Damon Mcknight
Australia's bushfires have led to mass evacuations, with tens of thousands of residents forced to flee their homes. In Victoria, over 1,100 people were evacuated by two Australian Navy ships from the Gippsland town of Mallacoota. In addition, thousands of locals took shelter in evacuation centres and on beaches as too late to leave warnings were issued for multiple areas. The bushfires have also resulted in numerous fatalities, with an estimated death toll of at least 33 people and the displacement or death of over 3 billion animals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 2019-2020 |
| Location | Victoria, NSW, Queensland, Kangaroo Island, Bayindeen |
| Number of People Evacuated | 30,000 in Victoria in 2024; 4,000 in Mallacoota in 2020; 1,160 from Mallacoota on naval vessels; 1,100 from Mallacoota on two Australian Navy ships; 1,300 homes destroyed; Tens of thousands of residents fled their homes |
| Animals Impacted | 1.25 billion; 3 billion terrestrial vertebrates, mostly reptiles; Half a billion; 6,800 livestock |
| Area Impacted | 24 million hectares; 19 million hectares; 1.5 million hectares; 12.6 million hectares; 800,000 hectares; 780,000 hectares; 170,000 hectares; 420,000 acres; 15,000 hectares; 44 acres |
| Number of Deaths | 33; 30 nationwide; 2 in Gippsland; 2 in East Gippsland; 2 on Kangaroo Island; 4 in Canberra; 23; 417 from bushfire smoke |
| Buildings Impacted | 3,000 buildings; 3,094 homes; 400 homes; 6 homes; 10 businesses |
| Temperature | Above 43°C for three consecutive days in Melbourne; 43.6°C in Canberra; 40°C in Victoria |
| Climate Change Impact | 400 megatonnes of carbon dioxide; 350 million tonnes of carbon dioxide; 700 million tonnes of carbon emissions; 2% increase in atmospheric concentration of major greenhouse gases |
| Organisations Involved | WIRES Wildlife Rescue; Rapid Relief Team Australia; Team Rubicon Australia; Animal Welfare League; St John Ambulance Australia; Australian Red Cross; WWF-Australia |
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What You'll Learn
Tens of thousands of residents fled their homes in 2020
The 2019-2020 Australian bushfire season was the most catastrophic bushfire season in the country's history. The fires burnt more than 24 million hectares, destroyed over 3,000 buildings, and directly killed 33 people. Bushfire smoke was responsible for an additional 417 deaths. An estimated three billion terrestrial vertebrates, mostly reptiles, were killed or displaced, and some species may have been driven to extinction. The fires also had a significant impact on the country's economy, with the state of Victoria alone suffering billions of dollars in economic damage.
During the 2019-2020 bushfire season, tens of thousands of residents were forced to flee their homes amid catastrophic conditions. In Victoria, over 1,100 people and 115 pets were evacuated by two Australian Navy ships from the Gippsland town of Mallacoota. They arrived in Hastings, near Melbourne, after sailing for 16 hours. More than 4,000 people were isolated in Mallacoota after a massive firefront swept through, forcing them to shelter from the flames on the town's wharf and beach. The local member of parliament, Darren Chester, called it a "mass relocation of a nature which is completely unprecedented in Gippsland's history."
The bushfires were caused by a combination of natural phenomena and human activity. Heatwaves and droughts dry out the undergrowth and create conditions that increase the risk of bushfires. Southeast Australia has experienced a significant decline in rainfall since the mid-1990s, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has concluded that ongoing anthropogenic climate change will likely increase the intensity and frequency of fires in Australia. Global warming is also making bushfires burn more intensely and frequently, and the 2019-2020 bushfires emitted a significant amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to global warming and the likelihood of recurring megafires.
The response to the bushfires was immense, with volunteer organizations, charities, and government agencies working together to evacuate and support those affected. The Australian government deployed 3,000 defence force reservists to assist in evacuation and recovery efforts, and volunteer organizations such as WIRES Wildlife Rescue, Rapid Relief Team Australia, and Team Rubicon Australia provided support for rescue, treatment of injured wildlife, and debris removal. The Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund raised over $50 million for wildlife and nature recovery, and the "Towards Two Billion Trees" plan was launched to aid in the koala bushfire recovery and protect existing trees and forests.
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1,100+ people and 115 pets evacuated from Gippsland
The 2019-2020 Australian bushfire season was catastrophic, with fires burning more than 24 million hectares and destroying over 3,000 buildings. The fires also directly killed 33 people, with bushfire smoke causing an additional 417 deaths. An estimated three billion terrestrial vertebrates, mostly reptiles, were killed or displaced, and some species may have been driven to extinction.
During this time, over 1,100 people and 115 pets were evacuated from the Gippsland town of Mallacoota in Victoria. Two Australian Navy ships, HMAS Choules and MV Sycamore, were deployed for the evacuation. The evacuees sailed for 16 hours before arriving in Hastings, near Melbourne. This was the largest maritime evacuation of Australian citizens in a natural disaster.
The situation in Mallacoota was dire, with over 4,000 people isolated in the town after a massive firefront swept through. They were forced to shelter from the flames on the town's wharf and beach. The local member of parliament, Darren Chester, called it a "mass relocation of a nature which is completely unprecedented in Gippsland's history."
