2014–15 Australian bushfire season

2014–15 Australian bushfire season
Location Australia
Statistics
Date(s) Winter (June) 2014 – Autumn (May) 2015
Buildings
destroyed		 210+ total
— 48 houses
— 160+ non-residential structures
Injuries 139
Fatalities 1 total
— 1 CFS volunteer firefighter
Season

The 2014–15 Australian bushfire season was expected to have the potential for many fires in eastern Australia after lower than expected rainfall was received in many areas. Authorities released warnings in the early spring that the season could be particularly bad.[1]

Warmer and drier weather conditions were experienced during winter and extended into 2015, due to a developing El Niño event. Sydney was on track to record its hottest autumn on record and only had one fifth of the average rainfall in May. Adelaide recorded sixteen consecutive days of 20 °C (68 °F) in May 2014.[2]

Queensland sweltered through a heatwave, with record October temperatures being set in many towns through the state. New October records included Toowoomba with 36.4 °C (97.5 °F), St George with 42.6 °C (108.7 °F), Amberley with 41.3 °C (106.3 °F) and Roma with 41.6 °C (106.9 °F).[3]

Throughout 2014 and the first 6 months of 2015, 18 fires were declared "national disasters" affecting a total of 68 local government areas across New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory.[4]

Fires of note

State Start date Deaths Injuries Res. houses lost Other structures lost Area (ha) Local govt. Impacted communities Duration Ref.
NSW 1 August 2014 5 8 9,500 Clarence Valley & Kempsey Kremnos 4 days [5][6][7][8]
NT 29 August 2014 1 Litchfield Howard Springs [9]
SA 31 October 2014 1 2 1,800 Wakefield Nantawarra & Port Wakefield [10][11]
NSW 1 November 2014 1 6 Blue Mountains Katoomba 2 days [12]
VIC 15 December 2014 4 several 5,500 Strathbogie Creightons Creek, Gooram & Longwood 3 days [13][14]
VIC 15 December 2014 1 several 5,750 Moira Lake Rowan [13][15]
VIC 1 January 2015 2 4 5,000 Ararat Moyston 2 days [16][17][18]
SA 2 January 2015 134 28 150 12,500 Adelaide Hills Cudlee Creek, Gumeracha, Humbug Scrub, Kersbrook & Lower Hermitage [19][20][21][22]
WA 5 January 2015 1 1 5 Busselton Yallingup [23]
WA 29 January 2015 2 5 95,000 Manjimup Northcliffe 11 days [24][25][26]
WA 29 January 2015 1 1 52,000 Boddington Lower Hotham 2 days [26][27][28]
WA 29 January 2015 1 400 Waroona Waroona 2 days [29][30]

Fires by state or territory

New South Wales

August

During an 8-day period starting on 1 August, 114 bush and grass fires burned through 9,500 ha (23,000 acres) of the Clarence Valley and Kempsey local government areas. Five houses were destroyed and a further eight were extensively damaged during the blazes. Eight non-residential buildings and four vehicles were also destroyed in the blazes.[5][7][8] A number of these fires were caused by escaped private hazard reduction burns.[6]

November

Fires started near Katoomba in the Blue Mountains just as heatwave conditions commenced in the area on 1 November. The fire dropped over an escarpment and into inaccessible bushland.[31] One house was destroyed and a second house damaged along Cliff Drive after 60 people were evacuated from the area.[32]

More fires started 14 November near Warrimoo in the Blue Mountains. The local school was evacuated as the out of control blaze spread from a difficult to reach area. Some 36 firefighters were brought in to control the fire which spread toward Blaxland.[33]

Northern Territory

August & September

Throughout both months, a series of small, suspicious bushfires burned through at least 1,200 ha (3,000 acres) and threatened many properties around Howard Springs and Humpty Doo.[34] On 29 August a house was destroyed in a fire that is thought to have been deliberately lit.[9]

Approximately 400,000 ha (990,000 acres) of pastoral country was burnt out by a fire that burnt for over a week. Most of Birrimba Station, a large portion of Dungowan Station, some of Murranjai and a little of Killarney Station were burnt out.[35]

Queensland

October

After several days of above average temperatures, at least 18 fires were ignited by lightning in the Darling Downs Granite belt and Sunshine Coast hinterland regions.[36]

