2012–13 Australian bushfire season

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

2012–13 Australian bushfire season
MODIS
burned area detections from June 2012 to May 2013
Date(s)Late winter (August) 2012 – Autumn (May) 2013
LocationAustralia
Statistics
Burned area>914,760 ha (2,260,400 acres)
Impacts
Deaths4
Non-fatal injuries11
Structures destroyed640+ total
  • 310 houses
  • 330+ non-residential structures

The summer of 2012–13 had above average fire potential for most of the southern half of the continent from the east coast to the west. This is despite having extensive fire in parts of the country over the last 12 months. The reason for this prediction is the abundant grass growth spurred by two

La Niña events over the last two years.[1]

Most parts of the country experienced a

maximum being set on 7 January 2013. The new record of 40.33 °C (105 °F) beat the old record of 40.17 °C (104 °F) that had been set on 21 December 1972. Another record that was beaten in 2013 was Australia's mean temperature, climbing from 31.86 °C (89 °F) set on 21 December 1972 to 32.23 °C (90 °F) on 7 January 2013.[2]

Additionally, six of the 20 hottest days in Australian records (by average maximum) have been in January 2013.

Australia also experienced its hottest summer on average following a particularly hot spell in January. Using average day and night temperatures the average was found to be 28.6 °C (83 °F) beating the previous record set in the summer of 1997–1988.[3] Fourteen of the weather bureau's 112 long term weather stations recorded their hottest days on record including one in Sydney that recorded a daytime record of 46 °C (115 °F). The daytime maximum temperatures for 2012–13 also beat the 1982–83 record. Irrespective, the month of January remained the hottest month since records began in 1910.[4]

Fires of note

State Start date Deaths Injuries Res. houses lost Other structures lost Area (ha) Local govt. Impacted communities Duration Ref.
WA 12 October 2012 1 4 1,000 Albany Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve 5 days [5]
SA 12 November 2012 2 14+ 2,000 Port Lincoln
Tulka
[6][7][8]
Qld 5 December 2012 1 1 750,000 Croydon Croydon [9][10][11]
Tas 4 January 2013 1 193 180+ 20,000 Tasman & Sorell
Boomer Bay, Carlton River, Connelly's Marsh, Copping, Dunalley, Murdunna, Sommers Bay & Taranna
10 days [12][13]
Tas 4 January 2013 8 several 4,900
Glamorgan-Spring Bay
Bicheno
& Half Moon Bay
5 days [12]
NSW 6 January 2013 4 several 12,300 Snowy Monaro Kybeyan Valley & Yarrabin 12 days [14][15]
Vic
8 January 2013 2 9 several 1,300
Pyrenees
Burrumbeet, Chepstowe, Carngham & Snake Valley
[16][17]
NSW 13 January 2013 53 113 55,200 Gilgandra, Coonamble & Warrumbungle Belar Creek, Bulgaldie & Coonabarabran 41 days [18][19][20][21]
Vic
17 January 2013 1 21 several 87,000 Wellington
Coongulla, Newry & Seaton
43 days [22][23][24]
Vic
21 January 2013 2 36,400 Alpine
Harrietville
[25][26]
WA 14 February 2013 2 several 100
Donnybrook-Balingup
Greenbushes
, Hester Brook, Maranup & Southampton
[27][28]
1 1 several 1,300 Manjimup Kin Kin [29][30]
WA 22 February 2013 1 several 9,400 Boddington
Quindanning
[31]
Vic
27 March 2013 4 16 18 1,300 Golden Plains
Mount Mercer
[32][33][34]
SA 9 May 2013 2 1 several 650 Adelaide Hills Cherryville [35][36]

Fires by state or territory

New South Wales

Catastrophic fire danger ratings were observed in the

Bombala, Condobolin, Hay, Nowra and Wagga Wagga fire regions on 8 January and in Coonamble on 13 January. Sydney also recorded its hottest day at 45.8 °C (114.4 °F) on 18 January.[37]

