Five years on from 2019-20 fires
21 November marks the day that the 2019-2020 fire campaign commenced with the declaration of a Code Red fire danger rating for the Mallee and Northern Country, as well as a statewide Total Fire Ban.
What followed was an exhausting three-month fire response that led to the tragic loss of five lives, along with 400 homes, 6,800 livestock and more than 1.5 million hectares of land.
Known as “Black Summer”, the season started in Victoria when lightning storms caused more than 50 fires on 22 November. The majority of these fires were contained within a day and no homes or lives were lost.
Across Australia, the effects of heatwave and prolonged dry conditions fuelled numerous intense, widespread and fast burning fires.
The most significant fire activity in Victoria occurred in Gippsland and Hume regions in late December after dry lightning strikes in East Gippsland started three major fires.
By New Year’s Eve, the Talmalmo fire from NSW had entered Victoria, and challenging and complex fires had started. Many communities and townships were threatened and impacted, including Sarsfield, Buchan, Mallacoota and Corryong.
With Mallacoota effectively cut off, a massive multi-agency logistical effort was undertaken including the largest ever domestic maritime operation by the Australia Defence Force which moved personnel and essential supplies in and out of affected areas, as well as performing evacuations of communities via boat and helicopter.
A State of Disaster was declared by the Victorian Government on 2 January and 63,000 people heeded advice to leave the areas. Significant smoke in the affected areas impacted human health and caused the grounding of many aircraft used to move fire and emergency management crews around the state.
The fires were declared contained on 28 February, marking 90 days of tireless work by our members and fellow agencies to manage the more than 3,500 fires that broke out during the campaign
More than 8,200 CFA staff and volunteers rose to the challenge and responded to the fires in Victoria’s time of need, while more than 2,280 CFA members were deployed to fires interstate. Our members performed tasks on both the fireground and behind the scenes as peer support workers and arranging logistics and supplies.
Many CFA brigades were directly impacted by the raging fires that burned in their local areas, threatening their people, properties, animals and communities. Some lost their own homes and livestock as they fought to save those of others.
We will forever remember and recognise the professionalism and hard work of our members.
Watch CFA's reflections on 2019-20 fires
As last weekend’s fire demonstrated, our members can expect to be called on again this summer, with a heightened fire risk in many parts of the state.
We urge you all to be prepared, look out for each other and stay safe this season.
Greg Leach AFSM, CEO
Jason Heffernan, Chief Officer
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CEO Greg Leach AFSM and Chief Officer Jason Heffernan |