The Australian bushfire season over the summer of 2007–2008, experienced fire occurrence below average for the season as some regions experienced increased rainfall and reduced fuel as a result of extensive fires during the previous 2006–07 season, particularly in Victoria where the fires in the 2006–07 season burnt over 1.1 million hectares of land. Fires in Victoria during the 2007–08 season burnt less than a fifth of the land area usually burnt during an average bushfire season.
An analysis of bushfires in Victoria on public land by the Department of Sustainability & Environment revealed that the 2007–08 fires burnt 32,368 hectares, or 18.7% of the long-term average of 173,152 hectares. It was also estimated that 26% of these fires were caused by lightning strikes and 25% by arson.
Predictions In the three months leading up to the summer 2007–08, many states and regions experienced far below average rainfalls and when several fires spread through October 2007, which led to predictions of an above average bushfire season, late rainfalls quelled bushfire occurrence later in the season.
Fires of note
State Start date Deaths Injuries Houses lost Area (ha) Local govt. Impacted communities & destruction Duration Ref. Vic 20 November 2007 1 East Gippslandnear Cann River A Department of Sustainability & Environment firefighter collapses fighting a fire SA 6 December 2007 1 Kangaroo IslandVivonne Bay A civilian perishes Significant livestock loss 8 days WA 30 December 2007 3 CoolgardieCoolgardie 3 civilians perish Up to 19 semi-trailer trucks destroyed WA 1 January 2008 2 2+ MundaringParkerville & Stoneville 18 vehicles destroyed 100 livestock perish SA 13 March 2008 9 1 OnkaparingaWillunga
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