December

On 16 December, a grass fire ignited along Geegulalong Rd., 9 km (5.6 mi) east of the community of Murringo. The fire burnt over 3,400 ha (8,400 acres) of grassland, destroyed 15 km (9.3 mi) of fencing and 500 head of livestock died.[38]

January

During the first week of January, several dozen fires were ignited across southern regions of the state by lightning strikes; the Greater Hume, Hilltops, Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys, Wagga Wagga local government areas were affected.[39][40][41]

On 6 January, a fire was reported to have ignited along Mount Forrest Road, Cooma, following lightning activity in the region. The fire made a significant run under the influence of westerly winds gusting at up to 120 km/h (75 mph) on 8 January. During a 13-day period, the fire burned 12,335 ha (30,480 acres) of scrub, forest and pasture in and around the Kybeyan State Conservation Area and impacted on properties within the Kybeyan Valley; 4 houses, 18 vehicles and 200 km (120 mi) of fencing were destroyed and 2,000 head of livestock died.[14]

On 7 January, a fast moving grass fire ignited near the village of

Erickson Air-Crane—and four heavy plant equipment were used to try to contain the fire. Approximately 800 ha (2,000 acres) of scrub, forest and pasture were burned, one vehicle was destroyed and a firefighter suffered minor injuries after being over-run by the fire in a firefighting tanker.[42][43]

On 8 January, a fire ignited around Bald Hill, approximately 8 km (5.0 mi) east of Jugiong, during temperatures of 42 °C (108 °F) and winds gusting to 80 km/h (50 mph). During a four-day, period, the fire burned 14,260 ha (35,200 acres) of scrub, forest and pasture and impacted on the communities of Berremangra, Bookham, Childowla, Talmo and Woolgarlo; although no houses were destroyed, a number of sheds and 1,200 km (750 mi) of fencing were destroyed and 10,200 head of livestock died.[44]

On 12 January, a fire ignited near the Wambelong campground, on the north side of the John Renshaw Parkway and within the

relative humidity at 10% with winds to be north to north-westerly at 50 km/h (31 mph) gusting to 80 km/h (50 mph).[19] At Coonabarabran Research Station, some 20 km (12 mi) from the point of ignition, a relative humidity of 28% was observed at 15:00 AEDT, and a "fresh gale" strength wind gust of 65 km/h (40 mph) from the north was recorded at 12:13 AEDT.[45]

In the hours after midday the fire spotted across John Renshaw Parkway and breached the containment line, burning with flames of up to 33 m (108 ft) and impacting upon the Warrumbungle Visitors Centre, where a number of

pyrocumulonimbus cloud formed above the blaze, creating unpredictable winds, intense spotting and other extreme meteorological conditions; the fire burned to the east, along Timor Rd., burning to within 13 km (8.1 mi) of Coonabarabran township.[19] A southerly wind change passed through the fire ground some time after 18:00 AEDT, causing hot ash and embers to fall in Baradine, 50 km (31 mi) north of Coonabarabran, throughout the night and prompting the Baradine local hospital to secure the windows with damp towels to prevent the entry of smoke and ash.[19]

Over a 41-day period, the fire burned 55,210 ha (136,400 acres) of pasture, scrub and forest—including 95 percent of the

Warrumbungles National Park—and impacted the communities of Bugaldie, Coonabarabran, Goorianawa, Quanda, Tonderburine and Warrumbungle; a hotel, three buildings at the Siding Spring Observatory, 53 houses, 130 other non-residential structures and 1,700 km (1,100 mi) of fencing were destroyed and 1,100 head of livestock died in the fire.[19][48]

November

On 11 November, a fire ignited on private property west of Sleaford Mere, near Port Lincoln. The fire ultimately burned 1,800 ha (4,400 acres) of scrub, grassland and pasture and impacted the community of Tulka; 14 cabins on the foreshore at Sleaford Mere, 2 homes, a caravan, a campervan, several sheds and four other vehicles were destroyed and 300 head of livestock died.[8]

