2014–15 Australian bushfire season

none November 2014 June 2020 2014–15 Australian bushfire season File:2014-15 Australian Bushfire season MODIS overview.png NASA MODIS burned area detections from June 2014 to May 2015 Australia Winter (June) 2014 – Autumn (May) 2015 1 CFS volunteer firefighter 139 210+ total 48 houses 160+ non-residential structures true 2013–14 Australian bushfire season 2015–16 Australian bushfire season The bushfire season in the summer of 2014–15, 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.http://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/nsw-bushfire-service-helps-canada-douse-record-forest-fires/133553 NSW bushfire service helps Canada douse record forest fires Bryant, Sally 3 September 2014 1 November 2014 Weather Zone 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 so far and only had one fifth of the average rainfall in May. Adelaide recorded sixteen consecutive days of 20 C F in May 2014.http://www.crikey.com.au/2014/05/28/its-getting-hot-in-here-how-el-nino-is-messing-with-the-program/?wpmp_switcher=mobile It's getting hot in here: how El Nino is messing with the program Roza, Magdelena 28 May 2014 1 November 2014 Crikey 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 F, St George with 42.6 C F, Amberley with 41.3 C F and Roma with 41.6 C F.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-27/queensland-hit-by-heat-wave/5844506 Queensland storms: 12,000 properties without power following record setting day for October temperatures 26 October 2014 2 November 2014 ABC News Australia 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.Hughes Lesley Fenwick Jacqui The Burning Issue: Climate Change and the Australian Bushfire Threat 2015 Climate Council of Australia Limited 3 https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/uploads/df9df4b05bc1673ace5142c3445149a4.pdf 8 October 2016 Bushfires in Our Own Backyard 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 & KempseyKremnos 4 daysMurphy Jacqueline A welcome reprieve Bush Fire Bulletin 2015 37 2 4–5 http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-291211381/view?partId=nla.obj-305610298 7 October 2016 New South Wales Rural Fire ServiceMedia release: Commissioner calls on landholders to take extra care when lighting fires http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/24801/140804-Hazard-reduction-media-release.pdf 27 April 2016 www.rfs.nsw.gov.au NSW Rural Fire Service 4 August 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20160310145335/http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0015/24801/140804-Hazard-reduction-media-release.pdf 10 March 2016 liveResidents airlifted to safety as bushfire destroys homes http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/residents-airlifted-safety-bushfire-destroys-homes/2338707/ 8 June 2015 Northern Star APN Australian Regional Media 4 August 2014Three homes destroyed by bushfire near Kremnos in northern NSW http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/three-homes-destroyed-by-bushfire-near-kremnos-in-northern-nsw/news-story/50870f210e2d39c6c66433fcd77713dc 27 April 2016 Weekly Times AAP News Corp. 4 August 2014 NT 29 August 2014 1 LitchfieldHoward Springs Turner Ellie Rural firebug threat in Darwin real problem http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/rural-fibug-threat-in-darwin-real-problem/news-story/4dad206911309b1dc57743aacb4d435a 7 October 2016 NT News News Corp 12 September 2014 SA 31 October 2014 1 2 1,800 WakefieldNantawarra & Port Wakefield Farmer dies battling bushfire north of Adelaide http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-31/farmer-dies-battling-bushfire-north-of-adelaide/5857442 5 June 2015 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 31 October 2014Schriever Jordanna McGuire Michael Hyde Ben Firefighter dies from injuries sustained battling bushfire at Nantawarra, north of Port Wakefield http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/firefighter-dies-from-injuries-sustained-battling-bushfire-at-nantawarra-north-of-port-wakefield/news-story/f828d606de5e424c7eb02b7144c22d1a 8 October 2016 Adelaide Advertiser News Corp 31 October 2014 NSW 1 November 2014 1 6 Blue MountainsKatoomba 2 daysNSW bushfires: One Blue Mountains home destroyed as crews battle to control blazes; 15yo killed by lightning strike amid heavy statewide storms http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-01/blue-mountains-home-destroyed-by-bushfire-storms-hit-sydney/5860116 19 January 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 2 November 2014 VIC 15 December 2014 4 several 5,500 StrathbogieCreightons Creek, Gooram & Longwood 3 daysHillard Leith Lightning storm hits north-east Brigade Autumn 2015 4–5 https://asp-au.secure-zone.net/v2/index.jsp?id=666/730/6866&lng=en 27 December 2015 Country Fire AuthorityMills Tammy Marissa Calligeros Aisha Dow Darren Gray Victoria bushfires claim four homes, residents