It depends on what you measure. The Black Saturday bushfires in Victoria in 2009 were the deadliest in Australian history, killing 173 people. The Black Summer fires of 2019 to 2020 burned far more land, across several states.
Black Saturday, Victoria, 2009
Black Saturday killed 173 people and burned more than 430,000 hectares, according to the Victorian Government's fire management site. Some sources give about 450,000 hectares. Its death toll is the highest of any single bushfire event in Australian records.
Black Summer, 2019 to 2020
The Black Summer fires burned across southern and eastern Australia. Estimates of the area burnt vary. The Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements struggled to obtain consistent national burnt area data, and estimates range from 24.3 to 33.8 million hectares. Some figures may include northern Australian burning, which the Parliamentary Library treats as a separate fire regime.
The fires directly caused 33 deaths. Estimates of smoke-related deaths run from about 417 to 450, a figure that makes the full toll higher than the direct one.
Side by side
| Measure | Black Saturday 2009 | Black Summer 2019 to 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| Direct deaths | 173 | 33 |
| Area burnt | More than 430,000 hectares | 24.3 to 33.8 million hectares (estimates vary) |
| Region | Victoria | Southern and eastern Australia |
Why the numbers differ
Black Summer figures differ because agencies map burnt area in different ways and some include northern fires. Black Saturday figures also differ slightly between sources. Use ranges, and check the original agency page for the latest numbers.
What this means for Victorian residents
Victoria has experienced both deadly fire events and rising fire frequency in parts of its high country. Check whether your property sits in a Bushfire Prone Area, and read the CFA's advice on clearing vegetation around your home.
Questions people ask next
Was Black Saturday the worst bushfire in Australia?
By direct deaths, yes.
Which fire burned the most land?
Black Summer, by a wide margin, though the exact figure is uncertain.
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