(twice), St Helens and Scamander. Launceston recorded its highest recorded temperature of on 31 January. The heat wave generated extreme fire conditions during the peak of the 2008–09 Australian bushfire season, causing many bushfires in the affected region, contributing to the extreme bushfire conditions on 7 February, also known as the February 2009 Victorian bushfires, which claimed 173 lives in Victoria. Launceston in January 2009 28th – 29th – 30th – - Hottest day recorded in Launceston since records began in 1880. 31st – See also Environment of Australia References Launceston Launceston, Tasmania