told to evacuate http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/victoria-bushfires-claim-four-homes-residents-told-to-evacuate-20141217-128rjd.html 7 June 2015 Sydney Morning Herald 17 December 2014 VIC 15 December 2014 1 several 5,750 MoiraLake Rowan Lord Kathy Victorian fires: Homes destroyed by Creightons Creek, Lake Rowan fires http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-17/creightons-creek-residents-evacuated-as-bushfire-precaution/5971932 8 October 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Commission 18 December 2014 VIC 1 January 2015 2 4 5,000 AraratMoyston 2 daysWorthington Brett Western Victorian farmers coming to terms with Moyston bushfire http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-06/moyston-fire-fodder/6002026 10 June 2015 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 6 January 2015Conifer Daniel Prisoners help Victorian farmers recover from bushfires as part of Landmate program http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-01/prisoners-help-victorian-farmers-recover-bushfires-landmate/6060376 10 June 2015 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 1 February 2015 SA 2 January 2015 134 28 150 12,500 Adelaide HillsCudlee Creek, Gumeracha, Humbug Scrub, Kersbrook & Lower HermitageWinter Caroline CFS investigators examine bushfire impact on homes in the Sampson Flat fire http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-19/fire-research-sampson-flat/6025362 10 June 2015 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 19 January 2015Dayman Isabel Sampson Flat bushfire victims still waiting on emergency fund payments http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-31/sampson-flat-bushfire-victims-still-waiting-on-emergency-fund/6510182 5 June 2015 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 31 May 2015AFAC Independent Operational Audit – South Australian Fires of January 2015 http://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/public/download.jsp?id=84350 27 December 2015 Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council April 2015Martin Alison Stiggants Russell Hamilton Daniel Sampson Flat: The largest fire near Adelaide in 30 years Volunteer Yearbook 21 http://www.fire-brigade.asn.au/about-sacfs-history/publications/volunteer/The%20Volunteer%20Yearbook%202015.pdf 29 December 2015 South Australian Country Fire Service WA 5 January 2015 1 1 5 BusseltonYallingupHome lost in Western Australian bushfire, blazes contained in Yallingup and Bailup http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-05/fire-burning-in-mundaring-and-yallingup/6001438 29 April 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 6 January 2015 WA 29 January 2015 2 5 95,000 ManjimupNorthcliffe 11 daysPowell Graeme Bennett Mark Northcliffe bushfire: Highway remains closed as crews gain upper hand; Walpole still cut off http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-09/highway-remains-closed-firefightes-battle-northcliffe-bushfire/6079310 5 June 2015 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 9 February 2015WA bushfires: Residents refusing to evacuate told crews will not risk their lives for them http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-04/house-destroyed-northcliffe-windy-harbour-evacuated-bushfire/6068256 10 June 2015 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 5 February 2015Mulcahy Roslyn When lightning strikes 24seven 2015 16–17 http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/newsandmedia/24seven/24seven/DFES-24seven-2015.pdf 29 December 2015 Department of Fire and Emergency Services 5 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160305180117/http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/newsandmedia/24seven/24seven/DFES-24seven-2015.pdf dead WA 29 January 2015 1 1 52,000 BoddingtonLower Hotham 2 daysArnall Karla Historic Long Gully Bridge destroyed by Lower Hotham fires http://www.abc.net.au/local/photos/2015/02/09/4176564.htm 19 January 2016 ABC Great Southern WA Australian Broadcasting Corporation 9 February 2015State Emergency Management Committee Bushfires Review; O'Sullivan and Lower Hotham 2015 Government of Western Australia Perth https://www.semc.wa.gov.au/Documents/Resources/Reports%20and%20Reviews/O'Sullivan%20Lower%20Hotham%20Review%20Report%20-%20February%202016.pdf 7 October 2016September 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes WA 29 January 2015 1 400 WaroonaWaroona 2 daysMulcahy Roslyn Waroona saved from blaze 24seven 2015 22 http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/newsandmedia/24seven/24seven/DFES-24seven-2015.pdf 29 December 2015 Department of Fire and Emergency Services 5 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160305180117/http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/newsandmedia/24seven/24seven/DFES-24seven-2015.pdf deadAt least one home destroyed in Waroona bushfire http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-31/emergency-warning-for-bushfire-at-waroona-western-australia/6059250 19 January 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 1 February 2015 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 9500 ha on 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. A number of these fires were caused by escaped private hazard reduction burns. 