2001 Warragamba bushfires

Add links
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

The 2001 Warragamba

Warragamba
, leaving 30 homes and businesses destroyed.

The bushfires in Warragamba were part of the longest official continuous bushfire emergency in NSW taking place between 21 December 2001 and 13 January 2002 and spreading across the state. Most of these fires were caused by

arsonists. The fire behaviour was unusual in many areas due to extreme dryness of fuel and variable winds. The initial destruction in Warragamba and the Hawkesbury River area prompted a natural disaster declaration by the State Government.[1]

On

St. George's Basin and Jervis Bay
were heavily affected by fires caused by stray embers from the main front, with many homes in the area being destroyed.

Many local residents of the townships under threat battled the fires with garden hoses, as there were not enough fire-fighters. One resident, Father John Evans battled to save the local parish church, only to see his own house burn down.[3]

Hundreds of people were forced into an emergency evacuation from Warragamba.[2]

The initial loss of electricity affected 4,500 homes in Warragamba and surrounding areas. The local electricity supplier, Integral Energy estimated the cost in the Warragamba and surrounding areas at 3 million dollars.[4]

On 26 December 2001, the day after the fires swept through the town, Prime Minister

volunteer firefighters.[2]

References

  1. ^ "Most Regions, NSW: Bushfires". www.ema.gov.au. Archived from the original on 22 October 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b c "Wednesday, 26 DEC 2001". Australian Weather News. 26 December 2001. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  3. ^ "Bushfire victims devastated by loss". 7.30 Report. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 27 December 2001. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
  4. ^ http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200112/s448875.htm [dead link]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2001_Warragamba_bushfires&oldid=1163802591"