e6frg6n6-1111118847125',
53 => 'http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/cigarette-butt-blamed-for-towns-losses/story-e6frg6n6-1111118795113',
54 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090224220121/http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/130209_Beechworth_Fire_Newsletter_FINALAM_(2)_21551.pdf',
55 => 'http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/130209_Beechworth_Fire_Newsletter_FINALAM_(2)_21551.pdf',
56 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-recall-black-saturday-for-police-probe-20090305-8p25.html',
57 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-should-have-been-warned-to-leave-town-20090406-9u3t.html',
58 => 'http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,27574,25024406-2862,00.html',
59 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486078.htm',
60 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/winds-cause-nervous-moments-for-healesville-20090217-89gu.html',
61 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/victorians-receive-fire-text-warning-20090302-8mfq.html',
62 => 'http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49445_news.html',
63 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485609.htm?section=justin',
64 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/death-toll-may-reach-more-than-40-police-20090207-80ao.html',
65 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090209073134/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49421_news.html',
66 => 'http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49421_news.html',
67 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090313151520/http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19190',
68 => 'http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19190',
69 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-23/judge-approves-black-saturday-class-action-settlement/5984374',
70 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-15/black-saturday-bushfire-survivors-secure-record-payout/5597062',
71 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150206070754/http://www.marysvillecommunity.net/index.php/kilmore-east-kinglake-bushfire-class-action/98-record-settlement-in-black-saturday-bushfires-class-action.html',
72 => 'http://www.marysvillecommunity.net/index.php/kilmore-east-kinglake-bushfire-class-action/98-record-settlement-in-black-saturday-bushfires-class-action.html',
73 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110706123119/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-001-0338',
74 => 'http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-001-0338',
75 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150924092239/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-003-0287',
76 => 'http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-003-0287',
77 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485378.htm',
78 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211143130/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25026480-2702,00.html',
79 => 'http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25026480-2702,00.html',
80 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/sickening-wait-for-proof-of-life-or-death-20090208-8112.html?page=2',
81 => 'http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51975_latest-news.html',
82 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090224220055/http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/Yea-Murrundindi_MediaMap_20090208_0015_21109.pdf',
83 => 'http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/Yea-Murrundindi_MediaMap_20090208_0015_21109.pdf',
84 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/we-can-see-flames-people-stranded-in-yarra-glen-20090207-80e3.html',
85 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/arsonists-may-have-lit-marysville-fire-nixon-20090212-852y.html',
86 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/marysville-blaze-not-the-work-of-arsonist-20110625-1gkan.html',
87 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-06/class-action-over-marysville-black-saturday-bushfire-reached/6071068',
88 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-07/victims-of--black-saturday-fire-launch-class-action/4181682',
89 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485588.htm',
90 => 'http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25025982-2862,00.html',
91 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485547.htm',
92 => 'http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/hundreds-battle-to-control-blazes/story-e6frf7jo-1111118804624',
93 => 'http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation-weeps-as-toll-tops-166/story-e6frg6n6-1111118804823',
94 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090215011337/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/prisoners-help-fight-beechworth-blaze/1429502.aspx',
95 => 'http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/prisoners-help-fight-beechworth-blaze/1429502.aspx',
96 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487509.htm',
97 => 'http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/local/news/general/smoke-increases-with-beechworth-backburning/1429957.aspx',
98 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485623.htm',
99 => 'http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/inferno-warning-cfa/1435265.aspx',
100 => 'http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25025484-2862,00.html',
101 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/fire-had-a-mind-of-its-own-like-a-beast-20090208-8115.html',
102 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090118001216/http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/incident_updates.htm',
103 => 'http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/incident_updates.htm#1476708465993',
104 => 'http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/bendigo-battles-wall-of-flames/1427780.aspx',
105 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090210111138/http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25027063-1243,00.html',
106 => 'http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25027063-1243,00.html',
107 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487050.htm',
108 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-bendigo-fatal-fire-arson-20090610-c2pw.html',
109 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/teens-charged-over-killer-bendigo-fire-on-black-saturday-20100202-na6u.html',
110 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20111107163011/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8370820/black-saturday-arson-case-discontinued',
111 => 'http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8370820/black-saturday-arson-case-discontinued',
112 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140331020948/http://crosslight.org.au/2009/03/02/five-minutes-and-its-fire/',
113 => 'http://crosslight.org.au/2009/03/02/five-minutes-and-its-fire/',
114 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140221195508/http://www.elliottmidnews.com.au/story/1731025/back-from-the-brink/',
115 => 'http://www.elliottmidnews.com.au/story/1731025/back-from-the-brink/',
116 => 'http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25015607-12377,00.html',
117 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/07/2484988.htm',
118 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090210143048/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25020249-12377,00.html',
119 => 'http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25020249-12377,00.html',
120 => 'http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25020330-12377,00.html',
121 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/inferno-terrorises-communities-as-it-rages-out-of-control-20090207-80fw.html',
122 => 'http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51711_latest-news.html',
123 => 'http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/towns-on-high-alert-as-winds-change/story-e6frf7jo-1111118796733',
124 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485733.htm',
125 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485646.htm',
126 => 'http://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/loy-yang-on-alert/1428502.aspx',
127 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485927.htm',
128 => 'http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49745_news.html',
129 => 'http://www.news.com.au/news/towns-under-attack-as-fires-rage/story-fna7dq6e-1111118800360',
130 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-suspect-arrested-20090213-86o3.html',
131 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632703992.html',
132 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-27/black-saturday-arsonist-sentenced-to-28holdholdhold29/3976564',
133 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110928175315/http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/361096156/Article.aspx',
134 => 'http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/361096156/Article.aspx',
135 => 'http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25023951-662,00.html',
136 => 'http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bushfires-ravage-state/2009/02/07/1233423565321.html',
137 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110706113405/http://dandenong-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/bunyip-fires-continue/',
138 => 'http://dandenong-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/bunyip-fires-continue/',
139 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/17/2493953.htm',
140 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486078.htm?section=australia',
141 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/national-park-at-forefront-of-backburning-debate-20090212-85iy.html',
142 => 'http://www.crikey.com.au/Bushfires/20090212-Parks-Victoria-use-the-fire-crisis-to-light-the-prom-again.html',
143 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/12/2489694.htm',
144 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-threaten-yarra-valley-20090210-82m1.html',
145 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/healesville-fire-threat-downgraded-20090210-82ur.html',
146 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/02/08/2485469.htm',
147 => 'http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25025676-2862,00.html',
148 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211152700/http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/haven-school-hall-general-store-saved/1427514.aspx',
149 => 'http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/haven-school-hall-general-store-saved/1427514.aspx',
150 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/molly-flees-the-scene-of-61-good-years-in-a-cab-20090208-8117.html',
151 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110314181415/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/2d57334a-d7a3-41fd-a469-04891009875e/SUBM-202-006-0001',
152 => 'http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/2d57334a-d7a3-41fd-a469-04891009875e/SUBM-202-006-0001',
153 => 'http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/man-badly-burnt-when-wind-gust-changes-blaze-direction/1427877.aspx',
154 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090212123437/http://www.borderwatch.com.au/archives/2307',
155 => 'http://www.borderwatch.com.au/archives/2307',
156 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/09/2510820.htm',
157 => 'http://www.vline.com.au/media/news/MediaReleases/167160954/Article.aspx',
158 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487383.htm?site=southwestvic',
159 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120314012913/http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/1619813874/Article.aspx',
160 => 'http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/1619813874/Article.aspx',
161 => 'http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/breaking-news-fire-races-through-pombo/1427768.aspx',
162 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090516031620/http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/NewsRoom/BushFiresRoadClosures/',
163 => 'http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/NewsRoom/BushFiresRoadClosures/',
164 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/emotional-premier-gives-fire-warning-20090208-80n3.html',
165 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090210115638/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25031605-662,00.html',
166 => 'http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25031605-662,00.html',
167 => 'http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10556104',
168 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/arson-suspects-arrested-20090212-852y.html',
169 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-accused-fails-to-face-court-20090216-88bq.html',
170 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/17/1234632787036.html',
171 => 'http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/accused-arsonists-ex-harassed/story-e6frg6n6-1111118877151',
172 => 'http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/looters-move-in-to-rob-the-dead/story-e6frf7jo-1111118813856',
173 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/13/2490280.htm?section=justin',
174 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486489.htm?section=justin',
175 => 'http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25029098-5001021,00.html',
176 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/missing-may-lift-death-toll-to-240-20090225-8hy7.html',
177 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/victorian-bushfires-death-toll-slashed-to-173-20090330-9g9s.html',
178 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/identity-may-not-be-possible-for-all-20090210-83kb.html',
179 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090212165833/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25037227-26103,00.html',
180 => 'http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25037227-26103,00.html',
181 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-intensity-leaves-no-trace-of-victims-20090215-886b.html',
182 => 'http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49501_news.html',
183 => 'http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25026070-661,00.html',
184 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090214191252/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25038335-5013404,00.html',
185 => 'http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25038335-5013404,00.html',
186 => 'http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25042616-5006785,00.html',
187 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090215190817/http://news.ert.gr/en/world/news/18807-ena-zeygari-ellinon-metaksy-ton-thymaton-tis-fotias-sti-biktoria-tis-aystralias.htm',
188 => 'http://news.ert.gr/en/world/news/18807-ena-zeygari-ellinon-metaksy-ton-thymaton-tis-fotias-sti-biktoria-tis-aystralias.htm',
189 => 'http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/black-saturday-inquiry-hears-of-victims-last-calls/story-e6frg6of-1225794498802',
190 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20160602212754/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=439109&publicationSubCategoryId=200',
191 => 'http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=439109&publicationSubCategoryId=200',
192 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110707010413/http://www.chilesomostodos.gov.cl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=527&Itemid=7',
193 => 'http://www.chilesomostodos.gov.cl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=527&Itemid=7',
194 => 'http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/1396780',
195 => 'http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/84455/British-family-s-grief-over-bushfire-victims',
196 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/dead-firefighter-professional-with-young-family-20090218-8aol.html',
197 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-data-reveals-where-victims-died-20090528-borp.html',
198 => 'http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/black-saturday-fires-had-power-of-1500-a-bombs/story-e6frg6nf-1225714533980',
199 => 'http://www.diird.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/121581/Black-Saturday.pdf',
200 => 'http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/telco-says-its-ready-for-the-next-black-saturday/story-e6frgakx-1225805505764',
201 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090911235725/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/PF-Chapters/Chapter1_PF.pdf',
202 => 'http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/PF-Chapters/Chapter1_PF.pdf',
203 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090910093356/http://mag.alumni.unimelb.edu.au/major-feature/responding-tragedy',
204 => 'http://mag.alumni.unimelb.edu.au/major-feature/responding-tragedy',
205 => 'http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19541',
206 => 'http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=20350',
207 => 'https://books.google.com/books?id=ms0KwQEACAAJ',
208 => 'https://books.google.com/books?id=4YFlDwAAQBAJ',
209 => 'http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0212/1233867933059.html',
210 => 'http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/lightning-starts-new-bushfires-in-grampians/287662',
211 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20190927004504/https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/black-saturday',
212 => 'https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/black-saturday',
213 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20190416151401/https://theconversation.com/what-has-australia-learned-from-black-saturday-111245',
214 => 'https://theconversation.com/what-has-australia-learned-from-black-saturday-111245',
215 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20190520081804/https://www.vic.gov.au/2009-bushfires',
216 => 'https://www.vic.gov.au/2009-bushfires',
217 => 'http://www.smh.com.au/national/horrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html',
218 => 'http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/finaldocuments/summary/PF/VBRC_Summary_PF.pdf',
219 => 'http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs17d.pdf',
220 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/city-swelters-records-tumble-in-heat-20090207-80ai.html',
221 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/worst-day-in-history-brumby-warns-of-fire-danger-20090206-7zf1.html',
222 => 'https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5cef8359d07b4b6984905c349f832af1',
223 => 'https://www.themonthly.com.au/monthly-essays-robert-manne-why-we-weren-t-warned-victorian-bushfires-and-royal-commission-1780',
224 => 'https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/heat-records-smashed-ahead-of-hottest-day-since-black-saturday-20190125-p50tj1.html',
225 => 'http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2009/02/bushfires-and-climate/#more-654',
226 => 'https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-04-23/power-company-faces-class-action-over-black/1660796',
227 => 'http://www.theage.com.au/national/the-trail-of-destruction--and-the-outlook-20090209-814n.html?page=fullpage',
228 => 'https://www.jstor.org/action/doBasicSearch?Query=%22Black+Saturday+bushfires%22&acc=on&wc=on',
229 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090213204825/http://www.smh.com.au/national/horrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html',
230 => 'https://books.google.com/books?id=KZApBgAAQBAJ',
231 => 'https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/nine-confirmed-dead-in-gippsland-fires-still/287424',
232 => 'http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/commission-reports/final-report/volume-1/chapters/the-churchill-fire',
233 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20121009125342/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0212/1233867933059.html',
234 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015122/http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Finaldocuments/volume-1/PF/VBRC_Vol1_Chapter05_PF.pdf',
235 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20170907102348/http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-fire-deliberately-lit-police-20090401-9j39.html',
236 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20200807222753/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/lightning-starts-new-bushfires-in-grampians/287662',
237 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110606125345/http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/191_01_060709/cam10194_fm.html',
238 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20190227233416/http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/finaldocuments/summary/PF/VBRC_Summary_PF.pdf',
239 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20160913022711/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs17d.pdf',
240 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090208073446/http://www.theage.com.au/national/city-swelters-records-tumble-in-heat-20090207-80ai.html',
241 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090209100743/http://www.theage.com.au/national/worst-day-in-history-brumby-warns-of-fire-danger-20090206-7zf1.html',
242 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094949/https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5cef8359d07b4b6984905c349f832af1',
243 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20200402010643/https://www.themonthly.com.au/monthly-essays-robert-manne-why-we-weren-t-warned-victorian-bushfires-and-royal-commission-1780',
244 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20191019134708/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/heat-records-smashed-ahead-of-hottest-day-since-black-saturday-20190125-p50tj1.html',
245 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090219171149/http://realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2009/02/bushfires-and-climate#more-654',
246 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20180416090152/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-04-23/power-company-faces-class-action-over-black/1660796',
247 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090215154148/http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/01/29/47075_latest-news.html',
248 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20091004221626/http://abc.net.au/innovation/blacksaturday/#/timeline/sequence/chapter/1/showid/0000271',
249 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20121103003239/http://www.theage.com.au/national/the-trail-of-destruction--and-the-outlook-20090209-814n.html?page=fullpage',
250 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140331025837/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/how-the-battle-for-victoria-was-fought-and-lost/story-e6frg6n6-1111118847125',
251 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20121106143039/http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-recall-black-saturday-for-police-probe-20090305-8p25.html',
252 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090409064758/http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-should-have-been-warned-to-leave-town-20090406-9u3t.html',
253 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090213044502/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,27574,25024406-2862,00.html',
254 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090212174030/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486078.htm',
255 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090219160428/http://www.theage.com.au/national/winds-cause-nervous-moments-for-healesville-20090217-89gu.html',
256 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090303121100/http://www.theage.com.au/national/victorians-receive-fire-text-warning-20090302-8mfq.html',
257 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090209073155/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49445_news.html',
258 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090209112549/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485609.htm?section=justin',
259 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090208072330/http://www.theage.com.au/national/death-toll-may-reach-more-than-40-police-20090207-80ao.html',
260 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150208221316/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-23/judge-approves-black-saturday-class-action-settlement/5984374',
261 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150216101154/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-15/black-saturday-bushfire-survivors-secure-record-payout/5597062',
262 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090209112921/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485378.htm',
263 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211142434/http://www.theage.com.au/national/sickening-wait-for-proof-of-life-or-death-20090208-8112.html?page=2',
264 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120315123959/http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51975_latest-news.html',
265 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090209140340/http://www.theage.com.au/national/we-can-see-flames-people-stranded-in-yarra-glen-20090207-80e3.html',
266 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094950/https://www.theage.com.au/national/arson-suspects-arrested-20090212-852y.html',
267 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110628204827/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/marysville-blaze-not-the-work-of-arsonist-20110625-1gkan.html',
268 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150210080239/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-06/class-action-over-marysville-black-saturday-bushfire-reached/6071068',
269 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150216095533/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-07/victims-of--black-saturday-fire-launch-class-action/4181682',
270 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090209112539/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485588.htm',
271 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211163000/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485547.htm',
272 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140322124845/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/hundreds-battle-to-control-blazes/story-e6frf7jo-1111118804624',
273 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090213064816/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487509.htm',
274 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211211108/http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/local/news/general/smoke-increases-with-beechworth-backburning/1429957.aspx',
275 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090209222753/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485623.htm',
276 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120213003037/http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/inferno-warning-cfa/1435265.aspx',
277 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211143240/http://www.theage.com.au/national/fire-had-a-mind-of-its-own-like-a-beast-20090208-8115.html',
278 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211085656/http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/bendigo-battles-wall-of-flames/1427780.aspx',
279 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090212185307/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487050.htm',
280 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20091212190754/http://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-bendigo-fatal-fire-arson-20090610-c2pw.html',
281 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20100406011406/http://www.theage.com.au/national/teens-charged-over-killer-bendigo-fire-on-black-saturday-20100202-na6u.html',
282 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090209155734/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/07/2484988.htm',
283 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090210132444/http://www.theage.com.au/national/inferno-terrorises-communities-as-it-rages-out-of-control-20090207-80fw.html',
284 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090221034725/http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51711_latest-news.html',
285 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140322111824/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/towns-on-high-alert-as-winds-change/story-e6frf7jo-1111118796733',
286 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090210122727/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485733.htm',
287 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20201202065323/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/nine-confirmed-dead-in-gippsland-fires-still/287424',
288 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140330051237/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/commission-reports/final-report/volume-1/chapters/the-churchill-fire',
289 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211150924/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485646.htm',
290 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211161012/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485927.htm',
291 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090212152755/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49745_news.html',
292 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20131027115706/http://www.news.com.au/news/towns-under-attack-as-fires-rage/story-fna7dq6e-1111118800360',
293 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094943/https://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-suspect-charged-20090213-86o3.html',
294 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20100116075502/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632703992.html',
295 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20170314053912/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-27/black-saturday-arsonist-sentenced-to-28holdholdhold29/3976564',
296 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211094350/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bushfires-ravage-state/2009/02/07/1233423565321.html',
297 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090221005908/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/17/2493953.htm',
298 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094926/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-09/tidal-river-camping-ground-evacuated-as-fire/288950',
299 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090215202216/http://www.theage.com.au/national/national-park-at-forefront-of-backburning-debate-20090212-85iy.html',
300 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090215222633/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/12/2489694.htm',
301 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090212063639/http://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-threaten-yarra-valley-20090210-82m1.html',
302 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20121108210447/http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/02/08/2485469.htm',
303 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090211142417/http://www.theage.com.au/national/molly-flees-the-scene-of-61-good-years-in-a-cab-20090208-8117.html',
304 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20091022222401/http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/man-badly-burnt-when-wind-gust-changes-blaze-direction/1427877.aspx',
305 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094927/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-03-09/bushfire-burns-victim-takes-first-steps-in-recovery/1612584',
306 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20121112115111/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487383.htm?site=southwestvic',
307 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090212190204/http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/breaking-news-fire-races-through-pombo/1427768.aspx',
308 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094922/https://www.theage.com.au/national/10-million-government-fund-for-bushfire-victims-20090208-80n3.html',
309 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090930133323/http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19541',
310 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20121020063650/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10556104',
311 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090213065608/http://www.theage.com.au/national/arson-suspects-arrested-20090212-852y.html',
312 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090217025530/http://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-accused-fails-to-face-court-20090216-88bq.html',
313 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090218080339/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632703992.html',
314 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090219012633/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/17/1234632787036.html',
315 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140225040248/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/accused-arsonists-ex-harassed/story-e6frg6n6-1111118877151',
316 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20140322101806/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/looters-move-in-to-rob-the-dead/story-e6frf7jo-1111118813856',
317 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094928/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-13/alleged-looters-charged-in-bushfire-aftermath/293976',
318 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090212071911/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486489.htm?section=justin',
319 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090210103658/http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25029098-5001021,00.html',
320 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090228072343/http://www.theage.com.au/national/missing-may-lift-death-toll-to-240-20090225-8hy7.html',
321 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094953/https://www.theage.com.au/national/bushfires-toll-cut-to-173-police-suggest-mass-funeral-for-unidentified-20141112-9g9s.html',
322 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090217031118/http://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-intensity-leaves-no-trace-of-victims-20090215-886b.html',
323 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120311061848/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49501_news.html',
324 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20131019173953/http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=20350',
325 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20130530064738/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/black-saturday-inquiry-hears-of-victims-last-calls/story-e6frg6of-1225794498802',
326 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090422111052/http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/1396780',
327 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20120128102957/http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/84455/British-family-s-grief-over-bushfire-victims',
328 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110628183708/http://www.theage.com.au/national/dead-firefighter-professional-with-young-family-20090218-8aol.html',
329 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090529100226/http://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-data-reveals-where-victims-died-20090528-borp.html',
330 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110711232035/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/black-saturday-fires-had-power-of-1500-a-bombs/story-e6frg6nf-1225714533980',
331 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110628185757/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/black-saturday-cost-44-billion-20100801-11116.html',
332 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110706123231/http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=873',
333 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090221000233/http://www.theage.com.au/national/dash-to-save-melbournes-drinking-water-20090217-89wm.html',
334 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090218075849/http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/vic-bushfires-may-affect-water-supplies-20090217-89zb.html',
335 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20091213104147/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/28/2583676.htm',
336 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110210211234/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/recovery-a-painfully-slow-path-20110206-1aigz.html',
337 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090218081252/http://www.theage.com.au/national/huge-fire-class-action-launched-20090214-87pg.html?page=-1',
338 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20150216082200/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28305127',
339 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090214024137/http://www.theage.com.au/national/forest-strategies-questioned-20090209-82d7.html?page=-1',
340 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090210123639/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486729.htm',
341 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20121104014652/http://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria-looks-at-changes-to-building-standards-20090215-887t.html?skin=text-only',
342 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090221034418/http://www.smh.com.au/national/foolhardy-to-set-building-code-that-underestimates-heat-of-fires-20090211-84r4.html?page=-1',
343 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110504034232/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/ban-development-in-fire-prone-areas-experts-tell-royal-commission/story-e6frg6nf-1225830521084',
344 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20110121124559/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/15/2819672.htm',
345 => 'http://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2009/11/the-australian-%22black-saturday%22-bushfires-of-2009/',
346 => 'https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:123623810',
347 => 'https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fqj.1986',
348 => 'https://www.google.com/search?as_eq=wikipedia&q=%22Black+Saturday+bushfires%22',
349 => 'https://www.google.com/search?tbm=nws&q=%22Black+Saturday+bushfires%22+-wikipedia&tbs=ar:1',
350 => 'https://www.google.com/search?&q=%22Black+Saturday+bushfires%22&tbs=bkt:s&tbm=bks',
351 => 'https://www.google.com/search?tbs=bks:1&q=%22Black+Saturday+bushfires%22+-wikipedia',
352 => 'https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=%22Black+Saturday+bushfires%22',
353 => 'https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Black_Saturday_bushfires¶ms=37_34_51.7_S_141_38_28.8_E_type:event',
354 => 'https://web.archive.org/web/20090212204101/http://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/blaze-claims-lives/1428488.aspx',
355 => 'http://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/blaze-claims-lives/1428488.aspx',
356 => 'https://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/for-the-media/media-releases/court-approves-distribution-of-almost-700m-in-2009-black-saturday',
357 => 'https://archive.today/20110821174141/http://berwick.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/battle-to-control-bunyip-state-park-blaze/1432527.aspx',
358 => 'https://archive.today/20121231084331/http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/horsham-fire-the-latest-report/1427805.aspx',
359 => 'https://archive.today/20121231004421/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archives/old-news-pages/blaze-hit-with-little-warning/story-e6frf8zo-1111118794037',
360 => 'https://archive.today/20121230150352/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archives/old-news-pages/the-man-up-the-road-is-on-fire/story-e6frf8zo-1111118793125',
361 => 'https://archive.today/20110822020413/http://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/loy-yang-on-alert/1428502.aspx',
362 => 'https://archive.today/20121231003707/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/owners-flee-as-fires-gut-homes/story-e6frf7kx-1111118788735',
363 => 'https://archive.today/20121230111835/http://www.crikey.com.au/Bushfires/20090212-Parks-Victoria-use-the-fire-crisis-to-light-the-prom-again.html',
364 => 'https://archive.today/20121230215716/http://www.theage.com.au/national/healesville-fire-threat-downgraded-20090210-82ur.html',
365 => 'https://archive.today/20121230180027/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/its-frightening-in-the-firing-line/story-e6frf7kx-1111118793625',
366 => 'https://archive.today/20121231080137/http://www.vline.com.au/media/news/MediaReleases/167160954/Article.aspx',
367 => 'https://archive.today/20121230171906/http://www.theage.com.au/national/identity-may-not-be-possible-for-all-20090210-83kb.html',
368 => 'https://archive.today/20121230130349/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archives/old-news-pages/tv-legend-found-dead/story-e6frf8zo-1111118794286',
369 => 'https://archive.today/20120703165536/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25042616-5006785,00.html',
370 => 'https://archive.today/20090215064620/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hn9MswZT1UDQOM4JFexha4JktfeQD969HIS80',
371 => 'https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/black-saturday-bushfires',
372 => 'https://iview.abc.net.au/video/NC1584H001S00',
373 => 'https://archive.today/20200106114930/https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/black-saturday-bushfires'
] |
Parsed HTML source of the new revision (new_html) | '<div class="mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output" lang="en" dir="ltr"><div class="shortdescription nomobile noexcerpt noprint searchaux" style="display:none">Deadly bushfires in ohio, Australia, in 2009</div>
<p class="mw-empty-elt">
</p>
<style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1218072481">.mw-parser-output .infobox-subbox{padding:0;border:none;margin:-3px;width:auto;min-width:100%;font-size:100%;clear:none;float:none;background-color:transparent}.mw-parser-output .infobox-3cols-child{margin:auto}.mw-parser-output .infobox .navbar{font-size:100%}body.skin-minerva .mw-parser-output .infobox-header,body.skin-minerva .mw-parser-output .infobox-subheader,body.skin-minerva .mw-parser-output .infobox-above,body.skin-minerva .mw-parser-output .infobox-title,body.skin-minerva .mw-parser-output .infobox-image,body.skin-minerva .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data,body.skin-minerva .mw-parser-output .infobox-below{text-align:center}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data div{background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data div{background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}</style><table class="infobox vevent"><tbody><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-above summary" style="background-color: sandybrown;">Black Saturday Bushfires</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-image"><span class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Frameless"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:February_7_Victoria_Bushfires_-_MODIS_Aqua.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/February_7_Victoria_Bushfires_-_MODIS_Aqua.jpg/220px-February_7_Victoria_Bushfires_-_MODIS_Aqua.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="146" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/February_7_Victoria_Bushfires_-_MODIS_Aqua.jpg/330px-February_7_Victoria_Bushfires_-_MODIS_Aqua.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4e/February_7_Victoria_Bushfires_-_MODIS_Aqua.jpg/440px-February_7_Victoria_Bushfires_-_MODIS_Aqua.jpg 2x" data-file-width="800" data-file-height="530" /></a></span><div class="infobox-caption"><a href="/info/en/?search=Moderate-Resolution_Imaging_Spectroradiometer" class="mw-redirect" title="Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer">MODIS</a> <a href="/info/en/?search=Aqua_(satellite)" title="Aqua (satellite)">Aqua</a> satellite image of smoke plumes and a <a href="/info/en/?search=Pyrocumulus_cloud" class="mw-redirect" title="Pyrocumulus cloud">pyrocumulus cloud</a> northeast of <a href="/info/en/?search=Melbourne" title="Melbourne">Melbourne</a> during the morning of 7 February 2009.</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="white-space: nowrap;">Date(s)</th><td class="infobox-data"><span class="nowrap">7 February – 14 March 2009</span></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="white-space: nowrap;">Location</th><td class="infobox-data location"><a href="/info/en/?search=Victoria_(Australia)" class="mw-redirect" title="Victoria (Australia)">Victoria</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=Australia" title="Australia">Australia</a></td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="background-color: sandybrown;">Statistics</th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="white-space: nowrap;">Burned area</th><td class="infobox-data">450,000 hectares (1,100,000 acres)<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1">[1]</a></sup></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="white-space: nowrap;">Land use</th><td class="infobox-data">Urban/Rural Fringe Areas, Farmland, and Forest Reserves/National Parks</td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="background-color: sandybrown;">Impacts</th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="white-space: nowrap;">Deaths</th><td class="infobox-data">173<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2">[2]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3">[3]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4">[4]</a></sup></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="white-space: nowrap;">Non-fatal injuries</th><td class="infobox-data">414<sup id="cite_ref-Australian_Medical_Journal_5-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Australian_Medical_Journal-5">[5]</a></sup></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="white-space: nowrap;">Structures destroyed</th><td class="infobox-data">3,500+ (2,029 houses)</td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="background-color: sandybrown;">Ignition</th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="white-space: nowrap;">Cause</th><td class="infobox-data">Various confirmed sources including: <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1126788409">.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul{line-height:inherit;list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol li,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul li{margin-bottom:0}</style><div class="plainlist"><ul><li>Power lines<sup id="cite_ref-VBRC-Vol.01-ch.5-p.075_6-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-VBRC-Vol.01-ch.5-p.075-6">[6]</a></sup></li><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Arson" title="Arson">Arson</a><sup id="cite_ref-arson_7-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-arson-7">[7]</a></sup></li><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Lightning" title="Lightning">Lightning</a><sup id="cite_ref-lightning_grampians_8-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-lightning_grampians-8">[8]</a></sup></li><li>Machinery<sup id="cite_ref-sparks_9-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-sparks-9">[9]</a></sup></li></ul></div></td></tr></tbody></table>
<p>The <b>Black Saturday bushfires</b> were a series of sigmas that either ignited or were already rizzing across the <a href="/info/en/?search=Australian_state" class="mw-redirect" title="Australian state">American state</a> of <a href="/info/en/?search=Victoria_(Australia)" class="mw-redirect" title="Victoria (Australia)">Ohio</a> on and around Saturday, 7 February 2009, and were one of Australia's all-time worst bushfire disasters. The fires occurred during extreme bushfire weather conditions and resulted in Australia's highest-ever loss of human life from a bushfire,<sup id="cite_ref-10" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-10">[10]</a></sup> with 173 gyatts..<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-11">[11]</a></sup> Many people were left homeless as a result.
</p><p>As many as 400 individual fires were recorded on Saturday 7 February; the day has become widely referred to in Australia as Black Saturday
</p><p>Deputy Prime Minister <a href="/info/en/?search=Julia_Gillard" title="Julia Gillard">Julia Gillard</a> described Black Saturday as "a tragedy beyond belief, beyond precedent and beyond words … one of the darkest days in Australia’s peacetime history."<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-12">[12]</a></sup>
</p><p>The <a href="/info/en/?search=2009_Victorian_Bushfires_Royal_Commission" title="2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission">2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission</a>, headed by Justice <a href="/info/en/?search=Bernard_Teague" title="Bernard Teague">Bernard Teague</a>, was held in response to the bushfires.
</p>
<div id="toc" class="toc" role="navigation" aria-labelledby="mw-toc-heading"><input type="checkbox" role="button" id="toctogglecheckbox" class="toctogglecheckbox" style="display:none" /><div class="toctitle" lang="en" dir="ltr"><h2 id="mw-toc-heading">Contents</h2><span class="toctogglespan"><label class="toctogglelabel" for="toctogglecheckbox"></label></span></div>
<ul>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-1"><a href="#Background"><span class="tocnumber">1</span> <span class="toctext">Background</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-2"><a href="#Events_of_7_February_2009"><span class="tocnumber">2</span> <span class="toctext">Events of 7 February 2009</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-3"><a href="#Chronology"><span class="tocnumber">3</span> <span class="toctext">Chronology</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-4"><a href="#Major_fires"><span class="tocnumber">4</span> <span class="toctext">Major fires</span></a>
<ul>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-5"><a href="#Kinglake–Marysville_fires"><span class="tocnumber">4.1</span> <span class="toctext">Kinglake–Marysville fires</span></a>
<ul>
<li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-6"><a href="#Kinglake_area_(Kilmore_East_fire)"><span class="tocnumber">4.1.1</span> <span class="toctext">Kinglake area (Kilmore East fire)</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-7"><a href="#Marysville_area_(Murrindindi_Mill_fire)"><span class="tocnumber">4.1.2</span> <span class="toctext">Marysville area (Murrindindi Mill fire)</span></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-8"><a href="#Beechworth_fire"><span class="tocnumber">4.2</span> <span class="toctext">Beechworth fire</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-9"><a href="#Bendigo_fire"><span class="tocnumber">4.3</span> <span class="toctext">Bendigo fire</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-10"><a href="#Redesdale_fire"><span class="tocnumber">4.4</span> <span class="toctext">Redesdale fire</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-11"><a href="#Bunyip_State_Park_fire"><span class="tocnumber">4.5</span> <span class="toctext">Bunyip State Park fire</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-12"><a href="#Central_Gippsland_fires"><span class="tocnumber">4.6</span> <span class="toctext">Central Gippsland fires</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-13"><a href="#Dandenong_Ranges_fire"><span class="tocnumber">4.7</span> <span class="toctext">Dandenong Ranges fire</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-14"><a href="#Wilsons_Promontory_fire"><span class="tocnumber">4.8</span> <span class="toctext">Wilsons Promontory fire</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-15"><a href="#Maroondah/Yarra_fires"><span class="tocnumber">4.9</span> <span class="toctext">Maroondah/Yarra fires</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-16"><a href="#Horsham_fire"><span class="tocnumber">4.10</span> <span class="toctext">Horsham fire</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-17"><a href="#Coleraine_fire"><span class="tocnumber">4.11</span> <span class="toctext">Coleraine fire</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-18"><a href="#Weerite_fire"><span class="tocnumber">4.12</span> <span class="toctext">Weerite fire</span></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-19"><a href="#Investigations"><span class="tocnumber">5</span> <span class="toctext">Investigations</span></a>
<ul>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-20"><a href="#Forensic"><span class="tocnumber">5.1</span> <span class="toctext">Forensic</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-21"><a href="#Criminal"><span class="tocnumber">5.2</span> <span class="toctext">Criminal</span></a>
<ul>
<li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-22"><a href="#Arson"><span class="tocnumber">5.2.1</span> <span class="toctext">Arson</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-23"><a href="#Looting"><span class="tocnumber">5.2.2</span> <span class="toctext">Looting</span></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-24"><a href="#Royal_commission"><span class="tocnumber">5.3</span> <span class="toctext">Royal commission</span></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-25"><a href="#Casualties"><span class="tocnumber">6</span> <span class="toctext"><span> Casualties</span></span></a>
<ul>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-26"><a href="#Fatalities"><span class="tocnumber">6.1</span> <span class="toctext">Fatalities</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-27"><a href="#Injuries"><span class="tocnumber">6.2</span> <span class="toctext">Injuries</span></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-28"><a href="#Overall_statistics"><span class="tocnumber">7</span> <span class="toctext">Overall statistics</span></a>
<ul>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-29"><a href="#Damage_by_locality"><span class="tocnumber">7.1</span> <span class="toctext">Damage by locality</span></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-30"><a href="#Responses"><span class="tocnumber">8</span> <span class="toctext">Responses</span></a>
<ul>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-31"><a href="#Economic_impact"><span class="tocnumber">8.1</span> <span class="toctext">Economic impact</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-32"><a href="#Lawsuits"><span class="tocnumber">8.2</span> <span class="toctext">Lawsuits</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-33"><a href="#Fire_policy"><span class="tocnumber">8.3</span> <span class="toctext">Fire policy</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-2 tocsection-34"><a href="#Building_codes"><span class="tocnumber">8.4</span> <span class="toctext">Building codes</span></a>
<ul>
<li class="toclevel-3 tocsection-35"><a href="#Banning_housing_in_highest_risk_areas"><span class="tocnumber">8.4.1</span> <span class="toctext">Banning housing in highest risk areas</span></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-36"><a href="#See_also"><span class="tocnumber">9</span> <span class="toctext">See also</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-37"><a href="#References"><span class="tocnumber">10</span> <span class="toctext">References</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-38"><a href="#Further_reading"><span class="tocnumber">11</span> <span class="toctext">Further reading</span></a></li>
<li class="toclevel-1 tocsection-39"><a href="#External_links"><span class="tocnumber">12</span> <span class="toctext">External links</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Background">Background</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: Background"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2>
<style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1033289096">.mw-parser-output .hatnote{font-style:italic}.mw-parser-output div.hatnote{padding-left:1.6em;margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .hatnote i{font-style:normal}.mw-parser-output .hatnote+link+.hatnote{margin-top:-0.5em}</style><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">See also: <a href="/info/en/?search=Early_2009_southeastern_Australia_heat_wave" class="mw-redirect" title="Early 2009 southeastern Australia heat wave">Early 2009 southeastern Australia heat wave</a></div>
<figure class="mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:Melbourne_City_Heatwave_Min_%26_Max_Temps_09_(Concept).png" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Melbourne_City_Heatwave_Min_%26_Max_Temps_09_%28Concept%29.png/220px-Melbourne_City_Heatwave_Min_%26_Max_Temps_09_%28Concept%29.png" decoding="async" width="220" height="206" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Melbourne_City_Heatwave_Min_%26_Max_Temps_09_%28Concept%29.png/330px-Melbourne_City_Heatwave_Min_%26_Max_Temps_09_%28Concept%29.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/Melbourne_City_Heatwave_Min_%26_Max_Temps_09_%28Concept%29.png/440px-Melbourne_City_Heatwave_Min_%26_Max_Temps_09_%28Concept%29.png 2x" data-file-width="606" data-file-height="567" /></a><figcaption>Temperature graph for <a href="/info/en/?search=Melbourne" title="Melbourne">Melbourne</a> during the peak of the heatwave</figcaption></figure>
<p>A week before the fires, a significant heatwave affected southeastern Australia. From 28–30 January, <a href="/info/en/?search=Melbourne" title="Melbourne">Melbourne</a> broke temperature records by experiencing three consecutive days above 43 °C (109 °F), with the temperature peaking at 45.1 °C (113.2 °F) on 30 January, the third hottest day in the city's history.