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.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-01/water-bombers-fight-bushfire-at-katoomba-fire-ban-sydney/5859616 Blue Mountains bushfire: Crews fight blaze at Katoomba as total fire ban declared for Sydney, NSW districts 1 November 2014 1 November 2014 ABC News Australia One house was destroyed and a second house damaged along Cliff Drive after 60 people were evacuated from the area.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-01/blue-mountains-home-destroyed-by-bushfire-storms-hit-sydney/5860116 NSW bushfires: One Blue Mountains home destroyed as crews battle to control blazes 1 November 2014 1 November 2014 ABC News Australia More fires started in 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.http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/bushfire-at-warrimoo-in-blue-mountains-20141114-3kcmc.html Bushfire at Warrimoo in Blue Mountains 14 November 2014 15 November 2014 The Sydney Morning Herald Northern Territory August & September Throughout both months, a series of small, suspicious bushfires burned through at least 1200 ha on and threatened many properties around Howard Springs and Humpty Doo.Byrne Conor Bushfire threatens Humpty Doo properties http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/bushfire-threatens-humpty-doo-properties/news-story/aa07250cbbbd6b097e63efd844ec9216 8 October 2016 NT News News Corp 9 August 2014 On 29 August a house was destroyed in a fire that is thought to have been deliberately lit. Approximately 400000 ha on 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.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-17/nt-cattle-stations-working-together-to-fight-bushfire/5751172 NT cattle stations working together to battle huge bushfire Brann, Matt 18 September 2014 8 December 2014 ABC News Australia 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.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-28/crews-brace-for-more-bushfires-in-queensland-heatwave/5846992 Queensland heatwave: Crews brace for more bushfires in state's south 27 October 2014 2 November 2014 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Commission Australia November Over 12000 ha on 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.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-08/bushfire-at-ravenshoe-in-far-north-queensland-eases/5876868 Ravenshoe bushfire: 12,000 hectares of bush burned as blaze eases 8 November 2014 8 November 2014 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Commission Australia 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 km mi north of Adelaide. The Nantawarra fire burned through about 1800 ha on of grassland and scrub after ignition in the header of a machine reaping lentils. 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 on near Springton. The second fire, near Angaston, burned through 1400 ha on and caused extensive damage to the vineyards of Hutton Vale winery, before being extinguished.http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/12/17/man-injured-barossa-valley-bushfire Man injured in Barossa Valley bushfire 17 December 2014 1 February 2015 SBS World News Australia January 2015 Sampson Flat bushfires A total of 28 houses, 4 businesses, 1 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 12600 ha acre of scrub, forest, pasture. The fire also had a significant impact on local agricultural industry; 35 ha on of vineyards were destroyed and 900 head of livestock died in the fire. 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 km mi perimeter; at least 134 firefighters and civilians suffered injuries, mostly minor, during the 6-day incident.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-06/up-to-38-houses-destroyed-by-sa-bushfires/6002952 Adelaide Hills bushfire: Up to 38 houses destroyed, Kersbrook worst hit 6 January 2015 2 February 2015 ABC News AustraliaAdelaide Hills bushfire: Dogs and cats perish as blaze sweeps through Tea Tree Gully Kennels and Cattery http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-04/dogs-cats-perish-adelaide-bushfire-tea-tree-gully-kennel-cattery/5999128 8 January 2015 ABC News Australiahttp://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/site/home/criimson/advice_message_sampson_flat_issued_09_jan_1753.jsp Bushfire Advice Message: Sampson Flat SA Country Fire Service Government of South Australia 10 January 2015 9 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. 