2014–15 Australian bushfire season
{{short description|none}}
{{Use Australian English|date=November 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}}
{{Infobox wildfire
|title=2014–15 Australian bushfire season
|image=File:2014-15 Australian Bushfire season MODIS overview.png
|caption = NASA MODIS burned area detections from June 2014 to May 2015
|location= Australia
|cost=
|date= Winter (June) 2014 – Autumn (May) 2015
|cause =
|area=
|fatalities = 1 CFS volunteer firefighter
|injuries= 139
|damage=
|buildings= 210+ total
{{bulleted list |48 houses |160+ non-residential structures }}
|is_season =true
|prev=2013–14 Australian bushfire season
|next=2015–16 Australian bushfire season
}}
The bushfire season in the summer of 2014–15, was expected to have the potential for many fires in eastern Australia after lower than expected rainfall was received in many areas. Authorities released warnings in the early spring that the season could be particularly bad.{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherzone.com.au/news/nsw-bushfire-service-helps-canada-douse-record-forest-fires/133553|title=NSW bushfire service helps Canada douse record forest fires|author=Bryant, Sally|date=3 September 2014|accessdate=1 November 2014|work=Weather Zone}}
Warmer and drier weather conditions were experienced during winter and extended into 2015, due to a developing El Niño event. Sydney was on track to record its hottest autumn so far and only had one fifth of the average rainfall in May. Adelaide recorded sixteen consecutive days of {{convert|20|C|F}} in May 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.crikey.com.au/2014/05/28/its-getting-hot-in-here-how-el-nino-is-messing-with-the-program/?wpmp_switcher=mobile|title=It's getting hot in here: how El Nino is messing with the program|author=Roza, Magdelena|date=28 May 2014|accessdate=1 November 2014|work=Crikey}}
Queensland sweltered through a heatwave, with record October temperatures being set in many towns through the state. New October records included Toowoomba with {{convert|36.4|C|F}}, St George with {{convert|42.6|C|F}}, Amberley with {{convert|41.3|C|F}} and Roma with {{convert|41.6|C|F}}.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-27/queensland-hit-by-heat-wave/5844506|title=Queensland storms: 12,000 properties without power following record setting day for October temperatures|date=26 October 2014|accessdate=2 November 2014|work=ABC News|location=Australia}}
Throughout 2014 and the first 6 months of 2015, 18 fires were declared "national disasters" affecting a total of 68 local government areas across New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria and the Northern Territory.{{cite book|last1=Hughes|first1=Lesley|last2=Fenwick|first2=Jacqui|title=The Burning Issue: Climate Change and the Australian Bushfire Threat|date=2015|publisher=Climate Council of Australia Limited|page=3|chapter-url=https://www.climatecouncil.org.au/uploads/df9df4b05bc1673ace5142c3445149a4.pdf|accessdate=8 October 2016|chapter=Bushfires in Our Own Backyard}}
Fires of note
Fires by state or territory
=New South Wales=
;August
During an 8-day period starting on 1 August 114 bush and grass fires burned through {{convert|9500|ha|abbr=on}} of the Clarence Valley and Kempsey local government areas. Five houses were destroyed and a further eight were extensively damaged during the blazes. Eight non-residential buildings and four vehicles were also destroyed in the blazes. A number of these fires were caused by escaped private hazard reduction burns.