November

Over 12,000 ha (30,000 acres) of forest was burnt out by fires near Ravenshoe, south west of Cairns in the far north of Queensland. The fire threatened about 30 homes but was repelled by fire fighters; a shed and caravan were destroyed.[37]

South Australia

November

A 38-year-old volunteer from the Mount Templeton Country Fire Service brigade dies and two others are injured fighting a fire about 100 kilometres (62 mi) north of Adelaide. The Nantawarra fire burned through about 1,800 ha (4,400 acres) of grassland and scrub after ignition in the header of a machine reaping lentils.[10][11]

December

On 16 December, two fires ignited in the Barossa Valley area. A firefighter was injured while containing a grassfire that burnt through 700 ha (1,700 acres) near Springton. The second fire, near Angaston, burned through 1,400 ha (3,500 acres) and caused extensive damage to the vineyards of Hutton Vale winery, before being extinguished.[38]

January

28 houses, 4 businesses, a boarding kennel and 145 other non-residential structures were destroyed during the Sampson Flat bushfires, which ignited on 2 January in the vicinity of Sampson Flat in the Adelaide Hills and burned through approximately 12,600 hectares (31,000 acres) of scrub, forest, pasture. The fire also had a significant impact on local agricultural industry; 35 ha (86 acres) of vineyards were destroyed and 900 head of livestock died in the fire.[19][20][21] The towns of Cudlee Creek, Gumeracha, Houghton, Kersbrook and Millbrook were threatened by the fire before it was contained on 7 January. Roughly 3,500 firefighters in 1,164 appliances, supported by 25 aircraft, fought the fire on a 240 kilometres (150 mi) perimeter; at least 134 firefighters and civilians suffered injuries, mostly minor, during the 6-day incident.[22][39][40][41]

Victoria

December

On 15 December, a lightning storm ignited 350 fires across the state; at Creightons Creek, south of Euroa, 4 houses were destroyed by the 'Creightons Creek' fire and at Lake Rowan, 1 house was destroyed by the 'Lake Rowan-Warby Ranges' fire. The 'Creightons Creek' fire burned through 5,500 ha (14,000 acres) and caused the death of 1,100 head of livestock and the 'Lake Rowan-Warby Ranges' fire burned through 5,750 ha (14,200 acres) and caused the death of 1,700 head of livestock.[13] A total of 1,400 firefighting personnel fought the 350 fires, which also included a 3,500 ha (8,600 acres) fire at Stewarton, north of Benalla, and a small grassfire that burned to within 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) of West Wodonga.[15]

January

2 houses and 4 farms were destroyed by a fire that ignited 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) north of Moyston township on 2 January, a day of Total Fire Ban. The fire had a significant impact on local agricultural industry; at least 90 farms were damaged—including hundreds of kilometers of fencing—and 3,000 head of livestock died.[16][42][43] Within 5 hours from ignition, the fire had progressed 21 kilometres (13 mi), burned 4,400 ha (11,000 acres) with a 64 kilometres (40 mi) perimeter. The fire caused large plumes of toxic smoke when it burned through over 30,000 tyres on a private property.[44]

Western Australia

September

A large bushfire started 16 September and was finally brought under control 12 days later after burning through 75,000 ha (190,000 acres) of mostly bushland.[45] The fire threatened the town of Tom Price and western portion of Karijini National Park.[46]

November

On 26 November, lightning ignited over a dozen bushfires in the Mid West region, burning out over 6,000 hectares (15,000 acres) of pasture land and causing the evacuation of a primary school and several homes in Eneabba. At Gingin, north of Perth, a house and a shed were also damaged in a bushfire.[47]

January

On 5 January, one house and one vehicle were destroyed at Yallingup by a small 5 hectares (12 acres) bushfire. 72 firefighters took 5 hours to bring the fire under control, and one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion.[23]

Between 8–11 January, one firefighter and one police officer were injured by a fire that burned 6,600 hectares (16,000 acres) around the north Perth suburbs of Bullsbrook, Chittering and Muchea. [48]

On 31 January, one house, several vehicles and a number of sheds were destroyed by a 385 hectares (950 acres) bushfire that had ignited on 29 January and threatened the town of Waroona. A portion of the South Western Highway was closed and over 50 residents were evacuated. Approximately 200 firefighters were required to combat the blaze.[29][30]