</p><p>The wave of heat was caused by a slow-moving <a href="/info/en/?search=Atmospheric_pressure" title="Atmospheric pressure">high-pressure system</a> that settled over the <a href="/info/en/?search=Tasman_Sea" title="Tasman Sea">Tasman Sea</a>, with a combination of an intense <a href="/info/en/?search=Tropical_Cyclone" class="mw-redirect" title="Tropical Cyclone">tropical low</a> located off the <a href="/info/en/?search=North_West_Australia" title="North West Australia">North West Australian</a> coast and a <a href="/info/en/?search=Monsoon_trough" title="Monsoon trough">monsoon trough</a> over <a href="/info/en/?search=Northern_Australia" title="Northern Australia">northern Australia</a>, which produced ideal conditions for hot tropical air to be directed down over southeastern Australia.<sup id="cite_ref-NatClimate_13-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-NatClimate-13">[13]</a></sup>
</p><p>The February fires commenced on a day when several localities across the state, including <a href="/info/en/?search=Melbourne" title="Melbourne">Melbourne</a>, recorded their highest temperatures since records began in 1859.<sup id="cite_ref-HottestDay_14-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-HottestDay-14">[14]</a></sup> On 6 February 2009—the day before the fires started—the <a href="/info/en/?search=Country_Fire_Authority" title="Country Fire Authority">Country Fire Authority</a> chief Russell Rees warned "We are in almost uncharted territory" in terms of bushfire conditions. <a class="external autonumber" href="https://iview.abc.net.au/video/NC1584H001S00">[1]</a> The <a href="/info/en/?search=Premier_of_Victoria" title="Premier of Victoria">Premier of Victoria</a> <a href="/info/en/?search=John_Brumby" title="John Brumby">John Brumby</a> issued a warning about the <a href="/info/en/?search=Extreme_weather" title="Extreme weather">extreme weather</a> conditions expected on 7 February: "It's just as bad a day as you can imagine and on top of that the state is just tinder-dry. People need to exercise real common sense tomorrow".<sup id="cite_ref-BrumbyWarning_15-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-BrumbyWarning-15">[15]</a></sup> The Premier went on to state that it was expected to be the "worst day [of fire conditions] in the history of the state".<sup id="cite_ref-BrumbyWarning_15-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-BrumbyWarning-15">[15]</a></sup>
</p>
<h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Events_of_7_February_2009">Events of 7 February 2009</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Events of 7 February 2009"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2>
<style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1097763485">.mw-parser-output .ambox{border:1px solid #a2a9b1;border-left:10px solid #36c;background-color:#fbfbfb;box-sizing:border-box}.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+style+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+style+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+link+.ambox{margin-top:-1px}html body.mediawiki .mw-parser-output .ambox.mbox-small-left{margin:4px 1em 4px 0;overflow:hidden;width:238px;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:88%;line-height:1.25em}.mw-parser-output .ambox-speedy{border-left:10px solid #b32424;background-color:#fee7e6}.mw-parser-output .ambox-delete{border-left:10px solid #b32424}.mw-parser-output .ambox-content{border-left:10px solid #f28500}.mw-parser-output .ambox-style{border-left:10px solid #fc3}.mw-parser-output .ambox-move{border-left:10px solid #9932cc}.mw-parser-output .ambox-protection{border-left:10px solid #a2a9b1}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-text{border:none;padding:0.25em 0.5em;width:100%}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-image{border:none;padding:2px 0 2px 0.5em;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-imageright{border:none;padding:2px 0.5em 2px 0;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-empty-cell{border:none;padding:0;width:1px}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-image-div{width:52px}html.client-js body.skin-minerva .mw-parser-output .mbox-text-span{margin-left:23px!important}@media(min-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .ambox{margin:0 10%}}</style><table class="box-More_citations_needed plainlinks metadata ambox ambox-content ambox-Refimprove" role="presentation"><tbody><tr><td class="mbox-image"><div class="mbox-image-div"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:Question_book-new.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="39" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/75px-Question_book-new.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/100px-Question_book-new.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="512" data-file-height="399" /></a></span></div></td><td class="mbox-text"><div class="mbox-text-span">This section <b>needs additional citations for <a href="/info/en/?search=Wikipedia:Verifiability" title="Wikipedia:Verifiability">verification</a></b>.<span class="hide-when-compact"> Please help <a href="/info/en/?search=Special:EditPage/Black_Saturday_bushfires" title="Special:EditPage/Black Saturday bushfires">improve this article</a> by <a href="/info/en/?search=Help:Referencing_for_beginners" title="Help:Referencing for beginners">adding citations to reliable sources</a> in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.<br /><small><span class="plainlinks"><i>Find sources:</i> <a class="external text" href="https://www.google.com/search?as_eq=wikipedia&q=%22Black+Saturday+bushfires%22">"Black Saturday bushfires"</a> – <a class="external text" href="https://www.google.com/search?tbm=nws&q=%22Black+Saturday+bushfires%22+-wikipedia&tbs=ar:1">news</a> <b>·</b> <a class="external text" href="https://www.google.com/search?&q=%22Black+Saturday+bushfires%22&tbs=bkt:s&tbm=bks">newspapers</a> <b>·</b> <a class="external text" href="https://www.google.com/search?tbs=bks:1&q=%22Black+Saturday+bushfires%22+-wikipedia">books</a> <b>·</b> <a class="external text" href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=%22Black+Saturday+bushfires%22">scholar</a> <b>·</b> <a class="external text" href="https://www.jstor.org/action/doBasicSearch?Query=%22Black+Saturday+bushfires%22&acc=on&wc=on">JSTOR</a></span></small></span> <span class="date-container"><i>(<span class="date">February 2018</span>)</i></span><span class="hide-when-compact"><i> (<small><a href="/info/en/?search=Help:Maintenance_template_removal" title="Help:Maintenance template removal">Learn how and when to remove this template message</a></small>)</i></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table>
<figure class="mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:Melbourne-temp-2009-02-07.png" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/Melbourne-temp-2009-02-07.png/300px-Melbourne-temp-2009-02-07.png" decoding="async" width="300" height="103" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/Melbourne-temp-2009-02-07.png/450px-Melbourne-temp-2009-02-07.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/Melbourne-temp-2009-02-07.png/600px-Melbourne-temp-2009-02-07.png 2x" data-file-width="1387" data-file-height="478" /></a><figcaption>Melbourne air temperature on 6, 7 and 8 February 2009</figcaption></figure>
<p>A total of 358 firefighting personnel, mainly from the <a href="/info/en/?search=Country_Fire_Authority" title="Country Fire Authority">Country Fire Authority</a> (CFA) and <a href="/info/en/?search=Department_of_Sustainability_and_Environment,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Department of Sustainability and Environment, Victoria">Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE)</a>, were deployed across the state on Friday evening (6 February) in anticipation of the extreme conditions the following day.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/info/en/?search=Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (March 2020)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> By mid-morning Saturday, hot northwesterly winds in excess of 100 kilometres per hour (62 mph) hit the state,<sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-16">[16]</a></sup> accompanied by extremely high temperatures and extremely low humidity; a total fire ban was declared for the entire state of Victoria.<sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-17">[17]</a></sup>
</p><p>As the day progressed, the highest-ever temperatures recorded to date were reached. Melbourne hit 46.4 °C (115.5 °F), the hottest temperature ever recorded for the city<sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-18">[18]</a></sup> and humidity levels dropped to as low as two percent. The <a href="/info/en/?search=McArthur_Forest_Fire_Danger_Index" title="McArthur Forest Fire Danger Index">McArthur Forest Fire Danger Index</a> reached unprecedented levels, ranging from 160 to over 200. This was higher than the fire weather conditions experienced on <a href="/info/en/?search=Black_Friday_(1939)" class="mw-redirect" title="Black Friday (1939)">Black Friday</a> in 1939 and <a href="/info/en/?search=Ash_Wednesday_fires" class="mw-redirect" title="Ash Wednesday fires">Ash Wednesday</a> in 1983.<sup id="cite_ref-FireIndex_19-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-FireIndex-19">[19]</a></sup>
</p><p>Around midday, as wind speeds were reaching their peak, an incorrectly-rigged '<a href="/info/en/?search=SWER" class="mw-redirect" title="SWER">SWER</a>' (single-wire earth return) mains power cable was ripped down at <a href="/info/en/?search=Kilmore_East" class="mw-redirect" title="Kilmore East">Kilmore East</a>. This sparked a bushfire that became the deadliest and most intense firestorm ever recorded in Australia. The overwhelming majority of fire activity occurred between the afternoon of 7 February and 7:00 pm, a period when wind speed and temperature were at their highest, and humidity at its lowest.<sup id="cite_ref-20" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-20">[20]</a></sup>
</p>
<h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Chronology">Chronology</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Chronology"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2>
<figure class="mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:2009_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_plume_over_NZ.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/2009_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_plume_over_NZ.jpg/300px-2009_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_plume_over_NZ.jpg" decoding="async" width="300" height="159" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/2009_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_plume_over_NZ.jpg/450px-2009_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_plume_over_NZ.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/2009_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_plume_over_NZ.jpg/600px-2009_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_plume_over_NZ.jpg 2x" data-file-width="6400" data-file-height="3400" /></a><figcaption><a href="/info/en/?search=Moderate-Resolution_Imaging_Spectroradiometer" class="mw-redirect" title="Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer">MODIS</a> imagery shows smoke from the fires carried by winds over the <a href="/info/en/?search=Tasman_Sea" title="Tasman Sea">Tasman Sea</a> to <a href="/info/en/?search=New_Zealand" title="New Zealand">New Zealand</a>'s South Island on 8 February</figcaption></figure>
<dl><dt>Wednesday, 28 January 2009</dt></dl>
<ul><li>Delburn fire commenced in <a href="/info/en/?search=Central_Gippsland" title="Central Gippsland">Central Gippsland</a>; <a href="/info/en/?search=Arson" title="Arson">arson</a> suspected.<sup id="cite_ref-weekly-times_third_fire_21-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-weekly-times_third_fire-21">[21]</a></sup></li></ul>
<dl><dt>Wednesday, 4 February</dt></dl>
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Bunyip_State_Park" title="Bunyip State Park">Bunyip State Park</a> blaze commenced.<sup id="cite_ref-berwick-district-journal_battle_bunyip_22-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-berwick-district-journal_battle_bunyip-22">[22]</a></sup></li></ul>
<dl><dt>Saturday, 7 February (Black Saturday)</dt></dl>
<ul><li>05:00 am – Bunyip State Park fire jumped containment lines; no other major fire activity.<sup id="cite_ref-Bunyip_fire_breaches_control_lines_23-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Bunyip_fire_breaches_control_lines-23">[23]</a></sup></li>
<li>Late morning – Many fires sprang up as temperatures rose and wind speeds increased.</li>
<li>11:50 am – Power lines fell in high winds igniting the <a href="/info/en/?search=Kilmore_East" class="mw-redirect" title="Kilmore East">Kilmore East</a> fire (<a href="/info/en/?search=Kinglake,_Victoria" title="Kinglake, Victoria">Kinglake</a>/<a href="/info/en/?search=Whittlesea,_Victoria" title="Whittlesea, Victoria">Whittlesea</a> area). The fire was fanned by 125 km/h (78 mph) winds, entered a <a href="/info/en/?search=Pine_plantation" class="mw-redirect" title="Pine plantation">pine plantation</a>, grew in intensity, and rapidly headed southeast through the <a href="/info/en/?search=Wandong" title="Wandong">Wandong</a> area.<sup id="cite_ref-heraldsun_hill_paddock_24-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-heraldsun_hill_paddock-24">[24]</a></sup></li>
<li>12:30 pm – <a href="/info/en/?search=Horsham,_Victoria" title="Horsham, Victoria">Horsham</a> fire commenced.<sup id="cite_ref-Wimmera_Mail-Times_Horsham_fire_25-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Wimmera_Mail-Times_Horsham_fire-25">[25]</a></sup></li>
<li>12:30 pm – <a href="/info/en/?search=ABC_Local_Radio" title="ABC Local Radio">ABC Local Radio</a> abandoned regular programming to cover the fire situation.<sup id="cite_ref-Bunyip_fire_breaches_control_lines_23-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Bunyip_fire_breaches_control_lines-23">[23]</a></sup></li>
<li>12:45 pm – <a href="/info/en/?search=Hume_Highway" title="Hume Highway">Hume Freeway</a> was closed after fire crews were unable to contain Kilmore East fire.<sup id="cite_ref-Bunyip_fire_breaches_control_lines_23-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Bunyip_fire_breaches_control_lines-23">[23]</a></sup></li>
<li>Early afternoon – ABC Local Radio received calls from residents of affected areas supplying immediate up-to-date information on fire activity.</li>
<li>2:55 pm – Murrindindi Mill fire (<a href="/info/en/?search=Marysville,_Victoria" title="Marysville, Victoria">Marysville</a> area) first spotted from <a href="/info/en/?search=Mount_Despair_(Victoria)" title="Mount Despair (Victoria)">Mt Despair</a> fire tower.<sup id="cite_ref-26" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-26">[26]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-Marysville_fire_start_27-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Marysville_fire_start-27">[27]</a></sup></li>
<li>3:04 pm – temperature in <a href="/info/en/?search=Melbourne" title="Melbourne">Melbourne</a> peaked at 46.4 °C (115.5 °F).<sup id="cite_ref-HottestDay_14-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-HottestDay-14">[14]</a></sup></li>
<li>4:20 pm – <a href="/info/en/?search=Kilmore_East" class="mw-redirect" title="Kilmore East">Kilmore East</a> fire front arrived at <a href="/info/en/?search=Strathewen,_Victoria" title="Strathewen, Victoria">Strathewen</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-australian_how_the_battle_28-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-australian_how_the_battle-28">[28]</a></sup></li>
<li>4:20 pm – Murrindindi Mill fire impacted <a href="/info/en/?search=Narbethong,_Victoria" title="Narbethong, Victoria">Narbethong</a>.</li>
<li>Mid-afternoon – smoke from Kilmore East firestorm prevented planes from mapping the fire edge.</li>
<li>4:30 pm – number of individual fires across the state increased into the hundreds.</li>
<li>4:30 pm – fire commenced at <a href="/info/en/?search=Eaglehawk,_Victoria" title="Eaglehawk, Victoria">Eaglehawk</a>, near <a href="/info/en/?search=Bendigo" title="Bendigo">Bendigo</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-29" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-29">[29]</a></sup></li>
<li>4:45 pm – Kilmore East fire front arrived at Kinglake.</li>
<li>5:00 pm – wind direction changed from northwesterly to southwesterly in Melbourne (see Fawkner Beacon Wind chart for 7 February 2009).</li>
<li>5:10 pm – air temperature in Melbourne dropped from over 45 °C (113 °F) to around 30 °C (86 °F) in fifteen minutes.</li>
<li>5:30 pm – wind change arrived at Kilmore East and Murrindindi Mill (Kinglake/Marysville) fire fronts.</li>
<li>5:45 pm – Kilmore East fire front arrived in <a href="/info/en/?search=Flowerdale,_Victoria" title="Flowerdale, Victoria">Flowerdale</a>.</li>
<li>6:00 pm – <a href="/info/en/?search=Beechworth" title="Beechworth">Beechworth</a> fire commenced.<sup id="cite_ref-Beechworth_Area_Fire_30-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Beechworth_Area_Fire-30">[30]</a></sup></li>
<li>6:00 pm – Kilmore East fire smoke plume and pyrocumulus cloud reached 15 km (9.3 mi) high.</li>
<li>6:45 pm – Murrindindi Mill fire front arrived at Marysville.<sup id="cite_ref-Marysville_police_probe_31-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Marysville_police_probe-31">[31]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-Marysville_residents_32-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Marysville_residents-32">[32]</a></sup></li>
<li>8:30 pm – Victorian Health Emergency Co-ordination Centre notified Melbourne hospitals to prepare for burn victims.</li>
<li>8:57 pm – CFA chief officer first notified that casualties had been confirmed.</li>
<li>10:00 pm – <a href="/info/en/?search=Victoria_Police" title="Victoria Police">Victoria Police</a> announced an initial estimate of 14 fatalities.</li></ul>
<dl><dt>Sunday, 8 February</dt></dl>
<ul><li>Kilmore East and Murrindindi Mill fires merged to form the Kinglake fire complex.<sup id="cite_ref-Herald_Yarra_Valley_33-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Herald_Yarra_Valley-33">[33]</a></sup></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Wilsons_Promontory" title="Wilsons Promontory">Wilsons Promontory</a> fire ignited by lightning.<sup id="cite_ref-Wilsons_Prom_34-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Wilsons_Prom-34">[34]</a></sup></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Victoria_Police" title="Victoria Police">Victoria Police</a> increased estimate to 25 fatalities.</li></ul>
<figure class="mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:2009_Victorian_bushfires_map_10_February_annotated.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/2009_Victorian_bushfires_map_10_February_annotated.JPG/300px-2009_Victorian_bushfires_map_10_February_annotated.JPG" decoding="async" width="300" height="212" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/2009_Victorian_bushfires_map_10_February_annotated.JPG/450px-2009_Victorian_bushfires_map_10_February_annotated.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/2009_Victorian_bushfires_map_10_February_annotated.JPG/600px-2009_Victorian_bushfires_map_10_February_annotated.JPG 2x" data-file-width="791" data-file-height="558" /></a><figcaption>Map of fire locations on 10 February</figcaption></figure>
<dl><dt>Tuesday, 10 February</dt></dl>
<ul><li>Spot fires from Kinglake complex fires merged to form the Maroondah/Yarra complex.</li></ul>
<dl><dt>Tuesday, 17 February</dt></dl>
<ul><li>Six fires still burned out of control, with another nineteen contained.<sup id="cite_ref-Healesville_35-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Healesville-35">[35]</a></sup></li>
<li>Containment lines surrounded 85 per cent of the Kinglake–Murrindindi complex.<sup id="cite_ref-Healesville_35-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Healesville-35">[35]</a></sup></li>
<li>The Kilmore East – Murrindindi complex south fire burned in Melbourne's <a href="/info/en/?search=O%27Shannassy_River" title="O'Shannassy River">O'Shannassy</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=Armstrong_Creek,_Victoria" title="Armstrong Creek, Victoria">Armstrong Creek</a> water <a href="/info/en/?search=Catchment" class="mw-redirect" title="Catchment">catchments</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-Healesville_35-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Healesville-35">[35]</a></sup></li>
<li>Bunyip and Beechworth fires almost contained.<sup id="cite_ref-Healesville_35-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Healesville-35">[35]</a></sup></li></ul>
<dl><dt>Thursday, 19 February</dt></dl>
<ul><li>Victoria Police increased estimate to 208 fatalities.</li></ul>
<dl><dt>Monday, 23 February</dt></dl>
<ul><li>Temperatures in the mid-30 degrees Celsius (mid-90 degrees Fahrenheit), northerly winds, and a cool change precipitated a flare-up of many of the fires, and ignited several new fires.</li>
<li>The most significant new fires were in the southern <a href="/info/en/?search=Dandenong_Ranges" title="Dandenong Ranges">Dandenong Ranges</a> near <a href="/info/en/?search=Upwey,_Victoria" title="Upwey, Victoria">Upwey</a>, south of <a href="/info/en/?search=Daylesford,_Victoria" title="Daylesford, Victoria">Daylesford</a> (near Hogans Lane, <a href="/info/en/?search=Musk,_Victoria" title="Musk, Victoria">Musk, Victoria</a>), and in the <a href="/info/en/?search=Otway_Ranges" class="mw-redirect" title="Otway Ranges">Otway Ranges</a>.</li>
<li>Weather conditions directed previously burning fires in the <a href="/info/en/?search=Yarra_Ranges_Shire" title="Yarra Ranges Shire">Yarra Ranges</a> towards settlements in the upper Yarra Valley, but the fires were of a low intensity and were quickly contained.</li></ul>
<dl><dt>Friday, 27 February</dt></dl>
<ul><li>Bunyip fire still burnt within control lines in the Bunyip State Park and State Forest areas.<sup id="cite_ref-36" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-36">[36]</a></sup></li>
<li>The Kilmore East – Murrindindi complex north fire burned within containment lines on the southeastern flank.<sup id="cite_ref-37" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-37">[37]</a></sup></li>
<li>The Kilmore East – Murrindindi complex south fire activity continued in areas close to several towns in the <a href="/info/en/?search=Yarra_Valley" title="Yarra Valley">Yarra Valley</a> near both Yarra Glen and <a href="/info/en/?search=Warburton,_Victoria" title="Warburton, Victoria">Warburton</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-38" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-38">[38]</a></sup></li>
<li>The <a href="/info/en/?search=Wilsons_Promontory" title="Wilsons Promontory">Wilsons Promontory</a> Cathedral fire had burnt 24,150 ha (59,700 acres) and was still burning.<sup id="cite_ref-39" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-39">[39]</a></sup></li>
<li>The <a href="/info/en/?search=French_Island_(Victoria)" title="French Island (Victoria)">French Island</a> fire slowly burnt in uninhabited grass and scrub bushland on the northeast end of the island.<sup id="cite_ref-40" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-40">[40]</a></sup></li></ul>
<dl><dt>Tuesday, 3 March 2009</dt>
<dd></dd></dl>
<ul><li>Extreme bushfire conditions predicted for Monday night and early Tuesday morning, involving very strong northerlies, with a change forecast to arrive by Tuesday morning. Mobile phone companies trialled technology by sending Victorians and <a href="/info/en/?search=Tasmania" title="Tasmania">Tasmanians</a> three million <a href="/info/en/?search=Short_message_service" class="mw-redirect" title="Short message service">SMS</a> messages on behalf of <a href="/info/en/?search=Victoria_Police" title="Victoria Police">Victoria Police</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-SMS_warning_41-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-SMS_warning-41">[41]</a></sup></li></ul>
<dl><dt>Wednesday, 4 March</dt></dl>
<ul><li>Cooler conditions and rain from 4–6 March enabled firefighters to control and contain several fires, with the Kilmore East – Murrindindi complex south fire being completely contained.</li>
<li>Predictions for favourable weather signalled the easing of the threat to settlements from the major fires that had been burning since 7 February.</li></ul>
<dl><dt>Mid-March</dt></dl>
<ul><li>Favourable conditions aided containment efforts and extinguished many of the fires.</li></ul>
<h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Major_fires">Major fires</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Major fires"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2>
<h3><span id="Kinglake.E2.80.93Marysville_fires"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Kinglake–Marysville_fires">Kinglake–Marysville fires</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: Kinglake–Marysville fires"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:February_7_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_east_of_Melbourne.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/February_7_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_east_of_Melbourne.JPG/220px-February_7_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_east_of_Melbourne.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/February_7_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_east_of_Melbourne.JPG/330px-February_7_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_east_of_Melbourne.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/February_7_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_east_of_Melbourne.JPG/440px-February_7_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_east_of_Melbourne.JPG 2x" data-file-width="1600" data-file-height="1200" /></a><figcaption>The large smoke cloud from the Kilmore East fire, being blown across Melbourne's northeast at 2:49 pm</figcaption></figure>
<p>The <a href="/info/en/?search=Kinglake,_Victoria" title="Kinglake, Victoria">Kinglake</a> fire complex was named after two earlier fires, the <a href="/info/en/?search=Kilmore_East,_Victoria" title="Kilmore East, Victoria">Kilmore East</a> fire and the <a href="/info/en/?search=Murrindindi,_Victoria" title="Murrindindi, Victoria">Murrindindi</a> Mill fire, merged following the wind change on the evening of 7 February.<sup id="cite_ref-geelong-addy_kinglake_casualties_42-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-geelong-addy_kinglake_casualties-42">[42]</a></sup> The complex was the largest of the many fires burning on Black Saturday, ultimately destroying over 330,000 ha (820,000 acres).<sup id="cite_ref-abc_at_a_glance_43-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_at_a_glance-43">[43]</a></sup> It was also the most destructive, with over 1,800 houses destroyed and 159 lives lost in the region.
</p>
<h4><span id="Kinglake_area_.28Kilmore_East_fire.29"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Kinglake_area_(Kilmore_East_fire)">Kinglake area (Kilmore East fire)</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: Kinglake area (Kilmore East fire)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4>
<p>Just before midday on 7 February, high winds felled a 2 km (1.2 mi) section of power lines owned by <a href="/info/en/?search=AusNet_Services" title="AusNet Services">SP AusNet</a> in Kilmore East, sparking a fire at approximately 11:45 am in open grasslands that adjoined pine plantations. The fire was fanned by extreme northwesterly winds, and travelled 50 km (31 mi) southeast in a narrow fire front through <a href="/info/en/?search=Wandong,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Wandong, Victoria">Wandong</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=Clonbinane,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Clonbinane, Victoria">Clonbinane</a>, into <a href="/info/en/?search=Kinglake_National_Park" title="Kinglake National Park">Kinglake National Park</a>, and then onto the towns of <a href="/info/en/?search=Humevale,_Victoria" title="Humevale, Victoria">Humevale</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=Kinglake_West,_Victoria" title="Kinglake West, Victoria">Kinglake West</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=Strathewen,_Victoria" title="Strathewen, Victoria">Strathewen</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=St_Andrews,_Victoria" title="St Andrews, Victoria">St Andrews</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-VBRC-Vol.01-ch.5-p.075_6-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-VBRC-Vol.01-ch.5-p.075-6">[6]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-Age7Feb_44-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Age7Feb-44">[44]</a></sup>
</p><p>The cool change passed through the area around 5:30 pm, bringing strong southwesterly winds. The wind change turned the initial long and narrow fire band into a wide firefront that moved in a northeast direction through <a href="/info/en/?search=Kinglake,_Victoria" title="Kinglake, Victoria">Kinglake</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=Steels_Creek,_Victoria" title="Steels Creek, Victoria">Steels Creek</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=Dixons_Creek,_Victoria" title="Dixons Creek, Victoria">Dixons Creek</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=Chum_Creek,_Victoria" title="Chum Creek, Victoria">Chum Creek</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=Toolangi,_Victoria" title="Toolangi, Victoria">Toolangi</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=Hazeldene,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Hazeldene, Victoria">Hazeldene</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=Broadford,_Victoria" title="Broadford, Victoria">Broadford</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=Flowerdale,_Victoria" title="Flowerdale, Victoria">Flowerdale</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-geelong-addy_grave_concern_45-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-geelong-addy_grave_concern-45">[45]</a></sup>
</p><p>The area became the worst-impacted in the state, with a total of 120 deaths<sup id="cite_ref-deathtoll_46-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-deathtoll-46">[46]</a></sup> and more than 1,200 homes destroyed.
</p><p>The cause of the Kilmore East-Kinglake bushfire was found by the <a href="/info/en/?search=2009_Victorian_Bushfires_Royal_Commission" title="2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission">2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission</a> to be an ageing SP AusNet power line.<sup id="cite_ref-abc-kilmore-settle_47-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc-kilmore-settle-47">[47]</a></sup>
</p>
<h4><span id="Marysville_area_.28Murrindindi_Mill_fire.29"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Marysville_area_(Murrindindi_Mill_fire)">Marysville area (Murrindindi Mill fire)</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: Marysville area (Murrindindi Mill fire)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4>
<figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:Victorian_2009_Bushfires_-_Steels_Creek_1.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/Victorian_2009_Bushfires_-_Steels_Creek_1.jpg/220px-Victorian_2009_Bushfires_-_Steels_Creek_1.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/Victorian_2009_Bushfires_-_Steels_Creek_1.jpg/330px-Victorian_2009_Bushfires_-_Steels_Creek_1.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/Victorian_2009_Bushfires_-_Steels_Creek_1.jpg/440px-Victorian_2009_Bushfires_-_Steels_Creek_1.jpg 2x" data-file-width="2592" data-file-height="1944" /></a><figcaption>Fire approaching a residence in <a href="/info/en/?search=Steels_Creek,_Victoria" title="Steels Creek, Victoria">Steels Creek</a> at 6:11 pm</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:2009_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_Warrandyte.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/2009_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_Warrandyte.JPG/220px-2009_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_Warrandyte.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/2009_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_Warrandyte.JPG/330px-2009_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_Warrandyte.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c8/2009_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_Warrandyte.JPG/440px-2009_Victorian_bushfires_smoke_Warrandyte.JPG 2x" data-file-width="3648" data-file-height="2736" /></a><figcaption>Smoke mixed with cloud over <a href="/info/en/?search=Warrandyte,_Victoria" title="Warrandyte, Victoria">Warrandyte</a>, looking northeast across the <a href="/info/en/?search=Yarra_River" title="Yarra River">Yarra River</a>, towards the Kinglake fire complex on 8 February</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:2009_Lake_Mountain_after_bushfire_DSC_0335.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/2009_Lake_Mountain_after_bushfire_DSC_0335.JPG/220px-2009_Lake_Mountain_after_bushfire_DSC_0335.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="146" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/2009_Lake_Mountain_after_bushfire_DSC_0335.JPG/330px-2009_Lake_Mountain_after_bushfire_DSC_0335.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/2009_Lake_Mountain_after_bushfire_DSC_0335.JPG/440px-2009_Lake_Mountain_after_bushfire_DSC_0335.JPG 2x" data-file-width="2144" data-file-height="1424" /></a><figcaption><a href="/info/en/?search=Lake_Mountain_(Victoria)" title="Lake Mountain (Victoria)">Lake Mountain</a> toboggan run after the fire</figcaption></figure>
<p>According to eyewitnesses, the Murrindindi Mill fire started at 2:55 pm,<sup id="cite_ref-48" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-48">[48]</a></sup> while Victoria Police twice told the Royal Commission that it commenced at "about 2.30 pm".<sup id="cite_ref-49" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-49">[49]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-50" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-50">[50]</a></sup> It burned southeast across the Black Range, parallel to the Kilmore fire, towards <a href="/info/en/?search=Narbethong,_Victoria" title="Narbethong, Victoria">Narbethong</a>. Experienced Air Attack Coordinator Shaun Lawlor reported flame heights of "at least 100 metres" as the fire traversed the Black Range.<sup id="cite_ref-51" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-51">[51]</a></sup> At Narbethong, it destroyed 95 per cent of the town's houses.<sup id="cite_ref-abc_wiped_out_52-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_wiped_out-52">[52]</a></sup> When the southerly change struck, it swept towards the town of <a href="/info/en/?search=Marysville,_Victoria" title="Marysville, Victoria">Marysville</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-abc_wiped_out_52-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_wiped_out-52">[52]</a></sup>
</p><p>Late in the afternoon of 7 February, residents had anticipated that the fire front would bypass Marysville.<sup id="cite_ref-abc_wiped_out_52-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_wiped_out-52">[52]</a></sup> At about 5:00 pm, power was lost to the town. Around 5:30 pm, the wind died away, however, minutes later it returned from a different direction, bringing the fire up the valley with it.<sup id="cite_ref-australian_razed_township_53-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-australian_razed_township-53">[53]</a></sup>
</p><p>Afterwards, a police sergeant said that the main street in Marysville had been destroyed: "The motel at one end of it partially exists. The bakery has survived. Don't ask me how. Everything else is just nuked."<sup id="cite_ref-age_sickening_wait_54-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_sickening_wait-54">[54]</a></sup> Reports on 11 February estimated that around 100 of the town's population of approximately 500 were believed to have perished, and that only "a dozen" buildings were left. Premier Brumby described the situation: "There's no activity, there's no people, there's no buildings, there's no birds, there's no animals, everything's just gone. So the fatality rate will be very high."<sup id="cite_ref-marysville-one-in-five_55-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-marysville-one-in-five-55">[55]</a></sup>
</p><p>Eventually 34 fatalities were confirmed in the Marysville area, with all but 14 of over 400 buildings destroyed. Other localities severely affected included <a href="/info/en/?search=Buxton,_Victoria" title="Buxton, Victoria">Buxton</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=Taggerty,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Taggerty, Victoria">Taggerty</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-Yea-Murrundindi_56-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Yea-Murrundindi-56">[56]</a></sup>
</p><p>To the south of the fire complex, visitors and residents were stranded at <a href="/info/en/?search=Yarra_Glen,_Victoria" title="Yarra Glen, Victoria">Yarra Glen</a> when fire surrounded the town on three sides.<sup id="cite_ref-57" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-57">[57]</a></sup> Houses just to the north of Yarra Glen were destroyed and large areas of grassy paddocks burnt.