January

On 4 February, a fire ignited near

firefighting aircraft. Approximately 300 ha (740 acres) of crops, farmland and vineyards were burned by the fire and a 1 km (0.62 mi) portion of rail tracks for the Steam Ranger was destroyed.[49]

May

On 9 May, a private burn-off north of

Country Fire Service volunteers and four aerial water bombers took three days to contain the fire, assisted by rain on the evening of the third day. The fire burned at least 670 ha (1,700 acres) of scrub and pasture and impacted the community of Cherryville; one house and two sheds were destroyed and two firefighters were treated for minor injuries.[35] The fire was notable in that it occurred outside the fire-ban season, leading to calls that the season should be extended.[36]


Tasmania

Fires in Tasmania 2013

Victoria

Between 1 October and 4 March, the Country Fire Authority attended 539 bush and grass fires larger than 1 ha (2.5 acres).[51]

January

On 8 January, a farmer's

caravan park. During a 5 km (3.1 mi) run from the point of ignition, the fire burned 1,300 ha (3,200 acres) of scrub, grassland and pasture and impacted upon the communities of Burrumbeet, Carngham, Chepstowe and Snake Valley; The historic 120-year-old Carngham Station and 8 other houses, 12 cars and tractors, a number of sheds, and vineyards at Chepstowe Vineyard were destroyed and 800 head of livestock died. At least 6 people required medical attention as a result of the fire, 2 for minor burns and 4 for smoke inhalation.[17][52][53]

On 17 January, a fire ignited in bushland in the Donnelly Creek Rd. area, near

Heyfield, Licola, Newry and Seaton; 21 houses, 17 vehicles, a number of sheds and caravans were destroyed.[24][62]

On 21 January, lightning ignited a fire in the vicinity of

Harrietville and within the Alpine National Park. By 8 February, windy conditions had caused the fire to grow to 14,000 ha (35,000 acres) and burn to within 50 m (160 ft) of homes near Mount Hotham[63][64] On 13 February, two fire fighters from the Department of Sustainability and Environment were killed after a tree fell on a vehicle they were in while fighting the fire in the Buckland Valley.[65] The 30 m (98 ft) tall tree fell during the passage of a storm cell over the area in the mid-afternoon; a decision not to evacuate the fire ground for the possibility of falling trees was heavily criticized.[66] On 27 February, the fire was declared contained after burning 36,400 ha (90,000 acres) of public and private land during a 55-day period.[67]

February

On 14 February, lightning ignited a number of fires in the Victoria Valley, approximately 30 km (19 mi) north-east of Hamilton, and the fires burned into the south-west of the Grampians National Park.[68] Several of these fires would merge on 18 February, creating a 3,260 ha (8,100 acres) fire complex and threatening properties in the Mirranatwa community.[69][70] By 21 February, the Victoria Valley Complex fire had burned 25,000 ha (62,000 acres) and threatened the areas Woohlpooer and Mooralla.[71] 300 firefighters, supported by 14 aircraft, attended to the blaze.[72] On 27 February the fire was declared contained, after burning through 35,875 ha (88,650 acres) and destroying 3 sheds, 130 kilometres of fencing, 65 hectares (161 acres) of hardwood forest and 30 tonnes of hay and causing the deaths of 60 head of livestock.[68]

On 18 February, a fire ignited in grass along Donnybrook Rd.,

hay bales were destroyed and one house damaged.[73]

March

On 27 March, a suspicious fire ignited in dense scrub along Ferrers Rd.,

appliances attended the blaze and 4 firefighters required hospital treatment for minor burns and smoke inhalation.[34][75]

Western Australia

---

August

Northern Territory

A bushfire burnt out a large area of pasture at Newcastle Waters Station on 20 August when a car caught fire on the Stuart Highway, the fire to the east of the highway was extinguished but the area to the west was controlled by station workers to keep it away from stock. The fire eventually came to Lake Longreach within the station where it burnt out in the damp conditions.[76]

September

Queensland

Fire crews battled blazes on the

arsonists.[77]
It was brought under control later the following day after three houses were evacuated and 15 square kilometres (3,707 acres) of bushland were burnt out.