February

A fire that had been ignited by lightning near Northcliffe between 29-31 January almost doubled in size from 58,000 hectares (140,000 acres) to 80,000 hectares (200,000 acres) during hot, windy conditions on 4 February, and most residents of the town were evacuated to Pemberton.[24][25] During the 11 day duration of the fire, two homes and five non-residential structures were destroyed and a significant number of livestock perished as the blaze burned over 95,000 hectares (230,000 acres) of scrub, forest and pasture; a natural disaster zone was declared across the region.[26][49]

Another fire that had been ignited by lightning between 29-31 January burned through 52,000 hectares (130,000 acres) of scrub, forest and pasture near Lower Hotham, in Boddington Shire; one house, two sheds, and the 66-year old wooden Long Gully Bridge were destroyed in the blaze.[26][27]

References

  1. ↑ Bryant, Sally (3 September 2014). "NSW bushfire service helps Canada douse record forest fires". Weather Zone. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  2. ↑ Roza, Magdelena (28 May 2014). "It's getting hot in here: how El Nino is messing with the program". Crikey. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  3. ↑ "Queensland storms: 12,000 properties without power following record setting day for October temperatures". ABC News. Australia. 26 October 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  4. ↑ Hughes, Lesley; Fenwick, Jacqui (2015). "Bushfires in Our Own Backyard". The Burning Issue: Climate Change and the Australian Bushfire Threat (PDF). Climate Council of Australia Limited. p. 3. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  5. 1 2 Murphy, Jacqueline, ed. (2015). "A welcome reprieve". Bush Fire Bulletin. New South Wales Rural Fire Service. 37 (2): 4–5. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  6. 1 2 "Media release: Commissioner calls on landholders to take extra care when lighting fires" (PDF). www.rfs.nsw.gov.au. NSW Rural Fire Service. 4 August 2014. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-03-10. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  7. 1 2 "Residents airlifted to safety as bushfire destroys homes". Northern Star. APN Australian Regional Media. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  8. 1 2 "Three homes destroyed by bushfire near Kremnos in northern NSW". Weekly Times. News Corp. AAP. 4 August 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  9. 1 2 Turner, Ellie (12 September 2014). "Rural firebug threat in Darwin real problem". NT News. News Corp. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  10. 1 2 "Farmer dies battling bushfire north of Adelaide". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 31 October 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  11. 1 2 Schriever, Jordanna; McGuire, Michael; Hyde, Ben (31 October 2014). "Firefighter dies from injuries sustained battling bushfire at Nantawarra, north of Port Wakefield". Adelaide Advertiser. News Corp. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  12. ↑ "NSW bushfires: One Blue Mountains home destroyed as crews battle to control blazes; 15yo killed by lightning strike amid heavy statewide storms". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2 November 2014. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  13. 1 2 3 Hillard, Leith. "Lightning storm hits north-east". Brigade. Country Fire Authority. Autumn 2015: 4–5. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  14. ↑ Mills, Tammy; Marissa Calligeros; Aisha Dow; Darren Gray (17 December 2014). "Victoria bushfires claim four homes, residents told to evacuate". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 7 June 2015.
  15. 1 2 Lord, Kathy (18 December 2014). "Victorian fires: Homes destroyed by Creightons Creek, Lake Rowan fires". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Commission. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  16. 1 2 Hillard, Leith (2015). "How did we manage to do all that?". Brigade. Country Fire Authority. Autumn 2015: 6. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  17. ↑ Worthington, Brett (6 January 2015). "Western Victorian farmers coming to terms with Moyston bushfire". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  18. ↑ Conifer, Daniel (1 February 2015). "Prisoners help Victorian farmers recover from bushfires as part of Landmate program". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  19. 1 2 Winter, Caroline (19 January 2015). "CFS investigators examine bushfire impact on homes in the Sampson Flat fire". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  20. 1 2 Dayman, Isabel (31 May 2015). "Sampson Flat bushfire victims still waiting on emergency fund payments". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  21. 1 2 "AFAC Independent Operational Audit - South Australian Fires of January 2015". Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council. April 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
  22. 1 2 Martin, Alison; Stiggants, Russell; Hamilton, Daniel (eds.). "Sampson Flat: The largest fire near Adelaide in 30 years" (PDF). Volunteer. South Australian Country Fire Service. Yearbook: 21. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  23. 1 2 "Home lost in Western Australian bushfire, blazes contained in Yallingup and Bailup". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 6 January 2015. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
