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
Coordinates34.91°S 138.71°E / -34.91; 138.71
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
1980 Ash Wednesday bushfires is located in South Australia
1980 Ash Wednesday bushfires

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. "CFS :: Bushfire History". Archived from the original on 29 August 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
  4. "Adelaide Hills, SA: Bushfires". Archived from the original on 18 September 2008. Retrieved 30 October 2010.
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