Ash Wednesday Fires

The deadliest bushfires in Australian history started February 16, 1983. Ironically, February 16 in the year 1983 was the day Christians observe as Ash Wednesday.

Under normal weather conditions, Victoria and South Australia are some of the most fire-prone areas in the world. High temperatures, low relative humidity, and limited summer rainfall produce conditions favorable for serious bushfires to break out in eucalypt forests and the vast grasslands. Sudden changes in the strong winds of the area can hamper firefighting efforts making it possible for a relatively small bushfire to quickly build strength and rage out of control.

Weather Conditions Primed the Fires

During the months proceeding February 16, 1983, a drought left South Australia and Victoria a literal tinder box primed for the slightest spark. The weather phenomenon known as El Niño had moved in and brought with it record low relative humidity of less than 15%; normal relative humidity in the area was around 43%. Gale force winds kicked up dry earth to create dust storms that mixed with smoke from the fires. Visibility was drastically reduced and firefighting efforts hampered.

The Known Causes

The cause of several of the Ash Wednesday bushfires was discovered while others are still a mystery. Some bushfires were sparked by the clashing of electrical power lines, by tree branches connecting with power lines, or by deliberate acts of arson.

The Scenes

Spurred by the hot, dry, gale force winds, the fires swept over the terrain scorching hundreds of thousands of acres of land, destroying thousands of homes, and leaving death in its wake.

By late afternoon February 16, the hottest time of the day, the fires were raging completely out of control. In total, 180 bushfires broke out that fateful Ash Wednesday. Most fires were extinguished within a couple of days, but some burned on for a week.

In some areas the fires raged so hot that firefighters had to abandon their efforts to extinguish them leaving them to burn until they reached the ocean.