New South Wales

Fire broke out in the Awabakal Nature reserve between Dudley and Redhead 24 September. During the course of the day the fire consumed 140 hectares (346 acres) of bushland and was brought under control the following day following rain in the area.[78]

Northern Territory

Two fires were burning in the

West MacDonnell Ranges on 4 September as was a larger fire about 20 kilometres (12 mi) north of Curtin Springs Station, the Lasseter Highway had to be closed in the area due to the resulting smoke hazard.[79]

Western Australia

In 2012 a fire was burning for three days near Madura Station covering the Eyre Highway in smoke. Over 300 hectares (741 acres) of bushland was consumed by the blaze.[80]

October

Queensland

Huge fires consumed over 1,100,000 acres (445,154 ha) of grasslands in gulf area.[81] Graziers were left with very little feed left for 50,000–60,000 head of cattle in the area and the historic Croydon -Esmeralda Homestead that dated back to the 1800s was also burnt to the ground.

New South Wales

Five bushfires were burning simultaneously in the Singleton area in late October including one in the Pokolbin State forest.[82]

Northern Territory

Dry storms caused the outbreak of hundreds of fires in the border region of the Northern Territory and Western Australia over a week between 14 and 23 October. Affected areas included

Kings Creek lost similar amounts.[citation needed
]

Western Australia

A bush fire broke out on private land near Two Peoples Bay on 12 October[85] and a team of about 20 fire-fighters arrived to combat the blaze.[86] Following a sudden change in wind direction a track carrying two of the fire crew was engulfed in flames.[87] The two women, both females, received terrible burns. The 45-year-old woman received burns to 60% of her body was admitted to hospital in critical condition and the 24-year-old had burns to 40% of her body and was also critical but stable. Both women were transferred from Albany via the Royal Flying Doctor Service to Perth.[88] Three other fire crew were injured, a second truck was burnt out and over 1,000 hectares (2,500 acres) of bushland were burnt before the fire was contained later the same day. The older woman, Wendy Bearfoot, died in Royal Perth Hospital 1 November as a result of her injuries, a WorkSafe investigation was launched to investigate the circumstances.[89]

November

New South Wales

Properties were threatened by a bushfire at

Lake Macquarie
on 1 November. The fire burnt out over 200 hectares (494 acres) of bushland and was eventually contained by 120 members of the Rural Fire Service the following day.[90]

Two fires broke out in the Upper

Bunnan had burned out 120 hectares (297 acres). Both were under control on 26 November.[91]

Northern Territory

Two large fires resulted in large areas of bushland being burnt. The fires were burning uncontrollably on 19 November, one east of

Tennant Creek and another on Yambah Station about 60 kilometres (37 mi) north of Alice Springs. Both fires were monitored and some back burning was done in an effort to control the blazes.[92]

South Australia

Seven houses were lost along with sheds and vehicles on 11 November in a fire that swept through 2,000 hectares (4,942 acres) of land at Tulka near Port Lincoln.[93] Lightning strikes caused over 100 fires to ignite around the state on 20 November. Fires on the Eyre Peninsula were the most difficult with one fire advancing to within 7 kilometres (4 mi) of Port Lincoln. A number of residents evacuated their homes after 500 hectares (1,236 acres) of bush was lost despite the efforts of 120 fire-fighters and five waterbombers used to combat the blaze.[94] The following day a further 31,591 lightning strikes initiated a further 300 fires, 600 volunteers worked overnight to extinguish the majority of fires. The Port Lincoln fire continued to burn consuming a total of 1,700 hectares (4,201 acres) of scrub.[95]

