2015–16 Australian bushfire season

none January 2016 July 2026 2015–16 Australian bushfire season File:2015-16 Australian Bushfire season MODIS overview.png NASA MODIS burned area detections from June 2015 to May 2016 Australia Winter (June) 2015 – Autumn (May) 2016 Approximately 299468 hectareTotal area burned calculated as sum of all known burnt areas for fires listed in article as is likely to be less than the actual burnt area. 9 total 1 RFS volunteer firefighter (health complications while fighting fire) 8 other 900+ total 408 houses 500+ non-residential structures true 2014–15 Australian bushfire season 2016–17 Australian bushfire season The most destructive bushfire season in terms of property loss since the 2008–09 Australian bushfire season, occurred in the summer of 2015–16, with the loss of 408 houses and at least 500 non-residential buildings as a result of wild fires between 1 June 2015 and 31 May 2016. The season also suffered the most human fatalities since the 2008–09 Australian bushfire season; 6 died in Western Australia, 2 in South Australia and 1 in New South Wales. 8 deaths were as a direct result of fire, and a volunteer firefighter died due to unrelated health complications while on duty. The season witnessed four notable fires; the Cascades fire in Western Australia, the Pinery fire in South Australia, the Great Ocean Road fire in Victoria, and the Waroona–Yarloop fire in Western Australia. Climate summary and predictions A longer, more severe season was predicted, with an above normal potential for bushfires—particularly along the west and east coasts—as the result of the strengthening El Niño over the Pacific Ocean and warmer sea temperatures in the Indian Ocean.http://www.bnhcrc.com.au/hazardnotes/010 Southern Australia seasonal bushfire outlook 2015-16 11 September 2015 2015 Australian Governmenthttp://news.cfa.vic.gov.au/news/early-start-predicted-for-2015-2016-fire-season.html Early start predicted for 2015-2016 fire season 2 September 2015 11 September 2015 cfa.vic.gov.au Country Fire Authority https://web.archive.org/web/20150909160527/http://news.cfa.vic.gov.au/news/early-start-predicted-for-2015-2016-fire-season.html 9 September 2015 deadhttp://www.climatecouncil.org.au/longer-bushfire-seasons-leave-australia-exposed Longer bushfire seasons leave Australia exposed 1 September 2015 11 September 2015 The Climate Council In Victoria, large areas of the Wimmera and the Western District had their lowest recorded rainfall in the three years to 31 July 2015, and significant areas of the Goldfields, North Central, Otways and Yarra Valley recorded "very much below average" rainfall over the same period.Pre-Season Update; 2015-16 Summer Season http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/fm_files/attachments/plan_and_prepare/Pre-Season_Update_2015-16_summer_season.pdf cfa.vic.gov.au Emergency Management Victoria 4 May 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160312114748/http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/fm_files/attachments/plan_and_prepare/Pre-Season_Update_2015-16_summer_season.pdf 12 March 2016 dead In Western Australia, the Goldfields-Esperance, Peel and South West regions were expected to experience "above normal fire potential" due to a lack of rainfall, soil dryness and high fuel loads; the Peel and South West regions were at specific risk, having experienced their 8th driest year on record in 2015.Challenging bushfire season expected for Western Australia http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/mediareleases/Pages/MediaRelease.aspx?ItemId=755 4 May 2016 dfes.wa.gov.au Department of Fire & Emergency Services 1 September 2015 10 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161010125043/http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/mediareleases/Pages/MediaRelease.aspx?ItemId=755 deadWestern Australia in 2015: second-warmest year on record; dry in southwest http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/current/annual/wa/summary.shtml bom.gov.au Bureau of Meteorology 4 May 2016 6 January 2016 The Great Southern, Peel, Perth and South West regions suffered record rainfall deficiencies for the 16-year period to 31 March 2016.March rainfall reduces deficiencies in some areas http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/drought/archive/20160408.shtml bom.gov.au Bureau of Meteorology 4 May 2016 8 April 2016 The areas that suffered the greatest rainfall deficiencies during the season typically receive the majority of rainfall from cold fronts and low pressure systems, autumn through spring. However, continental Australia has experienced a decrease in this activity over recent decades, as high pressure systems have become more dominant. These longer-term deficiencies has a great effect on the drying of woodland fuels, particularly in the Jarrah forest of Western Australia's South-West and the forests of Victoria's Otway Ranges, which witnessed significant fires during the 2015/16 season. Fires of note State Start date Deaths Injuries Res. houses lost Other structures lost Area (ha) Local govt. Impacted communities Duration Ref. NSW 1 June 2015 1 1 1 GosfordCopacabana 1 day NT 8 September 2015 2 LitchfieldHoward Springs 2 days Qld 10 September 2015 8 1 TownsvilleStuart Qld 4 October 2015 1 TownsvilleCape Cleveland VIC 5 October 2015 1 10 Surf CoastWensleydale 1 day Vic 6 October 2015 6 15 4,000 Macedon RangesBenloch, Cobaw & Lancefield 8 days Vic 17 November 2015 1 50 WellingtonDevon North WA 15 November 2015 4 1 16 128,000 EsperanceGrass Patch, Salmon Gums & Scaddan 9 days Referred to as the Esperance fires. Significant fire-weather/destruction on 17 November 2015. nb 2 several 18,000Myalup & Stockyard Creek SA 25 November 2015 2 90 91 388 82,000 Clare and Gilbert Valleys, Light & WakefieldAlma, Freeling, Hamley Bridge, Mallala, Nain, Pinery, Roseworthy, Stockport, Tarlee, Templers & Wasleys 3 days Referred to as the Pinery fire. Significant fire-weather/destruction on 25 November 2015. nb NSW 26 November 2015 1 5 CessnockStanford Merthyr Vic 19 December 2015 14 30 4,600 Ballarat & MooraboolClarendon, Durham Lead, Elaine, Garibaldi & Scotsburn 