The evacuation of Mallacoota was challenging due to communication issues, blocked roads, and contaminated water. The unpredictable behavior of the fires and changing weather conditions further complicated the operation. Authorities had to consider the possibility that the fire would force people into the water, organizing vessels to assist those in danger.
The bushfires in Australia were exacerbated by heatwaves and droughts, creating ideal conditions for the fires to spread. Climate change has also been identified as a contributing factor, increasing the intensity and frequency of bushfires. The Australian government's response to the bushfire crisis was heavily criticized, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison accused of a slow and inadequate reaction.
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3,000 defence force reservists deployed to assist
The 2019-2020 Australian bushfire season was catastrophic, with fires burning over 24 million hectares of land, destroying more than 3,000 buildings, and causing the deaths of 33 people. The fires also had a devastating impact on wildlife, with an estimated three billion terrestrial vertebrates, mostly reptiles, killed or displaced.
In response to the crisis, the Australian government took several measures to assist with evacuation and recovery efforts. On January 4, 2020, the federal government announced the deployment of 3,000 defence force reservists to aid in these efforts. This was the first time in Australian history that a compulsory call-out had been issued for reservists. The Defence Minister, Linda Reynolds, stated that the government had committed 20 million Australian dollars to lease four fire-fighting aircraft and that the helicopter-equipped HMAS Adelaide would assist with evacuations.
The ADF's bushfire operation lasted six months, with naval ships evacuating thousands of people from fire-ravaged areas, including the Victorian town of Mallacoota, where over 1,100 people and 115 pets were rescued by two Australian Navy ships. The ADF also set up field health facilities, cleared fire breaks and roadblocks, repaired fences, and provided essential supplies such as water, food, and water purification systems.
The bushfires were met with some of the largest firefighting efforts in Australian history, with thousands of Australian Defence Force personnel deployed, including both full-time and reserve members. The operation also received support from international defence force partners, including Canada, the United States, and several other countries. The response included a variety of measures, such as water bombers, aircraft, and ground crews, working tirelessly to control and extinguish the fires.
The 2019-2020 bushfires in Australia were a devastating event, and the deployment of 3,000 defence force reservists played a crucial role in the evacuation and recovery efforts. The operation spanned several months and involved close collaboration between various organizations and countries to bring the situation under control.
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33 people died in the 2019-2020 fires
The 2019-2020 Australian bushfires, also known as Black Summer, were one of the most intense and catastrophic fire seasons on record in Australia. The fires were caused by exceptionally dry conditions, a lack of soil moisture, and early fires in Central Queensland, leading to a premature start to the bushfire season in June 2019. The most severe fires hit from December 2019 to January 2020.
The fires burnt more than 24 million hectares (59 million acres) of land, destroyed over 3,000 buildings, and killed an estimated three billion terrestrial vertebrates, mostly reptiles. The bushfires also had a massive impact on the communities in the affected areas, with tens of thousands of people forced to evacuate their homes.
The bushfires claimed the lives of 33 people, with the majority of deaths occurring in New South Wales. This figure includes the three American crew members who died when their Lockheed C-130 Hercules air tanker crashed while waterbombing a blaze. In addition to the direct fatalities, bushfire smoke was responsible for an additional 417 deaths.
The response to the bushfires was extensive, with the Australian Defence Force providing manpower and logistical support, and international crews brought in from New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, and the United States. Volunteer organizations and charities also played a significant role in the rescue and recovery efforts, with groups like WIRES Wildlife Rescue working to rescue and treat injured wildlife, and the Red Cross providing support at evacuation centres.
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2024: 30,000 people ordered to evacuate Victoria
On February 28, 2024, around 30,000 people were ordered to evacuate parts of Victoria, Australia, due to a "catastrophic" fire risk. Bushfires had been burning in the region since February 22, and authorities issued the evacuation order amid worsening conditions. Hot, dry, and windy weather created "extreme to catastrophic fire dangers," with temperatures rising to the 40°C range and wind gusts reaching 60 to 70 kilometers per hour.
The bushfires in Victoria destroyed more than 400 homes and killed 6,800 livestock, causing billions of dollars in economic damage. The blaze also resulted in the closure of more than 100 state forests and dozens of schools and childcare centers. The western Wimmera region was given a "catastrophic" risk rating, indicating that any fires would be uncontrollable and uncontainable.
The evacuation order came before midday on Wednesday, with authorities warning that it would be too late to leave after that time. The massive relocation of tens of thousands of people highlighted the urgency and severity of the situation. Victoria had previously experienced devastating bushfires during the 2019-2020 fire season, which destroyed homes, displaced residents, and caused loss of life.
In the aftermath of the 2024 bushfires, Victoria activated various relief and recovery measures. This included emergency relief payments and the Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) for eligible Victorians facing extreme financial hardship due to the bushfires. Additionally, resources were provided for farmers dealing with agricultural impacts and guidance for safely returning home after a bushfire.
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Frequently asked questions
Tens of thousands of people were evacuated from their homes during the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires, which were the most catastrophic bushfires in the country's history. Approximately 4,000 people, including 3,000 tourists, remained in Mallacoota as the fire began.
Approximately 1,160 people were evacuated from Mallacoota on naval vessels.
Victoria ordered 30,000 people to evacuate due to a 'catastrophic' fire risk.
