1980 Ash Wednesday bushfires

The first Ash Wednesday fires were a series of bushfires that began in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, on Ash Wednesday, 20 February 1980.[1] 51 homes and 25 other buildings were destroyed, including the Anglican Christ Church, Longwood,[2] and 75 farms were affected. 40 people were injured, with 150 left homeless. The fire burnt an area of 3,770 ha (14.6 sq mi),[3] and caused an estimated $34,000,000 damage.[4]

Ash Wednesday I
LocationAdelaide Hills, South Australia
Coordinates34.911194°S 138.707361°E / -34.911194; 138.707361
Statistics
Cost$34,000,000
Date(s)20 February 1980 (1980-02-20)
Burned area3,770 ha (14.6 sq mi)
CauseFaulty power lines, arson, and negligence after years of extreme drought
Buildings destroyed
  • 51 homes
  • 25 outbuildings
  • 75 farms damaged
Non-fatal injuries
  • 40 civilians
Map

In 1983, after the Ash Wednesday fires in February that year, the 1980 fire became known in South Australia as the "first" Ash Wednesday, or Ash Wednesday I.[3]

References
  1. "Natural Hazards". Archived from the original on 11 February 2009.
  2. "Mount Barker Parish | Diocese of The Murray". murray.anglican.org. Retrieved 8 February 2021.
  3. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 29 August 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 18 September 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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