2 days VIC 19 December 2015 3 116 2,300 Colac OtwaySeparation Creek & Wye River 34 days Referred to as the Great Ocean Road fire. Significant fire-weather/destruction on 25 December 2015. nb VIC 20 December 2015 4 several 7,000 IndigoBarnawartha & Indigo Valley 5 days WA 6 January 2016 2 5+ 162 numerous 70,000 Harvey & WaroonaCookernup, Hamel, Harvey, Lake Clifton, Preston Beach, Waroona, Wagerup & Yarloop 17 days Significant fire-weather/destruction on 7 January 2016. nb VIC 18 January 2016 1 6 90 Mornington PeninsulaCrib Point & Stony Point 1 day VIC 19 January 2016 1 1 100 Macedon RangesEdgecombe & Kyneton 1 day VIC 23 February 2016 2 1 1,300 BallaratAddington & Mount Bolton 2 days WA 14 March 2016 1 12 JoondalupJoondalup 1 day Fires by state or territory New South Wales June On 1 June, a 1 ha bushfire completely destroyed one house and damaged a second house at Copacabana in the City of Gosford municipality of the Central Coast region. One civilian was treated for burns received while fighting the fire.Vince Mary-Louise Bushfire destroys home, damages another on NSW central coast http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2015-06-01/bushfire-destroys-home-damages-another-on-nsw-central-coast/1453722 12 June 2015 ABC Radio Australia Australian Broadcasting Corporation 1 June 2015Bushfire hits houses in NSW Central Coast on last day of autumn http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/news/national/bushfire-hits-houses-in-nsw-central-coast-on-last-day-of-autumn/news-story/b4c083f7a85bca43b4adae47982bf563 27 April 2016 Weekly Times AAP News Corp. 1 June 2015 July On 31 July, a fire ignited in the bushland of the Jamison Valley, nearby Wentworth Falls and within the City of Blue Mountains municipality. Over the next 12 days, one house was damaged and 30 ha of forest were consumed by the fire, which spread rapidly due to strong winds of up to 80 kph. At least 150 firefighters and several water bombing aircraft were required to bring the fire under control, and it was declared extinguished on 12 August.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-08-01/blue-mountains-bushfire-out-of-control/6665018 Blue Mountains bushfire: Conditions ease after homes threatened, NSW Rural Fire Service says 1 August 2015 11 September 2015 ABC News Australian Broadcasting CorporationMurphy Jacqueline Fire and Ice; Horden Road, Wentworth Falls (Blue Mountains LGA) Bush Fire Bulletin 2015 37 3 13–18 http://issuu.com/nswrfs/docs/bfb_single_small/13?e=5467805/31479979 2 May 2016 NSW Rural Fire Service November On 26 November, a Rural Fire Service volunteer firefighter collapsed and died while fighting a fire 5 ha in size near Stanford Merthyr in the City of Cessnock municipality. Paul Sanderson, 48, volunteered with the Kurri Kurri brigade and had been a member for almost 20 years.Volunteer firefighter dies of suspected heart attack while fighting Cessnock blaze http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-26/firefighter-dies-of-heart-attack-while-fighting-cessnock-blaze/6978868 19 January 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 27 November 2015NSW firey remembered after Thursday blazes http://www.goldcoastbulletin.com.au/news/breaking-news/nsw-firefighter-dead-from-heart-attack/news-story/16818640bd4c85d10aff807de8a338bd 19 January 2016 Gold Coast Bulletin News Corp. AAP 27 November 2015 Northern Territory September On 8 September and during the day following, 2 houses and several vehicles and items of industrial equipment were destroyed by a bushfire burning in and around Howard Springs in the Litchfield municipality on the outskirts of Darwin.Houses believed lost to Howard Springs bushfire in Darwin; firefighters bring blaze under control http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-09/howard-springs-bushfire-destroys-two-houses-several-vehicles/6762906 1 May 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 9 September 2015Herbert Lisa Water bombers ready for Top End fire risk; landholders not http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-10/top-end-fire-conditions/6764556 1 May 2016 ABC Rural Australian Broadcasting Corporation 10 September 2015Dunlop Craig Rural area bushfire destroys two Howard Springs homes, cars http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/rural-area-bushfire-destroys-two-howard-springs-homes-cars/news-story/0a73123fe1beb53d7a972dc6664201aa 3 May 2016 The Daily Telegraph News Corp. 9 September 2015 Queensland September On 3 September, one house was damaged and one shed was destroyed by a bushfire at Bluewater, a suburb on the "Northern beaches" of the City of Townsville municipality.Tom Fowles Francis Tapim Home damaged by north Queensland bushfire http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-04/home-damaged-by-north-queensland-bushfire/6750680 2 May 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 4 September 2015Firefighters monitor bushfire at Bluewater in north Queensland http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-05/firefighters-monitor-bushfire-at-bluewater-in-north-qld/6752126 2 May 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 5 September 2015 On 10 September, one house and up to 30 vehicles were destroyed during a bushfire at Stuart, a suburb on the outskirts of the City of Townsville municipality. The fire prompted the evacuation of a correctional facility and also caused a power outage that affected approximately 1,000 houses. Two people were hospitalized, six others were treated for smoke inhalation, and over 50 firefighters were required to bring the blaze under control.