Black Saturday

Black Saturday refers to February 7, 2009, when devastating wildfires swept through Victoria, Australia. This intense firestorm resulted from record-breaking heat and prolonged drought, causing around 430,000 hectares of land to burn rapidly. The fires destroyed over 2,000 homes, claimed 173 lives, and injured many others, making it Australia’s deadliest bushfire event. The disaster led to widespread destruction, economic hardship, and a national conversation on fire preparedness and climate impacts. Black Saturday remains a significant memory of nature’s power and the importance of firefighting preparedness.