;November
Fires started near Katoomba in the Blue Mountains just as heatwave conditions commenced in the area on 1 November. The fire dropped over an escarpment and into inaccessible bushland.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-01/water-bombers-fight-bushfire-at-katoomba-fire-ban-sydney/5859616|title=Blue Mountains bushfire: Crews fight blaze at Katoomba as total fire ban declared for Sydney, NSW districts|date=1 November 2014|accessdate=1 November 2014|work=ABC News|location=Australia}} One house was destroyed and a second house damaged along Cliff Drive after 60 people were evacuated from the area.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-01/blue-mountains-home-destroyed-by-bushfire-storms-hit-sydney/5860116|title=NSW bushfires: One Blue Mountains home destroyed as crews battle to control blazes|date=1 November 2014|accessdate=1 November 2014|work=ABC News|location=Australia}}
More fires started in 14 November near Warrimoo in the Blue Mountains. The local school was evacuated as the out of control blaze spread from a difficult to reach area. Some 36 firefighters were brought in to control the fire which spread toward Blaxland.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/bushfire-at-warrimoo-in-blue-mountains-20141114-3kcmc.html|title=Bushfire at Warrimoo in Blue Mountains|date=14 November 2014|accessdate=15 November 2014|work=The Sydney Morning Herald}}
=Northern Territory=
;August & September
Throughout both months, a series of small, suspicious bushfires burned through at least {{convert|1200|ha|abbr=on}} and threatened many properties around Howard Springs and Humpty Doo.{{cite news|last1=Byrne|first1=Conor|title=Bushfire threatens Humpty Doo properties|url=http://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/bushfire-threatens-humpty-doo-properties/news-story/aa07250cbbbd6b097e63efd844ec9216|accessdate=8 October 2016|work=NT News|publisher=News Corp|date=9 August 2014}} On 29 August a house was destroyed in a fire that is thought to have been deliberately lit.
Approximately {{convert|400000|ha|abbr=on}} of pastoral country was burnt out by a fire that burnt for over a week. Most of Birrimba Station, a large portion of Dungowan Station, some of Murranjai and a little of Killarney Station were burnt out.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-17/nt-cattle-stations-working-together-to-fight-bushfire/5751172|title=NT cattle stations working together to battle huge bushfire|author=Brann, Matt|date=18 September 2014|accessdate=8 December 2014|work=ABC News|location=Australia}}
=Queensland=
;October
After several days of above average temperatures, at least 18 fires were ignited by lightning in the Darling Downs Granite belt and Sunshine Coast hinterland regions.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-28/crews-brace-for-more-bushfires-in-queensland-heatwave/5846992|title=Queensland heatwave: Crews brace for more bushfires in state's south|date=27 October 2014|accessdate=2 November 2014|work=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Commission|location=Australia}}
;November
Over {{convert|12000|ha|abbr=on}} of forest was burnt out by fires near Ravenshoe, south west of Cairns in the far north of Queensland. The fire threatened about 30 homes but was repelled by fire fighters; a shed and caravan were destroyed.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-08/bushfire-at-ravenshoe-in-far-north-queensland-eases/5876868|title=Ravenshoe bushfire: 12,000 hectares of bush burned as blaze eases|date=8 November 2014|accessdate=8 November 2014|work=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Commission|location=Australia}}
=South Australia=
;November
A 38-year-old volunteer from the Mount Templeton Country Fire Service brigade dies and two others are injured fighting a fire about {{convert|100|km|mi}} north of Adelaide. The Nantawarra fire burned through about {{convert|1800|ha|abbr=on}} of grassland and scrub after ignition in the header of a machine reaping lentils.