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-10/bushfires-threaten-homes-near-townsville/6765134 Bushfire destroys house, dozens of cars at property at Stuart near Townsville in north Queensland Isobel Roe 10 September 2015 11 September 2015 ABC News Australian Broadcasting CorporationRoe Isobel Stuart fires in Townsville that destroyed house, cars, considered suspicious http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-11/townsville-fires-considered-suspicious/6767328 2 May 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 11 September 2015 October On 4 October, one house and several vehicles were destroyed by a bushfire in Cape Cleveland, to the southern end of the City of Townsville municipality.Branco Jorge Cape Cleveland bushfire threatens homes south east of Townsville http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/cape-cleveland-bushfire-threatens-homes-south-east-of-townsville-20151004-gk0xq9.html 2 May 2016 Brisbane Times Fairfax Media 4 October 2015Nugent Victoria Family loses everything as Townsville bush fires rage http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/townsville/family-loses-everything-as-townsville-bush-fires-rage/news-story/4f295044ea5bd60352a2c1e8f6ca2834 2 May 2016 Townsville Bulletin News Corp. 6 October 2015 South Australia November 2015 Pinery bushfire During November, there were a number of significant fires in South Australia, the largest and most significant being the "Pinery" fire that burned 82600 ha in the municipalities of Clare and Gilbert Valleys, Light and Wakefield over eight days. On 25 November, during the major run of the Pinery fire, two fatalities occurred: Janet Hughes, 56, perished while fleeing in a vehicle outside Hamley Bridge; Allan Tiller, 69, died while fighting the fire on a neighbour’s property in Pinery itself. The Pinery fire destroyed or rendered uninhabitable 87–91 houses, and completely destroyed 388 non-residential structures, 93 pieces of farm machinery and 98 other vehicles. It also caused significant damage to rural produce; 53,000 poultry and 17,500 head of livestock perished.Jade Gailberger Doug Robertson Jordanna Schriever Pinery bushfire victims identified as Janet Hughes and Allan Tiller http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/descendant-of-pinery-settling-family-killed-in-devastating-fire-north-of-adelaide/news-story/ca0c09a1b9165c02db64c6914dd8d97c 2 May 2016 Adelaide Advertiser News Corp. 26 November 2015SA bushfire: 77 homes confirmed destroyed in deadly blaze as threat eases http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-27/deadly-sa-bushfire-downgraded-as-fire-crews-clean-up/6978888 26 November 2015 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 27 November 2015SA bushfire: 87 homes destroyed or damaged in deadly Pinery blaze, Premier confirms http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-27/sa-bushfires-87-homes-lost-premier-says/6981240 27 November 2015 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 27 November 2015James Colin Pinery Fire: Country Fire Service declares fire is contained as residents confront widespread devastation http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/pinery-fire-country-fire-service-declares-fire-is-contained-as-residents-confront-widespread-devastation/story-fni6uok5-1227616735753 27 November 2015 Adelaide Advertiser 27 November 2015Lauren Novak Doug Robertson Clean-up of Pinery fire ground begins, with 450 insurance claims lodged to value of $61 million http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/clean-up-of-pinery-fire-ground-begins-with-450-insurance-claims-lodged-to-value-of-61-million/story-fni6uo1m-1227626197738?sv=5209e3c0bc79c9dc9febae7574372df6 28 November 2015 Adelaide Advertiser 28 November 2015McLoughlin Chris Pinery bushfire: Tally of homes destroyed rises to 91 as SA Govt prepares to hand out first relief payments http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-19/number-of-homes-destroyed-in-pinery-fire-rises-to-91/7043178 20 December 2015 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 19 December 2015House of Assembly South Australia Pinery Bushfires - Ministerial Statement http://hansardpublic.parliament.sa.gov.au/Pages/HansardResult.aspx#/docid/HANSARD-11-21663 1 December 2015 Jay Weatherill Member for Cheltenham, Premier of South Australia https://web.archive.org/web/20191029104323/http://hansardpublic.parliament.sa.gov.au/Pages/HansardResult.aspx#/docid/HANSARD-11-21663 29 October 2019 House of Assembly South Australia Pinery Bushfires - Grievance Debate http://hansardpublic.parliament.sa.gov.au/Pages/HansardResult.aspx#/docid/HANSARD-11-21907 3 December 2015 Sam Duluk Member for Davenport https://web.archive.org/web/20191029104323/http://hansardpublic.parliament.sa.gov.au/Pages/HansardResult.aspx#/docid/HANSARD-11-21907 29 October 2019 Kate Dowler Alice Pohlner Crop, stock hit hard in South Australia and Western Australia fires http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/agribusiness/crop-stock-hit-hard-in-south-australia-and-western-australia-fires/news-story/e9aec46451151f844b2b90b2f1145b17 2 May 2016 Weekly Times News Corp. 2 December 2015 December On 31 December, a fire destroyed four non-residential buildings, four vehicles and 310 ha of farmland around the Mosquito Hill area of the Alexandrina municipality. 120 firefighters and 4 aircraft assisted in containing the fire the same day as its ignition and 4 people were injured during the blaze.SA bushfire destroys six buildings and burns 310 hectares http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/12/31/15/46/emergency-warning-for-sa-bushfire 2 May 2016 ninemsn AAP 9News 1 January 2016Martin Alison Hamilton Daniel Yearbook The Volunteer 2016 22 https://safecom-files.s3.amazonaws.com/current%2Fdocs%2Fvolunteer_yearbook_2016.pdf?Expires=1475963772&response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3Dvolunteer_yearbook_2016.pdf&AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJQ4Q62CAGOAFH3RA&Signature=mTjEB0Lj%2BxH3%2FzBOLTwhG%2F7QeKM%3D 8 October 2016 Country Fire ServiceSeptember 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes March On 2 March, a grass fire destroyed 23 b-double semi-trailers as it burned 2 ha of land at Burton, in the north of Adelaide. 