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1993–94 Australian bushfire season

{{short description|none}}

{{Use Australian English|date=February 2020}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}

{{Infobox wildfire

|title= 1993–94 Australian bushfire season

|image=

|caption=

|location= New South Wales and Queensland, Australia

|cost=

|date= October 1993 – January 1994

|cause =

|area=70,000+ ha

|fatalities = 3

|injuries= 29+

|structures=

}}

File:Sydney_bushfire.jpg

A major bushfire occurred in southern Queensland, Australia, in October 1993, and several major bushfires occurred in New South Wales from December 1993 to January 1994. 3 people were killed in New South Wales by the fires and more than 29 were injured. More than 70,000 ha were destroyed in New South Wales.

class="wikitable sortable"
scope="col" width="6%" align="center" | State

! scope="col" width="12%" align="center" | Start date

! scope="col" width="6%" align="center" | Deaths

! scope="col" width="6%" align="center" | Injuries

! scope="col" width="6%" align="center" | Houses lost

! scope="col" width="8%" align="center" | Area (ha)

! scope="col" width="12%" align="center" | Local govt.

! scope="col" align="center" class="unsortable" | Impacted communities & destruction

! scope="col" width="6%" align="center" class="unsortable" | Duration

! scope="col" width="10%" align="center" class="unsortable" | Ref.

style="text-align:center;" | Qld

| style="text-align:center;" | 10 October 1993

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | 3

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | Somerset

Coominya & Esk

  • 4 caravans destroyed

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite news|last1=Clark|first1=Peter|title=Bushfire law to duplicate NSW's|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article127510650|accessdate=11 June 2015|work=Canberra Times|date=11 October 1993}}

style="text-align:center;" | NSW

| style="text-align:center;" | 27 December 1993

| style="text-align:center;" | 1

| style="text-align:center;" | 4

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | Clarence Valley

Maclean

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite news|title=Firefighters bracing for worst as winds pick up|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126920757|accessdate=12 June 2015|work=Canberra Times|date=5 January 1994}}{{Cite Hansard|jurisdiction=Commonwealth of Australia |house=

House of Representatives |title=NEW SOUTH WALES BUSHFIRES |url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=CHAMBER;id=chamber%2Fhansardr%2F1994-02-03%2F0039;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F1994-02-03%2F0045%22 |date=3 February 1994 |page_start=270 |page_end=271 |speaker=Harry Woods |position=Member for Page}}

style="text-align:center;" | NSW

| style="text-align:center;" | 30 December 1993

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | 11

| style="text-align:center;" | {{convert|15000|ha|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;" | Cessnock & Singleton

Bucketty

  • 16 non-residential structures, 4 caravans and 3 vehicles destroyed
  • A tourist railway damaged

| style="text-align:center;" | 17 days

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite journal|editor1-last=Paxton|editor1-first=Gilly|editor2-last=Bell|editor2-first=Anne|title=Table 1; Emergency Appointments|journal=Bush Fire Bulletin|date=1994|volume=16|issue=1|page=45|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-285679306/view?partId=nla.obj-285705365#page/n2/mode/1up|accessdate=7 October 2016|publisher=Department of Bush Fire Services}}{{cite journal|editor1-last=Paxton|editor1-first=Gilly|title=Corrections to the Last Issue of the Bulletin; Table 3, Losses by Local Government Area|journal=Bush Fire Bulletin|date=1994|volume=16|issue=2|page=25|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-285666955/view?partId=nla.obj-285669593#page/n0/mode/1up|accessdate=6 October 2016|publisher=Department of Bush Fire Services}}{{cite news|last1=Fitzpatrick|first1=Eamonn|title=Central Coast optimism|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=10 January 1994|page=4}}

style="text-align:center;" | NSW

| style="text-align:center;" | 1 January 1994

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | 5+

| style="text-align:center;" | {{convert|12500|ha|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;" | Hornsby

Brooklyn, Canoelands & Wisemans Ferry

  • A garage and several non-residential buildings destroyed

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | {{Cite Hansard|jurisdiction=Commonwealth of Australia |house=