16 January 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150116111310/http://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/site/home/criimson/advice_message_sampson_flat_issued_09_jan_1753.jsp dead 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 5500 ha on and caused the death of 1,100 head of livestock and the 'Lake Rowan-Warby Ranges' fire burned through 5750 ha on and caused the death of 1,700 head of livestock. A total of 1,400 firefighting personnel fought the 350 fires, which also included a 3500 ha on fire at Stewarton, north of Benalla, and a small grassfire that burned to within 6 km mi of West Wodonga. January Two houses and four farms were destroyed by a fire that ignited 3 km 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.Hillard Leith How did we manage to do all that? Brigade Autumn 2015 2015 6 https://asp-au.secure-zone.net/v2/index.jsp?id=666/730/6866&lng=en 8 October 2016 Country Fire Authorityhttp://www.theage.com.au/victoria/fire-at-moyston-near-ararat-still-not-under-control-20150102-12guwj.html Fire at Moyston near Ararat still not under control 2 January 2015 9 February 2015 The Age AustraliaMoyston bushfire kills more than 1000 sheep in western Victoria http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-05/moyston-western-victoria-bushfires/5999480 9 February 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation Australia 5 January 2015 Within 5 hours from ignition, the fire had progressed 21 km mi, burned 4400 ha on with a 64 km mi perimeter. The fire caused large plumes of toxic smoke when it burned through over 30,000 tyres on a private property.EPA investigates Moyston tyre stockpile fire http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-us/news-centre/news-and-updates/news/2015/january/09/epa-investigates-moyston-tyre-stockpile-fire 9 February 2016 Environment Protection Authority (Victoria) Australia 9 January 2015 16 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160216043938/http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-us/news-centre/news-and-updates/news/2015/january/09/epa-investigates-moyston-tyre-stockpile-fire dead Western Australia September A large bushfire started 16 September and was finally brought under control 12 days later after burning through 75000 ha on of mostly bushland.http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/allclear-ends-pilbara-bushfire-alert-20140928-10n52u.html All-clear ends Pilbara bushfire alert 28 September 2014 1 November 2014 WA Today The fire threatened the town of Tom Price and western portion of Karijini National Park.http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/pilbara-bushfire-threatens-homes-and-lives-20140924-10llfw.html Pilbara bushfire threatens homes and lives 24 September 2014 1 November 2014 WA Today November On 26 November, lightning ignited over a dozen bushfires in the Mid West region, burning out over 6000 ha acre 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.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-27/wa-fires-burn-thousands-of-hectares/5921960 Fires burn across Western Australia de Landgrafft, Tara Prendergast, Joanna 27 November 2014 8 December 2014 ABC News Australia January On 5 January, one house and one vehicle were destroyed at Yallingup by a small 5 ha acre bushfire. 72 firefighters took 5 hours to bring the fire under control, and one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion. Between 8 and 11 January, one firefighter and one police officer were injured by a fire that burned 6600 ha acre around the north Perth suburbs of Bullsbrook, Chittering and Muchea.Firefighters focus on northern flank of Bullsbrook bushfire in WA ahead of expected wind change http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-11/crews-race-to-contain-bullsbrook-blaze/6010738 11 January 2015 ABC News Australia 11 January 2015 Perpitch, Nicolas On 31 January, one house, several vehicles and a number of sheds were destroyed by a 385 ha acre 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. February A fire that had been ignited by lightning near Northcliffe between 29 and 31 January almost doubled in size from 58000 ha acre to 80000 ha acre during hot, windy conditions on 4 February, and most residents of the town were evacuated to Pemberton. 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 95000 ha acre of scrub, forest and pasture; a natural disaster zone was declared across the region.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-06/northcliffe-to-be-declared-natural-disaster-zone/6074870 WA bushfires: Natural disaster zone to be declared in Northcliffe as massive bushfire continues to burn Jacob Kagi 6 February 2015 6 February 2015 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation Another fire that had been ignited by lightning between 29 and 31 January burned through 52000 ha acre 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. References 30em 2014 Category:2014 wildfires Category:2015 wildfires Bushfire Bushfire Category:2010s fires in Oceania