140 firefighters in 25 appliances attended the fire, supported by 2 firefighting aircraft, and 2 people suffered injuries in the fire.Trailers destroyed after fire breaks out at business in Burton, in Adelaide's north http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-02/trucks-alight-after-fire-breaks-out-at-business-burton/7214018 8 October 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting CommissionMartin Alison Hamilton Daniel Yearbook The Volunteer 2016 23 https://safecom-files.s3.amazonaws.com/current%2Fdocs%2Fvolunteer_yearbook_2016.pdf?Expires=1475963772&response-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3Dvolunteer_yearbook_2016.pdf&AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAJQ4Q62CAGOAFH3RA&Signature=mTjEB0Lj%2BxH3%2FzBOLTwhG%2F7QeKM%3D 8 October 2016 Country Fire ServiceSeptember 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes Tasmania 2016 Tasmanian bushfires Victoria October On 5 October, one house and 10 ha of scrubland were destroyed by a bushfire at Wensleydale in the Surf Coast Shire, south-west of Geelong. The fire was contained the same day by Country Fire Authority firefighters.http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/home-destroyed-in-wensleydale-bushfire-20151005-gk1p7n.html Home destroyed in Wensleydale bushfire Allison Worrall 5 October 2015 5 October 2015 The Age Fairfax MediaPayne Nicholas Otways bushfire burns 10 hectares, destroys Wensleydale house http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/otways-bushfire-burns-10-hectares-destroys-wensleydale-house/news-story/c31653a38511e1f5fadb7af2359a6e72 19 January 2016 Geelong Advertiser 5 October 2015Wensleydale bushfire: House destroyed in blaze near Anglesea in Victoria http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-05/bushfire-burning-at-wensleydale-near-anglesea-in-victoria/6828780 27 April 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 5 October 2016 On 6 October and during the week following, 6 houses, 15 non-residential structures, 5 vehicles and 3100 ha of forest and paddock were destroyed by a significant bushfire in the Lancefield area of the Shire of Macedon Ranges, 70 km north of Melbourne. Communities affected by the fire included Baynton, Benloch, Nulla Vale, Lancefield, Pastoria and Sidonia. At least 22 aircraft were utilized by the Country Fire Authority to fight the fire before it was contained on 12 October.Two homes destroyed as bushfires raze central Victoria http://www.9news.com.au/National/2015/10/06/14/09/Watch-and-Act-bushfire-alert-issued-at-Cobaw 6 October 2015 Channel 9 Australia 7 October 2015Lancefield bushfire: Fears for homes as emergency warnings for six towns in central Victoria remain http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-08/bushfire-emergency-warnings-still-in-place-six-towns-in-victoria/6835702 7 October 2015 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 8 October 2015Lancefield bushfire: Thunderstorms could make firefighting efforts difficult, CFA says http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-08/thunderstorms-could-make-firefighting-efforts-difficult/6839214 9 October 2015 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 9 October 2015Hillard Leith Huge effort to save Lancefield homes Brigade Summer 2015 4–5 http://asp-au.secure-zone.net/v2/index.jsp?id=666/730/8129&lng=en 27 December 2015 Country Fire AuthorityCrews battle out-of-control Vic bushfires http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/breaking-news/vic-bushfire-fight-enters-fourth-day/story-fni0xqi4-1227562745279?from=herald%20sun_rss 9 October 2015 Australian Associated Press Herald Sun News Corp. 9 October 2015 The fire had been lit a week earlier as part of a controlled burn in Cobaw State Forest overseen by the Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning, however the authorities had lost control of the blaze in strong winds and hot conditions. An independent report into the blaze, released in November 2015, criticized the initial controlled burn as inadequately planned and inadequately staffed. The then Victorian Environment minister Lisa Neville admitted failures in the risk assessment taken prior to the approval of the controlled burn, and the following quote of hers was reported by The Age on 19 November 2015.Marissa Calligeros Rania Spooner Rachel Wells Lancefield fire burns out of control as residents demand answers http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/lancefield-fire-burns-out-of-control-as-residents-demand-answers-20151007-gk3920.html 1 May 2016 Sydney Morning Herald Fairfax Media 7 October 2015Gray Darren Victorian bushfires 2015: Lancefield fire report finds 'significant shortcomings' in handling of burn-offs http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/lancefield-fire-report-finds-significant-shortcomings-in-handling-of-burnoffs-20151118-gl2k8m.html 1 May 2016 The Age Fairfax Media 19 November 2015 It [the control burn] probably should not have been lit, given the broader circumstances. November On 17 November, one "weekender" holiday house and 50 ha of forest were destroyed by a bushfire at Devon North in the Shire of Wellington, 6 km north-west of Yarram. The blaze originated from a controlled burn to reduce the fuel load on private land.Bluestone weekender home lost in bushfire caused by burn-off at Devon North http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-18/bluestone-weekender-home-lost-in-bushfire-at-devon-north/6950112 2 May 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 18 November 2015Hamblin Andrea Victorian homes under threat from Gippsland bushfire http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/victoria-fire-alerts-live-coverage/news-story/e17a096f20ce398c25c8ddecec23bfa7 2 May 2016 Herald Sun News Corp. 18 November 2015 December Over 19–20 December, temperatures reached up to 45 C across Victoria—including 41 C in Melbourne, Victoria—and extreme fire conditions were felt across the entirety of the state. During the following week, Victoria suffered three significant fires; 4600 ha of forest and farm land were burnt by the Scotsburn fire, 7000 ha were burnt by the Barnawartha fire, and fire started by lightning in the Otway National Park near Lorne would continue to burn past Christmas and be dubbed the "Lorne-Jamieson Track" fire. On 19 December, 14 houses and at least 30 non-residential structures were destroyed by the Scotsburn fire, which also ravaged significant areas of rural property in the City of Ballarat and Shire of Moorabool municipalities. Suburbs