House of Representatives |title=NEW SOUTH WALES BUSHFIRES |url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=CHAMBER;id=chamber%2Fhansardr%2F1994-02-03%2F0042;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F1994-02-03%2F0045%22 |date=3 February 1994 |page_start=276 |page_end=277 |speaker=Phillip Ruddock |position=Member for Berowra}}

style="text-align:center;" | NSW

| style="text-align:center;" | 3 January 1994

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | 24

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | Gosford

Cogra Bay, Kariong, Peats Ridge, Somersby & Tascott

  • Several non-residential structures destroyed, including a service station
  • 8 houses damaged

| style="text-align:center;" | 12 days

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite news|last1=Tubb|first1=Rochelle|title=Bush houses lost in fire|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=30 January 1994|page=20}}

style="text-align:center;" | NSW

| style="text-align:center;" | 3 January 1994

| style="text-align:center;" | 1

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | 4

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | Lake Macquarie & Newcastle

Bennetts Green, Charlestown, Glendale & Wallsend

  • A retail property, a wrecking yard and several other non-residential structures destroyed
  • 8 houses damaged

| style="text-align:center;" | 11 days

| style="text-align:center;" | {{Cite Hansard|jurisdiction=Commonwealth of Australia |house=House of Representatives |title=New South Wales Bushfires |url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F1994-02-03%2F0043%22 |date=3 February 1994 |page_start=278 |page_end=279 |speaker=Peter Morris |position=Member for Shortland}}{{cite news|last1=Sandham|first1=Sonya|author2=Nicole Taylor|title=Fires force hundreds to flee|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=4 January 1994|page=1}}

style="text-align:center;" | NSW

| style="text-align:center;" | 4 January 1994

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | 5

| style="text-align:center;" | {{convert|50000|ha|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;" | Blue Mountains & Hawkesbury

Hawkesbury Heights

  • 26 non-residential structures destroyed, including a youth hostel
  • 26 houses and 84 non-residential structures damaged

| style="text-align:center;" | 11 days

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|title=At Sydney on Friday, 31 May 2002 |url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/committee.nsf/0/f503824d6c135361ca256cf6000a89a8/$FILE/Transcript%2031%20May%202002%20-%20Inquiry%20into%20the%202001-2002%20Bushfires.pdf |publisher=Joint Select Committee on Bushfires |accessdate=6 June 2015 |archive-url=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 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news|last1=Davey|first1=Karen|title=Life's work gone in 2 fatal hours|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=16 January 1994|page=16}}

style="text-align:center;" | NSW

| style="text-align:center;" | 5 January 1994

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | 2

| style="text-align:center;" | {{convert|2000|ha|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;" | Eurobodalla & Shoalhaven

Sussex Inlet

| style="text-align:center;" | 6 days

| style="text-align:center;" |

style="text-align:center;" | NSW

| style="text-align:center;" | 6 January 1994

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | 5+

| style="text-align:center;" | 17

| style="text-align:center;" | {{convert|370|ha|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;" | Willoughby & Ku-ring-gai

Macquarie Park, Chatswood West, West Killara & Lindfield

  • Ku-ring-gai College and at least 3 houses damaged

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite web|last1=Mullins|first1=G|title=The Interface Fire Problem – An Urban Fire Service Perspective|url=http://www.fire.uni-freiburg.de/summit-2003/3-IWFC/Papers/3-IWFC-035-Mullins.pdf|publisher=New South Wales Fire Brigades|accessdate=7 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009163532/http://www.fire.uni-freiburg.de/summit-2003/3-IWFC/Papers/3-IWFC-035-Mullins.pdf|archive-date=9 October 2016|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last1=Cantlon|first1=Gavin|author2=Steve Warnock|author3=Robyn Willis|title=Mates rescue war veterans|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=9 January 1994|page=4}}

style="text-align:center;" | NSW

| style="text-align:center;" | 6 January 1994

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | 2

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | Port Stephens

—

  • 8 non-residential structures destroyed, including dog kennels
  • A timber factory damaged