;December
On 16 December, two fires ignited in the Barossa Valley area. A firefighter was injured while containing a grassfire that burnt through {{convert|700|ha|abbr=on}} near Springton. The second fire, near Angaston, burned through {{convert|1400|ha|abbr=on}} and caused extensive damage to the vineyards of Hutton Vale winery, before being extinguished.{{cite news|url=http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2014/12/17/man-injured-barossa-valley-bushfire|title=Man injured in Barossa Valley bushfire|date=17 December 2014|accessdate=1 February 2015|work=SBS World News|location=Australia}}
;January
{{see also|2015 Sampson Flat bushfires}}
A total of 28 houses, 4 businesses, 1 boarding kennel and 145 other non-residential structures were destroyed during the Sampson Flat bushfires, which ignited on 2 January in the vicinity of {{SAcity|Sampson Flat}} in the Adelaide Hills and burned through approximately {{convert|12600|ha|acre}} of scrub, forest, pasture. The fire also had a significant impact on local agricultural industry; {{convert|35|ha|abbr=on}} of vineyards were destroyed and 900 head of livestock died in the fire. The towns of Cudlee Creek, Gumeracha, Houghton, Kersbrook and Millbrook were threatened by the fire before it was contained on 7 January. Roughly 3,500 firefighters in 1,164 appliances, supported by 25 aircraft, fought the fire on a {{convert|240|km|mi}} perimeter; at least 134 firefighters and civilians suffered injuries, mostly minor, during the 6-day incident.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-06/up-to-38-houses-destroyed-by-sa-bushfires/6002952|title=Adelaide Hills bushfire: Up to 38 houses destroyed, Kersbrook worst hit|date=6 January 2015|accessdate=2 February 2015|work=ABC News|location=Australia}}{{cite news|title=Adelaide Hills bushfire: Dogs and cats perish as blaze sweeps through Tea Tree Gully Kennels and Cattery|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-04/dogs-cats-perish-adelaide-bushfire-tea-tree-gully-kennel-cattery/5999128|accessdate=8 January 2015|work=ABC News|location=Australia}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cfs.sa.gov.au/site/home/criimson/advice_message_sampson_flat_issued_09_jan_1753.jsp|title=Bushfire Advice Message: Sampson Flat|work=SA Country Fire Service|publisher=Government of South Australia|accessdate=10 January 2015|date=9 January 2015|quote=09/01/2015 17:52 Bushfire Advice Message: The CFS is currently monitoring a fire at Sampson Flat in the Mount Lofty Ranges near One Tree Hill, Humbug Scrub, Para Wirra Recreation Park, Mount Crawford, Kersbrook, Gumeracha, Kenton Valley, Cudlee Creek and Inglewood. Although rain has fallen on the fireground there is still the potential for hotpots to reignite. Fire resources and support agencies continue to work in these areas. Whilst some roads have been opened to residents only, the public must remain vigilant for potential or existing hazards. Although this fire does not pose a threat to life or property at this time, people in the area are advised to check and follow their Bushfire Survival Plan and monitor local conditions.}}
=Victoria=
;December
On 15 December, a lightning storm ignited 350 fires across the state; at Creightons Creek, south of Euroa, 4 houses were destroyed by the 'Creightons Creek' fire and at Lake Rowan, 1 house was destroyed by the 'Lake Rowan-Warby Ranges' fire. The 'Creightons Creek' fire burned through {{convert|5500|ha|abbr=on}} and caused the death of 1,100 head of livestock and the 'Lake Rowan-Warby Ranges' fire burned through {{convert|5750|ha|abbr=on}} and caused the death of 1,700 head of livestock. A total of 1,400 firefighting personnel fought the 350 fires, which also included a {{convert|3500|ha|abbr=on}} fire at Stewarton, north of Benalla, and a small grassfire that burned to within {{convert|6|km|mi}} of West Wodonga.
;January
Two houses and four farms were destroyed by a fire that ignited {{convert|3|km|mi}} north of Moyston township on 2 January, a day of Total Fire Ban. The fire had a significant impact on local agricultural industry; at least 90 farms were damaged—including hundreds of kilometers of fencing—and 3,000 head of livestock died.{{cite journal|last1=Hillard|first1=Leith|title=How did we manage to do all that?|journal=Brigade|volume=Autumn 2015|date=2015|page=6|url=https://asp-au.secure-zone.net/v2/index.jsp?id=666/730/6866&lng=en|accessdate=8 October 2016|publisher=Country Fire Authority}}{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/fire-at-moyston-near-ararat-still-not-under-control-20150102-12guwj.html|title=Fire at Moyston near Ararat still not under control|date=2 January 2015|accessdate=9 February 2015|work=The Age|location=Australia}}{{cite news|title=Moyston bushfire kills more than 1000 sheep in western Victoria|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-05/moyston-western-victoria-bushfires/5999480|accessdate=9 February 2016|work=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation|location=Australia|date=5 January 2015}} Within 5 hours from ignition, the fire had progressed {{convert|21|km|mi}}, burned {{convert|4400|ha|abbr=on}} with a {{convert|64|km|mi}} perimeter. The fire caused large plumes of toxic smoke when it burned through over 30,000 tyres on a private property.