and towns affected included Clarendon, Durham Lead, Elaine, Garibaldi and Scotsburn. The fire had been ignited on the same day by a landowner using a slashing machine; 500 firefighting personnel and 8 aircraft attended the fire, and it was contained by 20 December.Hillard Leith December scorcher flares Brigade Autumn 2016 10–12 https://asp-au.secure-zone.net/v2/index.jsp?id=666/730/8397&lng=en 27 April 2016 Country Fire AuthorityTen homes, 23 sheds destroyed by Vic fires http://www.skynews.com.au/news/top-stories/2015/12/20/hot-conditions-continue-for-vic-fires.html 20 December 2015 Sky News 20 December 2015Liam Mannix Tammy Mills Allison Worrall Victorian fires: Blazes destroy homes near Ballarat, threaten outskirts of Wodonga http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/victorian-fires-homes-lost-at-scotsburn-after-fires-tear-through-victoria-20151219-glrp0o.html 20 December 2015 The Age 20 December 2015Victorian bushfires: Emergency warnings downgraded after 13 homes lost in weekend blazes http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-21/emergency-fire-warnings-downgraded-in-victoria/7044454 21 December 2015 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 21 December 2015Ritchie Kerri Scotsburn fire: The aftermath of the 'other' Victorian bushfire http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-05/other-victorian-bushfire-aftermath-of-the-scotsburn-fire/7069426 2 May 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 5 January 2016 On 20 December, the Barnawartha fire destroyed 4 houses and several non-residential structures in the Shire of Indigo, as well as causing the deaths of 1,200 head of livestock. Near Wodonga, several dozen families were evacuated when the uncontrolled grass fire advanced rapidly on the town, however damage to the town itself was minimal. There were also fears that the fire may advance on Yackandandah, however rainfall of up to 20 mm on the night of 20 December slowed the spread of the fire and limited damage to Barnawartha and Indigo Valley.Mills Tammy Victorian fires: Three homes lost in Indigo Valley http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/victorian-fires-four-homes-lost-in-indigo-valley-20151221-glsgmb.html 21 December 2015 The Age 21 December 2015http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/tree-falling-on-power-line-blamed-for-starting-barnawartha-fire-20151221-glsrxf.html Tree falling on power line blamed for starting Barnawartha fire The Age 22 December 2015 25 January 2016http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/victorian-fires-homes-lost-at-scotsburn-after-fires-tear-through-victoria-20151219-glrp0o.html Victorian fires: Blazes destroy homes near Ballarat, threaten outskirts of Wodonga The Age 20 December 2015 25 January 2016 On 25 December (Christmas Day) severe fire conditions, including a strong northerly wind, led to the Lorne-Jamieson Track fire in the Otway National Park jumping containment lines and impacting numerous communities situated along the Great Ocean Road in the Shire of Colac Otway. A total of 116 houses were destroyed—98 in Wye River and 18 in Separation Creek—on 25 December, and over 2500 ha of dense forest were burnt by the time the fire was contained on 21 January 2016. Although structural damage was limited to the two communities of Wye River and Separation Creek, the township of Lorne was advised by the Country Fire Authority to evacuate from mid afternoon on 25 December, the communities of Kennett River, Grey River and Wongarra were evacuated several times, and the Great Ocean Road was closed for several days after the 25 December run damaged parts of the road infrastructure.Catastrophic summer events cost insurers more than $550 million, Insurance Council of Australia says http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-25/catastrophes-summer-costs-insurance-companies-more-than-550m/7276564 28 April 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 25 March 2016Hillard Leith Wye River: Triumph amid devastation Brigade Autumn 2016 4–6 https://asp-au.secure-zone.net/v2/index.jsp?id=666/730/8397&lng=en 27 April 2016 Country Fire AuthorityGreat Ocean Road fire: Victoria should 'stand proud' that no lives lost at Wye River, Separation Creek http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-26/homes-lost-but-vic-communities-praised-for-bushfire-action/7054360 26 December 2015 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 26 December 2015Booker Chloe Liam Mannix Benjamin Preiss Rania Spooner Anna Whitelaw Victorian bushfires: Great Ocean Road towns hit by fires http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/victorian-bushfires-great-ocean-road-towns-hit-by-fires-20151225-glv2ud.html 26 December 2015 The Age 26 December 2015Victorian bushfires: Number of homes confirmed destroyed by blaze rises to 116 http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/12/25/13/27/emergency-warning-for-outer-melb-fire 26 December 2015 9news.com.au AAP 9News 26 December 2015Johnson Krystal Victorian residents return to see bushfire disaster zone https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/30448558/victorian-residents-return-to-see-bushfire-disaster-zone/ 26 December 2015 au.news.yahoo.com Yahoo7 28 December 2015Hamblin Andrea Lucie Morris-Marr Great Ocean Road fires expected to rage for weeks http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/great-ocean-road-fires-expected-to-rage-for-weeks/news-story/14cbb115f11d4e28bf6b25eb31c87b3a 26 December 2015 Herald Sun 26 December 2015Florance Loretta Wye River bushfire: Impact would have been 'far worse' without back-burning, report finds http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-23/wye-river-bushfire-impact-would-have-been-far-worse/7109478 28 April 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 23 January 2016Aisha Dow Richard Willingham State Coroner to investigate Wye River bushfire http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/state-coroner-to-investigate-wye-river-bushfire-20160129-gmh8mj.html 2 May 2016 The Age Fairfax Media 29 January 2016 Lightning ignited the Lorne-Jamieson Track fire in inaccessible country on 19 December, and during the week prior to the 25 December run the fire had burned to a distance of approximately 4 km north-west of Separation Creek. On the day of the run, a Keetch–Byram Drought Index of 80 was recorded at Aireys Inlet and 83 at Cape Otway; these are considered ‘serious’ with respect to fuel ignition potential. In Wye River, a north/north-westerly wind with gusts of up to 33 kph and humidity hit a low of 17% at 16:30 AEDT (UTC+11) were observed. At 11:30 AEDT (UTC+11) the emergency siren was sounded in Separation Creek and approximately three hours later the fire front impacted the communities.Raphaele Blanchi Mark Holland Justin Leonard Glenn Newnham Kimberley Opie Wye River / Separation Creek; Post -bushfire building survey findings April 2016 http://wyesepconnect.