In 2002 , most of Australia experienced one of the most severe droughts on record . On 7 and 8 January 2003 there were numerous lightning strikes over the Australia Alps , which ignited at least 89 fires in Victoria , 74 in NSW and three in the ACT . This would go on to cause the 2003 Canberra bushfires . Those fires not controlled , burnt for over 60 days and eventually covered 1.96 million hectares . Four of these fires directly affected the ACT , starting in the western rangers on 8 January 2003 , and gradually increased in size over the following 9 days . Due to severe weather conditions experienced on the 18th the fires spread rapidly out of control across Namadgi National Park , pine plantations and leased grazing lands towards Canberra . Fire then entered into the suburbs of Weston Creek between 2 pm and 6 pm in the afternoon resulting in the deaths of four ACT residents and the burning of 164,000 hectares ( or nearly 70 % ) of land in the Territory . Over 500 houses and most of the Mt Stromlo Observatory were destroyed , fire damage to a further 315 houses , and major damage to various infrastructure and facilities . Ninety percent of Namadgi National Park was burnt ( much of it severely ) and severe fire damage occurred to the Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve , the Murrumbidgee River Corridor , the Stromlo Pine plantation and pine plantation west of the Murrumbidgee River . The fires also effected the ACT water catchment , and as a result Canberra 's water supply
2003 Canberra bushfires
2003 Canberra bushfires
Australian Capital Territory Rural Fire Service