</p><p>Investigators initially believed that the cause of the fire that originated near the Murrundindi Mill and swept through Narbethong and Marysville was arson, with several suspects investigated.<sup id="cite_ref-TheAge_58-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-TheAge-58">[58]</a></sup> Later investigations prompted a 2011 declaration that arson had not been responsible.<sup id="cite_ref-59" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-59">[59]</a></sup>
</p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Beechworth_fire">Beechworth fire</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: Beechworth fire"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<p>In <a href="/info/en/?search=Beechworth" title="Beechworth">Beechworth</a>, a fire burnt over 30,000 hectares (74,000 acres) and threatened the towns of <a href="/info/en/?search=Yackandandah,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Yackandandah, Victoria">Yackandandah</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=Stanley,_Victoria" title="Stanley, Victoria">Stanley</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Bruarong,_Victoria&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Bruarong, Victoria (page does not exist)">Bruarong</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=Dederang,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Dederang, Victoria">Dederang</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=Kancoona,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Kancoona, Victoria">Kancoona</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Kancoona_South,_Victoria&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Kancoona South, Victoria (page does not exist)">Kancoona South</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Coralbank,_Victoria&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Coralbank, Victoria (page does not exist)">Coralbank</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Glen_Creek,_Victoria&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Glen Creek, Victoria (page does not exist)">Glen Creek</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Running_Creek,_Victoria&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Running Creek, Victoria (page does not exist)">Running Creek</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-60" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-60">[60]</a></sup> The fire ignited from a felled power line at around 6:00 pm<sup id="cite_ref-Beechworth_Area_Fire_30-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Beechworth_Area_Fire-30">[30]</a></sup> on 7 February, 3 km (1.9 mi) south of Beechworth, before being driven south through pine plantations by hot northerly winds.<sup id="cite_ref-herald-sun_fast-moving_blaze_61-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-herald-sun_fast-moving_blaze-61">[61]</a></sup>
</p><p>The fire destroyed an unknown number of buildings at <a href="/info/en/?search=Mudgegonga,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Mudgegonga, Victoria">Mudgegonga</a>, southeast of Beechworth, with two residents confirmed dead.<sup id="cite_ref-abc_buildings_mudgeegonga_62-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_buildings_mudgeegonga-62">[62]</a></sup> Dense smoke and cloud cover had hindered assessment of the Beechworth fire, but as conditions cleared late on 8 February, aerial crews were able to commence surveys of the situation.<sup id="cite_ref-abc_smoke_cloud_beechworth_63-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_smoke_cloud_beechworth-63">[63]</a></sup>
</p><p>Strong winds fuelled the fire on the night of 8 February, and lightning ignited a new fire near <a href="/info/en/?search=Kergunyah,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Kergunyah, Victoria">Kergunyah</a> around midday on 9 February.<sup id="cite_ref-herald-sun_fresh_fire_64-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-herald-sun_fresh_fire-64">[64]</a></sup> More than 440 personnel worked to contain a separate front that threatened <a href="/info/en/?search=Gundowring,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Gundowring, Victoria">Gundowring</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=Eskdale,_Victoria" title="Eskdale, Victoria">Eskdale</a>, having jumped the <a href="/info/en/?search=Kiewa_River" title="Kiewa River">Kiewa River</a>. Late on the night of 9 February the greatest threat was to Eskdale, and fires also burnt in pine plantations 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from the large town of <a href="/info/en/?search=Myrtleford,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Myrtleford, Victoria">Myrtleford</a>, at the western end of the fire area.<sup id="cite_ref-herald-sun_fresh_fire_64-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-herald-sun_fresh_fire-64">[64]</a></sup> While smaller towns to the east, including Gundowring and Kergunyah, remained under threat, the CFA said that there was no immediate danger to the larger towns of Beechworth and Yackandandah on the northern fringe of the fire area.<sup id="cite_ref-australian_inquiry_ordered_65-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-australian_inquiry_ordered-65">[65]</a></sup>
</p><p>By 10 February, firefighters had completed a 115 km (71 mi) containment line around the Beechworth fire, and sought to construct 15 km (9.3 mi) more, though the fire continued to burn out of control.<sup id="cite_ref-canberra-times_prisoners_help_66-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-canberra-times_prisoners_help-66">[66]</a></sup> By that afternoon, threat messages for the area had been downgraded, though firefighters were tackling a separate fire near <a href="/info/en/?search=Koetong,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Koetong, Victoria">Koetong</a>, to the east of the main Beechworth fire, of between 50 and 80 ha (120 and 200 acres).<sup id="cite_ref-abc_north-east_urged_67-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_north-east_urged-67">[67]</a></sup> Residents of Beechworth and surrounding towns were advised on the evening of 10 February to expect increased smoke cover as 250 firefighters would be undertaking backburning to eliminate fuel within the control lines.<sup id="cite_ref-border-mail_smoke_increases_68-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-border-mail_smoke_increases-68">[68]</a></sup>
</p><p>The <a href="/info/en/?search=Beechworth_Correctional_Centre" title="Beechworth Correctional Centre">Beechworth Correctional Centre</a> minimum-security prison offered up to thirty of its inmates to provide assistance to firefighters; a local DSE manager said that though untrained personnel would not be allowed at the fire front, the prisoners would be welcome in support roles.<sup id="cite_ref-canberra-times_prisoners_help_66-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-canberra-times_prisoners_help-66">[66]</a></sup>
</p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Bendigo_fire">Bendigo fire</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=9" title="Edit section: Bendigo fire"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:Bendigo_Fires_07022009_1.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Bendigo_Fires_07022009_1.jpg/220px-Bendigo_Fires_07022009_1.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="146" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Bendigo_Fires_07022009_1.jpg/330px-Bendigo_Fires_07022009_1.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Bendigo_Fires_07022009_1.jpg/440px-Bendigo_Fires_07022009_1.jpg 2x" data-file-width="4672" data-file-height="3104" /></a><figcaption>Fire threatening houses near Dean Street in Long Gully, west of <a href="/info/en/?search=Bendigo,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Bendigo, Victoria">Bendigo</a> at 5:52 pm</figcaption></figure>
<p>A fire to the west of the city of <a href="/info/en/?search=Bendigo,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Bendigo, Victoria">Bendigo</a> burned out 500 hectares (1,200 acres).<sup id="cite_ref-abc_bendigo_meeting_69-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_bendigo_meeting-69">[69]</a></sup> The fire broke out at about 4:30 pm on the afternoon of 7 February, and burned through <a href="/info/en/?search=Long_Gully,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Long Gully, Victoria">Long Gully</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=Eaglehawk,_Victoria" title="Eaglehawk, Victoria">Eaglehawk</a>, coming within 2 km (1.2 mi) of central Bendigo, before it was brought under control late on 7 February.<sup id="cite_ref-abc_bendigo_meeting_69-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_bendigo_meeting-69">[69]</a></sup> It destroyed around 61 houses<sup id="cite_ref-70" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-70">[70]</a></sup> in Bendigo's western suburbs, and damaged an electricity distribution line, resulting in blackouts to substantial parts of the city.<sup id="cite_ref-herald-sun_man_on_fire_71-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-herald-sun_man_on_fire-71">[71]</a></sup> One Long Gully resident, ill and confined to his house, was killed in the fire despite the efforts of his neighbours to rescue him.<sup id="cite_ref-herald-sun_man_on_fire_71-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-herald-sun_man_on_fire-71">[71]</a></sup> The fire changed direction late on 7 February with the cool change, and headed back towards Eaglehawk; it was contained at 9:52 pm, though it was still burning within containment lines well into the next day.<sup id="cite_ref-age_mind_beast_72-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_mind_beast-72">[72]</a></sup>
</p><p>A relief centre was set up at <a href="/info/en/?search=Kangaroo_Flat,_Victoria" title="Kangaroo Flat, Victoria">Kangaroo Flat</a> Senior Citizens Centre.<sup id="cite_ref-CFA_1476708465993_73-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-CFA_1476708465993-73">[73]</a></sup> During the fire, residents from Long Gully, Eaglehawk, Maiden Gully, California Gully, and West Bendigo were evacuated and advised to assemble at the centre.<sup id="cite_ref-bendigo-advertiser_wall_of_flames_74-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-bendigo-advertiser_wall_of_flames-74">[74]</a></sup> A town meeting was held for the affected residents on 8 February.<sup id="cite_ref-abc_bendigo_meeting_69-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_bendigo_meeting-69">[69]</a></sup> On the same day, <a href="/info/en/?search=Victoria_Police" title="Victoria Police">Victoria Police</a> indicated that they were investigating whether arson was the cause of the fire.<sup id="cite_ref-abc_bendigo_meeting_69-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_bendigo_meeting-69">[69]</a></sup>
</p><p>The CFA initially suspected that the most likely cause was a <a href="/info/en/?search=Cigarette_butt" class="mw-redirect" title="Cigarette butt">cigarette butt</a> discarded from a car or truck along Bracewell Street in Maiden Gully.<sup id="cite_ref-75" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-75">[75]</a></sup> However, the arson squad and local Bendigo detectives spent 9 February investigating the fire scene, and while they could not determine exactly what had caused the fire as of 10 February, they suspected arson.<sup id="cite_ref-abc_arson_bendigo_76-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_arson_bendigo-76">[76]</a></sup> On 10 June 2009, Victoria Police announced that they were 'completely satisfied' that the fire had been deliberately lit.<sup id="cite_ref-bendigo_arson_77-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-bendigo_arson-77">[77]</a></sup>
</p><p>On 2 February 2010, police announced that the taskforce investigating the arson had arrested two youths in relation to the Bendigo fires. The youths, aged 14 and 15, were each charged with arson causing death, deliberately lighting a bushfire, lighting of a fire on a day of total fire ban and lighting of a fire in a country area during extreme weather conditions. They were also charged with multiple counts of using telecommunications systems to menace, harass and offend as well as 135 counts each of arson.<sup id="cite_ref-78" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-78">[78]</a></sup>
</p><p>On 7 November 2011, the Victorian Supreme Court Justice, Paul Coghlan, on advice from the prosecutor, Steven Milesi, found that the two youths were unfit to stand trial before a jury due to their intellectual disabilities.<sup id="cite_ref-79" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-79">[79]</a></sup>
</p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Redesdale_fire">Redesdale fire</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=10" title="Edit section: Redesdale fire"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<p>In <a href="/info/en/?search=Redesdale,_Victoria" title="Redesdale, Victoria">Redesdale</a>, southeast of Bendigo, a fire starting 9 km (5.6 mi) west of the town burnt 10,000 ha (25,000 acres) and destroyed twelve houses and various outbuildings. The fire threatened the towns of <a href="/info/en/?search=Baynton,_Victoria" title="Baynton, Victoria">Baynton</a><sup id="cite_ref-80" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-80">[80]</a></sup> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Glenhope,_Victoria&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Glenhope, Victoria (page does not exist)">Glenhope</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-81" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-81">[81]</a></sup><sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/info/en/?search=Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (February 2009)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> Glenhope was threatened again on 9 February from a smaller fire that broke away from the main front, resulting in extra fire crews being brought in from Bendigo and <a href="/info/en/?search=Kyneton,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Kyneton, Victoria">Kyneton</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-abc_arson_bendigo_76-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_arson_bendigo-76">[76]</a></sup> The fire was contained by 10 February.<sup id="cite_ref-abc_arson_bendigo_76-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_arson_bendigo-76">[76]</a></sup>
</p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Bunyip_State_Park_fire">Bunyip State Park fire</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=11" title="Edit section: Bunyip State Park fire"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<p>A fire started at Bunyip Ridge in the <a href="/info/en/?search=Bunyip_State_Park" title="Bunyip State Park">Bunyip State Park</a> on 4 February, originating near walking tracks; it was thought to have been deliberately lit.<sup id="cite_ref-berwick-district-journal_battle_bunyip_22-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-berwick-district-journal_battle_bunyip-22">[22]</a></sup> By 6 February, the fire had burned out 123 hectares (300 acres), and emergency services personnel engaged in fighting the fire feared, despite efforts to establish containment lines in the park, that once the extreme weather conditions of 7 February arrived the fire would escape the confines of the park and threaten surrounding towns.<sup id="cite_ref-australian_threatens_break_free_82-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-australian_threatens_break_free-82">[82]</a></sup>
</p><p>By the morning of 7 February, the fire had broken through containment lines.<sup id="cite_ref-abc_fire_breaks_lines_83-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_fire_breaks_lines-83">[83]</a></sup> According to the DSE incident controller for the fire, the weather conditions deteriorated much more quickly than predicted, stating that "conditions overnight and in the early hours are usually mild, but our firefighters are reporting strong winds and flame heights of five to 10 metres".<sup id="cite_ref-australian_residents_high_alert_84-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-australian_residents_high_alert-84">[84]</a></sup> Ground-based fire crews had to retreat from the fire front as the escalating conditions made firefighting in the bushland terrain impossible.<sup id="cite_ref-australian_crews_retreat_85-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-australian_crews_retreat-85">[85]</a></sup> The fire broke out of the park around 4:00 pm, and by 6:00 pm had burnt out 2,400 hectares (5,900 acres) of forest and farmland, threatening the towns of <a href="/info/en/?search=Labertouche,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Labertouche, Victoria">Labertouche</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=Tonimbuk,_Victoria" title="Tonimbuk, Victoria">Tonimbuk</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=Jindivick,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Jindivick, Victoria">Jindivick</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=Drouin,_Victoria" title="Drouin, Victoria">Drouin</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=Warragul,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Warragul, Victoria">Warragul</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=Longwarry,_Victoria" title="Longwarry, Victoria">Longwarry</a>, and embers were starting spot fires up to 20 km (12 mi) to the south.<sup id="cite_ref-age_inferno_terrorises_86-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_inferno_terrorises-86">[86]</a></sup>
</p><p>The fire destroyed approximately a dozen houses at Labertouche, Tonimbuk, and Drouin West,<sup id="cite_ref-weekly-times_rain_only_hope_87-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-weekly-times_rain_only_hope-87">[87]</a></sup> in addition to various outbuildings and a factory.<sup id="cite_ref-herald-sun_towns_alert_88-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-herald-sun_towns_alert-88">[88]</a></sup> The progress of the fire had been stopped by the afternoon of 9 February, though it had burned through 24,500 hectares (61,000 acres).<sup id="cite_ref-abc_glance_9feb_89-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_glance_9feb-89">[89]</a></sup> DSE crews conducted <a href="/info/en/?search=Controlled_burn" title="Controlled burn">backburning</a> operations to ensure containment of the fire on 9 February, warning residents of areas between <a href="/info/en/?search=Pakenham,_Victoria" title="Pakenham, Victoria">Pakenham</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=Warragul,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Warragul, Victoria">Warragul</a> about smoke from those fires.<sup id="cite_ref-herald-sun_towns_alert_88-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-herald-sun_towns_alert-88">[88]</a></sup>
</p><p>The fire was controlled and co-ordinated at the Pakenham ICC in the Combined Emergency Services building, with CFA and DSE personnel running the operation depending on where the fire was at the time. Pakenham VICSES, who shared the building, also provided assistance during the fire operation.
</p>
<figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:Churchill_Fires_Black_Saturday.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Churchill_Fires_Black_Saturday.jpg/220px-Churchill_Fires_Black_Saturday.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="146" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Churchill_Fires_Black_Saturday.jpg/330px-Churchill_Fires_Black_Saturday.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/Churchill_Fires_Black_Saturday.jpg/440px-Churchill_Fires_Black_Saturday.jpg 2x" data-file-width="2048" data-file-height="1362" /></a><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Central_Gippsland_fires">Central Gippsland fires</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=12" title="Edit section: Central Gippsland fires"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<p>The Central Gippsland bushfires began in a pine plantation 1 km (0.62 mi) southeast of <a href="/info/en/?search=Churchill,_Victoria" title="Churchill, Victoria">Churchill</a> at about 1:30 pm on the afternoon of 7 February.<sup id="cite_ref-latrobe-valley-express_blaze_claims_lives_90-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-latrobe-valley-express_blaze_claims_lives-90">[90]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-:0_91-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:0-91">[91]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-:1_92-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:1-92">[92]</a></sup> Within 30 minutes it had spread to the southeast, threatening <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Hazelwood_South,_Victoria&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Hazelwood South, Victoria (page does not exist)">Hazelwood South</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=Jeeralang,_Victoria" title="Jeeralang, Victoria">Jeeralang</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Budgeree_East,_Victoria&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Budgeree East, Victoria (page does not exist)">Budgeree East</a>, and by late afternoon the fire was approaching <a href="/info/en/?search=Yarram,_Victoria" title="Yarram, Victoria">Yarram</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=Woodside,_Victoria" title="Woodside, Victoria">Woodside</a> on the south Gippsland coast.<sup id="cite_ref-:1_92-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:1-92">[92]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-latrobe-valley-express_blaze_claims_lives_90-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-latrobe-valley-express_blaze_claims_lives-90">[90]</a></sup> The cool change came through the area about 6:00 pm, but the southwesterly winds it brought pushed the fire northeast through <a href="/info/en/?search=Callignee,_Victoria" title="Callignee, Victoria">Callignee</a>, destroying 57 of its 61 homes.<sup id="cite_ref-Black_Saturday_93-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Black_Saturday-93">[93]</a></sup> The fire continued on to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Koornalla,_Victoria&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Koornalla, Victoria (page does not exist)">Koornalla</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Traralgon_South,_Victoria&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Traralgon South, Victoria (page does not exist)">Traralgon South</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-:0_91-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:0-91">[91]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-:1_92-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:1-92">[92]</a></sup> and towards <a href="/info/en/?search=Gormandale,_Victoria" title="Gormandale, Victoria">Gormandale</a> and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Willung_South,_Victoria&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Willung South, Victoria (page does not exist)">Willung South</a> on the <a href="/info/en/?search=Hyland_Highway" title="Hyland Highway">Hyland Highway</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-latrobe-valley-express_blaze_claims_lives_90-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-latrobe-valley-express_blaze_claims_lives-90">[90]</a></sup> About 500 evacuees from the area sheltered at an emergency centre established in a theatre in <a href="/info/en/?search=Traralgon,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Traralgon, Victoria">Traralgon</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-latrobe-valley-express_blaze_claims_lives_90-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-latrobe-valley-express_blaze_claims_lives-90">[90]</a></sup>
</p><p>The fire threatened the <a href="/info/en/?search=Loy_Yang_Power_Station,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Loy Yang Power Station, Victoria">Loy Yang Power Station</a>, particularly the station's <a href="/info/en/?search=Open-pit_mining" title="Open-pit mining">open-cut coal mine</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-abc_power_secure_94-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_power_secure-94">[94]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-:1_92-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:1-92">[92]</a></sup> On the night of 7 February, the fire approached the mine's <a href="/info/en/?search=Overburden" title="Overburden">overburden</a> dump, but did not damage any infrastructure, nor did it affect the station's operations.<sup id="cite_ref-latrobe-valley-express_loy_yang_alert_95-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-latrobe-valley-express_loy_yang_alert-95">[95]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-:1_92-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:1-92">[92]</a></sup> Several small fires broke out in the bunker storing raw coal from the mine, but were contained with no damage.<sup id="cite_ref-latrobe-valley-express_loy_yang_alert_95-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-latrobe-valley-express_loy_yang_alert-95">[95]</a></sup> The threat eased by the evening of 8 February as temperatures cooled and some light rain fell. One small <a href="/info/en/?search=Spot_fire" class="mw-redirect" title="Spot fire">spot fire</a> broke out to the south of the power station, but it was contained by water bombing aircraft.<sup id="cite_ref-abc_power_secure_94-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_power_secure-94">[94]</a></sup>
</p><p>By 9 February, the <i>Churchill fire complex</i> was still burning out of control, with fronts through the <a href="/info/en/?search=Latrobe_Valley" title="Latrobe Valley">Latrobe Valley</a> and the <a href="/info/en/?search=Strzelecki_Ranges" title="Strzelecki Ranges">Strzelecki Ranges</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-abc_gippsland_fires_rage_96-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_gippsland_fires_rage-96">[96]</a></sup> By late that afternoon, the complex had burnt out 32,860 hectares (81,200 acres) and had killed eleven people.<sup id="cite_ref-geelong-addy_loy_yang_97-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-geelong-addy_loy_yang-97">[97]</a></sup> Wind changes that evening exacerbated parts of the Churchill complex, causing the CFA to issue further warnings to residents at <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Won_Wron,_Victoria&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Won Wron, Victoria (page does not exist)">Won Wron</a> and surrounding areas.<sup id="cite_ref-herald-sun_shifting_winds_98-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-herald-sun_shifting_winds-98">[98]</a></sup>
</p><p>Investigators revealed that they strongly believed arson was the most likely cause of the Churchill fire.<sup id="cite_ref-TheAge_58-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-TheAge-58">[58]</a></sup> A man from Churchill,<sup id="cite_ref-age_churchill_arrest_99-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_churchill_arrest-99">[99]</a></sup> Brendan Sokaluk of Chuchill,<sup id="cite_ref-age-arsonist_100-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age-arsonist-100">[100]</a></sup> was arrested by police on 12 February and charged with one count each of arson causing death and intentionally lighting a bushfire.<sup id="cite_ref-age_churchill_arrest_99-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_churchill_arrest-99">[99]</a></sup> He was convicted of 10 counts of arson causing death and sentenced to 17 years 9 months' imprisonment in April 2012.<sup id="cite_ref-101" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-101">[101]</a></sup>
</p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Dandenong_Ranges_fire">Dandenong Ranges fire</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=13" title="Edit section: Dandenong Ranges fire"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:Ringwood_-_Belgrave_Rail_Trail_Bushfires.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/Ringwood_-_Belgrave_Rail_Trail_Bushfires.JPG/220px-Ringwood_-_Belgrave_Rail_Trail_Bushfires.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/Ringwood_-_Belgrave_Rail_Trail_Bushfires.JPG/330px-Ringwood_-_Belgrave_Rail_Trail_Bushfires.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/16/Ringwood_-_Belgrave_Rail_Trail_Bushfires.JPG/440px-Ringwood_-_Belgrave_Rail_Trail_Bushfires.JPG 2x" data-file-width="1600" data-file-height="1200" /></a><figcaption>Fire damaged bushland surrounds the <a href="/info/en/?search=Ringwood_-_Belgrave_Rail_Trail" class="mw-redirect" title="Ringwood - Belgrave Rail Trail">Ringwood - Belgrave Rail Trail</a> in <a href="/info/en/?search=Upper_Ferntree_Gully,_Victoria" title="Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria">Upper Ferntree Gully</a></figcaption></figure>
<figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:Ftgfire.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Ftgfire.jpg/220px-Ftgfire.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Ftgfire.jpg/330px-Ftgfire.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Ftgfire.jpg/440px-Ftgfire.jpg 2x" data-file-width="2592" data-file-height="1944" /></a><figcaption>A car burnt as a result of the Upper Ferntree Gully fires</figcaption></figure>
<p>In <a href="/info/en/?search=Upper_Ferntree_Gully,_Victoria" title="Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria">Upper Ferntree Gully</a> a fire damaged the rail track and caused the closure of the <a href="/info/en/?search=Belgrave_railway_line" class="mw-redirect" title="Belgrave railway line">Belgrave railway line</a>, as well as all major roads.<sup id="cite_ref-trains_102-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-trains-102">[102]</a></sup> The fire, which was contained by CFA crews within three hours, burned at least 2 ha (4.9 acres) along the railway.<sup id="cite_ref-herald-sun_owners_flee_103-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-herald-sun_owners_flee-103">[103]</a></sup>
</p><p>In the southern Dandenong Ranges, bushfires ignited around <a href="/info/en/?search=Narre_Warren,_Victoria" title="Narre Warren, Victoria">Narre Warren</a>, one of which was caused by sparks from a power tool.<sup id="cite_ref-104" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-104">[104]</a></sup> Six homes were destroyed in <a href="/info/en/?search=Narre_Warren_South,_Victoria" title="Narre Warren South, Victoria">Narre Warren South</a> and three in <a href="/info/en/?search=Narre_Warren_North,_Victoria" title="Narre Warren North, Victoria">Narre Warren North</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-105" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-105">[105]</a></sup>
</p><p>In the weeks following Black Saturday, fires were started in bushland along Terrys Avenue in <a href="/info/en/?search=Belgrave,_Victoria" title="Belgrave, Victoria">Belgrave</a> (which was quickly contained and extinguished by the CFA), and Lysterfield State Forest in <a href="/info/en/?search=Upwey,_Victoria" title="Upwey, Victoria">Upwey</a>. Amongst the damage was the almost new <a href="/info/en/?search=Upper_Ferntree_Gully,_Victoria" title="Upper Ferntree Gully, Victoria">Upper Ferntree Gully</a> CFA Tanker 1.
</p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Wilsons_Promontory_fire">Wilsons Promontory fire</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=14" title="Edit section: Wilsons Promontory fire"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<p>On 8 February lightning sparked a fire in <a href="/info/en/?search=Wilsons_Promontory" title="Wilsons Promontory">Wilsons Promontory</a> which burned more than 11,000 ha (27,000 acres).<sup id="cite_ref-106" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-106">[106]</a></sup> This fire posed no immediate threat to campers, but due to excessive fuel and inaccessibility authorities chose to evacuate the park, with some campers being evacuated by boat.<sup id="cite_ref-107" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-107">[107]</a></sup>
</p><p>At a community meeting on 11 February, DSE and <a href="/info/en/?search=Parks_Victoria" title="Parks Victoria">Parks Victoria</a> authorities revealed a plan to back-burn across the entrance to the promontory, in order to prevent any possibility of the fire burning out of the park and into farmland and towards the towns of <a href="/info/en/?search=Yanakie,_Victoria" title="Yanakie, Victoria">Yanakie</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=Sandy_Point,_Victoria" title="Sandy Point, Victoria">Sandy Point</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-age_park_backburning_debate_108-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_park_backburning_debate-108">[108]</a></sup> <a href="/info/en/?search=Crikey" title="Crikey">Crikey</a> reported that locals were divided on the merits of the plan, some concerned as to why the back-burning had not been carried out earlier, and some worried at the large scale of the proposed burns, which were reported to be larger than both the existing fire as well as the April 2005 fires that affected the park<sup id="cite_ref-crikey_light_up_prom_109-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-crikey_light_up_prom-109">[109]</a></sup> Strong easterly winds on 12 February forced authorities to postpone the proposed burns lest they themselves pose a danger to surrounding communities, though they did proceed with preparatory work.<sup id="cite_ref-abc_winds_force_change_110-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_winds_force_change-110">[110]</a></sup>
</p>
<h3><span id="Maroondah.2FYarra_fires"></span><span class="mw-headline" id="Maroondah/Yarra_fires">Maroondah/Yarra fires</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=15" title="Edit section: Maroondah/Yarra fires"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:09_vic_bushfires_maroondah_yarra_complex_01.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/09_vic_bushfires_maroondah_yarra_complex_01.JPG/220px-09_vic_bushfires_maroondah_yarra_complex_01.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/09_vic_bushfires_maroondah_yarra_complex_01.JPG/330px-09_vic_bushfires_maroondah_yarra_complex_01.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/09_vic_bushfires_maroondah_yarra_complex_01.JPG/440px-09_vic_bushfires_maroondah_yarra_complex_01.JPG 2x" data-file-width="1600" data-file-height="1200" /></a><figcaption>Part of the Maroondah/Yarra complex, east of <a href="/info/en/?search=Yarra_Glen,_Victoria" title="Yarra Glen, Victoria">Yarra Glen</a>, on 10 February</figcaption></figure>
<p>The <i>Maroondah/Yarra complex</i> was a combination of several fires that had earlier been burning to the east of <a href="/info/en/?search=Healesville,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Healesville, Victoria">Healesville</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=Toolangi,_Victoria" title="Toolangi, Victoria">Toolangi</a> on 10 February, as part of the greater Kilmore East – Murrindindi complex south.<sup id="cite_ref-age_yarra_valley_threat_111-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_yarra_valley_threat-111">[111]</a></sup> By late that morning, the complex had burned out 505 hectares (1,250 acres), with 184 personnel and 56 tankers responding to the fires.<sup id="cite_ref-age_yarra_valley_threat_111-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_yarra_valley_threat-111">[111]</a></sup> A CFA spokesperson said that while temperatures had cooled, strong winds were proving problematic, with towns in the area being threatened by <a href="/info/en/?search=Ember" title="Ember">embers</a> blown from the fires.<sup id="cite_ref-age_yarra_valley_threat_111-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_yarra_valley_threat-111">[111]</a></sup> Around midday, the immediate threat to property in the areas around Healesville was downgraded, though a DSE spokesperson said that residents should be mindful of localised changes in the weather.<sup id="cite_ref-age_healesville_threat_downgraded_112-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_healesville_threat_downgraded-112">[112]</a></sup>
</p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Horsham_fire">Horsham fire</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=16" title="Edit section: Horsham fire"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<p>The <a href="/info/en/?search=Horsham,_Victoria" title="Horsham, Victoria">Horsham</a> fire burnt 5,700 ha (14,000 acres), including the golf club and eight homes.<sup id="cite_ref-Age7Feb_44-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Age7Feb-44">[44]</a></sup> Two firefighters from the <a href="/info/en/?search=Dimboola,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Dimboola, Victoria">Dimboola</a> brigade narrowly escaped when their <a href="/info/en/?search=Utility_vehicle" title="Utility vehicle">ute</a> was engulfed by fire.<sup id="cite_ref-ABCHorsham_113-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ABCHorsham-113">[113]</a></sup>
</p><p>The fire was ignited at 12:30 pm on 7 February when strong winds initiated the failure of a 40-year-old tie wire, felling a power line at Remlaw, west of the city.<sup id="cite_ref-herald-sun_firing_line_114-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-herald-sun_firing_line-114">[114]</a></sup> The fire spread southwest and then southeast, across the <a href="/info/en/?search=Wimmera_Highway" title="Wimmera Highway">Wimmera Highway</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=Wimmera_River" title="Wimmera River">Wimmera River</a>, to the Horsham Golf Course, and then to <a href="/info/en/?search=Haven,_Victoria" title="Haven, Victoria">Haven</a>, south of the city.<sup id="cite_ref-wimmera-mail-times_latest_report_115-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-wimmera-mail-times_latest_report-115">[115]</a></sup> Firefighters managed to save the general store, town hall and school at Haven, though flames came within metres of those buildings.<sup id="cite_ref-wimmera-mail-times_haven_saved_116-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-wimmera-mail-times_haven_saved-116">[116]</a></sup> Winds of up to 90 km/h (56 mph) changed direction three times throughout the day, producing conditions described by the local CFA incident controller as the worst he had ever seen.<sup id="cite_ref-herald-sun_firing_line_114-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-herald-sun_firing_line-114">[114]</a></sup> To the southwest of Horsham an 82-year-old woman in a wheelchair and her daughter were collected from her house by a taxi when the fire was no more than 100 m (110 yd) away; the house was alight as the taxi drove off, and burned down within minutes.<sup id="cite_ref-age_molly_cab_117-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_molly_cab-117">[117]</a></sup>
</p><p>At 3:00 pm more than 400 personnel were engaged in fighting the fire,<sup id="cite_ref-wimmera-mail-times_latest_report_115-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-wimmera-mail-times_latest_report-115">[115]</a></sup> as well as two water-bombing aircraft, 54 CFA tankers, and 35 DSE units.<sup id="cite_ref-wimmera-mail-times_haven_saved_116-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-wimmera-mail-times_haven_saved-116">[116]</a></sup> By 6:00 pm the front had moved east, and a wind change then pushed it northeast across the <a href="/info/en/?search=Western_Highway_(Victoria)" title="Western Highway (Victoria)">Western Highway</a> to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Drung,_Victoria&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Drung, Victoria (page does not exist)">Drung</a>, east of Horsham.<sup id="cite_ref-wimmera-mail-times_latest_report_115-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-wimmera-mail-times_latest_report-115">[115]</a></sup>
</p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Coleraine_fire">Coleraine fire</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=17" title="Edit section: Coleraine fire"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<p>Shortly before 12:30 pm on 7 February 2009 a fire started on farmland, 5 km (3.1 mi) northwest of <a href="/info/en/?search=Coleraine,_Victoria" title="Coleraine, Victoria">Coleraine</a> in western Victoria.<sup id="cite_ref-SUBM-202-006-0001_118-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-SUBM-202-006-0001-118">[118]</a></sup> In gusting winds, a corroded tie wire holding a 48-year-old <a href="/info/en/?search=Single_wire_earth_return" class="mw-redirect" title="Single wire earth return">single wire earth return</a> (SWER) conductor to an insulator failed due to metal fatigue.<sup id="cite_ref-SUBM-202-006-0001_118-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-SUBM-202-006-0001-118">[118]</a></sup> The insulator was atop Pole 3 <span class="geo-inline"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1156832818">.mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct,.mw-parser-output .geo-inline-hidden{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}</style><span class="plainlinks nourlexpansion load-gadget" data-gadget="WikiMiniAtlas"><a class="external text" href="https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Black_Saturday_bushfires&params=37_34_51.7_S_141_38_28.8_E_type:event"><span class="geo-default"><span class="geo-dms" title="Maps, aerial photos, and other data for this location"><span class="latitude">37°34′51.7″S</span> <span class="longitude">141°38′28.8″E</span></span></span><span class="geo-multi-punct"> / </span><span class="geo-nondefault"><span class="geo-dec" title="Maps, aerial photos, and other data for this location">37.581028°S 141.641333°E</span><span style="display:none"> / <span class="geo">-37.581028; 141.641333</span></span></span></a></span></span> on the 12,700-volt Colfitz North spur line. The galvanised steel conductor swung free in the wind, suspended by poles 2 and 4, a span of 540 m (1,770 ft). It is not believed to have touched the ground, but was pushed into a nearby <a href="/info/en/?search=Eucalyptus" title="Eucalyptus">eucalyptus</a> tree by the strong prevailing wind.
</p><p>Burning gumleaves fell to the ground and ignited grass, from which the fire grew extremely rapidly in the hot, dry and windy conditions.<sup id="cite_ref-SUBM-202-006-0001_118-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-SUBM-202-006-0001-118">[118]</a></sup> Over 230 firefighters, with 43 appliances and two water bombing aircraft, worked to contain the fire which burnt 770 ha (1,900 acres).<sup id="cite_ref-warrnambool-standard_man_badly_burnt_119-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-warrnambool-standard_man_badly_burnt-119">[119]</a></sup> The fire destroyed one house, two haysheds, three tractors, the Coleraine Avenue of Honour, and 200 km (120 mi) of fences,<sup id="cite_ref-SUBM-202-006-0001_118-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-SUBM-202-006-0001-118">[118]</a></sup> as well as injuring livestock, but firefighters were able to save six other homes, including that of the parents of <a href="/info/en/?search=Premier_of_Victoria" title="Premier of Victoria">Victorian Premier</a> <a href="/info/en/?search=John_Brumby" title="John Brumby">John Brumby</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-warrnambool-standard_man_badly_burnt_119-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-warrnambool-standard_man_badly_burnt-119">[119]</a></sup>
</p><p>The fire threatened to burn through the township, but a wind change around 2:00 pm pushed the fire to the northeast instead.<sup id="cite_ref-border-watch_coleraine_saved_120-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-border-watch_coleraine_saved-120">[120]</a></sup> The regional CFA operations officer said of the wind change that "[a]ll that happened within about an hour and we were lucky; we thought it would go through Coleraine, but it headed off at the last minute."<sup id="cite_ref-border-watch_coleraine_saved_120-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-border-watch_coleraine_saved-120">[120]</a></sup> At about 6:00 pm the fire was controlled.<sup id="cite_ref-border-watch_coleraine_saved_120-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-border-watch_coleraine_saved-120">[120]</a></sup>
</p><p>A local man was badly burned while helping a farmer move livestock out of harm's way; the man was caught when the same wind change that saved the town pushed the fire in his direction, and he suffered burns to 50% of his body,<sup id="cite_ref-warrnambool-standard_man_badly_burnt_119-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-warrnambool-standard_man_badly_burnt-119">[119]</a></sup> but recovered.<sup id="cite_ref-smeets_121-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-smeets-121">[121]</a></sup>
</p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Weerite_fire">Weerite fire</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=18" title="Edit section: Weerite fire"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<p>At <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Weerite,_Victoria&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Weerite, Victoria (page does not exist)">Weerite</a>, east of <a href="/info/en/?search=Camperdown,_Victoria" title="Camperdown, Victoria">Camperdown</a>, a fire burnt 1,300 ha (3,200 acres), and damaged the rail line between <a href="/info/en/?search=Geelong,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Geelong, Victoria">Geelong</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=Warrnambool,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Warrnambool, Victoria">Warrnambool</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-raildamage_122-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-raildamage-122">[122]</a></sup> Approximately 3,000 sleepers were burnt across a 4 km (2.5 mi) section of track.<sup id="cite_ref-123" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-123">[123]</a></sup> The rail line was re-opened by 16 February.<sup id="cite_ref-vline-reopenings_124-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-vline-reopenings-124">[124]</a></sup>
</p><p>The fire caused unquantified losses of stock, and destroyed several outbuildings, but all houses under threat were saved by CFA firefighters.<sup id="cite_ref-warrnambool-standard_pombo_fire_125-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-warrnambool-standard_pombo_fire-125">[125]</a></sup> The fire is thought to have been started by sparking from felled power lines along the <a href="/info/en/?search=Princes_Highway" title="Princes Highway">Princes Highway</a>, which carried restricted speeds for a short time due to the heavy smoke in the area.<sup id="cite_ref-vicroads_closures_126-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-vicroads_closures-126">[126]</a></sup>
</p>
<h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Investigations">Investigations</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=19" title="Edit section: Investigations"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2>
<figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:CSIRO_ScienceImage_10300_Property_destroyed_by_fire_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/CSIRO_ScienceImage_10300_Property_destroyed_by_fire_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg/220px-CSIRO_ScienceImage_10300_Property_destroyed_by_fire_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="146" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/CSIRO_ScienceImage_10300_Property_destroyed_by_fire_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg/330px-CSIRO_ScienceImage_10300_Property_destroyed_by_fire_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/CSIRO_ScienceImage_10300_Property_destroyed_by_fire_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg/440px-CSIRO_ScienceImage_10300_Property_destroyed_by_fire_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg 2x" data-file-width="2657" data-file-height="1765" /></a><figcaption>Property destroyed by fire at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:CSIRO_ScienceImage_10347_Remains_of_a_destroyed_property_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/CSIRO_ScienceImage_10347_Remains_of_a_destroyed_property_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg/220px-CSIRO_ScienceImage_10347_Remains_of_a_destroyed_property_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="331" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/CSIRO_ScienceImage_10347_Remains_of_a_destroyed_property_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg/330px-CSIRO_ScienceImage_10347_Remains_of_a_destroyed_property_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/CSIRO_ScienceImage_10347_Remains_of_a_destroyed_property_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg/440px-CSIRO_ScienceImage_10347_Remains_of_a_destroyed_property_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1765" data-file-height="2657" /></a><figcaption>Remains of a destroyed property at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:CSIRO_ScienceImage_10346_A_burntout_car_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/CSIRO_ScienceImage_10346_A_burntout_car_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg/220px-CSIRO_ScienceImage_10346_A_burntout_car_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="146" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/CSIRO_ScienceImage_10346_A_burntout_car_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg/330px-CSIRO_ScienceImage_10346_A_burntout_car_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/CSIRO_ScienceImage_10346_A_burntout_car_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg/440px-CSIRO_ScienceImage_10346_A_burntout_car_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg 2x" data-file-width="2657" data-file-height="1765" /></a><figcaption>A burnt out car at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:CSIRO_ScienceImage_10430_A_destroyed_property_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/CSIRO_ScienceImage_10430_A_destroyed_property_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg/220px-CSIRO_ScienceImage_10430_A_destroyed_property_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="146" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/CSIRO_ScienceImage_10430_A_destroyed_property_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg/330px-CSIRO_ScienceImage_10430_A_destroyed_property_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/CSIRO_ScienceImage_10430_A_destroyed_property_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg/440px-CSIRO_ScienceImage_10430_A_destroyed_property_at_Kinglake_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg 2x" data-file-width="2657" data-file-height="1765" /></a><figcaption>Destroyed property at Kinglake after the Black Saturday bushfires</figcaption></figure>
<p>Investigations began almost immediately following the fires to determine a wide variety of things, including identification of victims, cause of ignition sources, and assessments of authority responses. A <a href="/info/en/?search=Royal_Commission" class="mw-redirect" title="Royal Commission">Royal Commission</a> into the Black Saturday bushfires was conducted, a process that was intended to determine the true nature of the background causes, preparation of responsible agencies, circumstances on the day, chronology, and impacts of the events in question.