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Wye-River-Separation-Creek-final-V1-1.pdf 2 May 2016 CSIRO Land and Water https://web.archive.org/web/20160507112201/http://wyesepconnect.info/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Wye-River-Separation-Creek-final-V1-1.pdf 7 May 2016 dead January On 18 January, one house, 6 non-residential buildings and 90 ha of scrub and forest were destroyed, and another house damaged, by a bushfire that burned through the Crib Point and Stony Point communities in the Shire of Mornington Peninsula. The fire moved rapidly through the scrubland around the abandoned Westernport Refinery and was battled by 27 firefighting appliances and 3 aircraft. The cause of the fire is suspected to have been arson.Hillard Leith Crib Point's double whammy Brigade Autumn 2016 8–9 https://asp-au.secure-zone.net/v2/index.jsp?id=666/730/8397&lng=en Country Fire Authority 2 May 2016Mannix Liam Victoria Bushfires: Homes burning in Crib Point, south east of Melbourne http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/victoria-bushfires-firefighters-defending-homes-in-stony-point-20160118-gm8d9t.html 18 January 2016 The Age 18 January 2016Houses under threat as emergency warning issued for grassfire at Crib Point, south-east of Melbourne http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-18/emergency-warning-for-bushfire-at-crib-point-south-of-melbourne/7096198 18 January 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Commission 18 January 2016Crib Point bushfire being treated as suspicious, police say, as state swelters again http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-19/victorian-weather-severe-fire-conditions-mornington-peninsula/7097326?section=vic 19 January 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Commission 19 January 2016Help comes after the fire http://mpnews.com.au/2016/02/02/help-comes-after-the-fire/ 27 April 2016 Western Port News Mornington Peninsula News Group 2 February 2016Adam Carey Beau Donelly Arson suspected in Crib Point fire http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/arson-suspected-in-crib-point-fire-20160119-gm9dwl.html 2 May 2016 The Age Fairfax Media 20 January 2016 On 19 January, one house and 100 ha of paddocks and grassland were destroyed by a bushfire that burned near Edgecombe and Kyneton in the Shire of Macedon Ranges. The fire is also suspected of having been deliberately-lit.Vic blazes deliberately lit: police http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2016/01/20/vic-blazes-deliberately-lit-police 20 January 2016 SBS News AAP Special Broadcasting Service 20 January 2016Stephanie Corsetti Larissa Romensky Community left anxious after suspicious Kyneton bushfire claims house http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-28/community-left-anxious-after-suspicious-bushfire-claims-house/7121978 27 April 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Commission 28 January 2016 February On 23 February, 2 houses, up to 6 non-residential buildings and 1300 ha of forest and paddocks were destroyed, and one house damaged, by a fire that burned through Addington and Mount Bolton in the City of Ballarat municipality. The cause of the fire remains undetermined.Mount Bolton bushfire: Two homes destroyed, one damaged in blaze north-west of Ballarat http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-24/mount-bolton-bushfire-ballarat-victoria-three-homes-burnt/7194584 24 February 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Commission 24 February 2016Calligeros Marissa Victorian bushfires: Homes, train track destroyed by blazes at Somerville, Mount Bolton http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/victorian-bushfires-homes-train-track-destroyed-by-blazes-at-somerville-mount-bolton-20160223-gn1uel.html 24 February 2016 The Age 24 February 2016Calligeros Marissa Home, pig and poultry gone but, somehow, 400 chicks survived Mount Bolton fire http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/home-pig-and-poultry-gone-but-somehow-400-chicks-survived-mount-bolton-fire-20160224-gn23k4.html 2 May 2016 The Age Fairfax Media 24 February 2016 Western Australia thumb|Bushfire damage from the Waroona fire, January 2016 October On 1 October, a bushfire destroyed 2 sheds and 6500 ha of bushland in the Town of Port Hedland municipality. Residents of Bosna Estate were evacuated before at least 20 firefighting appliances helped contain the blaze. The bushfire was first reported on 29 September.http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-01/bushfire-threatens-houses-in-wa-town-of-port-hedland/6820308 Sheds lost as bushfire threatens homes in north-west WA town of Port Hedland Natalie Jones 1 October 2015 4 October 2015 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation November 2015 Esperance bushfires During November, the Shire of Esperance suffered two significant fires and a fire complex; 128000 ha were burnt by the Cascades fire, 18000 ha were burnt by the Merivale fire, and 164000 ha were burnt by the Cape Arid complex of fires.Major Incident Review of the Esperance District fires 8 March 2016 dfes.wa.gov.au Department of Fire & Emergency Services http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/publications/MajorIncidentReports/DFES-MIR-Esperance-District-Fires-Final-Report-March-2016.pdf