What happened Ash Wednesday 1983?
Ash Wednesday (16 February 1983) experienced over 100 fires swept across Victoria and South Australia, killing 75 people and causing widespread damage. High temperatures, intense winds, and low summer rainfall caused a high fire danger in Victoria’s eucalypt forests.
What towns were affected by Ash Wednesday bushfires?
Areas affected in Victoria
| Area/town | Area (km²) | Buildings destroyed |
|---|---|---|
| East Trentham & Mount Macedon | 295 | 628 |
| Belgrave Heights & Upper Beaconsfield | 92 | 238 |
| Monivae | 31.81 | 3 |
| Cockatoo | 18 | 307 |
When was Ash Wednesday fires?
February 16, 1983Ash Wednesday bushfires / Start date
How many homes were lost in the Ash Wednesday fires?
On 16 February 1983 the Ash Wednesday bushfires burned approximately 210,000 hectares of land, 2,080 homes were destroyed and 75 people, including 47 Victorians, lost their lives.
When did the Black Saturday fires start?
February 7, 2009Black Saturday bushfires / Start date
The Black Saturday fires started on 7 February 2009. Approximately 400 fires were recorded across Victoria, affecting 78 communities. A total of 173 people died in the fires, and 2 029 houses were lost.
Where did Ash Wednesday start?
As many other traditions of Christianity, the origins of Ash Wednesday can be traced back to ancient Rome. There, sinners and penitents dressed in sackcloth were sprinkled with ashes to start their period of public penance on the first day of Lent.
What was the worst wildfire in history?
~2,000 separate blazes burned an area the size of Connecticut in what is believed to be the largest fire in U.S. history. Killed 223 people according to official figures, and destroyed several towns, Cochrane burnt again after just five years.
How long was the Ash Wednesday bushfire?
Most of the major Ash Wednesday fires were controlled on the day, some in two to eight hours, others in a couple of days. Accessibility to the fires played a large part in how quickly fires were brought under control.
What day of the week has the most fires?
Home fires can happen at any time, but they generally increase during the fall and winter, with December and January being the peak months. Home fires are also more common on Saturday and Sunday, and tend to peak between 6:00 and 7:00 PM.
What does a black cross on your forehead mean?
The ash cross marking observers’ foreheads is meant to represent mortality and penance for their sins. It is applied by a priest during a morning mass, often along with a small blessing: “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.” Many choose to keep it on all day.