Why did so many people die in the Black Saturday bushfires?

Answer 1

The Victorian bush fire hit most of Victoria's bushland, but it is the environment that was hit the hardest. As one of the worst burn-offs that Australia has seen, it has obviously had a great affect on the wildlife. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has estimated that wildlife injury and death would tally more than a million. Many of the surviving wildlife suffered burns and other injuries. A species of possum, the Leadbeater's Possum, had its only known habitat burned, putting it under extreme threat of extinction. Of course, the plants in the bush were most affected, and this has had, and will have, impact on the prospects of the many animals who need the vegetation for survival (like koalas and possums), who have all lost vast areas of habitat. Also, regrowth in the burned areas will affect run-off rates, availability of water, and infrastructure, such as dams, and dam maintenance for decades. The greater environment has not gone unscathed either with evidence of smoke from the fires, found high over Antarctica.

Answer 2

The conditions surrounding the Black Saturday bushfires were extreme. Victoria and the southern Australia region had recently experienced one of their hottest summers on record, with a heatwave over parts of Victoria and South Australia. This was on top of a drought which had lasted a dozen years. This had dried up the vegetation, making it like tinder in a fireplace - easily ignited and easily spread. Spot fires also occurred as strong, gusting winds - some hurricane-force - carried blazing embers beyond the fire fronts: these fires quickly fanned into larger fires. The extensive and prolonged dry heat preceding the bushfires, together with high gusting winds and thick, tinder-dry vegetation produced catastrophic firestorms which could not be contained.

Many people died in the bushfire because they tried to protect their house rather than evacuate. The speed of the firestorm meant that many people were caught in the process of evacuation - they simply didn't have time to flee. 173 people in total died, with a majority dying in hope of staying and guarding their houses. A significant number were killed on the roads. The thick, choking smoke severely limited visibility, causing traffic accidents.