Nous Group 26 April 2016 Perth, Western Australia 4 May 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160504205909/http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/publications/MajorIncidentReports/DFES-MIR-Esperance-District-Fires-Final-Report-March-2016.pdf dead On 17 November, during the major run of the Cascades fire, four civilian fatalities occurred in vehicles traveling on Griggs Road in Scaddan. The Cascades fire destroyed one house, 16 non-residential structures and dozens of vehicles. There was also significant damage to rural produce; approximately 4,500 head of livestock perished and 30000 ha of crop—constituting about 500,000 tonnes of grain—were burnt. In addition, the Merivale fire destroyed two houses in the Stockyard Creek area, and the Cape Arid complex destroyed large areas of Western Ground Parrot habitat.Esperance bushfire damage toll rising http://www.9news.com.au/national/2015/11/20/11/45/esperance-bushfire-damage-toll-rising 26 November 2015 AAP 9news.com.au 20 November 2015Tomlin Sam Esperance bushfire investigation finds region poorly resourced against 'unstoppable' fires http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-29/investigation-into-esperance-bushfires-finds-fires-unstoppable/7274114 27 April 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 29 March 2016Corridon Sarah Two men and two women among fire victims, two more feared dead in Esperance bushfires http://www.esperanceexpress.com.au/story/3496128/two-men-and-two-women-among-fire-victims-two-more-feared-dead/ 2 May 2016 Esperance Express Fairfax Media 17 November 2015 1 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160601221915/http://www.esperanceexpress.com.au/story/3496128/two-men-and-two-women-among-fire-victims-two-more-feared-dead/ deadBruce Butler Danielle le Messurier Esperance bushfire: Four dead in raging inferno http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/esperance-bushfire-four-dead-in-raging-inferno/news-story/00b758a5ee2b8c05c1d546bbbd09ca38 2 May 2016 PerthNow The Sunday Times 18 November 2015Mark Bennett Graeme Powell WA bushfires: Foreign workers die trying to flee farm, save horse in Esperance bushfires http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-19/europeans-died-trying-to-rescue-horse-from-esperance-bushfire/6954094 2 May 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 20 November 2015Esperance bushfires: European workers killed trying to flee blaze named by police http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-20/three-european-workers-killed-in-esperance-bushfires-named/6958904 2 May 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 20 November 2015 January 2016 Waroona–Yarloop bushfire thumb|NASA Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on the Suomi NPP satellite acquired this image of the Waroona fire - 7 January During January, the shires of Harvey & Waroona suffered a number of significant fires; 70000 ha of forest and farmland were burnt by the largest of these fires, which ignited on the night of the 6 January and was dubbed the "Waroona" fire. On 7 January, two civilians perished when the fire-front of the Waroona fire burned into the center of the Yarloop townsite; Malcolm Taylor, 73, and Les Taylor, 77, both died within their own houses. During the time that the fire-front passed through Yarloop, it destroyed 121 houses, 18 buildings of commercial or community significance—including a fire station, a hospital, a hotel and a hall—and the historic Yarloop Workshops. In the 17 days between ignition and being extinguished, the Waroona fire destroyed at least 162 houses and a significant amount of other property in the communities of Cookernup, Hamel, Harvey, Lake Clifton, Preston Beach, Waroona, Wagerup and Yarloop.WA fires: historic Yarloop timber workshops destroyed by Waroona blaze http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/wa-fires-historic-yarloop-timber-workshops-destroyed-by-waroona-blaze-20160108-gm1txv.html 8 January 2016 WAtoday Fairfax Media 8 January 2016WA fire: Bushfire emergency remains in place for South West towns, four people unaccounted for http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-09/wa-fire-weather-conditions-slow-bushfire-threatening-harvey/7077874 9 January 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Commission 9 January 2016Clarke Tim Daniel Emerson Gabrielle Knowles Daniel Mercer Inferno all but wipes Yarloop from map https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/30523454/inferno-all-but-wipes-inferno-all-but-wipes-yarloop-from-map/#pause 9 January 2016 The West Australian Yahoo7 9 January 2016 5 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160305205305/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/30523454/inferno-all-but-wipes-inferno-all-but-wipes-yarloop-from-map/#pause deadHiatt Bethany History wiped in the furious onslaught https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/30521770/history-wiped-in-the-furious-onslaught/ 9 January 2016 The West Australian Yahoo7 9 January 2016 5 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160305143312/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/30521770/history-wiped-in-the-furious-onslaught/ deadAAP Two bodies found in Yarloop ruins https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/30523925/wa-fire-continues-to-rage/#pause 9 January 2016 The West Australian Yahoo7 9 January 2016 9 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160109145752/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/30523925/wa-fire-continues-to-rage/#pause deadWA fires: Two bodies found in burnt-out Yarloop homes thought to be those of missing elderly men http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-09/two-believed-dead-in-yarloop-fires-wa-after-human-remains-found/7078878 9 January 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Commission 9 January 2016Campbell Kate Danielle Le Messurier Trevor Paddenburg WA bushfires: Two perish in Yarloop as residents flee from Harvey http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/wa-bushfires-family-fear-the-worst-for-malcolm-talyor-missing-after-yarloop-fire/news-story/75e1f0bc1d1631ef164c950afc8aabfc 