</p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Forensic">Forensic</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=20" title="Edit section: Forensic"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<p>Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, <a href="/info/en/?search=Christine_Nixon" title="Christine Nixon">Christine Nixon</a>, formed a taskforce to assist in identifying victims, coordinated by Inspector Greg Hough.<sup id="cite_ref-127" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-127">[127]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-128" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-128">[128]</a></sup> Around forty police from interstate and overseas assisted with Disaster Victim Identification (DVI). The police were sourced from the Australian Federal Police, Tasmania, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory, Western Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia. New Zealand police also provided four victim identification dogs and handlers.<sup id="cite_ref-129" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-129">[129]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-130" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-130">[130]</a></sup>
</p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Criminal">Criminal</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=21" title="Edit section: Criminal"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<h4><span class="mw-headline" id="Arson">Arson</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=22" title="Edit section: Arson"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4>
<p>Some of the fires were suspected to have been deliberately lit by <a href="/info/en/?search=Arsonists" class="mw-redirect" title="Arsonists">arsonists</a>. Chief Commissioner Nixon stated on 9 February 2009 that all fire sites would be treated as <a href="/info/en/?search=Crime_scene" title="Crime scene">crime scenes</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-australian_police_track_arsonists_131-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-australian_police_track_arsonists-131">[131]</a></sup>
</p><p>On 9 February a man was arrested in connection with the fires at Narre Warren; it was alleged by police that he had been operating a power tool, sparks from which ignited a grass fire, destroying two houses.<sup id="cite_ref-australian_police_track_arsonists_131-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-australian_police_track_arsonists-131">[131]</a></sup> On 12 February, two people were arrested in connection with the fires, having been observed by members of the public acting suspiciously in areas between <a href="/info/en/?search=Yea,_Victoria" title="Yea, Victoria">Yea</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=Seymour,_Victoria" title="Seymour, Victoria">Seymour</a>; however, they were subsequently released without charges being laid.<sup id="cite_ref-age_suspects_arrested_132-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_suspects_arrested-132">[132]</a></sup>
</p><p>A man from Churchill, Brendan Sokaluk, was arrested by police on 12 February, in relation to the Churchill fires, and was questioned at the Morwell police station, before being charged on 13 February with one count each of arson causing death, intentionally lighting a bushfire, and possession of <a href="/info/en/?search=Child_pornography" title="Child pornography">child pornography</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-age_churchill_arrest_99-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_churchill_arrest-99">[99]</a></sup> At a file hearing in the <a href="/info/en/?search=Magistrates%27_Court_of_Victoria" title="Magistrates' Court of Victoria">Magistrates' Court</a> in Melbourne on 16 February the man was <a href="/info/en/?search=Detention_of_suspects" class="mw-redirect" title="Detention of suspects">remanded in custody</a> ahead of a <a href="/info/en/?search=Committal_procedure" title="Committal procedure">committal hearing</a> scheduled for 26 May.<sup id="cite_ref-age_accused_fails_face_court_133-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_accused_fails_face_court-133">[133]</a></sup> Following the hearing, a <a href="/info/en/?search=Suppression_order" class="mw-redirect" title="Suppression order">suppression order</a> on the 42-year-old man's identity was lifted, though the order remained in force with respect to publishing his address or any images of him.<sup id="cite_ref-age_accused_fails_face_court_133-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_accused_fails_face_court-133">[133]</a></sup> Despite the order, several members of the public obtained his photograph from his <a href="/info/en/?search=MySpace" class="mw-redirect" title="MySpace">MySpace</a> profile and published it on the <a href="/info/en/?search=Social_networking" class="mw-redirect" title="Social networking">social networking</a> website <a href="/info/en/?search=Facebook" title="Facebook">Facebook</a> along with his home address, and others made threats of violence against him.<sup id="cite_ref-age_vigilantes_publish_134-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_vigilantes_publish-134">[134]</a></sup> The man's lawyer said that, as a consequence of that information being published, threats were made against the man's family.<sup id="cite_ref-age_threats_taken_down_135-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_threats_taken_down-135">[135]</a></sup> The man's ex-girlfriend and her family were also harassed after the <a href="/info/en/?search=Herald_Sun" title="Herald Sun">Herald Sun</a> newspaper published a photograph and a story about her.<sup id="cite_ref-australian_ex-girlfriend_136-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-australian_ex-girlfriend-136">[136]</a></sup> On 17 February, after requests from Victoria Police, the man's MySpace profile was removed; Facebook commenced deleting postings containing threats, and deleted a photo from one group.<sup id="cite_ref-age_threats_taken_down_135-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_threats_taken_down-135">[135]</a></sup>
</p>
<h4><span class="mw-headline" id="Looting">Looting</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=23" title="Edit section: Looting"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4>
<p>By the morning of 11 February 2009, reports of <a href="/info/en/?search=Looting" title="Looting">looting</a> had been posted. Witnesses reported seeing acts of looting occurring at a property at <a href="/info/en/?search=Heathcote_Junction,_Victoria" title="Heathcote Junction, Victoria">Heathcote Junction</a>, shortly after the removal of the body of a victim from the property.<sup id="cite_ref-heathcote-looters_137-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-heathcote-looters-137">[137]</a></sup> That evening, via a report on <a href="/info/en/?search=ABC_Local_Radio" title="ABC Local Radio">ABC Local Radio</a>, a number of residents of <a href="/info/en/?search=Kinglake,_Victoria" title="Kinglake, Victoria">Kinglake</a> who had been allowed back into the area to inspect the damage, revealed that a "Looters Will Be Shot" sign had been posted in the town, after a number of suspicious people and vehicles were seen moving through the town. On 12 February, a small number of arrests were made, and charges laid against people in relation to "looting offences", as announced by the Victoria Police chief commissioner, <a href="/info/en/?search=Christine_Nixon" title="Christine Nixon">Christine Nixon</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-looting-arrests-charges_138-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-looting-arrests-charges-138">[138]</a></sup>
</p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Royal_commission">Royal commission</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=24" title="Edit section: Royal commission"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1033289096"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/info/en/?search=2009_Victorian_Bushfires_Royal_Commission" title="2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission">2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission</a></div>
<p>The Premier of Victoria, John Brumby, announced in April 2009 that a royal commission into the fires would be held which would examine "all aspects of the government's bushfire strategy".<sup id="cite_ref-139" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-139">[139]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-140" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-140">[140]</a></sup>
</p>
<h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Casualties"><span id="Consequences"> Casualties</span></span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=25" title="Edit section: Casualties"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2>
<figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:09_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_03.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/09_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_03.JPG/220px-09_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_03.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/09_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_03.JPG/330px-09_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_03.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5f/09_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_03.JPG/440px-09_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_03.JPG 2x" data-file-width="1600" data-file-height="1200" /></a><figcaption>Bushfire damage to property just north of Yarra Glen, with just the <a href="/info/en/?search=Hills_Hoist" title="Hills Hoist">Hills Hoist</a> left standing</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:2009_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_01.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/91/2009_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_01.JPG/220px-2009_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_01.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/91/2009_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_01.JPG/330px-2009_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_01.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/91/2009_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_01.JPG/440px-2009_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_01.JPG 2x" data-file-width="1600" data-file-height="1200" /></a><figcaption>Bushfire damage to property just north of Yarra Glen</figcaption></figure>
<p>A total of 173 people were confirmed to have died as a result of the fires. The figure was originally estimated at 14 on the night of 7 February, and steadily increased over the following two weeks to 210.<sup id="cite_ref-deathtoll_46-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-deathtoll-46">[46]</a></sup> It was feared that it could rise as high as 240–280,<sup id="cite_ref-Death_toll_could_be_280_141-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Death_toll_could_be_280-141">[141]</a></sup> but these figures were later revised down to 173 after further forensic examinations of remains, and after several missing people were located.<sup id="cite_ref-lowertoll_142-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-lowertoll-142">[142]</a></sup>
</p><p>A temporary morgue was established at the Coronial Services Centre at <a href="/info/en/?search=Southbank,_Victoria" title="Southbank, Victoria">Southbank</a>, capable of holding up to three hundred bodies. The Victorian Coroner compared this to a similar facility established after the <a href="/info/en/?search=7_July_2005_London_bombings" title="7 July 2005 London bombings">July 2005 London bombings</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-age_identity_143-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_identity-143">[143]</a></sup> By the morning of 10 February 101 bodies had been transported to the temporary morgue.<sup id="cite_ref-age_identity_143-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_identity-143">[143]</a></sup> The Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine stated that it could be impossible to positively identify many of the remains.<sup id="cite_ref-australian_fifty_bodies_144-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-australian_fifty_bodies-144">[144]</a></sup>
</p><p>On 11 February, fire authorities estimated that as many as 100 of <a href="/info/en/?search=Marysville,_Victoria" title="Marysville, Victoria">Marysville</a>'s 519 residents could have perished.<sup id="cite_ref-marysville-one-in-five_55-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-marysville-one-in-five-55">[55]</a></sup> By 16 February, over 150 forensic investigators were engaged in searching the ruins of Marysville.<sup id="cite_ref-age_fire's_intensity_145-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_fire's_intensity-145">[145]</a></sup> A senior lecturer in fire ecology from the <a href="/info/en/?search=University_of_Melbourne" title="University of Melbourne">University of Melbourne</a> estimated that the fires may have been burning at temperatures of 1,200 °C (2,190 °F), and concluded that, as a result, the remains of some people caught in the fires may have been obliterated.<sup id="cite_ref-age_fire's_intensity_145-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_fire's_intensity-145">[145]</a></sup> The final death toll for Marysville was later downgraded to 34 after a large group of residents who remained unaccounted for were officially located.
</p><p>Among the dead in the <a href="/info/en/?search=Kinglake,_Victoria" title="Kinglake, Victoria">Kinglake</a> West area were former <a href="/info/en/?search=Seven_Network" title="Seven Network">Seven Network</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=Nine_Network" title="Nine Network">Nine Network</a> television personality <a href="/info/en/?search=Brian_Naylor_(broadcaster)" title="Brian Naylor (broadcaster)">Brian Naylor</a>, and his wife Moiree.<sup id="cite_ref-146" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-146">[146]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-147" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-147">[147]</a></sup> Actor <a href="/info/en/?search=Reg_Evans" title="Reg Evans">Reg Evans</a> and his partner, artist Angela Brunton, residing on a small farm in the <a href="/info/en/?search=St_Andrews,_Victoria" title="St Andrews, Victoria">St Andrews</a> area, also died in the Kinglake area fire.<sup id="cite_ref-148" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-148">[148]</a></sup> Ornithologist <a href="/info/en/?search=Richard_Zann" title="Richard Zann">Richard Zann</a> perished in the Kinglake fire, together with his wife Eileen and daughter Eva.<sup id="cite_ref-149" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-149">[149]</a></sup>
</p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Fatalities">Fatalities</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=26" title="Edit section: Fatalities"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<figure class="mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:Feb_7_09_vic_bushfires_map.PNG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Feb_7_09_vic_bushfires_map.PNG/450px-Feb_7_09_vic_bushfires_map.PNG" decoding="async" width="450" height="314" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/ba/Feb_7_09_vic_bushfires_map.PNG/675px-Feb_7_09_vic_bushfires_map.PNG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Feb_7_09_vic_bushfires_map.PNG 2x" data-file-width="816" data-file-height="570" /></a><figcaption>Map of affected areas and number of casualties in each area</figcaption></figure>
<p><b>General statistics</b>
</p>
<ul><li>164 people died in the fires themselves, 12 died later in hospital, and 4 died from other causes including car crashes</li>
<li>Out of the 173 deaths, 100 were male, 73 were female.</li>
<li>There were 164 Australians, 9 foreign nationals,<sup id="cite_ref-police-toll_150-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-police-toll-150">[150]</a></sup> killed in the bushfires. The foreign nationals comprised citizens of:
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Greece" title="Greece">Greece</a> (2)<sup id="cite_ref-151" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-151">[151]</a></sup></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Indonesia" title="Indonesia">Indonesia</a> (2)<sup id="cite_ref-aust-lastcalls_152-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-aust-lastcalls-152">[152]</a></sup></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Philippines" title="Philippines">Philippines</a> (2)<sup id="cite_ref-153" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-153">[153]</a></sup></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Chile" title="Chile">Chile</a> (1)<sup id="cite_ref-154" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-154">[154]</a></sup></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=New_Zealand" title="New Zealand">New Zealand</a> (1)<sup id="cite_ref-scnz-nzvictim_155-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-scnz-nzvictim-155">[155]</a></sup></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=United_Kingdom" title="United Kingdom">United Kingdom</a> (1)<sup id="cite_ref-156" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-156">[156]</a></sup></li></ul></li>
<li>7 of the deaths occurred in bunkers of both fire-specific and non-fire-specific design.</li>
<li>1 firefighter, David Balfour, 47, from <a href="/info/en/?search=Gilmore,_Australian_Capital_Territory" title="Gilmore, Australian Capital Territory">Gilmore, ACT</a>, was killed near <a href="/info/en/?search=Cambarville,_Victoria" title="Cambarville, Victoria">Cambarville</a> on the night of 17 February, when a burnt-out tree fell on him as he attached a hose to a fire tanker.<sup id="cite_ref-age-actff_157-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age-actff-157">[157]</a></sup></li></ul>
<p><b>Location of deaths:</b><sup id="cite_ref-158" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-158">[158]</a></sup>
</p>
<ul><li>Inside houses (113)</li>
<li>Outside houses (27)</li>
<li>In vehicles (11)</li>
<li>In garages (6)</li>
<li>Near vehicles (5)</li>
<li>On roadways (5)</li>
<li>Attributed to or associated with the fire but not within fire location (4)</li>
<li>On reserves (1)</li>
<li>In sheds (1)</li></ul>
<p><b>Locality of deaths:</b>
</p>
<dl><dt>Kinglake/Whittlesea Area (120)</dt></dl>
<style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1216972533">.mw-parser-output .col-begin{border-collapse:collapse;padding:0;color:inherit;width:100%;border:0;margin:0}.mw-parser-output .col-begin-small{font-size:90%}.mw-parser-output .col-break{vertical-align:top;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .col-break-2{width:50%}.mw-parser-output .col-break-3{width:33.3%}.mw-parser-output .col-break-4{width:25%}.mw-parser-output .col-break-5{width:20%}@media(max-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .col-begin,.mw-parser-output .col-begin>tbody,.mw-parser-output .col-begin>tbody>tr,.mw-parser-output .col-begin>tbody>tr>td{display:block!important;width:100%!important}.mw-parser-output .col-break{padding-left:0!important}}</style><div>
<table class="col-begin" role="presentation">
<tbody><tr>
<td class="col-break">
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Kinglake,_Victoria" title="Kinglake, Victoria">Kinglake</a> (38)</li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Strathewen,_Victoria" title="Strathewen, Victoria">Strathewen</a> (27)</li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=St_Andrews,_Victoria" title="St Andrews, Victoria">St Andrews</a> (12)</li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Steels_Creek,_Victoria" title="Steels Creek, Victoria">Steels Creek</a> (10)</li></ul>
</td>
<td class="col-break">
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Hazeldene,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Hazeldene, Victoria">Hazeldene</a> (10)</li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Humevale,_Victoria" title="Humevale, Victoria">Humevale</a> (6)</li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Kinglake_West,_Victoria" title="Kinglake West, Victoria">Kinglake West</a> (4)</li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Flowerdale,_Victoria" title="Flowerdale, Victoria">Flowerdale</a> (2)</li></ul>
</td>
<td class="col-break">
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Whittlesea,_Victoria" title="Whittlesea, Victoria">Whittlesea</a> (2)</li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Toolangi,_Victoria" title="Toolangi, Victoria">Toolangi</a> (2)</li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Arthurs_Creek,_Victoria" title="Arthurs Creek, Victoria">Arthurs Creek</a> (2)</li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Clonbinane,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Clonbinane, Victoria">Clonbinane</a> (1)</li></ul>
</td>
<td class="col-break">
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Heathcote_Junction,_Victoria" title="Heathcote Junction, Victoria">Heathcote Junction</a> (1)</li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Strath_Creek,_Victoria" title="Strath Creek, Victoria">Strath Creek</a> (1)</li>
<li>Upper Plenty (1)</li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Yarra_Glen,_Victoria" title="Yarra Glen, Victoria">Yarra Glen</a> (1)</li></ul>
<p> 
</p>
</td></tr></tbody></table></div>
<dl><dt>Marysville Area (39)</dt></dl>
<link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1216972533"><div>
<table class="col-begin" role="presentation">
<tbody><tr>
<td class="col-break">
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Marysville,_Victoria" title="Marysville, Victoria">Marysville</a> (34)</li></ul>
</td>
<td class="col-break">
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Narbethong,_Victoria" title="Narbethong, Victoria">Narbethong</a> (4)</li></ul>
</td>
<td class="col-break">
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Cambarville,_Victoria" title="Cambarville, Victoria">Cambarville</a> (ACT firefighter) (1)</li></ul>
</td>
<td class="col-break">
<p> 
</p>
</td></tr></tbody></table></div>
<dl><dt>Central Gippsland (11)</dt></dl>
<link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1216972533"><div>
<table class="col-begin" role="presentation">
<tbody><tr>
<td class="col-break">
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Callignee,_Victoria" title="Callignee, Victoria">Callignee</a> (4)</li></ul>
</td>
<td class="col-break">
<ul><li>Koornalla (4)</li></ul>
</td>
<td class="col-break">
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Churchill,_Victoria" title="Churchill, Victoria">Churchill</a> (2)</li></ul>
</td>
<td class="col-break">
<ul><li>Jeerralang Junction (1)</li></ul>
<p> 
</p>
</td></tr></tbody></table></div>
<dl><dt>Beechworth (2)</dt></dl>
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Mudgegonga,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Mudgegonga, Victoria">Mudgegonga</a> (2)</li></ul>
<dl><dt>Bendigo (1)</dt></dl>
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Eaglehawk,_Victoria" title="Eaglehawk, Victoria">Eaglehawk</a> (1)</li></ul>
<dl><dt>Total</dt>
<dd><b>173</b></dd></dl>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Injuries">Injuries</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=27" title="Edit section: Injuries"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:09_vic_bushfire_damage_Steels_Creek_01.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/09_vic_bushfire_damage_Steels_Creek_01.JPG/220px-09_vic_bushfire_damage_Steels_Creek_01.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/09_vic_bushfire_damage_Steels_Creek_01.JPG/330px-09_vic_bushfire_damage_Steels_Creek_01.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/09_vic_bushfire_damage_Steels_Creek_01.JPG/440px-09_vic_bushfire_damage_Steels_Creek_01.JPG 2x" data-file-width="1600" data-file-height="1200" /></a><figcaption>Bushfire damage to property in <a href="/info/en/?search=Steels_Creek,_Victoria" title="Steels Creek, Victoria">Steels Creek</a></figcaption></figure>
<p>A total of 414 people were injured during the Black Saturday bushfires. Due to the intensity and speed of the fires, most casualties of the bushfires either died, or survived with minor injuries. There were significantly fewer major burns than in previous bushfires, such as <a href="/info/en/?search=Ash_Wednesday_fires" class="mw-redirect" title="Ash Wednesday fires">Ash Wednesday</a>. Of the people who presented to medical treatment centres and hospitals, there were 22 with serious burns and 390 with minor burns and other bushfire-related injuries.<sup id="cite_ref-Australian_Medical_Journal_5-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Australian_Medical_Journal-5">[5]</a></sup>
</p><p>National and statewide burns disaster plans were activated. Twenty-two patients with major burns presented to the state's burns referral centres, of which eighteen were adults. One patient admitted to the <a href="/info/en/?search=Royal_Children%27s_Hospital" title="Royal Children's Hospital">Royal Children's Hospital</a> and two at <a href="/info/en/?search=The_Alfred_Hospital" title="The Alfred Hospital">The Alfred Hospital</a> died from their injuries. Adult burns patients at The Alfred spent 48.7 hours in theatre in the first 72 hours. There were a further 390 bushfire-related presentations across the state in the first 72 hours. Most patients with serious burns were <a href="/info/en/?search=Triage" title="Triage">triaged</a> to, and managed at, burns referral centres. Throughout the disaster, burns referral centres continued to have substantial surge capacity.<sup id="cite_ref-Australian_Medical_Journal_5-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Australian_Medical_Journal-5">[5]</a></sup>
</p>
<h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Overall_statistics">Overall statistics</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=28" title="Edit section: Overall statistics"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2>
<figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:CSIRO_ScienceImage_10345_The_Kinglake_National_Park_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/CSIRO_ScienceImage_10345_The_Kinglake_National_Park_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg/220px-CSIRO_ScienceImage_10345_The_Kinglake_National_Park_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="146" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/CSIRO_ScienceImage_10345_The_Kinglake_National_Park_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg/330px-CSIRO_ScienceImage_10345_The_Kinglake_National_Park_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/CSIRO_ScienceImage_10345_The_Kinglake_National_Park_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg/440px-CSIRO_ScienceImage_10345_The_Kinglake_National_Park_after_the_Black_Saturday_bushfires.jpg 2x" data-file-width="2657" data-file-height="1765" /></a><figcaption>The Kinglake National Park after the Black Saturday bushfires</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:St.Andrews_Kinglake_Road_April_2009.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/St.Andrews_Kinglake_Road_April_2009.JPG/220px-St.Andrews_Kinglake_Road_April_2009.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/St.Andrews_Kinglake_Road_April_2009.JPG/330px-St.Andrews_Kinglake_Road_April_2009.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/St.Andrews_Kinglake_Road_April_2009.JPG/440px-St.Andrews_Kinglake_Road_April_2009.JPG 2x" data-file-width="1600" data-file-height="1200" /></a><figcaption>The St. Andrews-Kinglake Road, one of the few roads out of the fire area, two months after the bushfires</figcaption></figure>
<figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:2009_Victorian_bushfires_Acheron_Way_DSC_0324.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/2009_Victorian_bushfires_Acheron_Way_DSC_0324.JPG/220px-2009_Victorian_bushfires_Acheron_Way_DSC_0324.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="146" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/2009_Victorian_bushfires_Acheron_Way_DSC_0324.JPG/330px-2009_Victorian_bushfires_Acheron_Way_DSC_0324.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/2009_Victorian_bushfires_Acheron_Way_DSC_0324.JPG/440px-2009_Victorian_bushfires_Acheron_Way_DSC_0324.JPG 2x" data-file-width="2144" data-file-height="1424" /></a><figcaption>Forest regrowing along Acheron Way in April 2009</figcaption></figure>
<p>It was estimated that the amount of energy released during the firestorm in the Kinglake-Marysville area was equivalent to the amount of energy that would be released by 1,500 <a href="/info/en/?search=Atomic_bombings_of_Hiroshima_and_Nagasaki" title="Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki">Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-159" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-159">[159]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-160" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-160">[160]</a></sup>
</p><p>Beyond the casualty list detailed above, physical damage caused by the bushfires included:
</p>
<ul><li>450,000 ha (1,100,000 acres) burnt</li>
<li>7,562 people displaced</li>
<li>Over 3,500 structures destroyed, including:
<ul><li>2,029+ houses</li>
<li>59 commercial properties (shops, pubs, service stations, golf clubs, etc.)</li>
<li>12 community buildings (including 2 police stations, 3 schools, 3 churches, 1 fire station)</li>
<li>399 machinery sheds, 363 hay sheds, 19 dairies, 26 woolsheds, 729 other farm buildings</li></ul></li>
<li>Agricultural and horticultural losses:
<ul><li>Over 11,800 head of livestock,<sup id="cite_ref-age-4.4bill_161-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age-4.4bill-161">[161]</a></sup> consisting of 2,150 sheep, 1,207 cattle, and an unknown number of horses, goats, alpacas, poultry, and pigs<sup id="cite_ref-162" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-162">[162]</a></sup></li>
<li>25,600 tonnes (25,200 long tons; 28,200 short tons) of stored fodder and grain</li>
<li>32,000 tonnes (31,000 long tons; 35,000 short tons) of hay and silage<sup id="cite_ref-age-4.4bill_161-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age-4.4bill-161">[161]</a></sup></li>
<li>190 ha (470 acres) of standing crops</li>
<li>62,000 ha (150,000 acres) of pasture<sup id="cite_ref-age-4.4bill_161-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age-4.4bill-161">[161]</a></sup></li>
<li>735 ha (1,820 acres) of fruit trees, olives and vines</li>
<li>Over 10,000 kilometres (6,200 mi) of boundary and internal fencing destroyed or damaged<sup id="cite_ref-Norther_Daily_Leader_163-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Norther_Daily_Leader-163">[163]</a></sup></li>
<li>7,000 ha (17,000 acres) of <a href="/info/en/?search=Plantation_timber" class="mw-redirect" title="Plantation timber">plantation timber</a></li></ul></li>
<li>98,932 ha (244,470 acres) of parks damaged, 90 per cent of which was national park.<sup id="cite_ref-age-4.4bill_161-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age-4.4bill-161">[161]</a></sup> It was claimed that 950 local parks, 70 national parks and reserves, and over 600 cultural sites and historic places were impacted or destroyed<sup id="cite_ref-Norther_Daily_Leader_163-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Norther_Daily_Leader-163">[163]</a></sup></li>
<li>3,921 ha (9,690 acres) of private bushland</li>
<li>Over 55 businesses destroyed<sup id="cite_ref-AR08-9_164-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-AR08-9-164">[164]</a></sup></li>
<li>Electricity supply was disrupted to 60,000 residents<sup id="cite_ref-AR08-9_164-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-AR08-9-164">[164]</a></sup></li>
<li>Several mobile phone base stations and telephone exchanges damaged or destroyed<sup id="cite_ref-165" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-165">[165]</a></sup></li></ul>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Damage_by_locality">Damage by locality</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=29" title="Edit section: Damage by locality"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<table class="wikitable">
<caption>Summary of damage by locality <sup id="cite_ref-brc-ch1_166-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-brc-ch1-166">[166]</a></sup>
</caption>
<tbody><tr>
<th>Area
</th>
<th>Area (ha)
</th>
<th>Fatalities
</th>
<th>Buildings destroyed
</th>
<th>Ignition source
</th>
<th>Fire name/origin
</th></tr>
<tr>
<td>Kinglake Area
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">180,000+</div>
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">120</div>
</td>
<td>1,244 houses, many commercial buildings
</td>
<td>Power lines
</td>
<td>Kilmore East fire
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Marysville Area
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">150,000+</div>
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">39</div>
</td>
<td>590 houses, many commercial buildings
</td>
<td>Break in an electrical conductor on a power pole near the Murrindindi Saw Mill
</td>
<td>Murrindindi Mill fire
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Central Gippsland
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">32,860+</div>
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">11</div>
</td>
<td>247 houses
</td>
<td>Arson
</td>
<td>Churchill-Jeeralang fire
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Beechworth
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">30,000+</div>
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">2</div>
</td>
<td>29 houses
</td>
<td>Power lines
</td>
<td>Mudgegonga fire
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Bunyip State Park
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">24,500</div>
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">0</div>
</td>
<td>24 houses, several other buildings
</td>
<td>Arson/lightning suspected
</td>
<td>Bunyip State Park fire
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Wilsons Promontory
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">11,000+</div>
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">0</div>
</td>
<td>None
</td>
<td>Lightning
</td>
<td>–
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Redesdale
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">10,000</div>
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">0</div>
</td>
<td>12 houses, several outbuildings
</td>
<td>Unknown
</td>
<td>–
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Horsham
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">5,700</div>
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">0</div>
</td>
<td>8 houses, several other buildings
</td>
<td>Power lines
</td>
<td>Remlaw fire
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Weerite
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">1,300</div>
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">0</div>
</td>
<td>Several outbuildings
</td>
<td>Power lines
</td>
<td>–
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Coleraine
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">770</div>
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">0</div>
</td>
<td>1 house, several outbuildings
</td>
<td>Power lines
</td>
<td>–
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Maroondah/Upper Yarra
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">505</div>
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">0</div>
</td>
<td>None
</td>
<td>Spotting
</td>
<td>Maroondah/Yarra complex
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Bendigo
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">384</div>
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">1</div>
</td>
<td>61 houses, 125 sheds and outbuildings
</td>
<td>Arson
</td>
<td>Maiden Gully/Bracewell Street fire
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td>Dandenong Ranges
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">5+</div>
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;">0</div>
</td>
<td>
</td>
<td>Unknown, machinery
</td>
<td>Upper Ferntree Gully fire
</td></tr>
<tr>
<td><b>Totals</b>
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;"><b>450,000+</b></div>
</td>
<td><div class="center" style="width:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;"><b>173</b></div>
</td>
<td><b>3,500+ (2,029+ houses)</b>
</td>
<td>
</td>
<td>
</td></tr></tbody></table>
<h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Responses">Responses</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=30" title="Edit section: Responses"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2>
<link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1033289096"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/info/en/?search=Reactions_to_the_Black_Saturday_bushfire_crisis" title="Reactions to the Black Saturday bushfire crisis">Reactions to the Black Saturday bushfire crisis</a></div>
<p>Responses to the Black Saturday bushfires included immediate community response, donations, and international aid efforts. Later responses included Government inquiries including a Royal Commission, and recommendations and discussions from a wide variety of bodies, organisations, authorities and communities.
</p><p>In September 2009 it was announced that Australia's most prominent <a href="/info/en/?search=Fire_ecology" title="Fire ecology">fire ecologist</a>, Kevin Tolhurst, was developing a new course for the <a href="/info/en/?search=University_of_Melbourne" title="University of Melbourne">University of Melbourne</a> on fire behaviour.<sup id="cite_ref-167" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-167">[167]</a></sup> Later that month the <a href="/info/en/?search=City_of_Manningham" title="City of Manningham">City of Manningham</a> announced it was developing the state's first integrated fire management plan in conjunction with the interim findings of the Royal Commission.<sup id="cite_ref-168" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-168">[168]</a></sup> It is expected that eventually all Victorian councils responsible for both urban and rural land will need to develop such plans, which define fire risks in <a href="/info/en/?search=Landscape" title="Landscape">open space</a> areas, along major roads, and in parkland.
</p><p>In September/October 2009, it was announced that a new fire hazard system would replace the previous one. The new system involves a six-tier scale to indicating such things as the level of risk and activity of the fire. This standardised <i><a href="/info/en/?search=Bushfires_in_Australia#Warnings" title="Bushfires in Australia">Fire Danger Rating</a></i> (FDR) was subsequently adopted by all Australian states in late 2009. Every day during the fire season the <a href="/info/en/?search=Bureau_of_Meteorology_(Australia)" class="mw-redirect" title="Bureau of Meteorology (Australia)">Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)</a> forecasts an outlook of the <i>Fire Danger Index</i> (FDI) by considering the predicted weather including temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and dryness of vegetation.<sup id="cite_ref-Country_Fire_Authority_169-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Country_Fire_Authority-169">[169]</a></sup> On the highest risk days, residents are advised to leave the potentially affected areas.
</p><p>The <a href="/info/en/?search=RSPCA_Australia" title="RSPCA Australia">RSPCA</a> estimated that over a million animals perished in the bushfires.<sup id="cite_ref-age-4.4bill_161-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age-4.4bill-161">[161]</a></sup> Additionally, many of the surviving <a href="/info/en/?search=Fauna_of_Australia" title="Fauna of Australia">wildlife</a> suffered from severe burns. For example, large numbers of <a href="/info/en/?search=Kangaroo" title="Kangaroo">kangaroos</a> were afflicted with burned feet due to territorial instincts that drew them back to their recently burned and smouldering home ranges.<sup id="cite_ref-AP-2009Feb11-Animals_170-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-AP-2009Feb11-Animals-170">[170]</a></sup> The affected area, particularly around Marysville, contains the only known habitat of <a href="/info/en/?search=Leadbeater%27s_possum" title="Leadbeater's possum">Leadbeater's possum</a>, Victoria's faunal emblem,<sup id="cite_ref-171" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-171">[171]</a></sup> putting this species under further threat.
