During the 2002-2003 bush fire season, there were 5,999 bush fires attended by the relevant agencies Australia wide, 21,241,000 ha burnt and 7 Fatalities. Eighty seven fires were started by lightning in the north east of Victoria on 8 January 2003. Eight of these fires were unable to be contained and joined together to form the largest fire in Victoria since the 1851 “Black Thursday” bush fires. Burning for 59 days before being contained, the fires burnt over 1.3 million hectares, 41 homes and over 9,000 livestock, with thousands of kilometres of fencing also being destroyed.  Including Mt Buffalo, Benambra and Omeo.

Satellite image of Active Bush fires in Australia on 18th January 2003. The horrendous Canberra fire is shown as yellow markers in the satellite photo.

6^th of February, 1851 – “Black Thursday”
The largest Australian bushfire in European recorded history that burnt an area of approximately 5 million ha. which covered a quarter of Victoria.
The areas affected include Portland, Plenty Ranges, Westernport, the Wimmera and Dandenong districts. Approximately 12 lives, one million sheep and thousands of cattle were lost.The elevation of Port Phillip district into the colony of Victoria, was on the 1st of July 1851.
Source:  1301.0 – Year Book Australia, 2004
” The blasts of air were so impregnated with smoke and heat, that the lungs seemed absolutely to collapse under their withering influence;… ”
Source:   From the Melbourne “Argus” Newspaper Feb. 8.1851
” The fire kept enlarging its orbit, rolling about like some huge monster, destroying everything it touched, its track marked by charred timber, embers and ashes, cries and lamentations. Not content with dashing along the ground , it ran up the highest trees and the flames leaped in monkey fashion from tree to tree. ”
Source:   From the “Melbourne Herald” Newspaper February 1883

Read :  Historical Newspaper articles about Black Thursday 1851

27^th of February 1865 – “Black Monday”
” On Black Monday the worst day for heat and smoke we have had since Black Thursday, in 1851 -the destruction of property was very great, and no one who has not seen a fire raging among the stubbles and fences on tilled lands, with a strong north wind blowing, can well imagine what this is. From Geelong to Ballarat was nearly a line of fire, and numerous houses, fences, and crops were either burnt up or with difficulty saved. In the country round Daylesford similar disasters occurred. …. ”
Source:  Perth Gazette & W.A. Times   Friday 21 April 1865