Firestorm

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

18 January 2003 a major fire hit Canberra, Australia. Four lives lost, over 490 injured, plus over 500 homes destroyed & other property damage. But this was something more than just a fire: there was severe wind damage; a police car was picked up & dumped in a storm water drain; plus the fire spread faster than was predicted by the literature.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Catalyst programme takes a look:

/ fire firestorm Canberra ACT Australian Capital Territory Canberra bushfires brushfire fire 2003 several deaths fatalities 490 injured injuries severe damage outskirts Canberra Australian capital city 18–22 January 2003 70% pastures, forests pine plantations nature parks severely damaged most renowned Mount Stromlo astronomical astronomy Observatory destroyed burn burning week around the edges ACT fire flame smoke fires entered suburbs Canberra 18 January 2003next ten hours four people died death fatality 500 homes were destroyed severely damaged significant relief reconstruction effort bush fire brigade emergency services On 8 January 2003 lightning strikes started 4 fires in close proximity to Canberra. Despite their proximity and very small initial sizes, low intensity and low rate of spread these fires were not extinguished or contained by emergency services personnel. Subsequent inquiries into the bushfires including the Roche report, the McLeod inquiry and the Coroners Report identified poor management of the initial response as a key contributor to the disaster that unfolded on 18 January 2003 13 January helicopter water bombing bomber waterbombing fires forests west Canberra crashed crash Bendora Dam one person pilot injured ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope Chief Fire Officer Peter Lucas-Smith reviewing review fires nearby Snowy Hydro SouthCare helicopter pilot Southcare chopper cautiously positioned aircraft Stanhope Lucas-Smith paramedic board dive dam rescue injured pilot helicopter pilot later received awards bravery Emergency Services Bureau ESB released final media release format content clues overlooked assessment risk Canberra faced bush fire bushfire logistical support staging areas relocated Bulls Head Orroral Valley far outside urban Canberra North Curtin District Playing Fields far inside urban Canberra major retreat fire fighters imminent danger to the city /