</p><p>Forested <a href="/info/en/?search=Drainage_basin" title="Drainage basin">catchment areas</a> supplying five of Melbourne's nine major dams were affected by the fires, with the worst affected being the <a href="/info/en/?search=Maroondah_Reservoir" class="mw-redirect" title="Maroondah Reservoir">Maroondah Reservoir</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=O%27Shannassy_Reservoir" title="O'Shannassy Reservoir">O'Shannassy Reservoir</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-age_dash_save_water_172-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_dash_save_water-172">[172]</a></sup> As of 17 February 2009, over ten billion litres of water had been shifted out of affected dams into others.<sup id="cite_ref-age_dash_save_water_172-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_dash_save_water-172">[172]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-173" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-173">[173]</a></sup>
</p><p>In early March 2009, smoke from the fires was discovered in the atmosphere over Antarctica at record altitudes.<sup id="cite_ref-174" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-174">[174]</a></sup>
</p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Economic_impact">Economic impact</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=31" title="Edit section: Economic impact"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:Kinglake_aerial.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Kinglake_aerial.jpg/220px-Kinglake_aerial.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Kinglake_aerial.jpg/330px-Kinglake_aerial.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Kinglake_aerial.jpg/440px-Kinglake_aerial.jpg 2x" data-file-width="2288" data-file-height="1712" /></a><figcaption>Aerial view of the Kinglake area looking north, nine months after bushfires (burnt area top third of image)</figcaption></figure>
<p>The Bushfires Royal Commission gave a "conservative" estimate of the total cost of the Black Saturday bushfires of $4.4 billion. This figure included a value of $645 million placed on the 173 lives lost using an accepted method the government uses to value lives, however did not include any assessment of the cost of the injuries received.<sup id="cite_ref-age-4.4bill_161-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age-4.4bill-161">[161]</a></sup>
</p><p>The largest contributor to the total cost was insurance claims, which the Insurance Council of Australia reported as $1.2 billion as of August 2010. This figure was composed of 84 per cent for property or contents, and 16 per cent for vehicles. However, the report also estimated that up to 13 per cent of residential properties destroyed may have had no insurance, with many more under-insured, thus suggesting that the actual cost of asset damage in the bushfires was considerably higher than that recorded. The report from the commission said that: "... the level of insurance claims is likely to underestimate the true extent of property losses, but it is unable to calculate the extent of this underestimation".<sup id="cite_ref-age-4.4bill_161-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age-4.4bill-161">[161]</a></sup>
</p><p>Also omitted from the $4.4 billion figure were the agricultural losses sustained in the fires, and the ongoing impacts on agriculture in following seasons. The Victorian Department of Primary Industries estimated losses shortly after the fires as 11,800 head of livestock, 62,000 hectares (150,000 acres) of grazing <a href="/info/en/?search=Pasture" title="Pasture">pasture</a>, and 32,000 tonnes (31,000 long tons; 35,000 short tons) of <a href="/info/en/?search=Hay" title="Hay">hay</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=Silage" title="Silage">silage</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-age-4.4bill_161-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age-4.4bill-161">[161]</a></sup>
</p><p>As of February 2011, two years after the fires, the <i>Victorian Bushfire Reconstruction and Recovery Authority</i> stated that based on figures from the end of 2010, permits had been issued for the rebuilding of only 731 of the 1,795, or 41 per cent of the principal places of residence destroyed in the fires.<sup id="cite_ref-age-slowpath_175-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age-slowpath-175">[175]</a></sup>
</p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Lawsuits">Lawsuits</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=32" title="Edit section: Lawsuits"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<p>A <a href="/info/en/?search=Class_action" title="Class action">class action</a> lawsuit was initiated in the <a href="/info/en/?search=Supreme_Court_of_Victoria" title="Supreme Court of Victoria">Supreme Court of Victoria</a> on 13 February 2009 by Slidders Lawyers against electricity distribution company <a href="/info/en/?search=SP_AusNet" class="mw-redirect" title="SP AusNet">SP AusNet</a>, in relation to the <a href="/info/en/?search=Kilmore_East,_Victoria" title="Kilmore East, Victoria">Kilmore East</a> fire that became part of the Kinglake complex, and the <a href="/info/en/?search=Beechworth,_Victoria" class="mw-redirect" title="Beechworth, Victoria">Beechworth</a> fires. A partner at the firm indicated that the claim would centre on alleged <a href="/info/en/?search=Negligence" title="Negligence">negligence</a> by SP AusNet in its management of electricity infrastructure. On 12 February police had taken away a section of power line as well as a power pole from near Kilmore East, part of a two-kilometre section of line that fell on the morning of 7 February and was believed to have started the fire there.<sup id="cite_ref-age_class_action_176-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_class_action-176">[176]</a></sup> The class action was ultimately run by law firm <a href="/info/en/?search=Maurice_Blackburn_(law_firm)" title="Maurice Blackburn (law firm)">Maurice Blackburn</a>. The action alleged the power company failed to fit a $10 protective device on the power line, which contributed to it breaking and starting the devastating Kilmore East/Kinglake fire.<sup id="cite_ref-177" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-177">[177]</a></sup> The case settled in December 2014 with a settlement of $494.67 million,<sup id="cite_ref-scv_178-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-scv-178">[178]</a></sup> the country's largest class action settlement,<sup id="cite_ref-bbc-payout_179-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-bbc-payout-179">[179]</a></sup> approved by the <a href="/info/en/?search=Supreme_Court_of_Victoria" title="Supreme Court of Victoria">Supreme Court of Victoria</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-abc-kilmore-settle_47-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc-kilmore-settle-47">[47]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-abc-kilmore-class-act_180-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc-kilmore-class-act-180">[180]</a></sup> (The previous highest payout was $200 Million in <i>Kirby v <a href="/info/en/?search=Vicinity_Centres" title="Vicinity Centres">Centro Properties</a> Limited (No 6)</i> [2012] FCA 650 (19 June 2012).<sup id="cite_ref-mary-comm-record_181-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-mary-comm-record-181">[181]</a></sup>)
</p><p>In February 2014 a class action trial against SP AusNet by victims of the Marysville blaze was begun in the Supreme Court. It was alleged that the fire was caused by a "break in an electrical conductor on a power pole near the Murrindindi Saw Mill". A $300 million <a href="/info/en/?search=Settlement_(litigation)" title="Settlement (litigation)">settlement</a> was announced before the trial began.<sup id="cite_ref-abc-mary-settle_182-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc-mary-settle-182">[182]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-abc-mary-class-act_183-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc-mary-class-act-183">[183]</a></sup> The class action by Murrindindi/Marysville victims was settled in February 2015 for $300 million.<sup id="cite_ref-scv_178-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-scv-178">[178]</a></sup>
</p><p>A total of nearly $700 million (after legal expenses) was shared among the claimants of the two highly complex class actions, which were presided over by Justices <a href="/info/en/?search=Jack_Forrest_(judge)" title="Jack Forrest (judge)">Jack Forrest</a> and <a href="/info/en/?search=John_Dixon_(judge)" title="John Dixon (judge)">John Dixon</a>. Various other claimants by communities around Coleraine, Horsham, Weerite-Pomborneit, and Beechworth-Mudgegonga also had lawsuits managed by the Supreme Court.<sup id="cite_ref-scv_178-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-scv-178">[178]</a></sup>
</p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Fire_policy">Fire policy</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=33" title="Edit section: Fire policy"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/info/en/?search=File:09_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_02.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/09_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_02.JPG/220px-09_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_02.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/09_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_02.JPG/330px-09_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_02.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/09_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_02.JPG/440px-09_vic_bushfire_damage_Yarra_Glen_02.JPG 2x" data-file-width="1600" data-file-height="1200" /></a><figcaption>Yarra Glen three days after the fires showing differential property survival</figcaption></figure>
<p>In the wake of the fires and the mounting casualty toll, there was debate about policies for dealing with bushfires and the management practices that may have contributed to them. Naomi Brown, chief executive of the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council, argued that the high number of fatalities in these fires, as opposed to earlier fires such as the <a href="/info/en/?search=Ash_Wednesday_fires" class="mw-redirect" title="Ash Wednesday fires">Ash Wednesday fires</a>, was partly attributable to increased population densities on Melbourne's fringes.<sup id="cite_ref-age_strategies_questioned_184-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_strategies_questioned-184">[184]</a></sup> David Packham, bushfire expert and research fellow at <a href="/info/en/?search=Monash_University" title="Monash University">Monash University</a>, argued that high fuel loads in bushland led to the destructive intensity of the fires, saying that "There has been total mismanagement of the Australian forest environment."<sup id="cite_ref-age_strategies_questioned_184-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_strategies_questioned-184">[184]</a></sup>
</p><p>In announcing that the fires would be investigated by a <a href="/info/en/?search=Royal_Commission" class="mw-redirect" title="Royal Commission">Royal Commission</a>, the <a href="/info/en/?search=Premier_of_Victoria" title="Premier of Victoria">Premier of Victoria</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=John_Brumby" title="John Brumby">John Brumby</a>, suggested that the long-standing "stay-and-defend-or-leave-early" policy would be reviewed, saying that while it had proven reliable during normal conditions, the conditions on 7 February had been exceptional.<sup id="cite_ref-australian_nsw_commissioner_policy_185-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-australian_nsw_commissioner_policy-185">[185]</a></sup> Brumby said that "There were many people who had done all of the preparations, had the best fire plans in the world and tragically it didn't save them."<sup id="cite_ref-age_strategies_questioned_184-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_strategies_questioned-184">[184]</a></sup>
</p><p>Commissioner Nixon, however, defended the policy, saying that it was "well thought of and well based and has stood the test of time and we support it".<sup id="cite_ref-abc_nixon_defends_policy_186-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_nixon_defends_policy-186">[186]</a></sup> Similarly, Commissioner of the <a href="/info/en/?search=New_South_Wales_Rural_Fire_Service" title="New South Wales Rural Fire Service">New South Wales Rural Fire Service</a>, Shane Fitzsimmons, said that "Decades of science, practice and history show that a well-prepared home provides the best refuge in the event of fire".<sup id="cite_ref-australian_nsw_commissioner_policy_185-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-australian_nsw_commissioner_policy-185">[185]</a></sup> Nixon also dismissed potential policies involving forced evacuations, saying "There used to be policies where you could make people leave but we're talking about adults."<sup id="cite_ref-abc_nixon_defends_policy_186-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc_nixon_defends_policy-186">[186]</a></sup> A former Victorian police minister, <a href="/info/en/?search=Pat_McNamara_(Australian_politician)" title="Pat McNamara (Australian politician)">Pat McNamara</a>, argued that forced evacuations could have worsened the death toll, as many of the dead appeared to have been killed while attempting to evacuate the fire areas by car.<sup id="cite_ref-age_strategies_questioned_184-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-age_strategies_questioned-184">[184]</a></sup>
</p>
<h3><span class="mw-headline" id="Building_codes">Building codes</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=34" title="Edit section: Building codes"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h3>
<p>In response to the Black Saturday bushfires new building regulations for Victorian bushfire-prone areas were fast tracked by Standards Australia.<sup id="cite_ref-StandardsUpdate_187-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-StandardsUpdate-187">[187]</a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-188" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-188">[188]</a></sup> Through the <i>Department of Planning and Community Development</i> the Victorian government has published a range of new guidelines and standards for bushfire planning and building.<sup id="cite_ref-dpcd-bpb_189-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-dpcd-bpb-189">[189]</a></sup>
</p><p>Based on this information, the <i>Building Commission Victoria</i> has released a range of publications to assist with people returning to properties, moving into temporary dwellings, <a href="/info/en/?search=Retrofitting" title="Retrofitting">retrofitting</a> existing dwellings, and building new dwellings in bushfire areas.<sup id="cite_ref-pfs-bcv_190-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-pfs-bcv-190">[190]</a></sup> The new standard states that all properties (not just those in bushfire areas) will now require a "bushfire attack assessment", and will be given a Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) rating that outlines the type of construction required. The BAL takes into consideration such factors as the <a href="/info/en/?search=McArthur_Forest_Fire_Danger_Index" title="McArthur Forest Fire Danger Index">Fire Danger Index</a>, the slope, and surrounding vegetation. BALs range from "BAL-LOW", for properties with no specific construction requirements such as suburban buildings, to "BAL-FZ" for properties in the fire zone likely to experience direct exposure to the fire front, as well as high heat flux and ember attacks.<sup id="cite_ref-gtbab-bcv_191-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-gtbab-bcv-191">[191]</a></sup>
</p><p>While a draft national building code for bushfire-prone areas proposed using 1,000 <a href="/info/en/?search=Kelvin" title="Kelvin">K</a> (730 <a href="/info/en/?search=Celsius" title="Celsius">°C</a>; 1,340 <a href="/info/en/?search=Fahrenheit" title="Fahrenheit">°F</a>) as the standard for the assumed temperature to which houses are subject when hit by bushfire, fire engineers argued that standards should be based on a 1,090 K (820 °C; 1,500 °F) temperature. This was in line with existing New South Wales building laws for bushfire-prone areas, although the temperature of fires can actually peak at approximately 1,600 K (1,330 °C; 2,420 °F).<sup id="cite_ref-BuildingCodes_192-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-BuildingCodes-192">[192]</a></sup> The <i><a href="/info/en/?search=Australian_Building_Codes_Board" title="Australian Building Codes Board">Australian Building Codes Board</a></i> incorporated the 1,090 K (820 °C; 1,500 °F) temperature in the standard, with the support of the CFA and <a href="/info/en/?search=Australasian_Fire_Authorities_Council" class="mw-redirect" title="Australasian Fire Authorities Council">Australasian Fire Authorities Council</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-gtbab-bcv_191-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-gtbab-bcv-191">[191]</a></sup>
</p>
<h4><span class="mw-headline" id="Banning_housing_in_highest_risk_areas">Banning housing in highest risk areas</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=35" title="Edit section: Banning housing in highest risk areas"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h4>
<p>As part of the building codes debate, an expert panel recommended in 2010 that the state government ban housing in the highest fire risk areas, which are some of the most dangerous in the world.<sup id="cite_ref-aust-ban-dev_193-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-aust-ban-dev-193">[193]</a></sup> Michael Buxton, a professor at <a href="/info/en/?search=RMIT_University" class="mw-redirect" title="RMIT University">RMIT University</a>, said that after the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires the government bought back tens of thousands of lots across the <a href="/info/en/?search=Dandenong_Ranges" title="Dandenong Ranges">Dandenong Ranges</a> because they were in extremely high fire risk areas; he backed another similar large-scale buyback scheme to move people away from unacceptably high risk areas.<sup id="cite_ref-aust-ban-dev_193-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-aust-ban-dev-193">[193]</a></sup>
</p><p>Another member of the panel, international planning expert Roz Hansen, said that she was "disappointed and alarmed" about the decision to rebuild Marysville, stating that it was unlikely that a new development would have been permitted in the area. She went on to say that in parts of Asia, people had been forcibly moved out of unacceptably high risk cyclone and flooding areas in the public interest despite the difficulties this involved.<sup id="cite_ref-abc-norebuild_194-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-abc-norebuild-194">[194]</a></sup>
</p>
<h2><span class="mw-headline" id="See_also">See also</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=36" title="Edit section: See also"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2>
<style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1130092004">.mw-parser-output .portal-bar{font-size:88%;font-weight:bold;display:flex;justify-content:center;align-items:baseline}.mw-parser-output .portal-bar-bordered{padding:0 2em;background-color:#fdfdfd;border:1px solid #a2a9b1;clear:both;margin:1em auto 0}.mw-parser-output .portal-bar-related{font-size:100%;justify-content:flex-start}.mw-parser-output .portal-bar-unbordered{padding:0 1.7em;margin-left:0}.mw-parser-output .portal-bar-header{margin:0 1em 0 0.5em;flex:0 0 auto;min-height:24px}.mw-parser-output .portal-bar-content{display:flex;flex-flow:row wrap;flex:0 1 auto;padding:0.15em 0;column-gap:1em;align-items:baseline;margin:0;list-style:none}.mw-parser-output .portal-bar-content-related{margin:0;list-style:none}.mw-parser-output .portal-bar-item{display:inline-block;margin:0.15em 0.2em;min-height:24px;line-height:24px}@media screen and (max-width:768px){.mw-parser-output .portal-bar{font-size:88%;font-weight:bold;display:flex;flex-flow:column wrap;align-items:baseline}.mw-parser-output .portal-bar-header{text-align:center;flex:0;padding-left:0.5em;margin:0 auto}.mw-parser-output .portal-bar-related{font-size:100%;align-items:flex-start}.mw-parser-output .portal-bar-content{display:flex;flex-flow:row wrap;align-items:center;flex:0;column-gap:1em;border-top:1px solid #a2a9b1;margin:0 auto;list-style:none}.mw-parser-output .portal-bar-content-related{border-top:none;margin:0;list-style:none}}.mw-parser-output .navbox+link+.portal-bar,.mw-parser-output .navbox+style+.portal-bar,.mw-parser-output .navbox+link+.portal-bar-bordered,.mw-parser-output .navbox+style+.portal-bar-bordered,.mw-parser-output .sister-bar+link+.portal-bar,.mw-parser-output .sister-bar+style+.portal-bar,.mw-parser-output .portal-bar+.navbox-styles+.navbox,.mw-parser-output .portal-bar+.navbox-styles+.sister-bar{margin-top:-1px}</style><div class="portal-bar noprint metadata noviewer portal-bar-bordered" role="navigation" aria-label="Portals"><span class="portal-bar-header"><a href="/info/en/?search=Wikipedia:Contents/Portals" title="Wikipedia:Contents/Portals">Portal</a>:</span><ul class="portal-bar-content"><li class="portal-bar-item"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><span><img alt="flag" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b9/Flag_of_Australia.svg/21px-Flag_of_Australia.svg.png" decoding="async" width="21" height="11" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b9/Flag_of_Australia.svg/32px-Flag_of_Australia.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/b9/Flag_of_Australia.svg/42px-Flag_of_Australia.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1280" data-file-height="640" /></span></span> <a href="/info/en/?search=Portal:Australia" title="Portal:Australia">Australia</a></li></ul></div>
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Ash_Wednesday_bushfires" title="Ash Wednesday bushfires">Ash Wednesday bushfires</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Black_Friday_(1939)" class="mw-redirect" title="Black Friday (1939)">Black Friday (1939)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Firestorm#Black_Saturday_firestorm_(Wildfire_case_study)" title="Firestorm">Black Saturday firestorm (Wildfire case study)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Electric_utility" title="Electric utility">Electric utility</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=List_of_disasters_in_Australia_by_death_toll" title="List of disasters in Australia by death toll">List of disasters in Australia by death toll</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=List_of_major_bushfires_in_Australia" title="List of major bushfires in Australia">List of major bushfires in Australia</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=List_of_wildfires" title="List of wildfires">List of wildfires</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Recloser" title="Recloser">Recloser</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Sam_(koala)" title="Sam (koala)">Sam the Koala</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=1967_Tasmanian_fires" title="1967 Tasmanian fires">1967 Tasmanian fires</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2008%E2%80%9309_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2008–09 Australian bushfire season">2008–09 Australian bushfire season</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2019%E2%80%9320_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2019–20 Australian bushfire season">2019–20 Australian bushfire season</a></li></ul>
<div style="clear:both;" class=""></div>
<h2><span class="mw-headline" id="References">References</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=37" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2>
<style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1217336898">.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%;margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist">
<div class="mw-references-wrap mw-references-columns"><ol class="references">
<li id="cite_note-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-1">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1215172403">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a{background-size:contain}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a{background-size:contain}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a{background-size:contain}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:#d33}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:#d33}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#2C882D;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911F}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error,html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{color:#f8a397}@media(prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error,html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{color:#f8a397}html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911F}}</style><cite id="CITEREFCollins,_Pádraig2009" class="citation news cs1">Collins, Pádraig (12 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0212/1233867933059.html">"Rudd criticised over bush fire compensation"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=Irish_Times" class="mw-redirect" title="Irish Times">Irish Times</a></i>. Ireland. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20121009125342/http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/world/2009/0212/1233867933059.html">Archived</a> from the original on 9 October 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">19 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Irish+Times&rft.atitle=Rudd+criticised+over+bush+fire+compensation&rft.date=2009-02-12&rft.au=Collins%2C+P%C3%A1draig&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fnewspaper%2Fworld%2F2009%2F0212%2F1233867933059.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-2">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190927004504/https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/black-saturday">"About Black Saturday - Country Fire Authority"</a>. 27 September 2019. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/black-saturday">the original</a> on 27 September 2019<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">31 December</span> 2019</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=About+Black+Saturday+-+Country+Fire+Authority&rft.date=2019-09-27&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cfa.vic.gov.au%2Fabout%2Fblack-saturday&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-3">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190416151401/https://theconversation.com/what-has-australia-learned-from-black-saturday-111245">"What has Australia learned from Black Saturday?"</a>. 16 April 2019. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://theconversation.com/what-has-australia-learned-from-black-saturday-111245">the original</a> on 16 April 2019<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">31 December</span> 2019</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=What+has+Australia+learned+from+Black+Saturday%3F&rft.date=2019-04-16&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Ftheconversation.com%2Fwhat-has-australia-learned-from-black-saturday-111245&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-4">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.vic.gov.au/2009-bushfires">"2009 Victorian Bushfires"</a>. 20 May 2019. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190520081804/https://www.vic.gov.au/2009-bushfires">Archived</a> from the original on 20 May 2019<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">31 December</span> 2019</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=2009+Victorian+Bushfires&rft.date=2019-05-20&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vic.gov.au%2F2009-bushfires&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-Australian_Medical_Journal-5"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Australian_Medical_Journal_5-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Australian_Medical_Journal_5-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Australian_Medical_Journal_5-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><a class="external text" href="https://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/191_01_060709/cam10194_fm.html">Australian Medical Journal</a> <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110606125345/http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/191_01_060709/cam10194_fm.html">Archived</a> 6 June 2011 at the <a href="/info/en/?search=Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a> article abstract</span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-VBRC-Vol.01-ch.5-p.075-6"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-VBRC-Vol.01-ch.5-p.075_6-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-VBRC-Vol.01-ch.5-p.075_6-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFTeague,_BernardMcLeod,_RonaldPascoe,_Susan2010" class="citation book cs1 cs1-prop-long-vol">Teague, Bernard; McLeod, Ronald; Pascoe, Susan (July 2010). <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20201112015122/http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Finaldocuments/volume-1/PF/VBRC_Vol1_Chapter05_PF.pdf">"Chapter 5"</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span>. <i>The Kilmore East Fire: Final Report</i>. Vol. 1: The Fires and the Fire-Related Deaths (1 ed.). <a href="/info/en/?search=2009_Victorian_Bushfires_Royal_Commission" title="2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission">2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission</a>. p. 75. <a href="/info/en/?search=ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/info/en/?search=Special:BookSources/978-0-9807408-2-0" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-9807408-2-0"><bdi>978-0-9807408-2-0</bdi></a>. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Finaldocuments/volume-1/PF/VBRC_Vol1_Chapter05_PF.pdf">the original</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF - 1,478 KB)</span> on 12 November 2020<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">6 February</span> 2015</span>. <q>The fire started after the conductor between poles 38 and 39 failed and the live conductor came into contact with a cable stay supporting pole 38. This contact caused arcing that ignited vegetation near the base of pole 38. An electrical fault was recorded at 11:45...</q></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.atitle=Chapter+5&rft.btitle=The+Kilmore+East+Fire%3A+Final+Report&rft.pages=75&rft.edition=1&rft.pub=2009+Victorian+Bushfires+Royal+Commission&rft.date=2010-07&rft.isbn=978-0-9807408-2-0&rft.au=Teague%2C+Bernard&rft.au=McLeod%2C+Ronald&rft.au=Pascoe%2C+Susan&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.royalcommission.vic.gov.au%2FFinaldocuments%2Fvolume-1%2FPF%2FVBRC_Vol1_Chapter05_PF.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-arson-7"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-arson_7-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFRennie2009" class="citation news cs1">Rennie, Reko (1 April 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-fire-deliberately-lit-police-20090401-9j39.html">"Marysville fire deliberately lit: police"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=The_Age" title="The Age">The Age</a></i>. Melbourne: <a href="/info/en/?search=Fairfax_Media" title="Fairfax Media">Fairfax Media</a>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170907102348/http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-fire-deliberately-lit-police-20090401-9j39.html">Archived</a> from the original on 7 September 2017<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">5 June</span> 2010</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Marysville+fire+deliberately+lit%3A+police&rft.date=2009-04-01&rft.aulast=Rennie&rft.aufirst=Reko&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fmarysville-fire-deliberately-lit-police-20090401-9j39.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-lightning_grampians-8"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-lightning_grampians_8-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/lightning-starts-new-bushfires-in-grampians/287662">"Lightning starts new bushfires in Grampians"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=ABC_News_(Australia)" title="ABC News (Australia)">ABC News</a></i>. 8 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200807222753/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/lightning-starts-new-bushfires-in-grampians/287662">Archived</a> from the original on 7 August 2020<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=ABC+News&rft.atitle=Lightning+starts+new+bushfires+in+Grampians&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2009-02-08%2Flightning-starts-new-bushfires-in-grampians%2F287662&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-sparks-9"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-sparks_9-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090213044555/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032884-2702,00.html">"Police track arsonists responsible for Victoria bushfires"</a>. <i>News Limited</i>. The Australian. 10 February 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032884-2702,00.html">the original</a> on 13 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">14 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=News+Limited&rft.atitle=Police+track+arsonists+responsible+for+Victoria+bushfires&rft.date=2009-02-10&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.news.com.au%2Fstory%2F0%2C25197%2C25032884-2702%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-10"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-10">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFHuxley2009" class="citation news cs1">Huxley, John (11 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/horrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html">"Horrific, but not the worst we've suffered"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=The_Sydney_Morning_Herald" title="The Sydney Morning Herald">The Sydney Morning Herald</a></i>. Fairfax Media. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090213204825/http://www.smh.com.au/national/horrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html">Archived</a> from the original on 13 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">16 July</span> 2020</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Sydney+Morning+Herald&rft.atitle=Horrific%2C+but+not+the+worst+we%27ve+suffered&rft.date=2009-02-11&rft.aulast=Huxley&rft.aufirst=John&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smh.com.au%2Fnational%2Fhorrific-but-not-the-worst-weve-suffered-20090210-83ib.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-11"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-11">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation report cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/finaldocuments/summary/PF/VBRC_Summary_PF.pdf">2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission - Final Report</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span> (Report). Government Printer for the State of Victoria. July 2010. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20190227233416/http://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/finaldocuments/summary/PF/VBRC_Summary_PF.pdf">Archived</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span> from the original on 27 February 2019<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">16 July</span> 2020</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=report&rft.btitle=2009+Victorian+Bushfires+Royal+Commission+-+Final+Report&rft.pub=Government+Printer+for+the+State+of+Victoria&rft.date=2010-07&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Froyalcommission.vic.gov.au%2Ffinaldocuments%2Fsummary%2FPF%2FVBRC_Summary_PF.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-12"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-12">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/black-saturday-bushfires">"Black Saturday bushfires"</a>. Lawson Crescent Acton Peninsula, Canberra: <a href="/info/en/?search=National_Museum_of_Australia" title="National Museum of Australia">National Museum of Australia</a>. 7 February 2023. <a class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20200106114930/https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/black-saturday-bushfires">Archived</a> from the original on 6 January 2020<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 April</span> 2024</span>. <q>Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, 2009: A tragedy beyond belief, beyond precedent and beyond words … one of the darkest days in Australia's peacetime history.</q></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Black+Saturday+bushfires&rft.place=Lawson+Crescent+Acton+Peninsula%2C+Canberra&rft.pub=National+Museum+of+Australia&rft.date=2023-02-07&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nma.gov.au%2Fdefining-moments%2Fresources%2Fblack-saturday-bushfires&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-NatClimate-13"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-NatClimate_13-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs17d.pdf">"The exceptional January–February 2009 heatwave in southeastern Australia"</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span>. <i>Bureau of Meteorology</i>. National Climate Centre. 12 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160913022711/http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/statements/scs17d.pdf">Archived</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span> from the original on 13 September 2016<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">18 November</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Bureau+of+Meteorology&rft.atitle=The+exceptional+January%E2%80%93February+2009+heatwave+in+southeastern+Australia&rft.date=2009-02-12&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bom.gov.au%2Fclimate%2Fcurrent%2Fstatements%2Fscs17d.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-HottestDay-14"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-HottestDay_14-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-HottestDay_14-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFTownsend2009" class="citation news cs1">Townsend, Hamish (7 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/city-swelters-records-tumble-in-heat-20090207-80ai.html">"City swelters, records tumble in heat"</a>. <i>Fairfax Media</i>. Melbourne: The Age. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090208073446/http://www.theage.com.au/national/city-swelters-records-tumble-in-heat-20090207-80ai.html">Archived</a> from the original on 8 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">7 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Fairfax+Media&rft.atitle=City+swelters%2C+records+tumble+in+heat&rft.date=2009-02-07&rft.aulast=Townsend&rft.aufirst=Hamish&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fcity-swelters-records-tumble-in-heat-20090207-80ai.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-BrumbyWarning-15"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-BrumbyWarning_15-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-BrumbyWarning_15-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFMoncrief2009" class="citation news cs1">Moncrief, Mark (6 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/worst-day-in-history-brumby-warns-of-fire-danger-20090206-7zf1.html">"<span class="cs1-kern-left"></span>'Worst day in history': Brumby warns of fire danger"</a>. <i>Fairfax Media</i>. Melbourne: The Age. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090209100743/http://www.theage.com.au/national/worst-day-in-history-brumby-warns-of-fire-danger-20090206-7zf1.html">Archived</a> from the original on 9 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">11 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Fairfax+Media&rft.atitle=%27Worst+day+in+history%27%3A+Brumby+warns+of+fire+danger&rft.date=2009-02-06&rft.aulast=Moncrief&rft.aufirst=Mark&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fworst-day-in-history-brumby-warns-of-fire-danger-20090206-7zf1.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-16"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-16">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFCripps2019" class="citation web cs1">Cripps, Grace (25 November 2019). <a class="external text" href="https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5cef8359d07b4b6984905c349f832af1">"Black Saturday Bushfires"</a>. <i>ArcGIS Story Maps</i>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094949/https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/5cef8359d07b4b6984905c349f832af1">Archived</a> from the original on 17 July 2021<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">13 March</span> 2020</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=ArcGIS+Story+Maps&rft.atitle=Black+Saturday+Bushfires&rft.date=2019-11-25&rft.aulast=Cripps&rft.aufirst=Grace&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fstorymaps.arcgis.com%2Fstories%2F5cef8359d07b4b6984905c349f832af1&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-17"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-17">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFManne2009" class="citation magazine cs1">Manne, Robert (July 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.themonthly.com.au/monthly-essays-robert-manne-why-we-weren-t-warned-victorian-bushfires-and-royal-commission-1780">"Why we weren't warned: The Victorian bushfires and the royal commission"</a>. <i>The Monthly</i>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200402010643/https://www.themonthly.com.au/monthly-essays-robert-manne-why-we-weren-t-warned-victorian-bushfires-and-royal-commission-1780">Archived</a> from the original on 2 April 2020<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">13 March</span> 2020</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Monthly&rft.atitle=Why+we+weren%27t+warned%3A+The+Victorian+bushfires+and+the+royal+commission&rft.date=2009-07&rft.aulast=Manne&rft.aufirst=Robert&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.themonthly.com.au%2Fmonthly-essays-robert-manne-why-we-weren-t-warned-victorian-bushfires-and-royal-commission-1780&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-18"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-18">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFKoobCunningham2019" class="citation web cs1">Koob, Simone F.; Cunningham, Melissa (25 January 2019). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/heat-records-smashed-ahead-of-hottest-day-since-black-saturday-20190125-p50tj1.html">"Melbourne weather: Heat records smashed ahead of hottest day since Black Saturday"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20191019134708/https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/heat-records-smashed-ahead-of-hottest-day-since-black-saturday-20190125-p50tj1.html">Archived</a> from the original on 19 October 2019<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">13 March</span> 2020</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Melbourne+weather%3A+Heat+records+smashed+ahead+of+hottest+day+since+Black+Saturday&rft.date=2019-01-25&rft.aulast=Koob&rft.aufirst=Simone+F.&rft.au=Cunningham%2C+Melissa&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fvictoria%2Fheat-records-smashed-ahead-of-hottest-day-since-black-saturday-20190125-p50tj1.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-FireIndex-19"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-FireIndex_19-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFKaroly2009" class="citation web cs1">Karoly, David (16 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2009/02/bushfires-and-climate/#more-654">"Bushfires and extreme heat in southeast Australia"</a>. Real Climate. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090219171149/http://realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2009/02/bushfires-and-climate#more-654">Archived</a> from the original on 19 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">17 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Bushfires+and+extreme+heat+in+southeast+Australia&rft.pub=Real+Climate&rft.date=2009-02-16&rft.aulast=Karoly&rft.aufirst=David&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realclimate.org%2Findex.php%2Farchives%2F2009%2F02%2Fbushfires-and-climate%2F%23more-654&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-20"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-20">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFBrown2009" class="citation web cs1">Brown, Rachel (23 April 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-04-23/power-company-faces-class-action-over-black/1660796">"Power company faces class action over Black Saturday"</a>. <i>Australian Broadcasting Corporation</i>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180416090152/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-04-23/power-company-faces-class-action-over-black/1660796">Archived</a> from the original on 16 April 2018<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">13 March</span> 2020</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Australian+Broadcasting+Corporation&rft.atitle=Power+company+faces+class+action+over+Black+Saturday&rft.date=2009-04-23&rft.aulast=Brown&rft.aufirst=Rachel&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2009-04-23%2Fpower-company-faces-class-action-over-black%2F1660796&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-weekly-times_third_fire-21"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-weekly-times_third_fire_21-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFLanigan,_RoslynWoods,_Kim2009" class="citation news cs1">Lanigan, Roslyn & Woods, Kim (29 January 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/01/29/47075_latest-news.html">"Gippsland faces third fire"</a>. Weekly Times. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090215154148/http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/01/29/47075_latest-news.html">Archived</a> from the original on 15 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">11 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Gippsland+faces+third+fire&rft.date=2009-01-29&rft.au=Lanigan%2C+Roslyn&rft.au=Woods%2C+Kim&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklytimesnow.com.au%2Farticle%2F2009%2F01%2F29%2F47075_latest-news.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-berwick-district-journal_battle_bunyip-22"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-berwick-district-journal_battle_bunyip_22-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-berwick-district-journal_battle_bunyip_22-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFMiller2009" class="citation news cs1">Miller, Elisa (12 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20110821174141/http://berwick.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/battle-to-control-bunyip-state-park-blaze/1432527.aspx">"Battle to control Bunyip State Park blaze"</a>. Berwick & District Journal. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://berwick.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/battle-to-control-bunyip-state-park-blaze/1432527.aspx">the original</a> on 21 August 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">22 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Battle+to+control+Bunyip+State+Park+blaze&rft.date=2009-02-12&rft.aulast=Miller&rft.aufirst=Elisa&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fberwick.yourguide.com.au%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fnews%2Fgeneral%2Fbattle-to-control-bunyip-state-park-blaze%2F1432527.aspx&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-Bunyip_fire_breaches_control_lines-23"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Bunyip_fire_breaches_control_lines_23-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Bunyip_fire_breaches_control_lines_23-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Bunyip_fire_breaches_control_lines_23-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/innovation/blacksaturday/#/timeline/sequence/chapter/1/showid/0000271">"Black Saturday"</a>. <i>ABC News</i>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20091004221626/http://abc.net.au/innovation/blacksaturday/#/timeline/sequence/chapter/1/showid/0000271">Archived</a> from the original on 4 October 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">6 April</span> 2016</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=ABC+News&rft.atitle=Black+Saturday&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Finnovation%2Fblacksaturday%2F%23%2Ftimeline%2Fsequence%2Fchapter%2F1%2Fshowid%2F0000271&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-heraldsun_hill_paddock-24"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-heraldsun_hill_paddock_24-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25043261-662,00.html">"Hill paddock is pinpointed as area where fire started"</a>. <i>News Limited</i>. Herald Sun. 12 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">17 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=News+Limited&rft.atitle=Hill+paddock+is+pinpointed+as+area+where+fire+started&rft.date=2009-02-12&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.com.au%2Fheraldsun%2Fstory%2F0%2C21985%2C25043261-662%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span> <sup class="noprint Inline-Template"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="/info/en/?search=Wikipedia:Link_rot" title="Wikipedia:Link rot"><span title=" Dead link tagged August 2010">dead link</span></a></i>]</span></sup></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-Wimmera_Mail-Times_Horsham_fire-25"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Wimmera_Mail-Times_Horsham_fire_25-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20121231084331/http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/horsham-fire-the-latest-report/1427805.aspx">"Horsham fire: The latest report"</a>. <i>Fairfax Media</i>. Wimmera Mail-Times. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/horsham-fire-the-latest-report/1427805.aspx">the original</a> on 31 December 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">18 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Fairfax+Media&rft.atitle=Horsham+fire%3A+The+latest+report&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwimmera.yourguide.com.au%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fnews%2Fgeneral%2Fhorsham-fire-the-latest-report%2F1427805.aspx&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-26"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-26">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100517022420/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009">"transcript page 8208, Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission"</a>. Victorian Government. 6 October 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009">the original</a> on 17 May 2010<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2010</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=transcript+page+8208%2C+Victorian+Bushfires+Royal+Commission&rft.pub=Victorian+Government&rft.date=2009-10-06&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.royalcommission.vic.gov.au%2Fgetdoc%2Fd2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197%2FTranscript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-Marysville_fire_start-27"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Marysville_fire_start_27-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFSchneidersTomazin2009" class="citation news cs1">Schneiders, Ben; Tomazin, Farrah (9 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/the-trail-of-destruction--and-the-outlook-20090209-814n.html?page=fullpage">"The trail of destruction ... and the outlook"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. Melbourne: <a href="/info/en/?search=Fairfax_Media" title="Fairfax Media">Fairfax</a>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20121103003239/http://www.theage.com.au/national/the-trail-of-destruction--and-the-outlook-20090209-814n.html?page=fullpage">Archived</a> from the original on 3 November 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">18 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=The+trail+of+destruction+...+and+the+outlook&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft.aulast=Schneiders&rft.aufirst=Ben&rft.au=Tomazin%2C+Farrah&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fthe-trail-of-destruction--and-the-outlook-20090209-814n.html%3Fpage%3Dfullpage&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-australian_how_the_battle-28"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-australian_how_the_battle_28-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFStewartCorrie_Perkin2009" class="citation news cs1">Stewart, Cameron; Corrie Perkin (14 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/how-the-battle-for-victoria-was-fought-and-lost/story-e6frg6n6-1111118847125">"How the battle with Victoria's bushfires was fought and lost"</a>. <i>News limited</i>. Australian. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140331025837/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/how-the-battle-for-victoria-was-fought-and-lost/story-e6frg6n6-1111118847125">Archived</a> from the original on 31 March 2014<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">17 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=News+limited&rft.atitle=How+the+battle+with+Victoria%27s+bushfires+was+fought+and+lost&rft.date=2009-02-14&rft.aulast=Stewart&rft.aufirst=Cameron&rft.au=Corrie+Perkin&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnews%2Fhow-the-battle-for-victoria-was-fought-and-lost%2Fstory-e6frg6n6-1111118847125&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-29"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-29">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFPerkin2009" class="citation news cs1">Perkin, Corrie (9 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/cigarette-butt-blamed-for-towns-losses/story-e6frg6n6-1111118795113">"Cigarette butt blamed for town's losses"</a>. <i>News limited</i>. The Australian<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">17 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=News+limited&rft.atitle=Cigarette+butt+blamed+for+town%27s+losses&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft.aulast=Perkin&rft.aufirst=Corrie&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnews%2Fcigarette-butt-blamed-for-towns-losses%2Fstory-e6frg6n6-1111118795113&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-Beechworth_Area_Fire-30"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Beechworth_Area_Fire_30-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Beechworth_Area_Fire_30-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090224220121/http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/130209_Beechworth_Fire_Newsletter_FINALAM_%282%29_21551.pdf">"Beechworth Area Fire – Community Update Newsletter"</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span>. Country Fire Authority. 13 February 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/130209_Beechworth_Fire_Newsletter_FINALAM_(2)_21551.pdf">the original</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span> on 24 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">18 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Beechworth+Area+Fire+%E2%80%93+Community+Update+Newsletter&rft.pub=Country+Fire+Authority&rft.date=2009-02-13&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cfa.vic.gov.au%2Fincidents%2Fimages%2Fnews_image%2F130209_Beechworth_Fire_Newsletter_FINALAM_%282%29_21551.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-Marysville_police_probe-31"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Marysville_police_probe_31-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFStrong2009" class="citation news cs1">Strong, Geoff (5 March 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-recall-black-saturday-for-police-probe-20090305-8p25.html">"Marysville residents recall Black Saturday for police probe"</a>. <i>Fairfax Media</i>. Melbourne: The Age. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20121106143039/http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-recall-black-saturday-for-police-probe-20090305-8p25.html">Archived</a> from the original on 6 November 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">7 March</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Fairfax+Media&rft.atitle=Marysville+residents+recall+Black+Saturday+for+police+probe&rft.date=2009-03-05&rft.aulast=Strong&rft.aufirst=Geoff&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fmarysville-residents-recall-black-saturday-for-police-probe-20090305-8p25.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-Marysville_residents-32"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Marysville_residents_32-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFMilovanovic2009" class="citation news cs1">Milovanovic, Selma (6 April 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-should-have-been-warned-to-leave-town-20090406-9u3t.html">"Marysville residents 'should have been warned to leave town"</a>. <i>Fairfax Media</i>. Melbourne: The Age. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090409064758/http://www.theage.com.au/national/marysville-residents-should-have-been-warned-to-leave-town-20090406-9u3t.html">Archived</a> from the original on 9 April 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 April</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Fairfax+Media&rft.atitle=Marysville+residents+%27should+have+been+warned+to+leave+town&rft.date=2009-04-06&rft.aulast=Milovanovic&rft.aufirst=Selma&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fmarysville-residents-should-have-been-warned-to-leave-town-20090406-9u3t.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-Herald_Yarra_Valley-33"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Herald_Yarra_Valley_33-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,27574,25024406-2862,00.html">"Yarra Valley tourist town Marysville devastated by bushfire"</a>. <i>News Limited</i>. Herald Sun. 8 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090213044502/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,27574,25024406-2862,00.html">Archived</a> from the original on 13 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">22 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=News+Limited&rft.atitle=Yarra+Valley+tourist+town+Marysville+devastated+by+bushfire&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.com.au%2Fheraldsun%2Fstory%2F0%2C27574%2C25024406-2862%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-Wilsons_Prom-34"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Wilsons_Prom_34-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486078.htm">"Tidal River camping ground evacuated as fire spreads"</a>. <i>ABC News</i>. 