Victorian Bushfire: Black Saturday Essay Example
Victorian Bushfire: Black Saturday Essay Example

Victorian Bushfire: Black Saturday Essay Example

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  • Pages: 2 (376 words)
  • Published: August 25, 2018
  • Type: Essay
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The bushfire in Victoria comprised multiple bushfires originating from various areas, which rapidly spread throughout the state due to winds reaching speeds of up to 100 km per hour (62mph). On February 7th, a total of 400 bushfires were recorded, leading to the designation of this particular Saturday as black Saturday. Victoria experiences more bushfires and fatalities compared to any other Australian state. The burned area in Victoria spans over 4,500 km2 (450,000 hectares, 1.1 million acres). A satellite image captured a pyrocumulus cloud located northeast of Melbourne.

Causes for this disaster confirmed various ignitions such as power lines, arson, lightning, and machinery failure. The Victorian bushfire was comprised of over 10 major bushfires. The most severe of these was the Kinglake/Marysville fire, which started as two separate fires and merged to become t

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he largest fire on Black Saturday. This fire resulted in the destruction of more than 330,000 ha, over 1800 homes, and the loss of 159 lives.

Geographical Processes: Brushfires happen in hot and dry climates. Strong winds and cold fronts during summer can increase the risk of fires. Areas with dry grass and trees, which are easily ignited, are also at risk during summer. The impacts of this disaster include factors such as high winds, which provide more oxygen, the amount of fuel (grass, trees, shrubs, etc.), low humidity, the terrain (hills help fires spread), and high air temperature.

Approximately 50 insurance claims were submitted, leading to a significant expense of 1.02 billion dollars. Professionals in the industry anticipated that insurance premiums would rise due to the fires, enabling insurers to recover some of their losses. The Supreme Court of Victori

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saw the initiation of a class action lawsuit against SP AusNet, an electricity distribution company, specifically concerning the Kilmore East fire. It is estimated that millions of animals died in the bushfires and many surviving wildlife suffered severe burns.

Forested catchment areas that supply five of Melbourne's nine major dams, including Maroondah Reservoir and O'Shannassy Reservoir, were impacted by the fires. By 17 February, more than ten billion litres of water had been relocated from these affected dams, filling up most of the other dams. The responses to the Black Saturday bushfires consisted of immediate community response, donations, international aid efforts, Government inquiries, recommendations, and discussions from various organizations and bodies.

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