Tasmania

Several fires erupted in late November, including a major fire at Forcett, in which 11 firefighters were evacuated with injuries after a wind change.[96][97] There were other fires, such as the one at Glenlusk on the outskirts of Hobart and another major fire at Poatina in the Central Lakes district. The fire at Forcett was rapidly brought under control, while the one at Glenlusk posed serious danger to houses and farms (and actually destroyed several vehicles and shacks).[97] The fire at Poatina Road in the Central Lakes District was burning out of control two weeks later[98] and was only brought under control in the middle of January.[99]

Victoria

A huge blaze broke out near Casterton on 21 November and quickly burnt out over 4,000 hectares (9,884 acres) bushland. Fire crews employed back burns to create control lines around the fire, which was extinguished a few days later.[100]

December

Queensland

A fire broke out on North Stradbroke Island, off Brisbane on 8 December. By 10 December several properties had been lost to the fire at Myora Springs.[101] Several other fires were burning around the state including two west of Brisbane and another near Ipswich.

New South Wales

On 16 December, a grass fire broke out 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) east of the village of Murringo. The fire burnt over 3,400 hectares (8,402 acres) of grassland, 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) of fencing and killed 500 sheep.[38]

South Australia

A bushfire started 23 December about 18 kilometres (11 mi) south west from Padthaway and burned out over 5,000 hectares (12,355 acres) of scrub and grassland.

Victoria

The town of

Edenhope. This was one of 35 fires that started 23 and 24 December around the state.[102]

January

Smoke and flames from the Oura fire visible from the city of Wagga Wagga
Northern Territory fire 2013

Northern Territory

During the course of a heat wave several fires broke out in the Northern Territory. One fire that originated in the Watarrka National Park spread into the Kings Canyon resort on 8 January causing damage and leading to the evacuation of 120 staff and guests. A second fire at Napperby station had burnt through 200 square kilometres (77 sq mi) with 50 feet (15 m) flames jumping containment lines.[103]

Tasmania

Smoke plume from the Copping/Forcett fire

Several large bushfires started on the afternoon of 3 January, including blazes at Lake Repulse, Richmond and Inala Rd, Forcett.

Primrose Sands and Dunalley.[106][107] At least one hundred buildings, including 10 in Copping and 65 in Dunalley were destroyed.[108]
The fire spread towards the Forestier and Tasman Peninsulas, threatening the townships of Murdunna and Eaglehawk Neck.[109][110]

Meanwhile, another major fire burned to the north of Hobart at Lake Repulse, threatening the communities of Elendale, Ouse and Meadowbank, it was also expected that the communities of Hamilton and Lawrenny would be impacted by 6am on the morning of 6 January.[107]

South Australia

Temperatures soared to 43.8 °C (111 °F) near Finniss, south of Adelaide, shortly before a bushfire broke out on 4 January. About 300 hectares (741 acres) of crops, farmland and vineyards were destroyed by the fire along with a portion of rail tracks for the Steam Ranger until it was brought under control by 60 fire fighters and waterbombers.[111]

Victoria

A fire broke out in Kentbruck in the southwest of the state on 4 January. It had covered 7,050 hectares (17,421 acres) by 8 January, posing a threat to the nearby communities of

Drik Drik and Dartmoor.[112] On 8 January a 1,300 hectares (3,212 acres) fire to the west of Ballarat swept through the localities of Snake Valley, Chepstowe and Carngham destroying nine homes including the historic homestead Carngham Station.[113][114]

On 17 January a fire began in bushland in the Donnelly Creek Road area near

Heyfield, Newry and Seaton. 22 houses were destroyed as well as a number of dwellings at Glenmaggie Caravan Park.[58][59] On 18 January, it was announced the body of a man was found in his burnt out vehicle in Seaton.[61] By 30 January the fire had burnt out a total area of 75,000 hectares (185,329 acres).[58]

Western Australia

A fire broke out in the

quad-bike being used to spray weeds by a contractor on 29 January at the Benger Swamp reserve south of Harvey. Over 300 hectares (741 acres) of scrub was burned before it was brought under control.[116]