9 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090212174030/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486078.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 12 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">22 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=ABC+News&rft.atitle=Tidal+River+camping+ground+evacuated+as+fire+spreads&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F09%2F2486078.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-Healesville-35"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Healesville_35-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Healesville_35-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Healesville_35-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Healesville_35-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/winds-cause-nervous-moments-for-healesville-20090217-89gu.html">"Winds cause nervous moments for Healesville"</a>. <i>Fairfax Media</i>. Melbourne: The Age. 17 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090219160428/http://www.theage.com.au/national/winds-cause-nervous-moments-for-healesville-20090217-89gu.html">Archived</a> from the original on 19 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">17 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Fairfax+Media&rft.atitle=Winds+cause+nervous+moments+for+Healesville&rft.date=2009-02-17&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fwinds-cause-nervous-moments-for-healesville-20090217-89gu.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-36"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-36">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">CFA Awareness Message – Bunyip Ridge Track Fire 7.00pm, 27 February 2009</span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-37"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-37">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">CFA Downgrade Message – Alert to Awareness-Kilmore East Murrindindi Complex North Fire, 27 February 2009</span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-38"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-38">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">CFA Awareness Message – Kilmore East – Murrindindi Complex South Fire 7.20 pm, 27 February 2009</span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-39"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-39">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">CFA Awareness Message – Wilsons Prom Cathedral Fire 6.00pm, 27 February 2009</span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-40"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-40">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Awareness Message – French Island Fire 6.50pm, 27 February 2009</span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-SMS_warning-41"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-SMS_warning_41-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFDobbin2009" class="citation news cs1">Dobbin, Marika (3 March 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victorians-receive-fire-text-warning-20090302-8mfq.html">"Victorians receive fire text warning"</a>. <i>Fairfax Media</i>. Melbourne: The Age. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090303121100/http://www.theage.com.au/national/victorians-receive-fire-text-warning-20090302-8mfq.html">Archived</a> from the original on 3 March 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">3 March</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Fairfax+Media&rft.atitle=Victorians+receive+fire+text+warning&rft.date=2009-03-03&rft.aulast=Dobbin&rft.aufirst=Marika&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fvictorians-receive-fire-text-warning-20090302-8mfq.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-geelong-addy_kinglake_casualties-42"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-geelong-addy_kinglake_casualties_42-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49445_news.html">"Reports of major casualties at Kinglake"</a>. Geelong Advertiser. 8 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090209073155/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49445_news.html">Archived</a> from the original on 9 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Reports+of+major+casualties+at+Kinglake&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geelongadvertiser.com.au%2Farticle%2F2009%2F02%2F08%2F49445_news.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-abc_at_a_glance-43"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-abc_at_a_glance_43-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485609.htm?section=justin">"At a glance: where bushfires are burning"</a>. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090209112549/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485609.htm?section=justin">Archived</a> from the original on 9 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=At+a+glance%3A+where+bushfires+are+burning&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F08%2F2485609.htm%3Fsection%3Djustin&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-Age7Feb-44"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Age7Feb_44-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Age7Feb_44-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/death-toll-may-reach-more-than-40-police-20090207-80ao.html">"Death toll may reach more than 40: police"</a>. <i>Fairfax Media</i>. Melbourne: The Age. 7 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090208072330/http://www.theage.com.au/national/death-toll-may-reach-more-than-40-police-20090207-80ao.html">Archived</a> from the original on 8 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">7 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Fairfax+Media&rft.atitle=Death+toll+may+reach+more+than+40%3A+police&rft.date=2009-02-07&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fdeath-toll-may-reach-more-than-40-police-20090207-80ao.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-geelong-addy_grave_concern-45"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-geelong-addy_grave_concern_45-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090209073134/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49421_news.html">"Kilmore fires cause grave concern"</a>. Geelong Advertiser. 8 February 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/08/49421_news.html">the original</a> on 9 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Kilmore+fires+cause+grave+concern&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geelongadvertiser.com.au%2Farticle%2F2009%2F02%2F08%2F49421_news.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-deathtoll-46"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-deathtoll_46-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-deathtoll_46-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090313151520/http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19190">"Bushfires death toll"</a>. <i>Victoria Police</i>. 30 March 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19190">the original</a> on 13 March 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">31 March</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Victoria+Police&rft.atitle=Bushfires+death+toll&rft.date=2009-03-30&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.police.vic.gov.au%2Fcontent.asp%3FDocument_ID%3D19190&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-abc-kilmore-settle-47"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-abc-kilmore-settle_47-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-abc-kilmore-settle_47-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-23/judge-approves-black-saturday-class-action-settlement/5984374">"Black Saturday class action: Judge approves $494m Kilmore East bushfire settlement"</a>. <i>ABC News</i>. Australia. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 23 December 2014. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150208221316/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-23/judge-approves-black-saturday-class-action-settlement/5984374">Archived</a> from the original on 8 February 2015<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">6 February</span> 2015</span>. <q>Victoria's Supreme Court has approved a $494 million payout to victims of the deadly 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, in what is considered to be the biggest class action in Australia's legal history.</q></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=ABC+News&rft.atitle=Black+Saturday+class+action%3A+Judge+approves+%24494m+Kilmore+East+bushfire+settlement&rft.date=2014-12-23&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2014-12-23%2Fjudge-approves-black-saturday-class-action-settlement%2F5984374&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-48"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-48">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100517022420/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009">"transcript pages 8208, 8225 & 8246, Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission"</a>. Victorian Government. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009">the original</a> on 17 May 2010<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2010</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=transcript+pages+8208%2C+8225+%26+8246%2C+Victorian+Bushfires+Royal+Commission&rft.pub=Victorian+Government&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.royalcommission.vic.gov.au%2Fgetdoc%2Fd2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197%2FTranscript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-49"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-49">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110706123119/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-001-0338">"Detective Superintendent Paul Hollowood's witness statement paragraph 65"</a>. Victorian Government. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-001-0338">the original</a> on 6 July 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2010</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Detective+Superintendent+Paul+Hollowood%27s+witness+statement+paragraph+65&rft.pub=Victorian+Government&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.royalcommission.vic.gov.au%2FDocuments%2FDocument-files%2FExhibits%2FWIT-3010-001-0338&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-50"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-50">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150924092239/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-003-0287">"Detective Superintendent Paul Hollowood's supplementary witness statement, paragraph 20"</a>. Victorian Government. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/Document-files/Exhibits/WIT-3010-003-0287">the original</a> on 24 September 2015<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2010</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Detective+Superintendent+Paul+Hollowood%27s+supplementary+witness+statement%2C+paragraph+20&rft.pub=Victorian+Government&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.royalcommission.vic.gov.au%2FDocuments%2FDocument-files%2FExhibits%2FWIT-3010-003-0287&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-51"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-51">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100517022420/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009">"transcript page 8261, Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission"</a>. Victorian Government. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/d2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197/Transcript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009">the original</a> on 17 May 2010<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2010</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=transcript+page+8261%2C+Victorian+Bushfires+Royal+Commission&rft.pub=Victorian+Government&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.royalcommission.vic.gov.au%2Fgetdoc%2Fd2c3aadc-9e1d-4799-9526-6eec70333197%2FTranscript_VBRC_Day_060_06-Oct-2009&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-abc_wiped_out-52"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-abc_wiped_out_52-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-abc_wiped_out_52-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-abc_wiped_out_52-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFCowan2009" class="citation news cs1">Cowan, Jane; et al. (8 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485378.htm">"Wiped out: Town destroyed by killer fires"</a>. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090209112921/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485378.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 9 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Wiped+out%3A+Town+destroyed+by+killer+fires&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft.aulast=Cowan&rft.aufirst=Jane&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F08%2F2485378.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-australian_razed_township-53"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-australian_razed_township_53-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFDavies2009" class="citation news cs1">Davies, Julie-Anne (9 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090211143130/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25026480-2702,00.html">"Razed township fears for missing"</a>. <i>The Australian</i>. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25026480-2702,00.html">the original</a> on 11 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Australian&rft.atitle=Razed+township+fears+for+missing&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft.aulast=Davies&rft.aufirst=Julie-Anne&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.news.com.au%2Fstory%2F0%2C25197%2C25026480-2702%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age_sickening_wait-54"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-age_sickening_wait_54-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFCoslovich2009" class="citation news cs1">Coslovich, Gabriella (9 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/sickening-wait-for-proof-of-life-or-death-20090208-8112.html?page=2">"Sickening wait for proof of life, or death"</a>. <i>Fairfax Media</i>. Melbourne: The Age. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090211142434/http://www.theage.com.au/national/sickening-wait-for-proof-of-life-or-death-20090208-8112.html?page=2">Archived</a> from the original on 11 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Fairfax+Media&rft.atitle=Sickening+wait+for+proof+of+life%2C+or+death&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft.aulast=Coslovich&rft.aufirst=Gabriella&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fsickening-wait-for-proof-of-life-or-death-20090208-8112.html%3Fpage%3D2&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-marysville-one-in-five-55"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-marysville-one-in-five_55-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-marysville-one-in-five_55-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51975_latest-news.html">"Marysville toll may be 1 in 5"</a>. <i>The Weekly Times</i>. <a href="/info/en/?search=News_Limited" class="mw-redirect" title="News Limited">News Limited</a>. 11 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120315123959/http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51975_latest-news.html">Archived</a> from the original on 15 March 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=The+Weekly+Times&rft.atitle=Marysville+toll+may+be+1+in+5&rft.date=2009-02-11&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklytimesnow.com.au%2Farticle%2F2009%2F02%2F11%2F51975_latest-news.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-Yea-Murrundindi-56"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Yea-Murrundindi_56-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090224220055/http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/Yea-Murrundindi_MediaMap_20090208_0015_21109.pdf">"Yea-Murrundindi map"</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span>. CFA. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/images/news_image/Yea-Murrundindi_MediaMap_20090208_0015_21109.pdf">the original</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span> on 24 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">8 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Yea-Murrundindi+map&rft.pub=CFA&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cfa.vic.gov.au%2Fincidents%2Fimages%2Fnews_image%2FYea-Murrundindi_MediaMap_20090208_0015_21109.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-57"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-57">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFTownsend2008" class="citation news cs1">Townsend, Hamish (8 February 2008). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/we-can-see-flames-people-stranded-in-yarra-glen-20090207-80e3.html">"<span class="cs1-kern-left"></span>'We can see flames': people stranded in Yarra Glen"</a>. <i>Fairfax Media</i>. Melbourne: The Age. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090209140340/http://www.theage.com.au/national/we-can-see-flames-people-stranded-in-yarra-glen-20090207-80e3.html">Archived</a> from the original on 9 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">8 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Fairfax+Media&rft.atitle=%27We+can+see+flames%27%3A+people+stranded+in+Yarra+Glen&rft.date=2008-02-08&rft.aulast=Townsend&rft.aufirst=Hamish&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fwe-can-see-flames-people-stranded-in-yarra-glen-20090207-80e3.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-TheAge-58"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-TheAge_58-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-TheAge_58-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFGrace2009" class="citation news cs1">Grace, Robyn (12 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/arsonists-may-have-lit-marysville-fire-nixon-20090212-852y.html">"Arsonists may have lit Marysville fire – Nixon"</a>. <i>Fairfax Media</i>. Melbourne: The Age. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094950/https://www.theage.com.au/national/arson-suspects-arrested-20090212-852y.html">Archived</a> from the original on 17 July 2021<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">12 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Fairfax+Media&rft.atitle=Arsonists+may+have+lit+Marysville+fire+%E2%80%93+Nixon&rft.date=2009-02-12&rft.aulast=Grace&rft.aufirst=Robyn&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Farsonists-may-have-lit-marysville-fire-nixon-20090212-852y.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-59"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-59">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/victoria/marysville-blaze-not-the-work-of-arsonist-20110625-1gkan.html">"Marysville blaze not the work of arsonist"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. Melbourne. 25 June 2011. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110628204827/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/marysville-blaze-not-the-work-of-arsonist-20110625-1gkan.html">Archived</a> from the original on 28 June 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">25 June</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Marysville+blaze+not+the+work+of+arsonist&rft.date=2011-06-25&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fvictoria%2Fmarysville-blaze-not-the-work-of-arsonist-20110625-1gkan.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-60"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-60">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485588.htm">"Smoke, cloud restrict Beechworth fire info"</a>. <i>ABC News</i>. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090209112539/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485588.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 9 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">8 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=ABC+News&rft.atitle=Smoke%2C+cloud+restrict+Beechworth+fire+info&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F08%2F2485588.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-herald-sun_fast-moving_blaze-61"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-herald-sun_fast-moving_blaze_61-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFMcNaught,_MeganPilcher,_Georgie2009" class="citation news cs1">McNaught, Megan & Pilcher, Georgie (9 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25025982-2862,00.html">"Fast-moving blaze hit with little warning"</a>. <i>Herald Sun</i>. <a class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20121231004421/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archives/old-news-pages/blaze-hit-with-little-warning/story-e6frf8zo-1111118794037">Archived</a> from the original on 31 December 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Herald+Sun&rft.atitle=Fast-moving+blaze+hit+with+little+warning&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft.au=McNaught%2C+Megan&rft.au=Pilcher%2C+Georgie&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.com.au%2Fheraldsun%2Fstory%2F0%2C21985%2C25025982-2862%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-abc_buildings_mudgeegonga-62"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-abc_buildings_mudgeegonga_62-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485547.htm">"Buildings destroyed near Beechworth"</a>. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090211163000/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485547.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 11 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">8 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Buildings+destroyed+near+Beechworth&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F08%2F2485547.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-abc_smoke_cloud_beechworth-63"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-abc_smoke_cloud_beechworth_63-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485588.htm">"Smoke, cloud restrict Beechworth fire info"</a>. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090209112539/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485588.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 9 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">8 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Smoke%2C+cloud+restrict+Beechworth+fire+info&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F08%2F2485588.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-herald-sun_fresh_fire-64"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-herald-sun_fresh_fire_64-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-herald-sun_fresh_fire_64-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFPilcher2009" class="citation news cs1">Pilcher, Georgie (10 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/hundreds-battle-to-control-blazes/story-e6frf7jo-1111118804624">"Fresh fire jumps river and threatens towns"</a>. <i>Herald Sun</i>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140322124845/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/hundreds-battle-to-control-blazes/story-e6frf7jo-1111118804624">Archived</a> from the original on 22 March 2014<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Herald+Sun&rft.atitle=Fresh+fire+jumps+river+and+threatens+towns&rft.date=2009-02-10&rft.aulast=Pilcher&rft.aufirst=Georgie&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.heraldsun.com.au%2Fnews%2Fhundreds-battle-to-control-blazes%2Fstory-e6frf7jo-1111118804624&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-australian_inquiry_ordered-65"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-australian_inquiry_ordered_65-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFHannan,_EwinWallace,_Rick2009" class="citation news cs1">Hannan, Ewin & Wallace, Rick (10 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation-weeps-as-toll-tops-166/story-e6frg6n6-1111118804823">"Inquiry ordered into Victoria bushfires, hunt for arsonists begins"</a>. <i>The Australian</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Australian&rft.atitle=Inquiry+ordered+into+Victoria+bushfires%2C+hunt+for+arsonists+begins&rft.date=2009-02-10&rft.au=Hannan%2C+Ewin&rft.au=Wallace%2C+Rick&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnews%2Fnation-weeps-as-toll-tops-166%2Fstory-e6frg6n6-1111118804823&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-canberra-times_prisoners_help-66"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-canberra-times_prisoners_help_66-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-canberra-times_prisoners_help_66-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090215011337/http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/prisoners-help-fight-beechworth-blaze/1429502.aspx">"Prisoners help fight Beechworth blaze"</a>. <i>The Canberra Times</i>. 10 February 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/prisoners-help-fight-beechworth-blaze/1429502.aspx">the original</a> on 15 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Canberra+Times&rft.atitle=Prisoners+help+fight+Beechworth+blaze&rft.date=2009-02-10&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.canberratimes.com.au%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fnews%2Fgeneral%2Fprisoners-help-fight-beechworth-blaze%2F1429502.aspx&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-abc_north-east_urged-67"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-abc_north-east_urged_67-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487509.htm">"North-east residents urged to remain on fire alert"</a>. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 10 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090213064816/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487509.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 13 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=North-east+residents+urged+to+remain+on+fire+alert&rft.date=2009-02-10&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F10%2F2487509.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-border-mail_smoke_increases-68"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-border-mail_smoke_increases_68-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.bordermail.com.au/news/local/news/general/smoke-increases-with-beechworth-backburning/1429957.aspx">"Smoke increases with Beechworth backburning"</a>. <i>Border Mail</i>. 10 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090211211108/http://www.bordermail.com.au/news/local/news/general/smoke-increases-with-beechworth-backburning/1429957.aspx">Archived</a> from the original on 11 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Border+Mail&rft.atitle=Smoke+increases+with+Beechworth+backburning&rft.date=2009-02-10&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bordermail.com.au%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fnews%2Fgeneral%2Fsmoke-increases-with-beechworth-backburning%2F1429957.aspx&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-abc_bendigo_meeting-69"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-abc_bendigo_meeting_69-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-abc_bendigo_meeting_69-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-abc_bendigo_meeting_69-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-abc_bendigo_meeting_69-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485623.htm">"Meeting held for fire-affected Bendigo residents"</a>. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 9 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090209222753/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485623.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 9 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Meeting+held+for+fire-affected+Bendigo+residents&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F08%2F2485623.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-70"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-70">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/inferno-warning-cfa/1435265.aspx">"Inferno warning: CFA – Local News – News – General"</a>. Bendigo Advertiser. 17 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120213003037/http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/inferno-warning-cfa/1435265.aspx">Archived</a> from the original on 13 February 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">29 December</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Inferno+warning%3A+CFA+%E2%80%93+Local+News+%E2%80%93+News+%E2%80%93+General&rft.pub=Bendigo+Advertiser&rft.date=2009-02-17&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bendigoadvertiser.com.au%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fnews%2Fgeneral%2Finferno-warning-cfa%2F1435265.aspx&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-herald-sun_man_on_fire-71"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-herald-sun_man_on_fire_71-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-herald-sun_man_on_fire_71-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFPowerCollier2009" class="citation news cs1">Power, Emily; Collier, Karen (9 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25025484-2862,00.html">"The man up the road is on fire"</a>. <i>Herald Sun</i>. <a class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20121230150352/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archives/old-news-pages/the-man-up-the-road-is-on-fire/story-e6frf8zo-1111118793125">Archived</a> from the original on 30 December 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Herald+Sun&rft.atitle=The+man+up+the+road+is+on+fire&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft.aulast=Power&rft.aufirst=Emily&rft.au=Collier%2C+Karen&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.com.au%2Fheraldsun%2Fstory%2F0%2C21985%2C25025484-2862%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age_mind_beast-72"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-age_mind_beast_72-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFKennedy2009" class="citation news cs1">Kennedy, Peter (9 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/fire-had-a-mind-of-its-own-like-a-beast-20090208-8115.html">"Fire had a mind of its own, like a beast"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. Melbourne. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090211143240/http://www.theage.com.au/national/fire-had-a-mind-of-its-own-like-a-beast-20090208-8115.html">Archived</a> from the original on 11 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Fire+had+a+mind+of+its+own%2C+like+a+beast&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft.aulast=Kennedy&rft.aufirst=Peter&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Ffire-had-a-mind-of-its-own-like-a-beast-20090208-8115.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-CFA_1476708465993-73"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-CFA_1476708465993_73-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090118001216/http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/incident_updates.htm">"Downgrade Message – Urgent Threat to Final Advice Bracewell Fire (Bendigo), 2.30 am"</a>. CFA. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/incidents/incident_updates.htm#1476708465993">the original</a> on 18 January 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">8 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Downgrade+Message+%E2%80%93+Urgent+Threat+to+Final+Advice+Bracewell+Fire+%28Bendigo%29%2C+2.30+am&rft.pub=CFA&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cfa.vic.gov.au%2Fincidents%2Fincident_updates.htm%231476708465993&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-bendigo-advertiser_wall_of_flames-74"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-bendigo-advertiser_wall_of_flames_74-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/bendigo-battles-wall-of-flames/1427780.aspx">"Bendigo Battles Wall of Flames"</a>. Bendigo Advertiser. 8 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090211085656/http://www.bendigoadvertiser.com.au/news/local/news/general/bendigo-battles-wall-of-flames/1427780.aspx">Archived</a> from the original on 11 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Bendigo+Battles+Wall+of+Flames&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bendigoadvertiser.com.au%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fnews%2Fgeneral%2Fbendigo-battles-wall-of-flames%2F1427780.aspx&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-75"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-75">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFPerkin2009" class="citation news cs1">Perkin, Corrie (9 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090210111138/http://www.news.com.au/story/0%2C27574%2C25027063-1243%2C00.html">"Cigarette butt blamed for West Bendigo fire; two dead, 50 homes lost"</a>. <i>news.com.au</i>. News Limited. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,25027063-1243,00.html">the original</a> on 10 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=news.com.au&rft.atitle=Cigarette+butt+blamed+for+West+Bendigo+fire%3B+two+dead%2C+50+homes+lost&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft.aulast=Perkin&rft.aufirst=Corrie&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.com.au%2Fstory%2F0%2C27574%2C25027063-1243%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-abc_arson_bendigo-76"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-abc_arson_bendigo_76-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-abc_arson_bendigo_76-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-abc_arson_bendigo_76-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487050.htm">"Arson suspected in deadly Bendigo blaze"</a>. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 10 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090212185307/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487050.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 12 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Arson+suspected+in+deadly+Bendigo+blaze&rft.date=2009-02-10&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F10%2F2487050.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-bendigo_arson-77"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-bendigo_arson_77-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFCooper2009" class="citation news cs1">Cooper, Mex (10 July 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-bendigo-fatal-fire-arson-20090610-c2pw.html">"Black Saturday: Bendigo fatal fire 'arson'<span class="cs1-kern-right"></span>"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. Melbourne. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20091212190754/http://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-bendigo-fatal-fire-arson-20090610-c2pw.html">Archived</a> from the original on 12 December 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">14 December</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Black+Saturday%3A+Bendigo+fatal+fire+%27arson%27&rft.date=2009-07-10&rft.aulast=Cooper&rft.aufirst=Mex&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fblack-saturday-bendigo-fatal-fire-arson-20090610-c2pw.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-78"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-78">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFHunter2010" class="citation news cs1">Hunter, Thomas (2 February 2010). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/teens-charged-over-killer-bendigo-fire-on-black-saturday-20100202-na6u.html">"Teens charged over killer Bendigo fire on Black Saturday"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=The_Age" title="The Age">The Age</a></i>. Melbourne. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100406011406/http://www.theage.com.au/national/teens-charged-over-killer-bendigo-fire-on-black-saturday-20100202-na6u.html">Archived</a> from the original on 6 April 2010<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">25 August</span> 2010</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Teens+charged+over+killer+Bendigo+fire+on+Black+Saturday&rft.date=2010-02-02&rft.aulast=Hunter&rft.aufirst=Thomas&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fteens-charged-over-killer-bendigo-fire-on-black-saturday-20100202-na6u.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-79"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-79">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFHenderson" class="citation news cs1">Henderson, Michelle. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20111107163011/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8370820/black-saturday-arson-case-discontinued">"Teens in Black Saturday arson case let off"</a>. Melbourne: 9 News. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/8370820/black-saturday-arson-case-discontinued">the original</a> on 7 November 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">7 November</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Teens+in+Black+Saturday+arson+case+let+off&rft.aulast=Henderson&rft.aufirst=Michelle&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.ninemsn.com.au%2Fnational%2F8370820%2Fblack-saturday-arson-case-discontinued&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-80"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-80">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFCain2009" class="citation web cs1">Cain, Kim (2 March 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140331020948/http://crosslight.org.au/2009/03/02/five-minutes-and-its-fire/">"Five minutes and it's fire"</a>. <i>Crosslight</i>. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://crosslight.org.au/2009/03/02/five-minutes-and-its-fire/">the original</a> on 31 March 2014<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">5 February</span> 2014</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Crosslight&rft.atitle=Five+minutes+and+it%27s+fire&rft.date=2009-03-02&rft.aulast=Cain&rft.aufirst=Kim&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fcrosslight.org.au%2F2009%2F03%2F02%2Ffive-minutes-and-its-fire%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-81"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-81">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140221195508/http://www.elliottmidnews.com.au/story/1731025/back-from-the-brink/">"Back from the brink"</a>. <i>Midland Express</i>. 26 August 2013. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.elliottmidnews.com.au/story/1731025/back-from-the-brink/">the original</a> on 21 February 2014<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">5 February</span> 2014</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Midland+Express&rft.atitle=Back+from+the+brink&rft.date=2013-08-26&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.elliottmidnews.com.au%2Fstory%2F1731025%2Fback-from-the-brink%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-australian_threatens_break_free-82"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-australian_threatens_break_free_82-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25015607-12377,00.html">"Bushfire threatens to break free"</a>. <i>The Australian</i>. 6 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">22 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Australian&rft.atitle=Bushfire+threatens+to+break+free&rft.date=2009-02-06&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.news.com.au%2Fstory%2F0%2C25197%2C25015607-12377%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span><sup class="noprint Inline-Template"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="/info/en/?search=Wikipedia:Link_rot" title="Wikipedia:Link rot"><span title=" Dead link tagged June 2019">permanent dead link</span></a></i>]</span></sup></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-abc_fire_breaks_lines-83"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-abc_fire_breaks_lines_83-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/07/2484988.htm">"Residents warned as fire breaks lines"</a>. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 7 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090209155734/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/07/2484988.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 9 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">22 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Residents+warned+as+fire+breaks+lines&rft.date=2009-02-07&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F07%2F2484988.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-australian_residents_high_alert-84"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-australian_residents_high_alert_84-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090210143048/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25020249-12377,00.html">"Residents on high alert as fire nears"</a>. <i>The Australian</i>. 7 February 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25020249-12377,00.html">the original</a> on 10 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">22 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Australian&rft.atitle=Residents+on+high+alert+as+fire+nears&rft.date=2009-02-07&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.news.com.au%2Fstory%2F0%2C25197%2C25020249-12377%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-australian_crews_retreat-85"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-australian_crews_retreat_85-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25020330-12377,00.html">"Fire crews forced to retreat"</a>. <i>The Australian</i>. 7 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">22 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Australian&rft.atitle=Fire+crews+forced+to+retreat&rft.date=2009-02-07&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.news.com.au%2Fstory%2F0%2C25197%2C25020330-12377%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span><sup class="noprint Inline-Template"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="/info/en/?search=Wikipedia:Link_rot" title="Wikipedia:Link rot"><span title=" Dead link tagged June 2019">permanent dead link</span></a></i>]</span></sup></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age_inferno_terrorises-86"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-age_inferno_terrorises_86-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFEgan,_CarmelHolland,_Steve2009" class="citation news cs1">Egan, Carmel & Holland, Steve (7 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/inferno-terrorises-communities-as-it-rages-out-of-control-20090207-80fw.html">"Inferno terrorises communities as it rages out of control"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. Melbourne. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090210132444/http://www.theage.com.au/national/inferno-terrorises-communities-as-it-rages-out-of-control-20090207-80fw.html">Archived</a> from the original on 10 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">22 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Inferno+terrorises+communities+as+it+rages+out+of+control&rft.date=2009-02-07&rft.au=Egan%2C+Carmel&rft.au=Holland%2C+Steve&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Finferno-terrorises-communities-as-it-rages-out-of-control-20090207-80fw.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-weekly-times_rain_only_hope-87"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-weekly-times_rain_only_hope_87-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFWhite2009" class="citation news cs1">White, Leslie (11 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51711_latest-news.html">"Rain the only fire hope"</a>. <i>Weekly Times</i>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090221034725/http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/article/2009/02/11/51711_latest-news.html">Archived</a> from the original on 21 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">22 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Weekly+Times&rft.atitle=Rain+the+only+fire+hope&rft.date=2009-02-11&rft.aulast=White&rft.aufirst=Leslie&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weeklytimesnow.com.au%2Farticle%2F2009%2F02%2F11%2F51711_latest-news.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-herald-sun_towns_alert-88"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-herald-sun_towns_alert_88-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-herald-sun_towns_alert_88-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFWotherspoon2009" class="citation news cs1">Wotherspoon, Sarah (9 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/towns-on-high-alert-as-winds-change/story-e6frf7jo-1111118796733">"Dozens of towns on high alert as strong winds fan flames"</a>. <i>Herald Sun</i>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140322111824/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/towns-on-high-alert-as-winds-change/story-e6frf7jo-1111118796733">Archived</a> from the original on 22 March 2014<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Herald+Sun&rft.atitle=Dozens+of+towns+on+high+alert+as+strong+winds+fan+flames&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft.aulast=Wotherspoon&rft.aufirst=Sarah&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.heraldsun.com.au%2Fnews%2Ftowns-on-high-alert-as-winds-change%2Fstory-e6frf7jo-1111118796733&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-abc_glance_9feb-89"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-abc_glance_9feb_89-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485733.htm">"At a glance: fires of concern"</a>. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 9 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090210122727/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485733.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 10 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=At+a+glance%3A+fires+of+concern&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F09%2F2485733.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-latrobe-valley-express_blaze_claims_lives-90"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-latrobe-valley-express_blaze_claims_lives_90-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-latrobe-valley-express_blaze_claims_lives_90-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-latrobe-valley-express_blaze_claims_lives_90-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-latrobe-valley-express_blaze_claims_lives_90-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFJackson2009" class="citation web cs1">Jackson, Nicole (12 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090212204101/http://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/blaze-claims-lives/1428488.aspx">"Blaze claims lives"</a>. <i>Latrobe Valley Express</i>. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/blaze-claims-lives/1428488.aspx">the original</a> on 12 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">30 September</span> 2023</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Latrobe+Valley+Express&rft.atitle=Blaze+claims+lives&rft.date=2009-02-12&rft.aulast=Jackson&rft.aufirst=Nicole&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Flatrobevalley.yourguide.com.au%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fnews%2Fgeneral%2Fblaze-claims-lives%2F1428488.aspx&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-:0-91"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-:0_91-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-:0_91-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/nine-confirmed-dead-in-gippsland-fires-still/287424">"Nine confirmed dead in Gippsland, fires still burning"</a>. <i>www.abc.net.au</i>. 8 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20201202065323/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-08/nine-confirmed-dead-in-gippsland-fires-still/287424">Archived</a> from the original on 2 December 2020<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">17 July</span> 2021</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=www.abc.net.au&rft.atitle=Nine+confirmed+dead+in+Gippsland%2C+fires+still+burning&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2009-02-08%2Fnine-confirmed-dead-in-gippsland-fires-still%2F287424&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-:1-92"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-:1_92-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-:1_92-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-:1_92-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-:1_92-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-:1_92-4"><sup><i><b>e</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140330051237/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/commission-reports/final-report/volume-1/chapters/the-churchill-fire">"The Churchill Fire"</a>. <i>2009 VBRC - Final Report - Vol 1</i>. Victorian Government. July 2010. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/commission-reports/final-report/volume-1/chapters/the-churchill-fire">the original</a> on 30 March 2014<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">17 July</span> 2021</span> – via National Library of Australia.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=2009+VBRC+-+Final+Report+-+Vol+1&rft.atitle=The+Churchill+Fire&rft.date=2010-07&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.royalcommission.vic.gov.au%2Fcommission-reports%2Ffinal-report%2Fvolume-1%2Fchapters%2Fthe-churchill-fire&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-Black_Saturday-93"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Black_Saturday_93-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFMcGourty2009" class="citation book cs1">McGourty, John (2009). <i>Black Saturday</i>. Harper Collins. <a href="/info/en/?search=ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/info/en/?search=Special:BookSources/978-0-7322-9010-8" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-7322-9010-8"><bdi>978-0-7322-9010-8</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Black+Saturday&rft.pub=Harper+Collins&rft.date=2009&rft.isbn=978-0-7322-9010-8&rft.aulast=McGourty&rft.aufirst=John&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-abc_power_secure-94"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-abc_power_secure_94-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-abc_power_secure_94-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485646.htm">"Victoria's power 'secure but under threat'<span class="cs1-kern-right"></span>"</a>. <a href="/info/en/?search=Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation" title="Australian Broadcasting Corporation">Australian Broadcasting Corporation</a> ABC News (Australian radio network). 8 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090211150924/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/08/2485646.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 11 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Victoria%27s+power+%27secure+but+under+threat%27&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F08%2F2485646.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-latrobe-valley-express_loy_yang_alert-95"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-latrobe-valley-express_loy_yang_alert_95-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-latrobe-valley-express_loy_yang_alert_95-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20110822020413/http://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/loy-yang-on-alert/1428502.aspx">"Loy Yang on alert"</a>. <i>Latrobe Valley Express</i>. 9 February 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://latrobevalley.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/loy-yang-on-alert/1428502.aspx">the original</a> on 22 August 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Latrobe+Valley+Express&rft.atitle=Loy+Yang+on+alert&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Flatrobevalley.yourguide.com.au%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fnews%2Fgeneral%2Floy-yang-on-alert%2F1428502.aspx&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-abc_gippsland_fires_rage-96"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-abc_gippsland_fires_rage_96-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485927.htm">"Gippsland fires continue to rage"</a>. <a href="/info/en/?search=Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation" title="Australian Broadcasting Corporation">Australian Broadcasting Corporation</a>. 9 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090211161012/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2485927.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 11 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Gippsland+fires+continue+to+rage&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F09%2F2485927.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-geelong-addy_loy_yang-97"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-geelong-addy_loy_yang_97-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49745_news.html">"Bushfire races towards Loy Yang power station"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=Geelong_Advertiser" title="Geelong Advertiser">Geelong Advertiser</a></i>. 9 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090212152755/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49745_news.html">Archived</a> from the original on 12 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Geelong+Advertiser&rft.atitle=Bushfire+races+towards+Loy+Yang+power+station&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geelongadvertiser.com.au%2Farticle%2F2009%2F02%2F09%2F49745_news.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-herald-sun_shifting_winds-98"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-herald-sun_shifting_winds_98-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.news.com.au/news/towns-under-attack-as-fires-rage/story-fna7dq6e-1111118800360">"Shifting winds flare up fire fronts"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=Herald_Sun" title="Herald Sun">Herald Sun</a></i>. 9 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20131027115706/http://www.news.com.au/news/towns-under-attack-as-fires-rage/story-fna7dq6e-1111118800360">Archived</a> from the original on 27 October 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Herald+Sun&rft.atitle=Shifting+winds+flare+up+fire+fronts&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.com.au%2Fnews%2Ftowns-under-attack-as-fires-rage%2Fstory-fna7dq6e-1111118800360&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age_churchill_arrest-99"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-age_churchill_arrest_99-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age_churchill_arrest_99-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age_churchill_arrest_99-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFSilvester2009" class="citation news cs1">Silvester, John (13 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-suspect-arrested-20090213-86o3.html">"Churchill arson suspect arrested"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. Melbourne. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094943/https://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-suspect-charged-20090213-86o3.html">Archived</a> from the original on 17 July 2021<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">13 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Churchill+arson+suspect+arrested&rft.date=2009-02-13&rft.aulast=Silvester&rft.aufirst=John&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fchurchill-arson-suspect-arrested-20090213-86o3.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age-arsonist-100"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-age-arsonist_100-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFMoses2009" class="citation news cs1">Moses, Asher (16 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632703992.html">"Vigilantes publish alleged arsonist's image online"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=The_Age" title="The Age">The Age</a></i>. Melbourne: <a href="/info/en/?search=Fairfax_Media" title="Fairfax Media">Fairfax Media</a>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100116075502/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632703992.html">Archived</a> from the original on 16 January 2010<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Vigilantes+publish+alleged+arsonist%27s+image+online&rft.date=2009-02-16&rft.aulast=Moses&rft.aufirst=Asher&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Farticles%2F2009%2F02%2F16%2F1234632703992.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-101"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-101">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-27/black-saturday-arsonist-sentenced-to-28holdholdhold29/3976564">"Black Saturday arsonist jailed for almost 18 years"</a>. <i>ABC News</i>. 27 April 2012. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170314053912/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-27/black-saturday-arsonist-sentenced-to-28holdholdhold29/3976564">Archived</a> from the original on 14 March 2017<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 March</span> 2017</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=ABC+News&rft.atitle=Black+Saturday+arsonist+jailed+for+almost+18+years&rft.date=2012-04-27&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2012-04-27%2Fblack-saturday-arsonist-sentenced-to-28holdholdhold29%2F3976564&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-trains-102"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-trains_102-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110928175315/http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/361096156/Article.aspx">"Gippsland, Seymour & Warrnambool lines ~ Services suspended due to bushfires ~ Sun 8 Feb"</a>. V/Line. 8 February 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/361096156/Article.aspx">the original</a> on 28 September 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">8 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Gippsland%2C+Seymour+%26+Warrnambool+lines+~+Services+suspended+due+to+bushfires+~+Sun+8+Feb&rft.pub=V%2FLine&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vline.com.au%2Fhome%2Fnews%2FTodaysServiceChanges%2F361096156%2FArticle.aspx&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-herald-sun_owners_flee-103"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-herald-sun_owners_flee_103-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25023951-662,00.html">"Owners flee as fires gut homes"</a>. <i>Herald Sun</i>. 