Victoria's Black Thursday fire devastates five million hectares, claims 12 lives
On February 6, 1851, Victoria experienced Black Thursday, its largest bushfire, burning five million hectares and resulting in 12 fatalities. The fire reshaped policy and society, leading to Victoria's first bushfire regulations, which are still mirrored today. The blaze opened land for pastoralists and prospectors, impacting both Indigenous communities and post-colonial development dramatically.
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Published 13 Nov 2026, 19:30 UTC · Updated 13 Nov 2026, 19:40 UTC
Summary by OZbrief Editorial. Original report: ABC News – Australia. Editorial policy · Corrections
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