A bushfire near Carnarvon was burning on the north eastern side of town on 28 January. The fire burnt out of control with strong winds starting spot fires among the banana plantations.[117] The blaze was controlled a day later but not before 1,400 hectares (3,459 acres) of bushland destroying 20 derelict buildings and sheds, but leaving the plantations with only minor damage.[118]

February

Tasmania

On 10 February 13 bushfires were burning across the state. The largest of these, at Molesworth to the north-west of Hobart, had burnt more than 1,900 hectares (4,695 acres), destroying sheds, cars and a caravan.[119]

Victoria

On 8 February a bushfire fanned by strong winds came within 50 metres (160 ft) of homes near

Harrietville, had increased in size to approximately 14,000 hectares (34,595 acres).[63][64]

On 13 February, two fire fighters from the Department of Sustainability and Environment were killed after a tree fell on a vehicle they were in, while fighting the Harrietville fire, which has burnt 27,000 hectares (66,718 acres) of bushland.[120] The fire ended up burning for 55 days in total and destroyed 37,000 hectares (91,429 acres) of public and private land.[67]

A large fire started in Donnybrook on 18 February.[121] The grassfire became an out of control blaze, burning approximately 2,040 hectares (5,041 acres) as it headed south from Donnybrook towards the northern suburbs of Melbourne. 170 firefighters in 40 trucks battled the flames on a hot and gusty day.[121]

Western Australia

A bushfire broke out under suspicious circumstances[122] in the outer suburb of Pink Lake in Esperance on 4 February. 50 firefighters and two fixed wing waterbombers were required to contain the blaze.[123] The fire burnt through an area of over 500 hectares (1,236 acres) and one home was destroyed in the blaze.[124]

Another fire broke on 5 February out near Boddington and burnt out of control destroying a cottage. An area over 800 hectares (1,977 acres) was burnt out before the fire was contained.[122]

Fires broke out south east of

Darling Range through thick forest with a scattering of houses.[125]

Another fire started 13 February near the Blackwood River near Southampton and then burnt out of control through the surrounding forest before destroying two homes, including the historic Southampton Homestead, and 1,700 hectares (4,201 acres) near Bridgetown.[126]

More fires broke out 15 February including one north of

Australind near Leschenault that threatened homes and properties. Another further south near Kin Kin which had started earlier in the week from lightning strikes had burnt through 1,232 hectares (3,044 acres) of bushland. Human remains were found in a shack in Kin Kin on 15 February.[127]

Bindoon on 21 February and quickly burnt through 2,000 hectares (4,942 acres) of bushland pushed by strong winds and threatening nearby homes. The blaze was brought under control the following day when favourable weather conditions prevailed.[128]

A volunteer fire-fighter was killed on 22 February while cleaning up after a fire in

Quindanning about 160 kilometres (99 mi) south east of Perth. The man was hit by a falling branch and was taken to hospital where he was pronounced as dead on arrival.[129]

Fires threatened homes in

Upper Swan on 26 February before being brought under control by over 70 fire-fighters. Residents were evacuated as the blaze consumed 150 hectares (371 acres) of bushland.[130]

More fires started on 28 February at Shady Hills in

Bullsbrook and the western end of Walyunga National Park. Over 200 fire-fighters were required to bring the blaze under control by the following day, but not before the blaze burned out over 1,500 hectares (3,707 acres)[131] of bushland.[132]

March

Victoria

On 27 March, a bushfire at

Dereel, south of Ballarat destroyed 16 houses and 18 sheds. Four firefighters required hospital treatment for minor burns and smoke inhalation. The fire, which covered 1,300 hectares (3,212 acres), was brought under control in the evening.[133]

May

South Australia

On 9 May, a private burn-off north of

Country Fire Service volunteers and four aerial water bombers took three days to contain the fire, assisted by rain on the evening of the third day. One house and two sheds were destroyed, with the fire burning 670 hectares (1,700 acres) of scrub and farmland. Two firefighters were treated for minor injuries.[35] The fire was notable in that it occurred outside the fire-ban season, leading to calls that the season should be extended.[36]

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