Chatsbury bushfires

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Chatsbury / Bungonia bushfires
Location Southern Highlands region of New South Wales, Australia
Coordinates 34°32′57″S149°49′02″E / 34.54917°S 149.81722°E / -34.54917; 149.81722
Statistics [1]
Date(s)5 to 14 March 1965
Burned area250,000 hectares (620,000 acres)
Land use
Buildings destroyed59
Deaths3

The Chatsbury/Bungonia bushfires of 1965 was a series of bushfires that burned from 5 to 14 March 1965 in the Southern Highlands region of New South Wales, Australia. The fires destroyed the villages of Tallong, Wingello, and most of the surrounding orchards. [2]

The fire is thought to be ignited by a spark from a Chatsbury Station angle grinder. It quickly spread and covered 250,000 hectares (620,000 acres) and destroyed the areas' livestock. It is thought to be the greatest disaster in the area. [1]

Three people were killed. 28 homes were destroyed in Tallong, 31 in Wingello. The fire was eventually stopped (or burnt out) near Nowra on the NSW South Coast. [3]

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References

  1. 1 2 Gordon, Chris (4 March 2015). "Remembering the 1965 Chatsbury-Bungonia Fire". Goulburn Post. Retrieved 14 September 2015.
  2. "History: 1950-1969: The growth of local brigades". NSW Rural Fire Service. Retrieved 6 October 2015.
  3. "History: 1950-1969: The growth of local brigades". NSW Rural Fire Service. Retrieved 6 October 2015.