10 January 2016 PerthNow The Sunday Times 10 January 2016Powell Graeme WA fire: Firefighters confident a deadly bushfire south of Perth has been contained http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-14/wa-town-of-cookernup-saved-due-to-wind-change/7087938 19 January 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Commission 14 January 2016Medlen Pamela WA fire: Western Power embarks on $26m overhaul of ruined network http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-19/waroona-yarloop-wa-fire-forces-western-power-network-rebuild/7098688 19 January 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Commission 19 January 2016Hondros Nathan Bushfire inquiry calls rejected by Francis http://www.mandurahmail.com.au/story/3674053/bushfire-inquiry-calls-rejected-by-francis/?cs=289 19 January 2016 Mandurah Mail Fairfax Media 19 January 2016Campbell Kate WA bushfires: NASA releases image of Yarloop's burn scar in wake of blaze http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/wa-bushfires-nasa-releases-image-of-yarloops-burn-scar-in-wake-of-devastating-blaze/news-story/a945bd600023fe735e5630f98a7fb043 20 January 2016 PerthNow The Sunday Times 20 January 2016Taylor Roxanne Yarloop demolition work begins on bushfire-ravaged buildings http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-30/demolition-of-yarloop-buildings-commences/7285680 27 April 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 30 March 2016 Public road access to Yarloop was not restored until seven months after the fire when roadblocks were finally removed 11 August 2016.Stewart Anthony Roads into Yarloop reopen seven months after historic settlement destroyed by bushfire http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-12/roads-into-yarloop-reopen/7730934 12 August 2016 ABC News 12 August 2016 en-AU Effects of the Waroona fire were widespread in southern Western Australia; falling ash in the Eaton, Australind and outer Bunbury areas caused service stations to stop pumping fuel, and the closure of both the Forrest Highway and South West Highway prompted the cancellation of the 2016 Southbound music festival when it cut off access to Busselton. However, the event was partly revived as a benefit concert to raise funds for fire victims.Foster Brendan WA fires: Forrest Highway closed by South West fires has reopened http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/wa-fires-forrest-highway-closed-by-south-west-fires-could-be-open-by-tuesday-20160111-gm3c7y.html 2 May 2016 WAtoday Fairfax Media 12 January 2016 https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-35259600 Australia Waroona fire: Inferno was just metres from us BBC News 8 January 2016 9 January 2016Southbound music festival cancelled over bushfires http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/waroona-bushfire-delays-for-drivers-headed-to-southbound-music-festival/news-story/bbb736c98c05857d3a634bbb77af4700 8 January 2016 PerthNow 8 January 2016Staff writers WA bushfires: Southbound to play benefit concert to raise funds for fire victims http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/western-australia/wa-bushfires-southbound-to-play-benefit-concert-to-raise-funds-for-fire-victims/news-story/04b74c400f7464afbaa6ad049c748278 9 January 2016 Perth Now 9 January 2016 The size of the fire allowed the creation of its own weather pattern with rising heat and particulate matter facilitating the development of both pyrocumulus and pyrocumulonimbus clouds. The rare weather event created unpredictable winds with sudden gusts and changes in directions making it even more difficult for firefighters to control the blaze.Bushfire Devastates Australian Town http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/IOTD/view.php?id=87302 Earth Observatory 12 January 2016 National Aeronautics and Space Administration 25 January 2016WA fire: Yarloop blaze creates own weather system, causing further grief for WA firefighters http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-08/perth-fire-creates-own-weather-system/7076884 8 January 2016 ABC News Australian Broadcasting Corporation 8 January 2016 A 'Special Inquiry Into the January 2016 Waroona Fire' was held by the Western Australian Government, headed by Euan Ferguson. Its 264-page report was released on 29 April 2016.Ferguson Euan (Special Commissioner) Report of the Special Inquiry Into the January 2016 Waroona Fire http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/2894047-Report-of-the-Special-Inquiry-Into-the-January.html#document/p1 Waroona Fire Special Enquiry 12 August 2016 29 April 2016 www.documentcloud.org (PDF version) March On 14 March, one townhouse and 12 ha of parkland were destroyed by a fire that prompted evacuations at Edith Cowan University and damaged facilities at university situated in the City of Joondalup. A camper who had been lodging near Grassbird Avenue in Lake Joondalup Nature Reserve was charged for lighting the fire, allegedly to clear scrub near his camp site.Farcic Elle Man in court over Edith Cowan University bushfire https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/31281743/man-in-court-over-edith-cowan-university-bushfire/ 26 April 2016 West Australian Yahoo7 6 April 2016 25 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160425014140/https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/wa/a/31281743/man-in-court-over-edith-cowan-university-bushfire/ deadMan charged after bushfire tears through home and student accommodation in Joondalup in Perth's north http://www.9news.com.au/national/2016/03/15/10/56/perth-bushfire-destroys-home-damages-uni 26 April 2016 AAP ninemsn.com.au Nine News 15 March 2016Young Emma Man charged over Joondalup ECU bushfire was trying to 'clear' a patch for tent http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/man-charged-over-joondalup-ecu-bushfire-was-trying-to-clear-a-patch-for-tent-20160315-gnj3sr.html 2 May 2016 WAtoday Fairfax Media 15 March 2016 Notes nb References 2015 Category:2015 wildfires Category:2016 wildfires Bushfire Bushfire Category:2010s fires in Oceania