2019 BUSHFIRES IN VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

bushfires

Fires razed a number of settlements overnight including Clifton Creek, Sarsfield, Buchan. In Mallacoota about 4,000 people (including 3,000 tourists) were trapped as the fire approached the town. More than 1,000 people were evacuated by two naval vessels in the following days.

The Premier, Daniel Andrews, declared a on January 2nd telling people in many communities "If you can leave, you must leave — if you don't we simply cannot guarantee your safety. Others may be put into harm's way in trying to protect you and you may well find yourself isolated and cut-off for an extended period of time following fire activity that will almost certainly occur tomorrow [Friday], Saturday and potentially into Sunday."

Many other communities and settlements were affected over the course of the season including Genoa, Bruthen, Orbost, Club Terrace, Cann River, and Goongerah. .

Fires continued to threaten communities across Gippsland for all of January and most of February. On 20th February the , but it was not until 27th February that the Snowy Complex fires were .

By then 1,363,100 hectares had been burnt. Four people died as a result of the fires in East Gippsland, hundreds of houses were destroyed,

Barely a month after the fires were contained Covid restrictions were announced in Victoria. This left the recovery much more difficult for fire affected residents. Six months after the fires many victims were still , caravans and temporary accommodation.

Roads across East Gippsland suffered extensive damage as a result of the fires. By July works had been completed on more than half of the affected road segments and all roads had reopened, albeit many with restrictions and reduced speed limits. On 12 August 2020 the East Gippsland Shire Council presented a summary of of road repairs that showed how widespread the damage was.

The report of the Inspector General for Emergency Management's to the 2019-20 Victorian Fire Season was published on Oct 13 2020. The IGEM is also conducting an inquiry into effectiveness of relief and recovery arrangements that is due for completion in June 2021.