| Chatsbury / Bungonia bushfires | |
| Location: | Southern Highlands region of New South Wales, Australia |
| Coordinates: | -34.5492°N 149.8172°W |
| References: | --> |
| Date: | 5 to 14 March 1965 |
| Area: | 620000acres |
| Buildings: | 59 |
| Fatalities: | 3 |
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The Chatsbury/Bungonia bushfires of 1965 was a series of bushfires that burned from 5 to 14 March 1965 in the Southern Highlands region of New South Wales, Australia. The fires destroyed the villages of Tallong, Wingello, and most of the surrounding orchards.[1]
The fire is thought to be ignited by a spark from a Chatsbury Station angle grinder. It quickly spread and covered 620000acres and destroyed the areas' livestock. It is thought to be the greatest disaster in the area.[2]
Three people were killed. 28 homes were destroyed in Tallong, 31 in Wingello. The fire was eventually stopped (or burnt out) near Nowra on the NSW South Coast.[3]