News Story
Commemorations are underway today in Tasmania to mark the 50th anniversary of bush fires which ravaged the southern parts of the State on Tuesday February 7th, 1967. On that day hot, windy, conditions fanned an estimated 110 separate fires fusing them into a firestorm, destroying whole suburbs and spreading to Hobart before it could be checked. It was coined "Black Tuesday". 62 people died, 900 were injured and more than 7,000 left homeless. Supposed causes were rural back-burning, extreme high temperatures or arson. A follow-up Inquiry called for the State's rural and urban fire brigades to merge with better training, modern organisation, cutting-edge communications and custom-built equipment. Commemorations are presently being held in many Tasmanian communities and a new book about major Tasmanian bush fires (1854, 1897, 1933, 1967, 1982 and 2013) has been published to mark the special anniversary of the most devastating of them all.