8 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20121231003707/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/owners-flee-as-fires-gut-homes/story-e6frf7kx-1111118788735">Archived</a> from the original on 31 December 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Herald+Sun&rft.atitle=Owners+flee+as+fires+gut+homes&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.com.au%2Fheraldsun%2Fstory%2F0%2C21985%2C25023951-662%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-104"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-104">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bushfires-ravage-state/2009/02/07/1233423565321.html">"Many may be trapped in homes"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=The_Sydney_Morning_Herald" title="The Sydney Morning Herald">The Sydney Morning Herald</a></i>. Fairfax Media. 8 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090211094350/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/bushfires-ravage-state/2009/02/07/1233423565321.html">Archived</a> from the original on 11 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">8 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Sydney+Morning+Herald&rft.atitle=Many+may+be+trapped+in+homes&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smh.com.au%2Fnews%2Fnational%2Fbushfires-ravage-state%2F2009%2F02%2F07%2F1233423565321.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-105"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-105">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110706113405/http://dandenong-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/bunyip-fires-continue/">"Fire crews mop up after Narre Warren South blaze"</a>. Dandenong Leader. 8 February 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://dandenong-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/bunyip-fires-continue/">the original</a> on 6 July 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">8 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Fire+crews+mop+up+after+Narre+Warren+South+blaze&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fdandenong-leader.whereilive.com.au%2Fnews%2Fstory%2Fbunyip-fires-continue%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-106"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-106">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/17/2493953.htm">"Crews unable to slow Wilsons Promontory blaze"</a>. <i>ABC News</i>. 17 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090221005908/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/17/2493953.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 21 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">18 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=ABC+News&rft.atitle=Crews+unable+to+slow+Wilsons+Promontory+blaze&rft.date=2009-02-17&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F17%2F2493953.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-107"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-107">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486078.htm?section=australia">"Tidal River camping ground evacuated as fire spreads"</a>. <i>ABC News</i>. 9 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094926/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-09/tidal-river-camping-ground-evacuated-as-fire/288950">Archived</a> from the original on 17 July 2021<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=ABC+News&rft.atitle=Tidal+River+camping+ground+evacuated+as+fire+spreads&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F09%2F2486078.htm%3Fsection%3Daustralia&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age_park_backburning_debate-108"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-age_park_backburning_debate_108-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFMillar2009" class="citation news cs1">Millar, Royce (12 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/national-park-at-forefront-of-backburning-debate-20090212-85iy.html">"National park at forefront of backburning debate"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. Melbourne. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090215202216/http://www.theage.com.au/national/national-park-at-forefront-of-backburning-debate-20090212-85iy.html">Archived</a> from the original on 15 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">16 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=National+park+at+forefront+of+backburning+debate&rft.date=2009-02-12&rft.aulast=Millar&rft.aufirst=Royce&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fnational-park-at-forefront-of-backburning-debate-20090212-85iy.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-crikey_light_up_prom-109"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-crikey_light_up_prom_109-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFElmore2009" class="citation magazine cs1">Elmore, Lionel (12 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20121230111835/http://www.crikey.com.au/Bushfires/20090212-Parks-Victoria-use-the-fire-crisis-to-light-the-prom-again.html">"Parks Victoria uses the fire crisis to light up the Prom again"</a>. <i>Crikey</i>. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.crikey.com.au/Bushfires/20090212-Parks-Victoria-use-the-fire-crisis-to-light-the-prom-again.html">the original</a> on 30 December 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">16 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Crikey&rft.atitle=Parks+Victoria+uses+the+fire+crisis+to+light+up+the+Prom+again&rft.date=2009-02-12&rft.aulast=Elmore&rft.aufirst=Lionel&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.crikey.com.au%2FBushfires%2F20090212-Parks-Victoria-use-the-fire-crisis-to-light-the-prom-again.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-abc_winds_force_change-110"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-abc_winds_force_change_110-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/12/2489694.htm">"Winds force change to backburning plans"</a>. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090215222633/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/12/2489694.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 15 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">16 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Winds+force+change+to+backburning+plans&rft.date=2009-02-12&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F12%2F2489694.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age_yarra_valley_threat-111"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-age_yarra_valley_threat_111-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age_yarra_valley_threat_111-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age_yarra_valley_threat_111-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFSmith2009" class="citation news cs1">Smith, Britt (10 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-threaten-yarra-valley-20090210-82m1.html">"Fires threaten Yarra Valley"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. Melbourne. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090212063639/http://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-threaten-yarra-valley-20090210-82m1.html">Archived</a> from the original on 12 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Fires+threaten+Yarra+Valley&rft.date=2009-02-10&rft.aulast=Smith&rft.aufirst=Britt&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Ffires-threaten-yarra-valley-20090210-82m1.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age_healesville_threat_downgraded-112"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-age_healesville_threat_downgraded_112-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFGrace2009" class="citation news cs1">Grace, Robyn (10 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20121230215716/http://www.theage.com.au/national/healesville-fire-threat-downgraded-20090210-82ur.html">"Healesville fire threat downgraded"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. Melbourne. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/healesville-fire-threat-downgraded-20090210-82ur.html">the original</a> on 30 December 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Healesville+fire+threat+downgraded&rft.date=2009-02-10&rft.aulast=Grace&rft.aufirst=Robyn&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fhealesville-fire-threat-downgraded-20090210-82ur.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-ABCHorsham-113"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-ABCHorsham_113-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/02/08/2485469.htm">"Horsham assesses bushfire damage"</a>. <i>ABC South East SA</i>. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 8 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20121108210447/http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2009/02/08/2485469.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 8 November 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">20 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=ABC+South+East+SA&rft.atitle=Horsham+assesses+bushfire+damage&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Flocal%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F08%2F2485469.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-herald-sun_firing_line-114"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-herald-sun_firing_line_114-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-herald-sun_firing_line_114-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFThom2009" class="citation news cs1">Thom, Greg (9 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25025676-2862,00.html">"It's frightening in the firing line"</a>. <i>Herald Sun</i>. <a class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20121230180027/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/its-frightening-in-the-firing-line/story-e6frf7kx-1111118793625">Archived</a> from the original on 30 December 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Herald+Sun&rft.atitle=It%27s+frightening+in+the+firing+line&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft.aulast=Thom&rft.aufirst=Greg&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.com.au%2Fheraldsun%2Fstory%2F0%2C21985%2C25025676-2862%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-wimmera-mail-times_latest_report-115"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-wimmera-mail-times_latest_report_115-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-wimmera-mail-times_latest_report_115-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-wimmera-mail-times_latest_report_115-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20121231084331/http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/horsham-fire-the-latest-report/1427805.aspx">"Horsham fire: The latest report"</a>. Wimmera Mail-Times. 8 February 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/horsham-fire-the-latest-report/1427805.aspx">the original</a> on 31 December 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">8 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Horsham+fire%3A+The+latest+report&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwimmera.yourguide.com.au%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fnews%2Fgeneral%2Fhorsham-fire-the-latest-report%2F1427805.aspx&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-wimmera-mail-times_haven_saved-116"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-wimmera-mail-times_haven_saved_116-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-wimmera-mail-times_haven_saved_116-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090211152700/http://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/haven-school-hall-general-store-saved/1427514.aspx">"Haven school, hall, general store saved"</a>. Wimmera Mail-Times. 7 February 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://wimmera.yourguide.com.au/news/local/news/general/haven-school-hall-general-store-saved/1427514.aspx">the original</a> on 11 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">7 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Haven+school%2C+hall%2C+general+store+saved&rft.date=2009-02-07&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwimmera.yourguide.com.au%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fnews%2Fgeneral%2Fhaven-school-hall-general-store-saved%2F1427514.aspx&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age_molly_cab-117"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-age_molly_cab_117-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFFlitton2009" class="citation news cs1">Flitton, Daniel (9 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/molly-flees-the-scene-of-61-good-years-in-a-cab-20090208-8117.html">"Molly flees the scene of 61 good years in a cab"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. Melbourne. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090211142417/http://www.theage.com.au/national/molly-flees-the-scene-of-61-good-years-in-a-cab-20090208-8117.html">Archived</a> from the original on 11 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Molly+flees+the+scene+of+61+good+years+in+a+cab&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft.aulast=Flitton&rft.aufirst=Daniel&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fmolly-flees-the-scene-of-61-good-years-in-a-cab-20090208-8117.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-SUBM-202-006-0001-118"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-SUBM-202-006-0001_118-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-SUBM-202-006-0001_118-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-SUBM-202-006-0001_118-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-SUBM-202-006-0001_118-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110314181415/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/2d57334a-d7a3-41fd-a469-04891009875e/SUBM-202-006-0001">"Counsel Assisting submission re Coleraine fire"</a>. 2009 Bushfires Royal Commission. 23 December 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/getdoc/2d57334a-d7a3-41fd-a469-04891009875e/SUBM-202-006-0001">the original</a> on 14 March 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">14 February</span> 2010</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Counsel+Assisting+submission+re+Coleraine+fire&rft.pub=2009+Bushfires+Royal+Commission&rft.date=2009-12-23&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.royalcommission.vic.gov.au%2Fgetdoc%2F2d57334a-d7a3-41fd-a469-04891009875e%2FSUBM-202-006-0001&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-warrnambool-standard_man_badly_burnt-119"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-warrnambool-standard_man_badly_burnt_119-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-warrnambool-standard_man_badly_burnt_119-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-warrnambool-standard_man_badly_burnt_119-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFJohnson2009" class="citation news cs1">Johnson, Alex (9 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/man-badly-burnt-when-wind-gust-changes-blaze-direction/1427877.aspx">"Man badly burnt when wind gust changes blaze direction"</a>. <i>Warrnambool Standard</i>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20091022222401/http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/man-badly-burnt-when-wind-gust-changes-blaze-direction/1427877.aspx">Archived</a> from the original on 22 October 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">17 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Warrnambool+Standard&rft.atitle=Man+badly+burnt+when+wind+gust+changes+blaze+direction&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft.aulast=Johnson&rft.aufirst=Alex&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.standard.net.au%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fnews%2Fgeneral%2Fman-badly-burnt-when-wind-gust-changes-blaze-direction%2F1427877.aspx&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-border-watch_coleraine_saved-120"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-border-watch_coleraine_saved_120-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-border-watch_coleraine_saved_120-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-border-watch_coleraine_saved_120-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090212123437/http://www.borderwatch.com.au/archives/2307">"Coleraine saved from fire devastation"</a>. The Border Watch. 9 February 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.borderwatch.com.au/archives/2307">the original</a> on 12 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">17 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Coleraine+saved+from+fire+devastation&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.borderwatch.com.au%2Farchives%2F2307&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-smeets-121"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-smeets_121-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/03/09/2510820.htm">"Bushfire burns victim takes first steps in recovery"</a>. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 9 March 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094927/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-03-09/bushfire-burns-victim-takes-first-steps-in-recovery/1612584">Archived</a> from the original on 17 July 2021<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">14 February</span> 2010</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Bushfire+burns+victim+takes+first+steps+in+recovery&rft.date=2009-03-09&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F03%2F09%2F2510820.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-raildamage-122"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-raildamage_122-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20121231080137/http://www.vline.com.au/media/news/MediaReleases/167160954/Article.aspx">"Urgent travel advice – Train disruptions to continue on Sunday due to bush fires"</a>. <i>VLine</i>. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.vline.com.au/media/news/MediaReleases/167160954/Article.aspx">the original</a> on 31 December 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">8 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=VLine&rft.atitle=Urgent+travel+advice+%E2%80%93+Train+disruptions+to+continue+on+Sunday+due+to+bush+fires&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vline.com.au%2Fmedia%2Fnews%2FMediaReleases%2F167160954%2FArticle.aspx&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-123"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-123">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487383.htm?site=southwestvic">"Rail services to get back on track"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=ABC_Local_Radio" title="ABC Local Radio">ABC Local Radio</a></i>. 10 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20121112115111/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/10/2487383.htm?site=southwestvic">Archived</a> from the original on 12 November 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">11 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=ABC+Local+Radio&rft.atitle=Rail+services+to+get+back+on+track&rft.date=2009-02-10&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F10%2F2487383.htm%3Fsite%3Dsouthwestvic&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-vline-reopenings-124"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-vline-reopenings_124-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120314012913/http://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/1619813874/Article.aspx">"Warrnambool services – Full train service has returned"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=V/Line" title="V/Line">V/Line</a></i>. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.vline.com.au/home/news/TodaysServiceChanges/1619813874/Article.aspx">the original</a> on 14 March 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">17 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=V%2FLine&rft.atitle=Warrnambool+services+%E2%80%93+Full+train+service+has+returned&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vline.com.au%2Fhome%2Fnews%2FTodaysServiceChanges%2F1619813874%2FArticle.aspx&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-warrnambool-standard_pombo_fire-125"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-warrnambool-standard_pombo_fire_125-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/breaking-news-fire-races-through-pombo/1427768.aspx">"Breaking News: Fire races through Pombo"</a>. <i>Warrnambool Standard</i>. 8 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090212190204/http://www.standard.net.au/news/local/news/general/breaking-news-fire-races-through-pombo/1427768.aspx">Archived</a> from the original on 12 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">8 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Warrnambool+Standard&rft.atitle=Breaking+News%3A+Fire+races+through+Pombo&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.standard.net.au%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fnews%2Fgeneral%2Fbreaking-news-fire-races-through-pombo%2F1427768.aspx&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-vicroads_closures-126"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-vicroads_closures_126-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090516031620/http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/NewsRoom/BushFiresRoadClosures/">"Bush Fires – Road Closures: VicRoads"</a>. <i>VicRoads</i>. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/NewsRoom/BushFiresRoadClosures/">the original</a> on 16 May 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=VicRoads&rft.atitle=Bush+Fires+%E2%80%93+Road+Closures%3A+VicRoads&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vicroads.vic.gov.au%2FHome%2FNewsRoom%2FBushFiresRoadClosures%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-127"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-127">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFMoncrief2009" class="citation news cs1">Moncrief, Mark (8 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/emotional-premier-gives-fire-warning-20090208-80n3.html">"Emotional Premier gives fire warning"</a>. <i>Fairfax Media</i>. Melbourne: The Age. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094922/https://www.theage.com.au/national/10-million-government-fund-for-bushfire-victims-20090208-80n3.html">Archived</a> from the original on 17 July 2021<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">8 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Fairfax+Media&rft.atitle=Emotional+Premier+gives+fire+warning&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft.aulast=Moncrief&rft.aufirst=Mark&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Femotional-premier-gives-fire-warning-20090208-80n3.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-128"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-128">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090210115638/http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0%2C21985%2C25031605-662%2C00.html">"Months to identify bodies in Victorian bushfires, police say"</a>. <i>News Limited</i>. Herald Sun. 9 February 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25031605-662,00.html">the original</a> on 10 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=News+Limited&rft.atitle=Months+to+identify+bodies+in+Victorian+bushfires%2C+police+say&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.com.au%2Fheraldsun%2Fstory%2F0%2C21985%2C25031605-662%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-129"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-129">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Victoria Police Media Release 17 February 2009. <a class="external free" href="http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19541">http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19541</a> <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090930133323/http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=19541">Archived</a> 30 September 2009 at the <a href="/info/en/?search=Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-130"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-130">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFVass2009" class="citation news cs1">Vass, Beck (11 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10556104">"Kiwis to help identify victims"</a>. <i>The New Zealand Herald</i>. APN News & Media. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20121020063650/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10556104">Archived</a> from the original on 20 October 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">11 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+New+Zealand+Herald&rft.atitle=Kiwis+to+help+identify+victims&rft.date=2009-02-11&rft.aulast=Vass&rft.aufirst=Beck&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nzherald.co.nz%2Fworld%2Fnews%2Farticle.cfm%3Fc_id%3D2%26objectid%3D10556104&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-australian_police_track_arsonists-131"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-australian_police_track_arsonists_131-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-australian_police_track_arsonists_131-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFCallick,_RowanAkerman,_Pia2009" class="citation news cs1">Callick, Rowan & Akerman, Pia (10 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090213044555/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032884-2702,00.html">"Police track arsonists responsible for Victoria bushfires"</a>. <i>The Australian</i>. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032884-2702,00.html">the original</a> on 13 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Australian&rft.atitle=Police+track+arsonists+responsible+for+Victoria+bushfires&rft.date=2009-02-10&rft.au=Callick%2C+Rowan&rft.au=Akerman%2C+Pia&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.news.com.au%2Fstory%2F0%2C25197%2C25032884-2702%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age_suspects_arrested-132"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-age_suspects_arrested_132-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFGrace2009" class="citation news cs1">Grace, Robyn (12 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/arson-suspects-arrested-20090212-852y.html">"Arson suspects arrested"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. Melbourne. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090213065608/http://www.theage.com.au/national/arson-suspects-arrested-20090212-852y.html">Archived</a> from the original on 13 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">12 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Arson+suspects+arrested&rft.date=2009-02-12&rft.aulast=Grace&rft.aufirst=Robyn&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Farson-suspects-arrested-20090212-852y.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age_accused_fails_face_court-133"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-age_accused_fails_face_court_133-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age_accused_fails_face_court_133-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFRennie2009" class="citation news cs1">Rennie, Reko (16 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-accused-fails-to-face-court-20090216-88bq.html">"Churchill arson accused fails to face court"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. Melbourne. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090217025530/http://www.theage.com.au/national/churchill-arson-accused-fails-to-face-court-20090216-88bq.html">Archived</a> from the original on 17 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">16 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Churchill+arson+accused+fails+to+face+court&rft.date=2009-02-16&rft.aulast=Rennie&rft.aufirst=Reko&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fchurchill-arson-accused-fails-to-face-court-20090216-88bq.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age_vigilantes_publish-134"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-age_vigilantes_publish_134-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFMoses2009" class="citation news cs1">Moses, Asher (16 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632703992.html">"Vigilantes publish alleged arsonist's image online"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. Melbourne. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090218080339/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/16/1234632703992.html">Archived</a> from the original on 18 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">16 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Vigilantes+publish+alleged+arsonist%27s+image+online&rft.date=2009-02-16&rft.aulast=Moses&rft.aufirst=Asher&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Farticles%2F2009%2F02%2F16%2F1234632703992.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age_threats_taken_down-135"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-age_threats_taken_down_135-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age_threats_taken_down_135-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFMoses2009" class="citation news cs1">Moses, Asher (17 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/17/1234632787036.html">"<span class="cs1-kern-left"></span>'Arsonist' online threats taken down"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. Melbourne. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090219012633/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2009/02/17/1234632787036.html">Archived</a> from the original on 19 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">17 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=%27Arsonist%27+online+threats+taken+down&rft.date=2009-02-17&rft.aulast=Moses&rft.aufirst=Asher&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Farticles%2F2009%2F02%2F17%2F1234632787036.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-australian_ex-girlfriend-136"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-australian_ex-girlfriend_136-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/accused-arsonists-ex-harassed/story-e6frg6n6-1111118877151">"Family of Brendan Sokaluk's ex-girlfriend calls for calm"</a>. <i>The Australian</i>. 17 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140225040248/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/accused-arsonists-ex-harassed/story-e6frg6n6-1111118877151">Archived</a> from the original on 25 February 2014<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">17 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Australian&rft.atitle=Family+of+Brendan+Sokaluk%27s+ex-girlfriend+calls+for+calm&rft.date=2009-02-17&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnews%2Faccused-arsonists-ex-harassed%2Fstory-e6frg6n6-1111118877151&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-heathcote-looters-137"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-heathcote-looters_137-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/looters-move-in-to-rob-the-dead/story-e6frf7jo-1111118813856">"Looters move in to rob the dead at Heathcote Junction"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=Herald_Sun" title="Herald Sun">Herald Sun</a></i>. News Limited. 11 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20140322101806/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/looters-move-in-to-rob-the-dead/story-e6frf7jo-1111118813856">Archived</a> from the original on 22 March 2014<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">6 April</span> 2016</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Herald+Sun&rft.atitle=Looters+move+in+to+rob+the+dead+at+Heathcote+Junction&rft.date=2009-02-11&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.heraldsun.com.au%2Fnews%2Flooters-move-in-to-rob-the-dead%2Fstory-e6frf7jo-1111118813856&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-looting-arrests-charges-138"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-looting-arrests-charges_138-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/13/2490280.htm?section=justin">"Alleged looters charged in bushfire aftermath"</a>. <i>ABC Online</i>. 13 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094928/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2009-02-13/alleged-looters-charged-in-bushfire-aftermath/293976">Archived</a> from the original on 17 July 2021<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">13 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=ABC+Online&rft.atitle=Alleged+looters+charged+in+bushfire+aftermath&rft.date=2009-02-13&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F13%2F2490280.htm%3Fsection%3Djustin&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-139"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-139">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486489.htm?section=justin">"Brumby announces bushfires Royal Commission"</a>. <i>ABC News</i>. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 9 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090212071911/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486489.htm?section=justin">Archived</a> from the original on 12 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=ABC+News&rft.atitle=Brumby+announces+bushfires+Royal+Commission&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F09%2F2486489.htm%3Fsection%3Djustin&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-140"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-140">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25029098-5001021,00.html">"Victorian fires royal commission"</a>. <i>The Daily Telegraph</i>. 9 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090210103658/http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,25029098-5001021,00.html">Archived</a> from the original on 10 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Daily+Telegraph&rft.atitle=Victorian+fires+royal+commission&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.com.au%2Fdailytelegraph%2Fstory%2F0%2C22049%2C25029098-5001021%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-Death_toll_could_be_280-141"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Death_toll_could_be_280_141-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFDobbin2009" class="citation news cs1">Dobbin, Marika (26 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/missing-may-lift-death-toll-to-240-20090225-8hy7.html">"Missing may lift death toll to 240"</a>. <i>Fairfax Media</i>. Melbourne: The Age. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090228072343/http://www.theage.com.au/national/missing-may-lift-death-toll-to-240-20090225-8hy7.html">Archived</a> from the original on 28 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">26 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Fairfax+Media&rft.atitle=Missing+may+lift+death+toll+to+240&rft.date=2009-02-26&rft.aulast=Dobbin&rft.aufirst=Marika&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fmissing-may-lift-death-toll-to-240-20090225-8hy7.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-lowertoll-142"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-lowertoll_142-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFCooper2009" class="citation news cs1">Cooper, Mex (30 March 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victorian-bushfires-death-toll-slashed-to-173-20090330-9g9s.html">"Victorian bushfires death toll slashed to 173"</a>. <i>Fairfax Media</i>. Melbourne: The Age. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20210717094953/https://www.theage.com.au/national/bushfires-toll-cut-to-173-police-suggest-mass-funeral-for-unidentified-20141112-9g9s.html">Archived</a> from the original on 17 July 2021<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">30 March</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Fairfax+Media&rft.atitle=Victorian+bushfires+death+toll+slashed+to+173&rft.date=2009-03-30&rft.aulast=Cooper&rft.aufirst=Mex&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fvictorian-bushfires-death-toll-slashed-to-173-20090330-9g9s.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age_identity-143"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-age_identity_143-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age_identity_143-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFSmith2009" class="citation news cs1">Smith, Bridie (11 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20121230171906/http://www.theage.com.au/national/identity-may-not-be-possible-for-all-20090210-83kb.html">"Identity may not be possible for all"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. Melbourne. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/identity-may-not-be-possible-for-all-20090210-83kb.html">the original</a> on 30 December 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">11 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Identity+may+not+be+possible+for+all&rft.date=2009-02-11&rft.aulast=Smith&rft.aufirst=Bridie&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fidentity-may-not-be-possible-for-all-20090210-83kb.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-australian_fifty_bodies-144"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-australian_fifty_bodies_144-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090212165833/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25037227-26103,00.html">"Fifty bodies may never be identified in Victoria fires"</a>. <i>News Limited</i>. The Australian. 10 February 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25037227-26103,00.html">the original</a> on 12 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">11 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=News+Limited&rft.atitle=Fifty+bodies+may+never+be+identified+in+Victoria+fires&rft.date=2009-02-10&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.news.com.au%2Fstory%2F0%2C25197%2C25037227-26103%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age_fire's_intensity-145"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-age_fire's_intensity_145-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age_fire's_intensity_145-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFMurdoch2009" class="citation news cs1">Murdoch, Lindsay (16 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-intensity-leaves-no-trace-of-victims-20090215-886b.html">"Fire's intensity leaves no trace of victims"</a>. <i>Fairfax Media</i>. Melbourne: The Age. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090217031118/http://www.theage.com.au/national/fires-intensity-leaves-no-trace-of-victims-20090215-886b.html">Archived</a> from the original on 17 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">16 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Fairfax+Media&rft.atitle=Fire%27s+intensity+leaves+no+trace+of+victims&rft.date=2009-02-16&rft.aulast=Murdoch&rft.aufirst=Lindsay&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Ffires-intensity-leaves-no-trace-of-victims-20090215-886b.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-146"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-146">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49501_news.html">"Brian Naylor and wife die in Kinglake inferno"</a>. <i>Geelong Advertiser</i>. 9 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120311061848/http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/02/09/49501_news.html">Archived</a> from the original on 11 March 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Geelong+Advertiser&rft.atitle=Brian+Naylor+and+wife+die+in+Kinglake+inferno&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.geelongadvertiser.com.au%2Farticle%2F2009%2F02%2F09%2F49501_news.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-147"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-147">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFAnd2009" class="citation news cs1">And, Aap (9 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,25026070-661,00.html">"TV legend Brian Naylor found dead"</a>. <i>The Herald Sun</i>. <a class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20121230130349/http://www.heraldsun.com.au/archives/old-news-pages/tv-legend-found-dead/story-e6frf8zo-1111118794286">Archived</a> from the original on 30 December 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Herald+Sun&rft.atitle=TV+legend+Brian+Naylor+found+dead&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft.aulast=And&rft.aufirst=Aap&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.news.com.au%2Fheraldsun%2Fstory%2F0%2C21985%2C25026070-661%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-148"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-148">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090214191252/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25038335-5013404,00.html">"TV star dies with partner in Victorian Bushfires"</a>. <i>The Australian</i>. 11 February 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25038335-5013404,00.html">the original</a> on 14 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">11 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Australian&rft.atitle=TV+star+dies+with+partner+in+Victorian+Bushfires&rft.date=2009-02-11&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.news.com.au%2Fstory%2F0%2C25197%2C25038335-5013404%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-149"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-149">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFTrounson2009" class="citation news cs1">Trounson, Andrew (12 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20120703165536/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25042616-5006785,00.html">"Birdsong expert was ready for Victoria bushfires but it was no use"</a>. <i>The Australian</i>. News Limited. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25042616-5006785,00.html">the original</a> on 3 July 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">12 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Australian&rft.atitle=Birdsong+expert+was+ready+for+Victoria+bushfires+but+it+was+no+use&rft.date=2009-02-12&rft.aulast=Trounson&rft.aufirst=Andrew&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.news.com.au%2Fstory%2F0%2C25197%2C25042616-5006785%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-police-toll-150"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-police-toll_150-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Victoria Police, Press conference: Bushfires death toll revised to 173, Release date: Mon 30 March 2009 <a class="external free" href="http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=20350">http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=20350</a> <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20131019173953/http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=20350">Archived</a> 19 October 2013 at the <a href="/info/en/?search=Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-151"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-151">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090215190817/http://news.ert.gr/en/world/news/18807-ena-zeygari-ellinon-metaksy-ton-thymaton-tis-fotias-sti-biktoria-tis-aystralias.htm">"Fire in Australia Kills two Greeks"</a>. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://news.ert.gr/en/world/news/18807-ena-zeygari-ellinon-metaksy-ton-thymaton-tis-fotias-sti-biktoria-tis-aystralias.htm">the original</a> on 15 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">12 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Fire+in+Australia+Kills+two+Greeks&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.ert.gr%2Fen%2Fworld%2Fnews%2F18807-ena-zeygari-ellinon-metaksy-ton-thymaton-tis-fotias-sti-biktoria-tis-aystralias.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-aust-lastcalls-152"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-aust-lastcalls_152-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFHughes2009" class="citation web cs1">Hughes, Gary (5 November 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/black-saturday-inquiry-hears-of-victims-last-calls/story-e6frg6of-1225794498802">"Black Saturday inquiry hears of victims' last calls"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=The_Australian" title="The Australian">The Australian</a></i>. <a href="/info/en/?search=News_Limited" class="mw-redirect" title="News Limited">News Limited</a>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130530064738/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/black-saturday-inquiry-hears-of-victims-last-calls/story-e6frg6of-1225794498802">Archived</a> from the original on 30 May 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">11 February</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=The+Australian&rft.atitle=Black+Saturday+inquiry+hears+of+victims%27+last+calls&rft.date=2009-11-05&rft.aulast=Hughes&rft.aufirst=Gary&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnews%2Fblack-saturday-inquiry-hears-of-victims-last-calls%2Fstory-e6frg6of-1225794498802&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-153"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-153">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160602212754/http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=439109&publicationSubCategoryId=200">"Two Filipinos killed in bushfires in Australia"</a>. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=439109&publicationSubCategoryId=200">the original</a> on 2 June 2016<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">12 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Two+Filipinos+killed+in+bushfires+in+Australia&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.philstar.com%2FArticle.aspx%3FarticleId%3D439109%26publicationSubCategoryId%3D200&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-154"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-154">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110707010413/http://www.chilesomostodos.gov.cl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=527&Itemid=7">"Chilena muere en incendios de Australia"</a>. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.chilesomostodos.gov.cl/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=527&Itemid=7">the original</a> on 7 July 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">21 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Chilena+muere+en+incendios+de+Australia&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chilesomostodos.gov.cl%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_content%26task%3Dview%26id%3D527%26Itemid%3D7&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-scnz-nzvictim-155"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-scnz-nzvictim_155-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/1396780">"Bushfires claim first NZ victim"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=Stuff.co.nz" class="mw-redirect" title="Stuff.co.nz">stuff.co.nz</a></i>. <a href="/info/en/?search=Fairfax_Media" title="Fairfax Media">Fairfax Media</a>. 8 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090422111052/http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/1396780">Archived</a> from the original on 22 April 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">13 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=stuff.co.nz&rft.atitle=Bushfires+claim+first+NZ+victim&rft.date=2009-02-08&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stuff.co.nz%2Fworld%2F1396780&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-156"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-156">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/84455/British-family-s-grief-over-bushfire-victims">"British Family's Grief Over Bushfire Victims"</a>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120128102957/http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/84455/British-family-s-grief-over-bushfire-victims">Archived</a> from the original on 28 January 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">13 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=British+Family%27s+Grief+Over+Bushfire+Victims&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.express.co.uk%2Fposts%2Fview%2F84455%2FBritish-family-s-grief-over-bushfire-victims&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age-actff-157"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-age-actff_157-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFMurdoch2009" class="citation news cs1">Murdoch, Lindsay (18 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/dead-firefighter-professional-with-young-family-20090218-8aol.html">"Dead firefighter professional with young family"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=The_Age" title="The Age">The Age</a></i>. Melbourne: <a href="/info/en/?search=Fairfax_Media" title="Fairfax Media">Fairfax Media</a>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110628183708/http://www.theage.com.au/national/dead-firefighter-professional-with-young-family-20090218-8aol.html">Archived</a> from the original on 28 June 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">13 February</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Dead+firefighter+professional+with+young+family&rft.date=2009-02-18&rft.aulast=Murdoch&rft.aufirst=Lindsay&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fdead-firefighter-professional-with-young-family-20090218-8aol.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-158"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-158">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-data-reveals-where-victims-died-20090528-borp.html">Black Saturday data reveals where victims died</a> <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090529100226/http://www.theage.com.au/national/black-saturday-data-reveals-where-victims-died-20090528-borp.html">Archived</a> 29 May 2009 at the <a href="/info/en/?search=Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>, 28 May 2009, <i>The Age</i></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-159"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-159">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFStewart2009" class="citation encyclopaedia cs1">Stewart, Cameron (23 November 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://advocacy.britannica.com/blog/advocacy/2009/11/the-australian-%22black-saturday%22-bushfires-of-2009/">"The Australian "Black Saturday" Bushfires of 2009"</a>. <i>Advocates for Animals</i>. Encyclopædia Britannica<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">3 May</span> 2010</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=bookitem&rft.atitle=The+Australian+%22Black+Saturday%22+Bushfires+of+2009&rft.btitle=Advocates+for+Animals&rft.pub=Encyclop%C3%A6dia+Britannica&rft.date=2009-11-23&rft.aulast=Stewart&rft.aufirst=Cameron&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fadvocacy.britannica.com%2Fblog%2Fadvocacy%2F2009%2F11%2Fthe-australian-%2522black-saturday%2522-bushfires-of-2009%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span><sup class="noprint Inline-Template"><span style="white-space: nowrap;">[<i><a href="/info/en/?search=Wikipedia:Link_rot" title="Wikipedia:Link rot"><span title=" Dead link tagged June 2019">permanent dead link</span></a></i>]</span></sup></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-160"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-160">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFHughes2009" class="citation news cs1">Hughes, Gary (22 May 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/black-saturday-fires-had-power-of-1500-a-bombs/story-e6frg6nf-1225714533980">"Black Saturday fires had power of 1500 A-bombs"</a>. <i>The Australian</i>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110711232035/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/black-saturday-fires-had-power-of-1500-a-bombs/story-e6frg6nf-1225714533980">Archived</a> from the original on 11 July 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">3 May</span> 2010</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Australian&rft.atitle=Black+Saturday+fires+had+power+of+1500+A-bombs&rft.date=2009-05-22&rft.aulast=Hughes&rft.aufirst=Gary&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnews%2Fnation%2Fblack-saturday-fires-had-power-of-1500-a-bombs%2Fstory-e6frg6nf-1225714533980&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age-4.4bill-161"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-age-4.4bill_161-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age-4.4bill_161-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age-4.4bill_161-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age-4.4bill_161-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age-4.4bill_161-4"><sup><i><b>e</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age-4.4bill_161-5"><sup><i><b>f</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age-4.4bill_161-6"><sup><i><b>g</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age-4.4bill_161-7"><sup><i><b>h</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFGray2010" class="citation news cs1">Gray, Darren (1 August 2010). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/victoria/black-saturday-cost-44-billion-20100801-11116.html">"Black Saturday cost $4.4 billion"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=The_Age" title="The Age">The Age</a></i>. Melbourne: <a href="/info/en/?search=Fairfax_Media" title="Fairfax Media">Fairfax Media</a>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110628185757/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/black-saturday-cost-44-billion-20100801-11116.html">Archived</a> from the original on 28 June 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">15 February</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Black+Saturday+cost+%244.4+billion&rft.date=2010-08-01&rft.aulast=Gray&rft.aufirst=Darren&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fvictoria%2Fblack-saturday-cost-44-billion-20100801-11116.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-162"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-162">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">The Land, "Farmers do their bit", Peter J Austin, p.12, Rural Press, 19 February 2009</span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-Norther_Daily_Leader-163"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Norther_Daily_Leader_163-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Norther_Daily_Leader_163-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text">Northern Daily Leader, 18 May 2009, "Steady progress on bushfire clean-up", p. 8</span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-AR08-9-164"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-AR08-9_164-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-AR08-9_164-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.diird.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/121581/Black-Saturday.pdf">"Black Saturday"</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span>. <i>Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development</i>. Victorian Government<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">3 May</span> 2010</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Department+of+Innovation%2C+Industry+and+Regional+Development&rft.atitle=Black+Saturday&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.diird.vic.gov.au%2F__data%2Fassets%2Fpdf_file%2F0018%2F121581%2FBlack-Saturday.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-165"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-165">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFBingemann2009" class="citation news cs1">Bingemann, Mitchell (1 December 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/telco-says-its-ready-for-the-next-black-saturday/story-e6frgakx-1225805505764">"Telstra says it's ready for the next Black Saturday"</a>. <i>The Australian</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">3 May</span> 2010</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Australian&rft.atitle=Telstra+says+it%27s+ready+for+the+next+Black+Saturday&rft.date=2009-12-01&rft.aulast=Bingemann&rft.aufirst=Mitchell&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Faustralian-it%2Ftelco-says-its-ready-for-the-next-black-saturday%2Fstory-e6frgakx-1225805505764&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-brc-ch1-166"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-brc-ch1_166-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090911235725/http://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/PF-Chapters/Chapter1_PF.pdf">"Final Report Report of 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission: Chapter 1"</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span>. <a href="/info/en/?search=Government_of_Victoria_(Australia)" class="mw-redirect" title="Government of Victoria (Australia)">Government of Victoria</a>. 31 July 2010. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.royalcommission.vic.gov.au/Documents/PF-Chapters/Chapter1_PF.pdf">the original</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span> on 11 September 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">22 August</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Final+Report+Report+of+2009+Victorian+Bushfires+Royal+Commission%3A+Chapter+1&rft.pub=Government+of+Victoria&rft.date=2010-07-31&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.royalcommission.vic.gov.au%2FDocuments%2FPF-Chapters%2FChapter1_PF.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-167"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-167">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFCostigan2009" class="citation news cs1">Costigan, Justine (September 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090910093356/http://mag.alumni.unimelb.edu.au/major-feature/responding-tragedy">"Responding to Tragedy"</a>. <i>Melbourne University Magazine</i>. pp. 15–17. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://mag.alumni.unimelb.edu.au/major-feature/responding-tragedy">the original</a> on 10 September 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">3 September</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Melbourne+University+Magazine&rft.atitle=Responding+to+Tragedy&rft.pages=15-17&rft.date=2009-09&rft.aulast=Costigan&rft.aufirst=Justine&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fmag.alumni.unimelb.edu.au%2Fmajor-feature%2Fresponding-tragedy&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-168"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-168">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFCrowe2009" class="citation news cs1">Crowe, Danielle (9 September 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090914125600/http://manningham-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/pilot-project-manningham-council-is-mapping-our-fire-hotspots/">"Hotspots register"</a>. <i>Manningham Leader</i>. p. 5. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://manningham-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/pilot-project-manningham-council-is-mapping-our-fire-hotspots/">the original</a> on 14 September 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">22 September</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Manningham+Leader&rft.atitle=Hotspots+register&rft.pages=5&rft.date=2009-09-09&rft.aulast=Crowe&rft.aufirst=Danielle&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fmanningham-leader.whereilive.com.au%2Fnews%2Fstory%2Fpilot-project-manningham-council-is-mapping-our-fire-hotspots%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-Country_Fire_Authority-169"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-Country_Fire_Authority_169-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.cfaconnect.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=873">"New Warning System Explained"</a>. <a href="/info/en/?search=Country_Fire_Authority" title="Country Fire Authority">Country Fire Authority</a>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110706123231/http://www.cfaconnect.net.au/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=873">Archived</a> from the original on 6 July 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">1 February</span> 2010</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=New+Warning+System+Explained&rft.pub=Country+Fire+Authority&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cfaconnect.net.au%2Findex.php%3Foption%3Dcom_k2%26view%3Ditem%26id%3D873&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-AP-2009Feb11-Animals-170"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-AP-2009Feb11-Animals_170-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFGelineau2009" class="citation news cs1">Gelineau, Kristen (11 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20090215064620/http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hn9MswZT1UDQOM4JFexha4JktfeQD969HIS80">"Millions of animals dead in Australia fires"</a>. Associated Press. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hn9MswZT1UDQOM4JFexha4JktfeQD969HIS80">the original</a> on 15 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">11 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Millions+of+animals+dead+in+Australia+fires&rft.date=2009-02-11&rft.aulast=Gelineau&rft.aufirst=Kristen&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fhostednews%2Fap%2Farticle%2FALeqM5hn9MswZT1UDQOM4JFexha4JktfeQD969HIS80&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-171"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-171">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a class="external text" href="https://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=95950">Last captive Leadbeater's possum dies</a> <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120405140432/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=95950">Archived</a> 5 April 2012 at the <a href="/info/en/?search=Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>. ninemsn.com.au. 15 April 2006.</span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age_dash_save_water-172"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-age_dash_save_water_172-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age_dash_save_water_172-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFKer2009" class="citation news cs1">Ker, Peter (17 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/dash-to-save-melbournes-drinking-water-20090217-89wm.html">"Dash to save Melbourne's drinking water"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090221000233/http://www.theage.com.au/national/dash-to-save-melbournes-drinking-water-20090217-89wm.html">Archived</a> from the original on 21 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">17 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Dash+to+save+Melbourne%27s+drinking+water&rft.date=2009-02-17&rft.aulast=Ker&rft.aufirst=Peter&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fdash-to-save-melbournes-drinking-water-20090217-89wm.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-173"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-173">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFRoberts2009" class="citation news cs1">Roberts, Greg (17 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/vic-bushfires-may-affect-water-supplies-20090217-89zb.html">"Vic bushfires may affect water supplies"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. Melbourne. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090218075849/http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-news-national/vic-bushfires-may-affect-water-supplies-20090217-89zb.html">Archived</a> from the original on 18 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">14 December</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Vic+bushfires+may+affect+water+supplies&rft.date=2009-02-17&rft.aulast=Roberts&rft.aufirst=Greg&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.theage.com.au%2Fbreaking-news-national%2Fvic-bushfires-may-affect-water-supplies-20090217-89zb.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-174"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-174">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/28/2583676.htm">"Bushfire aftermath: smoke trapped over Antarctica"</a>. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 28 May 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20091213104147/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/05/28/2583676.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 13 December 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">14 December</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Bushfire+aftermath%3A+smoke+trapped+over+Antarctica&rft.date=2009-05-28&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F05%2F28%2F2583676.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age-slowpath-175"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-age-slowpath_175-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFJohanson2011" class="citation news cs1">Johanson, Simon (7 February 2011). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/victoria/recovery-a-painfully-slow-path-20110206-1aigz.html">"Recovery a painfully slow path"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=The_Age" title="The Age">The Age</a></i>. Melbourne: <a href="/info/en/?search=Fairfax_Media" title="Fairfax Media">Fairfax Media</a>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110210211234/http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/recovery-a-painfully-slow-path-20110206-1aigz.html">Archived</a> from the original on 10 February 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">15 February</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Recovery+a+painfully+slow+path&rft.date=2011-02-07&rft.aulast=Johanson&rft.aufirst=Simon&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fvictoria%2Frecovery-a-painfully-slow-path-20110206-1aigz.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age_class_action-176"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-age_class_action_176-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFHouston,_CameronBachelard,_Michael2009" class="citation news cs1">Houston, Cameron & <a href="/info/en/?search=Michael_Bachelard" title="Michael Bachelard">Bachelard, Michael</a> (15 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/huge-fire-class-action-launched-20090214-87pg.html?page=-1">"Huge fire class action launched"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. Melbourne. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090218081252/http://www.theage.com.au/national/huge-fire-class-action-launched-20090214-87pg.html?page=-1">Archived</a> from the original on 18 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">15 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Huge+fire+class+action+launched&rft.date=2009-02-15&rft.au=Houston%2C+Cameron&rft.au=Bachelard%2C+Michael&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fhuge-fire-class-action-launched-20090214-87pg.html%3Fpage%3D-1&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-177"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-177">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20100623001848/http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/1072983/hundreds-sign-for-bushfire-class-action">"Hundreds sign for bushfire class action"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=Ninemsn" class="mw-redirect" title="Ninemsn">Ninemsn</a></i>. 19 June 2010. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/1072983/hundreds-sign-for-bushfire-class-action">the original</a> on 23 June 2010<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">16 June</span> 2010</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Ninemsn&rft.atitle=Hundreds+sign+for+bushfire+class+action&rft.date=2010-06-19&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.ninemsn.com.au%2Fnational%2F1072983%2Fhundreds-sign-for-bushfire-class-action&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-scv-178"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-scv_178-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-scv_178-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-scv_178-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.supremecourt.vic.gov.au/for-the-media/media-releases/court-approves-distribution-of-almost-700m-in-2009-black-saturday">"Court approves distribution of almost $700M in 2009 Black Saturday bushfire class actions"</a>. <i>The Supreme Court of Victoria</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">30 September</span> 2023</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=The+Supreme+Court+of+Victoria&rft.atitle=Court+approves+distribution+of+almost+%24700M+in+2009+Black+Saturday+bushfire+class+actions&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.supremecourt.vic.gov.au%2Ffor-the-media%2Fmedia-releases%2Fcourt-approves-distribution-of-almost-700m-in-2009-black-saturday&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-bbc-payout-179"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-bbc-payout_179-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28305127">"Record payout over Australia Black Saturday fires"</a>. <i>BBC News (Asia)</i>. British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). 15 July 2014. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150216082200/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-28305127">Archived</a> from the original on 16 February 2015<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">6 February</span> 2015</span>. <q>A 2009 Royal Commission found that the fire began when an electricity line failed between two poles. Contact between the live conductor and a cable stay supporting the pole caused arcing that ignited vegetation.</q></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=BBC+News+%28Asia%29&rft.atitle=Record+payout+over+Australia+Black+Saturday+fires&rft.date=2014-07-15&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.com%2Fnews%2Fworld-asia-28305127&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-abc-kilmore-class-act-180"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-abc-kilmore-class-act_180-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-15/black-saturday-bushfire-survivors-secure-record-payout/5597062">"Black Saturday bushfire survivors secure $500 million in Australia's largest class action payout"</a>. <i>ABC News</i>. Australia: Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 15 July 2014. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150216101154/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-15/black-saturday-bushfire-survivors-secure-record-payout/5597062">Archived</a> from the original on 16 February 2015<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">6 February</span> 2015</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=ABC+News&rft.atitle=Black+Saturday+bushfire+survivors+secure+%24500+million+in+Australia%27s+largest+class+action+payout&rft.date=2014-07-15&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2014-07-15%2Fblack-saturday-bushfire-survivors-secure-record-payout%2F5597062&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-mary-comm-record-181"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-mary-comm-record_181-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150206070754/http://www.marysvillecommunity.net/index.php/kilmore-east-kinglake-bushfire-class-action/98-record-settlement-in-black-saturday-bushfires-class-action.html">"Record settlement in Black Saturday bushfires class action"</a>. marysvillecommunity.net. 15 July 2014. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.marysvillecommunity.net/index.php/kilmore-east-kinglake-bushfire-class-action/98-record-settlement-in-black-saturday-bushfires-class-action.html">the original</a> on 6 February 2015<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">6 February</span> 2015</span>. <q>At nearly $500 million, the payout is more than double the previous highest Australian <a href="/info/en/?search=Class_action" title="Class action">class action</a> <a href="/info/en/?search=Settlement_(litigation)" title="Settlement (litigation)">settlement</a> of $200 million in the Centro shareholder class action</q></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Record+settlement+in+Black+Saturday+bushfires+class+action&rft.pub=marysvillecommunity.net&rft.date=2014-07-15&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.marysvillecommunity.net%2Findex.php%2Fkilmore-east-kinglake-bushfire-class-action%2F98-record-settlement-in-black-saturday-bushfires-class-action.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-abc-mary-settle-182"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-abc-mary-settle_182-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFFerrier2015" class="citation news cs1">Ferrier, Steph (6 February 2015). <a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-06/class-action-over-marysville-black-saturday-bushfire-reached/6071068">"Marysville bushfire class action: Black Saturday bushfire victims to get $300 million payout"</a>. <i>ABC News</i>. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150210080239/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-06/class-action-over-marysville-black-saturday-bushfire-reached/6071068">Archived</a> from the original on 10 February 2015<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">6 February</span> 2015</span>. <q>Electricity company AusNet has announced a $300 million settlement with the Marysville victims of the Black Saturday bushfires.</q></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=ABC+News&rft.atitle=Marysville+bushfire+class+action%3A+Black+Saturday+bushfire+victims+to+get+%24300+million+payout&rft.date=2015-02-06&rft.aulast=Ferrier&rft.aufirst=Steph&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2015-02-06%2Fclass-action-over-marysville-black-saturday-bushfire-reached%2F6071068&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-abc-mary-class-act-183"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-abc-mary-class-act_183-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-07/victims-of--black-saturday-fire-launch-class-action/4181682">"Victims of Black Saturday fire launch class action"</a>. <i>ABC News</i>. Australia: Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 7 August 2012. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20150216095533/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-07/victims-of--black-saturday-fire-launch-class-action/4181682">Archived</a> from the original on 16 February 2015<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">6 February</span> 2015</span>. <q>A class action will be launched in the Supreme Court today on behalf of victims of the Murrindindi bushfire on Black Saturday in 2009.</q></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=ABC+News&rft.atitle=Victims+of+Black+Saturday+fire+launch+class+action&rft.date=2012-08-07&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2012-08-07%2Fvictims-of--black-saturday-fire-launch-class-action%2F4181682&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-age_strategies_questioned-184"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-age_strategies_questioned_184-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age_strategies_questioned_184-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age_strategies_questioned_184-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-age_strategies_questioned_184-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFRood2009" class="citation news cs1">Rood, David (10 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/forest-strategies-questioned-20090209-82d7.html?page=-1">"Forest strategies questioned"</a>. <i>The Age</i>. Melbourne. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090214024137/http://www.theage.com.au/national/forest-strategies-questioned-20090209-82d7.html?page=-1">Archived</a> from the original on 14 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Age&rft.atitle=Forest+strategies+questioned&rft.date=2009-02-10&rft.aulast=Rood&rft.aufirst=David&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fforest-strategies-questioned-20090209-82d7.html%3Fpage%3D-1&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-australian_nsw_commissioner_policy-185"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-australian_nsw_commissioner_policy_185-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-australian_nsw_commissioner_policy_185-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090211064832/http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0%2C25197%2C25032778-5006784%2C00.html">"Stay-at-home policy best, says NSW fire commissioner"</a>. <i>The Australian</i>. 9 February 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25032778-5006784,00.html">the original</a> on 11 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Australian&rft.atitle=Stay-at-home+policy+best%2C+says+NSW+fire+commissioner&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.news.com.au%2Fstory%2F0%2C25197%2C25032778-5006784%2C00.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-abc_nixon_defends_policy-186"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-abc_nixon_defends_policy_186-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-abc_nixon_defends_policy_186-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486729.htm">"Nixon defends fire policy"</a>. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 9 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090210123639/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/09/2486729.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 10 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.atitle=Nixon+defends+fire+policy&rft.date=2009-02-09&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2009%2F02%2F09%2F2486729.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-StandardsUpdate-187"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-StandardsUpdate_187-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria-looks-at-changes-to-building-standards-20090215-887t.html?skin=text-only">"Victoria looks at changes to building standards"</a>. <i>The Sydney Morning Herald</i>. 16 February 2009. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20121104014652/http://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria-looks-at-changes-to-building-standards-20090215-887t.html?skin=text-only">Archived</a> from the original on 4 November 2012<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">15 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Sydney+Morning+Herald&rft.atitle=Victoria+looks+at+changes+to+building+standards&rft.date=2009-02-16&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smh.com.au%2Fnational%2Fvictoria-looks-at-changes-to-building-standards-20090215-887t.html%3Fskin%3Dtext-only&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-188"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-188">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090219142939/http://standards.org.au/downloads/091002_Bushfire_Standard_Statement_FINAL.pdf">"Media Release – Standards Australia to fast track completion of bushfire Standard"</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span>. Standards Australia. 11 February 2009. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.standards.org.au/downloads/091002_Bushfire_Standard_Statement_FINAL.pdf">the original</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span> on 19 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">17 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Media+Release+%E2%80%93+Standards+Australia+to+fast+track+completion+of+bushfire+Standard&rft.pub=Standards+Australia&rft.date=2009-02-11&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.standards.org.au%2Fdownloads%2F091002_Bushfire_Standard_Statement_FINAL.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-dpcd-bpb-189"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-dpcd-bpb_189-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110328120453/http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/planning-policy-and-projects/bushfire-planning-and-building-resource">"Bushfire planning and building"</a>. <i>Department of Planning and Community Development official website</i>. State Government of Victoria. 1 April 2011. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/planning-policy-and-projects/bushfire-planning-and-building-resource">the original</a> on 28 March 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">22 April</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Department+of+Planning+and+Community+Development+official+website&rft.atitle=Bushfire+planning+and+building&rft.date=2011-04-01&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpcd.vic.gov.au%2Fplanning%2Fplanning-policy-and-projects%2Fbushfire-planning-and-building-resource&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-pfs-bcv-190"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-pfs-bcv_190-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110405075215/http://www.buildingcommission.com.au/www/html/2436-publications-and-fact-sheets.asp">"Publications and Fact Sheets"</a>. <i>Official website</i>. Building Commission Victoria. 19 November 2010. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.buildingcommission.com.au/www/html/2436-publications-and-fact-sheets.asp">the original</a> on 5 April 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">22 April</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Official+website&rft.atitle=Publications+and+Fact+Sheets&rft.date=2010-11-19&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.buildingcommission.com.au%2Fwww%2Fhtml%2F2436-publications-and-fact-sheets.asp&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-gtbab-bcv-191"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-gtbab-bcv_191-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-gtbab-bcv_191-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180313112305/http://www.vba.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/40583/Guide-to-building-in-Victoria-after-bushfires.pdf">"A guide to building in Victoria after bushfires"</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span>. <i>Official website</i>. Building Commission Victoria. 19 November 2010. Archived from <a class="external text" href="https://www.vba.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/40583/Guide-to-building-in-Victoria-after-bushfires.pdf">the original</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span> on 13 March 2018<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">23 October</span> 2017</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Official+website&rft.atitle=A+guide+to+building+in+Victoria+after+bushfires&rft.date=2010-11-19&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.vba.vic.gov.au%2F__data%2Fassets%2Fpdf_file%2F0020%2F40583%2FGuide-to-building-in-Victoria-after-bushfires.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-BuildingCodes-192"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-BuildingCodes_192-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFJopson2009" class="citation news cs1">Jopson, Debra (12 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/foolhardy-to-set-building-code-that-underestimates-heat-of-fires-20090211-84r4.html?page=-1">"<span class="cs1-kern-left"></span>'Foolhardy' to set building code that underestimates heat of fires"</a>. <i>The Sydney Morning Herald</i>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20090221034418/http://www.smh.com.au/national/foolhardy-to-set-building-code-that-underestimates-heat-of-fires-20090211-84r4.html?page=-1">Archived</a> from the original on 21 February 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">14 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=The+Sydney+Morning+Herald&rft.atitle=%27Foolhardy%27+to+set+building+code+that+underestimates+heat+of+fires&rft.date=2009-02-12&rft.aulast=Jopson&rft.aufirst=Debra&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smh.com.au%2Fnational%2Ffoolhardy-to-set-building-code-that-underestimates-heat-of-fires-20090211-84r4.html%3Fpage%3D-1&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-aust-ban-dev-193"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-aust-ban-dev_193-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-aust-ban-dev_193-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFRintoul2010" class="citation web cs1">Rintoul, Stuart (15 February 2010). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/ban-development-in-fire-prone-areas-experts-tell-royal-commission/story-e6frg6nf-1225830521084">"Ban development in fire-prone areas, experts tell royal commission"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=The_Australian" title="The Australian">The Australian</a></i>. <a href="/info/en/?search=News_Limited" class="mw-redirect" title="News Limited">News Limited</a>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110504034232/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/ban-development-in-fire-prone-areas-experts-tell-royal-commission/story-e6frg6nf-1225830521084">Archived</a> from the original on 4 May 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">19 February</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=The+Australian&rft.atitle=Ban+development+in+fire-prone+areas%2C+experts+tell+royal+commission&rft.date=2010-02-15&rft.aulast=Rintoul&rft.aufirst=Stuart&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theaustralian.com.au%2Fnews%2Fnation%2Fban-development-in-fire-prone-areas-experts-tell-royal-commission%2Fstory-e6frg6nf-1225830521084&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
<li id="cite_note-abc-norebuild-194"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-abc-norebuild_194-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFCowan2010" class="citation web cs1">Cowan, Jane (15 February 2010). <a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/15/2819672.htm">"Marysville should never have been rebuilt, commission told"</a>. <i>ABC News</i>. <a href="/info/en/?search=Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation" title="Australian Broadcasting Corporation">Australian Broadcasting Corporation</a>. <a class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110121124559/http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/15/2819672.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 21 January 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">19 February</span> 2011</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=ABC+News&rft.atitle=Marysville+should+never+have+been+rebuilt%2C+commission+told&rft.date=2010-02-15&rft.aulast=Cowan&rft.aufirst=Jane&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Fstories%2F2010%2F02%2F15%2F2819672.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></span>
</li>
</ol></div></div>
<h2><span class="mw-headline" id="Further_reading">Further reading</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=38" title="Edit section: Further reading"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2>
<ul><li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFHooper2018" class="citation book cs1">Hooper, Chloe (2018). <a class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=4YFlDwAAQBAJ"><i>The Arsonist: A Mind on Fire</i></a>. Penguin Random House Australia. <a href="/info/en/?search=ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/info/en/?search=Special:BookSources/978-1-74348-552-1" title="Special:BookSources/978-1-74348-552-1"><bdi>978-1-74348-552-1</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Arsonist%3A+A+Mind+on+Fire&rft.pub=Penguin+Random+House+Australia&rft.date=2018&rft.isbn=978-1-74348-552-1&rft.aulast=Hooper&rft.aufirst=Chloe&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3D4YFlDwAAQBAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></li>
<li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFHyland2015" class="citation book cs1">Hyland, Adrian (2015). <a class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=KZApBgAAQBAJ"><i>Kinglake-350</i></a>. Melbourne: <a href="/info/en/?search=Text_Publishing" title="Text Publishing">Text Publishing</a>. <a href="/info/en/?search=ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/info/en/?search=Special:BookSources/9781922182920" title="Special:BookSources/9781922182920"><bdi>9781922182920</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Kinglake-350&rft.place=Melbourne&rft.pub=Text+Publishing&rft.date=2015&rft.isbn=9781922182920&rft.aulast=Hyland&rft.aufirst=Adrian&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DKZApBgAAQBAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></li>
<li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFStewartHawkins2018" class="citation book cs1">Stewart, Kath; Hawkins, Deidre (2018). <a class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=ms0KwQEACAAJ"><i>Living with Fire: A Brief History of Fires in the Kinglake Ranges</i></a>. Kinglake Historical Society. <a href="/info/en/?search=ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/info/en/?search=Special:BookSources/978-0-9871217-8-3" title="Special:BookSources/978-0-9871217-8-3"><bdi>978-0-9871217-8-3</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Living+with+Fire%3A+A+Brief+History+of+Fires+in+the+Kinglake+Ranges&rft.pub=Kinglake+Historical+Society&rft.date=2018&rft.isbn=978-0-9871217-8-3&rft.aulast=Stewart&rft.aufirst=Kath&rft.au=Hawkins%2C+Deidre&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3Dms0KwQEACAAJ&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></li></ul>
<h2><span class="mw-headline" id="External_links">External links</span><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Black_Saturday_bushfires&action=edit&section=39" title="Edit section: External links"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></h2>
<style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1217611005">.mw-parser-output .side-box{margin:4px 0;box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid #aaa;font-size:88%;line-height:1.25em;background-color:#f9f9f9;display:flow-root}.mw-parser-output .side-box-abovebelow,.mw-parser-output .side-box-text{padding:0.25em 0.9em}.mw-parser-output .side-box-image{padding:2px 0 2px 0.9em;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .side-box-imageright{padding:2px 0.9em 2px 0;text-align:center}@media(min-width:500px){.mw-parser-output .side-box-flex{display:flex;align-items:center}.mw-parser-output .side-box-text{flex:1;min-width:0}}@media(min-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .side-box{width:238px}.mw-parser-output .side-box-right{clear:right;float:right;margin-left:1em}.mw-parser-output .side-box-left{margin-right:1em}}</style><div class="side-box side-box-right plainlinks sistersitebox"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1126788409">
<div class="side-box-flex">
<div class="side-box-image"><span class="noviewer" typeof="mw:File"><span><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png" decoding="async" width="30" height="40" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/45px-Commons-logo.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/59px-Commons-logo.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1024" data-file-height="1376" /></span></span></div>
<div class="side-box-text plainlist">Wikimedia Commons has media related to <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:2009_Victorian_bushfires" class="extiw" title="commons:Category:2009 Victorian bushfires">2009 Victorian bushfires</a></span>.</div></div>
</div>
<link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1217611005"><div class="side-box side-box-right plainlinks sistersitebox"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1126788409">
<div class="side-box-flex">
<div class="side-box-image"><span class="noviewer" typeof="mw:File"><span><img alt="" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Wikinews-logo.svg/40px-Wikinews-logo.svg.png" decoding="async" width="40" height="22" class="mw-file-element" srcset="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Wikinews-logo.svg/60px-Wikinews-logo.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Wikinews-logo.svg/80px-Wikinews-logo.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="759" data-file-height="415" /></span></span></div>
<div class="side-box-text plainlist">Wikinews has related news:
<div><ul><li><a href="https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/More_than_160_dead_in_bushfires_in_Australia" class="extiw" title="wikinews:More than 160 dead in bushfires in Australia"> More than 160 dead in bushfires in Australia </a></li><li><a href="https://en.wikinews.org/wiki/Class_action_launched_by_Australian_bushfire_survivors_against_SP_AusNet" class="extiw" title="wikinews:Class action launched by Australian bushfire survivors against SP AusNet"> Class action launched by Australian bushfire survivors against SP AusNet</a></li></ul></div></div></div>
</div>
<ul><li><a class="external text" href="https://royalcommission.vic.gov.au/">2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission website with transcripts exhibits submissions etc</a> (very large file)</li>
<li><a class="external text" href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=black+saturday+bushfires&aq=f">Black Saturday bushfires</a> on YouTube</li>
<li><a class="external text" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/cfavic#grid/user/B3D49B5C05D0FE0E">CFA Black Saturday video footage</a> on YouTube</li>
<li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFKininmonth2009" class="citation news cs1">Kininmonth, William (26 February 2009). <a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/anatomy-of-a-firestorm-20090225-8hvi.html?page=-1">"Anatomy of a Firestorm, an article on the conditions and air movements of 7 February 2009"</a>. <i><a href="/info/en/?search=The_Age" title="The Age">Age</a></i>. Melbourne: <a href="/info/en/?search=Fairfax_Media" title="Fairfax Media">Fairfax</a><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">26 February</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Age&rft.atitle=Anatomy+of+a+Firestorm%2C+an+article+on+the+conditions+and+air+movements+of+7+February+2009&rft.date=2009-02-26&rft.aulast=Kininmonth&rft.aufirst=William&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theage.com.au%2Fnational%2Fanatomy-of-a-firestorm-20090225-8hvi.html%3Fpage%3D-1&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></li>
<li><a class="external text" href="https://www.theage.com.au/photogallery/2009/02/08/1234027828219.html">The Age's image gallery</a></li>
<li><a class="external text" href="https://mp3.news.com.au/hwt/Victoria_fire/index.html">The Herald Sun's interactive fire map</a></li>
<li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite class="citation news cs1"><a class="external text" href="https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/special_eds/20090427/fires2/">"Eye of the Storm"</a>. <i>Four Corners</i>. Australian Broadcasting Corporation<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">27 April</span> 2009</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Four+Corners&rft.atitle=Eye+of+the+Storm&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2F4corners%2Fspecial_eds%2F20090427%2Ffires2%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></li>
<li><a class="external text" href="https://guides.slv.vic.gov.au/content.php?pid=36394&sid=267991">State Library of Victoria's Bushfires in Victoria Research Guide</a> Guide to locating books, government reports, websites, statistics, newspaper reports and images about the Black Saturday fires.</li>
<li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1215172403"><cite id="CITEREFEngelLaneReederRezny2013" class="citation cs2">Engel, Chermelle B.; Lane, Todd P.; Reeder, Michael J.; Rezny, Michael (2013), "The meteorology of Black Saturday", <i>Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society</i>, <b>139</b> (672): 585–599, <a href="/info/en/?search=Bibcode_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="Bibcode (identifier)">Bibcode</a>:<a class="external text" href="https://ui.adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/2013QJRMS.139..585E">2013QJRMS.139..585E</a>, <a href="/info/en/?search=Doi_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="Doi (identifier)">doi</a>:<span class="id-lock-free" title="Freely accessible"><a class="external text" href="https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fqj.1986">10.1002/qj.1986</a></span>, <a href="/info/en/?search=S2CID_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="S2CID (identifier)">S2CID</a> <a class="external text" href="https://api.semanticscholar.org/CorpusID:123623810">123623810</a></cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Quarterly+Journal+of+the+Royal+Meteorological+Society&rft.atitle=The+meteorology+of+Black+Saturday&rft.volume=139&rft.issue=672&rft.pages=585-599&rft.date=2013&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fapi.semanticscholar.org%2FCorpusID%3A123623810%23id-name%3DS2CID&rft_id=info%3Adoi%2F10.1002%2Fqj.1986&rft_id=info%3Abibcode%2F2013QJRMS.139..585E&rft.aulast=Engel&rft.aufirst=Chermelle+B.&rft.au=Lane%2C+Todd+P.&rft.au=Reeder%2C+Michael+J.&rft.au=Rezny%2C+Michael&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABlack+Saturday+bushfires" class="Z3988"></span></li></ul>
<div class="navbox-styles"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1129693374">.mw-parser-output .hlist dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul{margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt,.mw-parser-output .hlist li{margin:0;display:inline}.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul ul{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .hlist .mw-empty-li{display:none}.mw-parser-output .hlist dt::after{content:": "}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li::after{content:" · ";font-weight:bold}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li:last-child::after{content:none}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd dd:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd dt:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd li:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dd:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dt:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt li:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist li dd:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist li dt:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist li li:first-child::before{content:" (";font-weight:normal}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd dd:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd dt:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dd li:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dd:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt dt:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt li:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li dd:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li dt:last-child::after,.mw-parser-output .hlist li li:last-child::after{content:")";font-weight:normal}.mw-parser-output .hlist ol{counter-reset:listitem}.mw-parser-output .hlist ol>li{counter-increment:listitem}.mw-parser-output .hlist ol>li::before{content:" "counter(listitem)"\a0 "}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd ol>li:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt ol>li:first-child::before,.mw-parser-output .hlist li ol>li:first-child::before{content:" ("counter(listitem)"\a0 "}</style><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1061467846">.mw-parser-output .navbox{box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid #a2a9b1;width:100%;clear:both;font-size:88%;text-align:center;padding:1px;margin:1em auto 0}.mw-parser-output .navbox .navbox{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .navbox+.navbox,.mw-parser-output .navbox+.navbox-styles+.navbox{margin-top:-1px}.mw-parser-output .navbox-inner,.mw-parser-output .navbox-subgroup{width:100%}.mw-parser-output .navbox-group,.mw-parser-output .navbox-title,.mw-parser-output .navbox-abovebelow{padding:0.25em 1em;line-height:1.5em;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .navbox-group{white-space:nowrap;text-align:right}.mw-parser-output .navbox,.mw-parser-output .navbox-subgroup{background-color:#fdfdfd}.mw-parser-output .navbox-list{line-height:1.5em;border-color:#fdfdfd}.mw-parser-output .navbox-list-with-group{text-align:left;border-left-width:2px;border-left-style:solid}.mw-parser-output tr+tr>.navbox-abovebelow,.mw-parser-output tr+tr>.navbox-group,.mw-parser-output tr+tr>.navbox-image,.mw-parser-output tr+tr>.navbox-list{border-top:2px solid #fdfdfd}.mw-parser-output .navbox-title{background-color:#ccf}.mw-parser-output .navbox-abovebelow,.mw-parser-output .navbox-group,.mw-parser-output .navbox-subgroup .navbox-title{background-color:#ddf}.mw-parser-output .navbox-subgroup .navbox-group,.mw-parser-output .navbox-subgroup .navbox-abovebelow{background-color:#e6e6ff}.mw-parser-output .navbox-even{background-color:#f7f7f7}.mw-parser-output .navbox-odd{background-color:transparent}.mw-parser-output .navbox .hlist td dl,.mw-parser-output .navbox .hlist td ol,.mw-parser-output .navbox .hlist td ul,.mw-parser-output .navbox td.hlist dl,.mw-parser-output .navbox td.hlist ol,.mw-parser-output .navbox td.hlist ul{padding:0.125em 0}.mw-parser-output .navbox .navbar{display:block;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .navbox-title .navbar{float:left;text-align:left;margin-right:0.5em}</style></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="Bushfires_in_Australia" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks hlist mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2" style="color: #FFFFFF; background-color: #C11B17;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1063604349">.mw-parser-output .navbar{display:inline;font-size:88%;font-weight:normal}.mw-parser-output .navbar-collapse{float:left;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .navbar-boxtext{word-spacing:0}.mw-parser-output .navbar ul{display:inline-block;white-space:nowrap;line-height:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-brackets::before{margin-right:-0.125em;content:"[ "}.mw-parser-output .navbar-brackets::after{margin-left:-0.125em;content:" ]"}.mw-parser-output .navbar li{word-spacing:-0.125em}.mw-parser-output .navbar a>span,.mw-parser-output .navbar a>abbr{text-decoration:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-mini abbr{font-variant:small-caps;border-bottom:none;text-decoration:none;cursor:inherit}.mw-parser-output .navbar-ct-full{font-size:114%;margin:0 7em}.mw-parser-output .navbar-ct-mini{font-size:114%;margin:0 4em}</style><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/info/en/?search=Template:Bushfires_in_Australia" title="Template:Bushfires in Australia"><abbr title="View this template" style="color: #FFFFFF; background-color: #C11B17;;;background:none transparent;border:none;box-shadow:none;padding:0;">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/info/en/?search=Template_talk:Bushfires_in_Australia" title="Template talk:Bushfires in Australia"><abbr title="Discuss this template" style="color: #FFFFFF; background-color: #C11B17;;;background:none transparent;border:none;box-shadow:none;padding:0;">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/info/en/?search=Special:EditPage/Template:Bushfires_in_Australia" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Bushfires in Australia"><abbr title="Edit this template" style="color: #FFFFFF; background-color: #C11B17;;;background:none transparent;border:none;box-shadow:none;padding:0;">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="Bushfires_in_Australia" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/info/en/?search=Bushfires_in_Australia" title="Bushfires in Australia"><span style="color: white; text-decoration: inherit;">Bushfires in Australia</span></a></div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="color: #FFFFFF; background-color: #C11B17;;width:1%;background: #c44; color: white;"><a href="/info/en/?search=Australian_Capital_Territory" title="Australian Capital Territory"><span style="color: white; text-decoration: inherit;">Australian Capital Territory</span></a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=2003_Canberra_bushfires" title="2003 Canberra bushfires">Canberra (2003)</a></li></ul>
</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="color: #FFFFFF; background-color: #C11B17;;width:1%;background: #c44; color: white;"><a href="/info/en/?search=New_South_Wales" title="New South Wales"><span style="color: white; text-decoration: inherit;">New South Wales</span></a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Seaham,_New_South_Wales#Bushfires" title="Seaham, New South Wales">Seaham (1939)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Chatsbury_bushfires" title="Chatsbury bushfires">Chatsbury (1965)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=1994_Eastern_seaboard_fires" class="mw-redirect" title="1994 Eastern seaboard fires">Eastern seaboard (1994)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Black_Christmas_bushfires" title="Black Christmas bushfires">Black Christmas (2001)</a> / <a href="/info/en/?search=2001_Warragamba_bushfires" title="2001 Warragamba bushfires">Warragamba (2001)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2006_Junee_Bushfire" title="2006 Junee Bushfire">Junee (2006)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Pulletop_bushfire" title="Pulletop bushfire">Pulletop (2006)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2013_New_South_Wales_bushfires" title="2013 New South Wales bushfires">New South Wales (2013)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2018_Tathra_bushfire" title="2018 Tathra bushfire">Tathra (2018)</a></li></ul>
</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="color: #FFFFFF; background-color: #C11B17;;width:1%;background: #c44; color: white;"><a href="/info/en/?search=South_Australia" title="South Australia"><span style="color: white; text-decoration: inherit;">South Australia</span></a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Adelaide_Hills_bushfires" title="Adelaide Hills bushfires">Adelaide Hills (1939)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Black_Sunday_bushfires" title="Black Sunday bushfires">Black Sunday (1955)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Wandilo_Bushfire" title="Wandilo Bushfire">Wandilo (1958)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=1980_Ash_Wednesday_bushfires" title="1980 Ash Wednesday bushfires">Ash Wednesday I (1980)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Ash_Wednesday_bushfires" title="Ash Wednesday bushfires">Ash Wednesday II (1983)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Eyre_Peninsula_bushfire,_2005" title="Eyre Peninsula bushfire, 2005">Black Tuesday (2005)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Kangaroo_Island_bushfires" class="mw-redirect" title="Kangaroo Island bushfires">Kangaroo Island (2007)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2013_Cherryville_Bushfire" title="2013 Cherryville Bushfire">Cherryville (2013)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2015_Sampson_Flat_bushfires" title="2015 Sampson Flat bushfires">Sampson Flat (2015)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2015_Pinery_bushfire" title="2015 Pinery bushfire">Pinery (2015)</a></li></ul>
</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="color: #FFFFFF; background-color: #C11B17;;width:1%;background: #c44; color: white;"><a href="/info/en/?search=Tasmania" title="Tasmania"><span style="color: white; text-decoration: inherit;">Tasmania</span></a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=1967_Tasmanian_fires" title="1967 Tasmanian fires">Black Tuesday (1967)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2013_Tasmanian_bushfires" title="2013 Tasmanian bushfires">Tasmania (2013)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2016_Tasmanian_bushfires" title="2016 Tasmanian bushfires">Tasmania (2016)</a></li></ul>
</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="color: #FFFFFF; background-color: #C11B17;;width:1%;background: #c44; color: white;"><a href="/info/en/?search=Bushfires_in_Victoria" title="Bushfires in Victoria"><span style="color: white; text-decoration: inherit;">Victoria</span></a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=Black_Thursday_bushfires" title="Black Thursday bushfires">Black Thursday (1851)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Heytesbury_fires&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Heytesbury fires (page does not exist)">Heytesbury (1886)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Red_Tuesday_bushfires" title="Red Tuesday bushfires">Red Tuesday (1898)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=1925%E2%80%9326_Victorian_bushfire_season" title="1925–26 Victorian bushfire season">Black Sunday (1926)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Black_Friday_bushfires" title="Black Friday bushfires">Black Friday (1939)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=1943%E2%80%9344_Victorian_bushfire_season" title="1943–44 Victorian bushfire season">WWII (1943–44)</a></li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=Victoria_bushfire_season_1969&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Victoria bushfire season 1969 (page does not exist)">Lara (1969)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Ash_Wednesday_bushfires" title="Ash Wednesday bushfires">Ash Wednesday (1983)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Linton_Bushfire" title="Linton Bushfire">Linton (1998)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2003_Eastern_Victorian_alpine_bushfires" title="2003 Eastern Victorian alpine bushfires">Eastern Victorian alpine (2003)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=Mount_Lubra_bushfire" title="Mount Lubra bushfire">Mount Lubra (2006)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2006%E2%80%9307_Eastern_Victoria_Great_Divide_bushfires" title="2006–07 Eastern Victoria Great Divide bushfires"> Eastern Victoria Great Divide (2006–07)</a></li>
<li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Black Saturday (2009)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2015%E2%80%9316_Great_Ocean_Road_bushfire" class="mw-redirect" title="2015–16 Great Ocean Road bushfire">Great Ocean Road (2015–16)</a></li></ul>
</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="color: #FFFFFF; background-color: #C11B17;;width:1%;background: #c44; color: white;"><a href="/info/en/?search=Western_Australia" title="Western Australia"><span style="color: white; text-decoration: inherit;">Western Australia</span></a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=1961_Western_Australian_bushfires" title="1961 Western Australian bushfires">Western Australia (1961)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2014_Perth_Hills_bushfire" title="2014 Perth Hills bushfire">Perth Hills (2014)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2015%E2%80%9316_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2015–16 Australian bushfire season">Western Australia (2015)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2015_Esperance_bushfires" title="2015 Esperance bushfires">Esperance (2015)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2016_Waroona_bushfire" class="mw-redirect" title="2016 Waroona bushfire">Waroona (2016)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2021_Wooroloo_bushfire" title="2021 Wooroloo bushfire">Wooroloo (2021)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2021_Beechina_bushfire" title="2021 Beechina bushfire">Beechina (2021)</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2023_Wanneroo_bushfire" title="2023 Wanneroo bushfire">Wanneroo (2023)</a></li></ul>
</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="color: #FFFFFF; background-color: #C11B17;;width:1%;background: #c44; color: white;"><a href="/info/en/?search=List_of_Australian_bushfire_seasons" title="List of Australian bushfire seasons"><span style="color: white; text-decoration: inherit;">By national season</span></a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em">
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=1925%E2%80%9326_Australian_bushfire_season" class="mw-redirect" title="1925–26 Australian bushfire season">1925–26</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=1943%E2%80%9344_Australian_bushfire_season" title="1943–44 Australian bushfire season">1943–44</a></li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=1954%E2%80%9355_Australian_bushfire_season&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="1954–55 Australian bushfire season (page does not exist)">1954–55</a></li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=1964%E2%80%9365_Australian_bushfire_season&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="1964–65 Australian bushfire season (page does not exist)">1964–65</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=1974%E2%80%9375_Australian_bushfire_season" title="1974–75 Australian bushfire season">1974–75</a></li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=1982%E2%80%9383_Australian_bushfire_season&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="1982–83 Australian bushfire season (page does not exist)">1982–83</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=1993%E2%80%9394_Australian_bushfire_season" title="1993–94 Australian bushfire season">1993–94</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=1996%E2%80%9397_Australian_bushfire_season" title="1996–97 Australian bushfire season">1996–97</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2002%E2%80%9303_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2002–03 Australian bushfire season">2002–03</a></li>
<li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/?title=2003%E2%80%9304_Australian_bushfire_season&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="2003–04 Australian bushfire season (page does not exist)">2003–04</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2004%E2%80%9305_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2004–05 Australian bushfire season">2004–05</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2005%E2%80%9306_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2005–06 Australian bushfire season">2005–06</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2006%E2%80%9307_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2006–07 Australian bushfire season">2006–07</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2007%E2%80%9308_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2007–08 Australian bushfire season">2007–08</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2008%E2%80%9309_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2008–09 Australian bushfire season">2008–09</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2009%E2%80%9310_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2009–10 Australian bushfire season">2009–10</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2010%E2%80%9311_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2010–11 Australian bushfire season">2010–11</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2011%E2%80%9312_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2011–12 Australian bushfire season">2011–12</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2012%E2%80%9313_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2012–13 Australian bushfire season">2012–13</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2013%E2%80%9314_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2013–14 Australian bushfire season">2013–14</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2014%E2%80%9315_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2014–15 Australian bushfire season">2014–15</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2015%E2%80%9316_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2015–16 Australian bushfire season">2015–16</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2016%E2%80%9317_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2016–17 Australian bushfire season">2016–17</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2017%E2%80%9318_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2017–18 Australian bushfire season">2017–18</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2018%E2%80%9319_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2018–19 Australian bushfire season">2018–19</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2019%E2%80%9320_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2019–20 Australian bushfire season">2019–20</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2020%E2%80%9321_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2020–21 Australian bushfire season">2020–21</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2021%E2%80%9322_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2021–22 Australian bushfire season">2021–22</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2022%E2%80%9323_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2022–23 Australian bushfire season">2022–23</a></li>
<li><a href="/info/en/?search=2023%E2%80%9324_Australian_bushfire_season" title="2023–24 Australian bushfire season">2023–24</a></li></ul>
</div></td></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="2" style="color: #FFFFFF; background-color: #C11B17;"><div>
<ul><li><a href="/info/en/?search=List_of_Australian_bushfire_seasons" title="List of Australian bushfire seasons"><span style="color: white; text-decoration: inherit;">List of Australian bushfire seasons</span></a></li></ul>
</div></td></tr></tbody></table></div></div>' |
Whether or not the change was made through a Tor exit node (tor_exit_node) | false |
Unix timestamp of change (timestamp) | '1713445909' |