3.5.3 Wildfire case study

Question 1

Case study for wildfires

Answer 1

Black Saturday

Question 2

When was Black Saturday?

Answer 2

7th Feburary 2009

Question 3

What was Black Saturday?

Answer 3

Severe wildfires that burned for a month in the state of Victoria.

The day with the most severe wildfires was the 7th February 2009, and was named Black Saturday.

Question 4

How many people were killed and injured in Black Saturday?

Answer 4

• 173 people died.
• Around 400 injured.

Question 5

How many houses were destroyed in Black Saturday?

Answer 5

2000 houses

Question 6

Total estimated cost of the fire

Answer 6

AUS$4.4 billion

Question 7

Environmental impact of Black Saturday

Answer 7

• 4,300km2 of land was burned including forests and national parks.
• Millions of animals, birds and reptiles were killed, including some rare species such as the sooty owl and spotted tree frog.

Question 8

Long term responses to Black Saturday

Answer 8

Recommendations for long-term responses include:

• Building fire shelters in vulnerable areas
• Improving warning systems
• Improving the emergency evacuation strategy.

Question 9

How much was donated for Black Saturday?

Answer 9

More than AUS$400 million was donated to help rebuild houses and community facilities. However, making new houses more fire-resistant increased costs, so not everyone could afford to finish building.

Question 10

Prediction and preparation for the Black Saturday wildfires

Answer 10

• The Australian Bureau of Meteorology predicted how the fires would spread and told residents that they could either evacuate or stay and defend their homes.
• Evacuations reduced the number of deaths, but many people were still put at risk by choosing to stay in their homes.