{{cite news|title=EPA investigates Moyston tyre stockpile fire|url=http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-us/news-centre/news-and-updates/news/2015/january/09/epa-investigates-moyston-tyre-stockpile-fire|accessdate=9 February 2016|work=Environment Protection Authority (Victoria)|location=Australia|date=9 January 2015|archive-date=16 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216043938/http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-us/news-centre/news-and-updates/news/2015/january/09/epa-investigates-moyston-tyre-stockpile-fire|url-status=dead}}
=Western Australia=
;September
A large bushfire started 16 September and was finally brought under control 12 days later after burning through {{convert|75000|ha|abbr=on}} of mostly bushland.{{cite news|url=http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/allclear-ends-pilbara-bushfire-alert-20140928-10n52u.html|title=All-clear ends Pilbara bushfire alert|date=28 September 2014|accessdate=1 November 2014|work=WA Today}} The fire threatened the town of Tom Price and western portion of Karijini National Park.{{cite news|url=http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/pilbara-bushfire-threatens-homes-and-lives-20140924-10llfw.html|title=Pilbara bushfire threatens homes and lives|date=24 September 2014|accessdate=1 November 2014|work=WA Today}}
;November
On 26 November, lightning ignited over a dozen bushfires in the Mid West region, burning out over {{convert|6000|ha|acre}} of pasture land and causing the evacuation of a primary school and several homes in Eneabba. At Gingin, north of Perth, a house and a shed were also damaged in a bushfire.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-11-27/wa-fires-burn-thousands-of-hectares/5921960|title=Fires burn across Western Australia|author1=de Landgrafft, Tara|author2=Prendergast, Joanna|date=27 November 2014|accessdate=8 December 2014|work=ABC News|location=Australia}}
;January
On 5 January, one house and one vehicle were destroyed at Yallingup by a small {{convert|5|ha|acre}} bushfire. 72 firefighters took 5 hours to bring the fire under control, and one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion.
Between 8 and 11 January, one firefighter and one police officer were injured by a fire that burned {{convert|6600|ha|acre}} around the north {{WAcity|Perth}} suburbs of {{WAcity|Bullsbrook}}, {{WAcity|Chittering}} and {{WAcity|Muchea}}.{{cite news|title=Firefighters focus on northern flank of Bullsbrook bushfire in WA ahead of expected wind change|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-11/crews-race-to-contain-bullsbrook-blaze/6010738|accessdate=11 January 2015|work=ABC News|location=Australia|date=11 January 2015|author=Perpitch, Nicolas}}
On 31 January, one house, several vehicles and a number of sheds were destroyed by a {{convert|385|ha|acre}} bushfire that had ignited on 29 January and threatened the town of Waroona. A portion of the South Western Highway was closed and over 50 residents were evacuated. Approximately 200 firefighters were required to combat the blaze.
;February
A fire that had been ignited by lightning near Northcliffe between 29 and 31 January almost doubled in size from {{convert|58000|ha|acre}} to {{convert|80000|ha|acre}} during hot, windy conditions on 4 February, and most residents of the town were evacuated to Pemberton. During the 11-day duration of the fire, two homes and five non-residential structures were destroyed and a significant number of livestock perished as the blaze burned over {{convert|95000|ha|acre}} of scrub, forest and pasture; a natural disaster zone was declared across the region.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-06/northcliffe-to-be-declared-natural-disaster-zone/6074870|title= WA bushfires: Natural disaster zone to be declared in Northcliffe as massive bushfire continues to burn|author=Jacob Kagi|date=6 February 2015|accessdate=6 February 2015|work=ABC News|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}
Another fire that had been ignited by lightning between 29 and 31 January burned through {{convert|52000|ha|acre}} of scrub, forest and pasture near Lower Hotham, in Boddington Shire; one house, two sheds, and the 66-year-old wooden Long Gully Bridge were destroyed in the blaze.
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Bushfires in Australia}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Australian Bushfire Season}}