Supporting Community | 1967 Black Tuesday
Tuesday 7 February 1967 is an infamous date for many Tasmanians, with today being the anniversary of Tasmania’s most severe bushfires to date.
Posted
07 February 2024
Tuesday 7 February 1967 is an infamous date for many Tasmanians, with today being the anniversary of Tasmania’s most severe bushfires to date.
Known as Black Tuesday, 110 separate fires ravaged southern Tasmania, with conditions particularly conductive to fire due to an abundance of forest litter, northly winds and extremely hot air.
In collaboration with emergency and community services around the State, Tasmania’s Marine Boards played their part in supporting the rescue and recovery efforts.
To support fire-fighting efforts the Port of Hobart Marine Board regularly sent out its barge loaded with water supplies to the crews up and down the River Derwent and D’Entrecasteaux Channel, and opened up their waterfront sheds as donations of food, clothing and other essentials came flooding in.
The economic impact of Black Tuesday was significant, with the fire burning through 264,270 hectares (included 1,200 homes) within five hours and deeply affecting southern Tasmania’s communities and industries for many years after.
In the days and weeks following the fires, more than 3,000 individuals and families were provided with necessities from the supplies stored within the Marine Board sheds.
Today, we acknowledge those who lost their lives and all who were injured and affected by this disaster.
Cover image: courtesy of The Mercury Historical Archive. Originally published in Black Tuesday 50th Anniversary Part One "Hobart and Suburbs" (image 19 of 30).
Page image: courtesy of The Examiner. Originally published online "Remembering 1967's Black Tuesday Bushfires"