Black Christmas bushfires explained

Black Christmas bushfires
Location:New South Wales, Australia
Date:24 December 2001 – 7 January 2002
Acres:753314ha[1]
Cost:70 million
Fatalities:Nil
Injuries:4

In Australia, during winter and spring 2001, low rainfall across combined with a hot, dry December created ideal conditions for bushfires. On the day of Christmas Eve, firefighters from the Grose Vale Rural Fire Service (RFS) brigade attended a blaze in rugged terrain at the end of Cabbage Tree Rd, Grose Vale, believed to have been caused by power lines in the Grose Valley.

On Christmas Day, strong westerly winds fuelled more than 100 bushfires across the state, creating a plume of smoke that extended across Sydney.[2] This plume of smoke would not clear for some days as the bushfires continued to burn, creating some of the worst pollution that Sydney has ever experienced, with a regional pollution index reading of: 200 in North-West Sydney; 120 in Central-East and South-West Sydney.[3] [4] The fires mainly burnt in Lane Cove National Park, the Royal National Park and Blue Mountains National Park. Approximately 753314ha was burnt.[1] 121 homes were destroyed across the state and 36 damaged, mostly in the lower Blue Mountains and west of the Royal National Park around Helensburgh.[5] Arsonists were believed to be responsible for starting many of the fires, leading to harsher penalties for those who start bushfires.

The dry conditions that started the bushfires continued well into 2002, resulting in the worst drought in 100 years. The drought was declared a "one in 1000 year event".[6] The drought finally broke with the La Nina event of 2010–2011. Significantly higher than average rainfall began in July 2010, it was Australia's second wettest year on record.[7]

An Erickson S-64 Aircrane helicopter became something of a celebrity during this time. Elvis (N179AC) was loaned to NSW by Victoria and proved instantly successful.[8]

Start dateInjuriesHouses destroyedAreaLocal government areasImpacted communities and description of damageDuration
acre
24 December 200130 – 3915500haWollondilly—Belimba Park, Nattai, Oakdale, Silverdale, Thirlmere & Warragamba

8 factory buildings, 2 shops and dozens of other non-residential structures destroyed.[9] [10] [11]

43 days
34 – 5297000haShoalhaven—Bendalong, Berrara, Huskisson, Manyana, Sussex Inlet, Tomerong & Vincentia

5 industrial units, 21 businesses, 109 sheds, one scout hall, 53 vehicles, 11 tractors, 23 other items of farm equipment, 25 trailers, 21 boats and 580 beehives destroyed.[12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

29 days
23 December 2001245500haClarence Valley—Brooms Head

12 non-residential structures destroyed. 8 houses damaged.[17]

22 days
24 December 2001414112000haHawkesbury—Yarramundi & Blaxlands Ridge

Several non-residential structures destroyed.[18] [19]

31 days
24 December 20011242000haBlue Mountains—Warrimoo, Valley Heights & Yellow Rock

8 houses damaged.[20] [21]

20 days
25 December 200127 – 3564000haSutherland & Wollongong—Heathcote, Waterfall, Helensburgh, Otford & Stanwell Tops

20 or more vehicles, 15 industrial premises, 14 commercial premises, 5 cottages, 2 large conference buildings and dozens of other non-residential structures destroyed. Scores of houses damaged.[22] [23]

