What was the temperature on Black Saturday?

What was the temperature on Black Saturday?

The so-called “Black Saturday Bushfires” are often called the worst natural disaster in Australia’s history. Bushfires are a common threat in Australia’s arid summer climate. Victoria had been enduring an unusual heat wave, with temperatures as high as 48 degrees Celsius (115 degrees Fahrenheit) and almost no rain.

How hot was the fire on Black Saturday?

Melbourne hit 46.4 °C (115.5 °F), the hottest temperature ever recorded for the city and humidity levels dropped to as low as two percent. The McArthur Forest Fire Danger Index reached unprecedented levels, ranging from 160 to over 200.

What was the weather like in the February 2009 Victorian bushfires?

Victoria experienced extreme fire weather conditions on Saturday 7 February that led to the tragic losses. Maximum temperatures were up to 23 degrees above the February average, and for many centres it was the hottest day on record. Melbourne city recorded 46.4°C, its highest maximum temperature since records began.

What happened on Black Saturday?

The Black Saturday fires started on 7 February 2009. Approximately 400 fires were recorded across Victoria, affecting 78 communities. A total of 173 people died in the fires, and 2 029 houses were lost. Officers from the Victorian Department of Sustainable Communities were also involved.

Was there a drought before Black Saturday?

Drought. An intense heatwave occurred within the worst drought ever recorded in Australia’s history. Often described as a once in millennium drought, it included little to no recorded rainfall in the preceding two months of Black Saturday.

How far did the Black Saturday bushfire spread?

The fire started at about 11.47am, on top of a rocky hill between two gullies near Saunders Road. The fire ignited at about 12.20pm; it was a grass fire and in the first hour spread rapidly, covering just over 10 kilometres.

How fast did the Black Saturday fires travel?

Can we eat meat on Black Saturday?

CBCP Public Affairs Committee (PAC) executive secretary, Fr. Jerome Secillano, noted that Catholics should spend Black Saturday in reflection and thanksgiving. Secillano meanwhile noted that the faithful can already eat meat on Black Saturday.

How many fires were there on Black Saturday 2009?

As many as 400 individual fires were recorded on Saturday 7 February; the day has become widely referred to in Australia as Black Saturday. The 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, headed by Justice Bernard Teague, was held in response to the bushfires.

How hot did it get in Melbourne during Black Saturday?

In the two weeks preceding Black Saturday, Victoria experienced a severe heatwave. Melbourne had temperatures in excess of 43 °C for three consecutive days. Combined with the effects of the long term drought, extreme fire risk conditions were created when Melbourne reached 46 °C on 7 February.

Where are the fires in Kinglake National Park?

Between 3:30pm and 7pm the fire entered Kinglake National Park toward Strathewen, St Andrews, Kinglake, Kinglake West, Chum Creek, Steels Creek, Arthurs Creek, Flowerdale, Broadford, Healesville and Toolangi. The Murrindindi fire began at 3pm and spread through the Murrindindi State Forest and Black Range.

What was the weather like on Black Saturday?

On Black Saturday, temperatures reached 46°C and the winds were exceeding 100km/h. The hot, dry weather helped in the ignition of the fires and the winds played a huge part in expanding the fires and leading them around Victoria.