Considered in terms of loss of property and loss of life , the Black Friday bushfires on 13 January 1939 fires were one of the worst disasters to have occurred in Australia and certainly the worst bushfire up to that time . In terms of the total area burnt , the 1939 Black Friday fires remain the states second largest , burning 2 million hectares , 69 sawmills were destroyed , 71 people died , and several towns were entirely obliterated
Black Friday bushfires
Black Friday bushfires
Country Fire Authority