Feature Article - Notable cases of severe bushfires
1913-14
Fires coincided with a drought season, with a fire on Mt Wellington occurring. Orchards, buildings and stock were also lost in the Huon District.
1933-34
There were several serious outbreaks of fires. Intense bushfires occurred in south-east Tasmania on 16 January 1934. Smoke from these fires was carried over to Victoria. Major fires occurred in the Florentine and Derwent valleys on 9 February 1934, known as Black Friday in Tasmania (not the same date as Black Friday in Victoria). Homes were destroyed and there was some loss of life.
1939
On 2 February there were serious fires in the Huon, Derwent Valley, West Coast and King Island districts.
1940
Several severe fires occurred around Hobart between 11 and 17 March. On 13 March, 28 separate fires were reported. A total of 16,000 hectares of forest were burnt.
1945-46
During a drought period, several areas of Tasmania suffered from severe bushfires. Extensive areas of Mt Wellington were burnt by a bushfire on 26 December 1945.
1960-61
There were many bushfires throughout the State in January. On 6 February, Parattah and Perth were threatened by bushfires, and there were many fires through the Midlands.
1963-64
Fire destroyed the bulk of pine plantations at Cambridge on 17 March 1963. On 17 January 1964, fires occurred State-wide, being fanned by high winds. Homes near Hobart, Snug and along the north coast were threatened.
1966-67
The 'Black Tuesday' bushfires, on 7 February 1967 in south-east Tasmania, killed 62 people and destroyed nearly 1,500 houses and other major buildings.
1981
Fires occurred in Zeehan on 3 February and 40 homes were destroyed.
1991
Fires occurred at Pelverata and Bonnet Hill on 25 February and 6 houses were destroyed.
1998
On 17 January, fires destroyed 3,000 hectares and 6 houses in Hobart’s southern suburbs.
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