| style="text-align:center;" | 8 days

| style="text-align:center;" | {{Cite Hansard|jurisdiction=Commonwealth of Australia |house=House of Representatives |title=New South Wales Bushfires |url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=CHAMBER;id=chamber%2Fhansardr%2F1994-02-03%2F0045;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F1994-02-03%2F0045%22 |date=3 February 1994 |page_start=282 |page_end=284 |speaker=Robert Horne |position=Member for Paterson}}

style="text-align:center;" | NSW

| style="text-align:center;" | 7 January 1994

| style="text-align:center;" | 1

| style="text-align:center;" | 20+

| style="text-align:center;" | 101

| style="text-align:center;" | {{convert|480|ha|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;" | Sutherland

Alfords Point, Bangor, Bonnet Bay, Como & Jannali

  • 14 non-residential structures destroyed, including Como West Presbyterian Church
  • 48 vehicles destroyed
  • 90 houses and 11 non-residential structures damaged, including Como West Public School

| style="text-align:center;" | 6 days

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite news|title=Prayers answered as fires ease|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126921723|accessdate=7 June 2015|work=Canberra Times|date=10 January 1994|page=1}}{{cite news|last1=Mutton|first1=Sheree|title=Shire fire horror still lingers 20 years on|url=http://www.theleader.com.au/story/2012100/shire-fire-horror-still-lingers-20-years-on/|accessdate=7 June 2015|publisher=St George & Sutherland Shire Leader|date=9 January 2014}}{{Cite Hansard|jurisdiction=Commonwealth of Australia |house=House of Representatives |title=Victorian Bushfire Victims – Condolences|url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=CHAMBER;id=chamber%2Fhansardr%2F2009-02-11%2F0136;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F2009-02-11%2F0000%22 |date=11 February 2009 |pages=1018 |speaker=Scott Morrison |position=Member for Cook}}{{cite news|last1=Gilmore|first1=Helen|author2=Rochelle Tubb|title=Nature's violence unites a community|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=16 January 1994|page=14}}

style="text-align:center;" | NSW

| style="text-align:center;" | 7 January 1994

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" |

| style="text-align:center;" | 36

| style="text-align:center;" | {{convert|11000|ha|abbr=on}}

| style="text-align:center;" | Pittwater & Warringah

Bayview, Cromer, Elanora Heights, Elvina Bay, Ingleside, Lovett Bay & Warriewood

  • 4 non-residential structures destroyed, including a service station
  • 16 vehicles destroyed
  • 43 houses and 87 non-residential structures damaged

| style="text-align:center;" | 6 days

| style="text-align:center;" | {{cite news|last1=Connell|first1=Jennifer|author2=Keith Gosman|title=Spot fires keep suburbs on alert|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=10 January 1994|page=2}}{{cite news|last1=Westbrook|first1=Tom|title=NSW Conservation Council calls for review of 10/50 vegetation clearing code|url=http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/northern-beaches/nsw-conservation-council-calls-for-review-of-1050-vegetation-clearing-code/story-fngr8hax-1227066710289|accessdate=7 June 2015|work=Daily Telegraph|date=22 September 2014}}{{Cite Hansard|jurisdiction=Commonwealth of Australia |house=

House of Representatives |title=NEW SOUTH WALES BUSHFIRES |url=http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;db=CHAMBER;id=chamber%2Fhansardr%2F1994-02-03%2F0038;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2F1994-02-03%2F0045%22 |date=3 February 1994 |page_start=268 |page_end=270 |speaker=David Miles Connolly |position=Member for Bradfield}}{{cite news|last1=Chater|first1=Jenny|author2=Steve Offner|title='We didn't even know it was close'|work=Sydney Morning Herald|date=13 January 1994|page=46}}

References

{{Reflist}}

{{Bushfires in Australia}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1993-94 Australian bushfire season}}

Category:Bushfire seasons in Australia

Category:1990s fires in Oceania

Category:1993 fires

Category:1994 fires

Category:1990s wildfires

Category:1993 in the environment

Category:1994 in the environment

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