14 days
25 December 200148200haPenrith—Glenmore Park & Mulgoa6 days

See also

References

-33.7836°N 151.1386°W

Notes and References

  1. News: Christmas 2001/2002 bushfires. Fire & Rescue NSW. 1 December 2015. NSW Government. 8 May 2007. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20151208153611/http://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=475. 8 December 2015 . dmy-all .
  2. The human health impact of the 2001-2002 'Black Christmas' bushfires in New South Wales, Australia: an alternative multidisciplinary strategy. Journal of Rural & Remote Health. 3. 1. 18–28. 2004. 9 February 2014. Warwick Educational Publishing Inc..
  3. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/1732047.stm Eyewitness: Sydney's residents face fire wrath, BBC News, 28 December 2001
  4. 2007 Essential Sydney, Sydney Morning Herald, taken from data provided by the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation
  5. http://www.ema.gov.au/ema/emadisasters.nsf/54273a46a9c753b3ca256d0900180220/b976c92612364519ca256d330005af22?OpenDocument
  6. News: Leaders warned on one-in-1000-year drought . Theage.com.au . 8 November 2006 . 9 February 2014.
  7. Web site: The 2010–11 La Niña: Australia soaked by one of the strongest events on record . Australian Bureau of Meteorology. 9 February 2014.
  8. News: Elvis – king of the firefighters . BBC News . 3 January 2002 . 9 February 2014.
  9. News: Counting the cost. 30 April 2016. Newcastle Herald. Fairfax Media. 27 December 2001. 4.
  10. Christmas Fires 2001 Special (Part Two). Bushfire Bulletin. New South Wales Rural Fire Service. https://web.archive.org/web/20050717070926/http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/articles/news/bfbxmasfires2001p1.pdf. 2005-07-17.
  11. News: Bushfire Updates. 30 April 2016. bushfire.nsw.gov.au. NSW Rural Fire Service. 27 December 2001. https://web.archive.org/web/20020209165216/http://www.bushfire.nsw.gov.au/media/Mores.asp?Id=260. 2002-02-09.
  12. News: Murphy. Sean. Bushfires continue to wreak havoc across NSW. 6 June 2015. 7:30 Report. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 3 January 2002. https://web.archive.org/web/20160529131800/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2002/s452494.htm. 29 May 2016. dead. dmy-all.
  13. Web site: At Nowra on Monday 22 April 2002. parliament.nsw.gov.au. Joint Select Committee on Bushfires. 6 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304035259/http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/committee.nsf/0/73b58d4b407e291eca256cf6000a89a7/%24FILE/Transcript%2022%20April%202002%20-%20Inquiry%20into%20the%202001-2002%20Bushfires.pdf. 4 March 2016. dead. dmy-all.
  14. News: Thousands flee as fires hit tiny towns. 30 April 2016. The Age. Fairfax Media. 3 January 2002.
  15. News: Anthony Dennis. Stephanie Peatling. Smouldering Sussex Inlet wakes up to find the holiday is over. 30 April 2016. Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 4 January 2002.
  16. House of Representatives . Commonwealth of Australia . Main Committee; Christmas 2001 Bushfires . 20 February 2002 . 642 . Joanna Gash . Member for Gilmore .
  17. Christmas Fires 2001 Special (Part One). Bushfire Bulletin. New South Wales Rural Fire Service. https://web.archive.org/web/20050717071033/http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/articles/news/bfbxmasfires2001p2.pdf. 2005-07-17.
  18. Web site: At Sydney on Friday, 31 May 2002. parliament.nsw.gov.au. Joint Select Committee on Bushfires. 6 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061400/http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/committee.nsf/0/f503824d6c135361ca256cf6000a89a8/%24FILE/Transcript%2031%20May%202002%20-%20Inquiry%20into%20the%202001-2002%20Bushfires.pdf. 4 March 2016. dead. dmy-all.
  19. House of Representatives . Commonwealth of Australia . Main Committee; Christmas 2001 Bushfires . 20 February 2002 . 650 . Kerry Bartlett . Member for Macquarie .
  20. Web site: Leong Poon, Ph.D.. Bushfire Investigations - Warrimoo, Valley Heights and Yellow Rock, Lower Blue Mountains, NSW, 2001-2. timber.net.au. National Timber Development Council. 6 June 2015.
  21. News: Chipperfield. Mark. Bushfire victims begin rebuilding shattered lives. 30 April 2016. The Telegraph. Telegraph Media Group. 30 December 2001.
  22. Web site: Black Christmas. historichelensburgh.org.au. Helensburgh and District Historical Society. 30 April 2016. 20 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20160325010820/http://historichelensburgh.org.au/black-christmas. 25 March 2016. dead. dmy-all.
  23. House of Representatives . Commonwealth of Australia . Main Committee; Christmas 2001 Bushfires . 20 February 2002 . 651 . Dr. Stephen Paul Martin . Member for Cunningham .

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