  24. 1 2 Powell, Graeme; Bennett, Mark (9 February 2015). "Northcliffe bushfire: Highway remains closed as crews gain upper hand; Walpole still cut off". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 5 June 2015.
  25. 1 2 "WA bushfires: Residents refusing to evacuate told crews will not risk their lives for them". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 5 February 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
  26. 1 2 3 4 Mulcahy, Roslyn, ed. (2015). "When lightning strikes" (PDF). 24seven. Department of Fire and Emergency Services: 16–17. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  27. 1 2 Arnall, Karla (9 February 2015). "Historic Long Gully Bridge destroyed by Lower Hotham fires". ABC Great Southern WA. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  28. ↑ State Emergency Management Committee (2015). Bushfires Review; O'Sullivan and Lower Hotham (PDF). Perth: Government of Western Australia. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  29. 1 2 Mulcahy, Roslyn, ed. (2015). "Waroona saved from blaze" (PDF). 24seven. Department of Fire and Emergency Services: 22. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  30. 1 2 "At least one home destroyed in Waroona bushfire". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 1 February 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2016.
  31. ↑ "Blue Mountains bushfire: Crews fight blaze at Katoomba as total fire ban declared for Sydney, NSW districts". ABC News. Australia. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  32. ↑ "NSW bushfires: One Blue Mountains home destroyed as crews battle to control blazes". ABC News. Australia. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  33. ↑ "Bushfire at Warrimoo in Blue Mountains". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 November 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
  34. ↑ Byrne, Conor (9 August 2014). "Bushfire threatens Humpty Doo properties". NT News. News Corp. Retrieved 8 October 2016.
  35. ↑ Brann, Matt (18 September 2014). "NT cattle stations working together to battle huge bushfire". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  36. ↑ "Queensland heatwave: Crews brace for more bushfires in state's south". ABC News. Australia: Australian Broadcasting Commission. 27 October 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  37. ↑ "Ravenshoe bushfire: 12,000 hectares of bush burned as blaze eases". ABC News. Australia: Australian Broadcasting Commission. 8 November 2014. Retrieved 8 November 2014.
  38. ↑ "Man injured in Barossa Valley bushfire". SBS World News. Australia. 17 December 2014. Retrieved 1 February 2015.
  39. ↑ "Adelaide Hills bushfire: Up to 38 houses destroyed, Kersbrook worst hit". ABC News. Australia. 6 January 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  40. ↑ "Adelaide Hills bushfire: Dogs and cats perish as blaze sweeps through Tea Tree Gully Kennels and Cattery". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  41. ↑ "Bushfire Advice Message: Sampson Flat". SA Country Fire Service. Government of South Australia. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 10 January 2015. 09/01/2015 17:52 Bushfire Advice Message: The CFS is currently monitoring a fire at Sampson Flat in the Mount Lofty Ranges near One Tree Hill, Humbug Scrub, Para Wirra Recreation Park, Mount Crawford, Kersbrook, Gumeracha, Kenton Valley, Cudlee Creek and Inglewood. Although rain has fallen on the fireground there is still the potential for hotpots to reignite. Fire resources and support agencies continue to work in these areas. Whilst some roads have been opened to residents only, the public must remain vigilant for potential or existing hazards. Although this fire does not pose a threat to life or property at this time, people in the area are advised to check and follow their Bushfire Survival Plan and monitor local conditions.
  42. ↑ "Fire at Moyston near Ararat still not under control". The Age. Australia. 2 January 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2015.
  43. ↑ "Moyston bushfire kills more than 1000 sheep in western Victoria". ABC News. Australia: Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 5 January 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  44. ↑ "EPA investigates Moyston tyre stockpile fire". Environment Protection Authority (Victoria). Australia. 9 January 2015. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  45. ↑ "All-clear ends Pilbara bushfire alert". WA Today. 28 September 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  46. ↑ "Pilbara bushfire threatens homes and lives". WA Today. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 1 November 2014.
  47. ↑ de Landgrafft, Tara; Prendergast, Joanna (27 November 2014). "Fires burn across Western Australia". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  48. ↑ Perpitch, Nicolas (11 January 2015). "Firefighters focus on northern flank of Bullsbrook bushfire in WA ahead of expected wind change". ABC News. Australia. Retrieved 11 January 2015.
  49. ↑ Jacob Kagi (6 February 2015). "WA bushfires: Natural disaster zone to be declared in Northcliffe as massive bushfire continues to burn". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
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