Natural Disasters - Bush Fires

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Research Notes

Questions: What condtion made the black saturday spread?

- In February 2009, Southeastern Australia was hit by an unexpected heat wave causing dry fields and a fire. On Saturday, February 7th, temperatures in Victoria, increased above 46°C. It was the highest temperature ever recorded in the Melbourne since 1958.

- This fire propelled by wind speeds gusting to more than 95 km/h the fires raced across the region.

Questions: What impact did Black Saturday have on the environment and the communities?

- black saturday fires leaves victums with mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or psychological distress including anxiety and depression as well as breathing problems.

- within days 210 people had been killed, 500 injured, and nearly 8,000 left homeless. More than 2,000 homes were destroyed.

- the fires were the deadliest natural disaster in Australia in over a century. As a result of these fires, it caused serious droughts throughout Victoria

Questions: what changes did communities make to recover?

- Services Available

Victorian Department of Health

Helped people who suffered from PTSD and respiratory problems.

Australian Red Cross

Largest ever Australian Red Cross Recovering program. 1600 volunteers and staff helped in supporting families and friends involved. They reconnected friends and family through the use of a register. Over 400 volunteers and staff have continued to support people in their recovery by visiting them in their businesses and homes offering a listening ear and connecting to services

Australian Government Department of Human Services (Centrelink)

Centrelink provided the victims of the fire money for the re- build of homes destroyed in this event.

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