Local photographer Gwen Thomas captured a blaze as it ripped through Selby in January 1939.
By Tania Martin
FIRES raged across the hills in 1939, killing people and destroying homes as volunteers fought to save what they could.
Now 70 years on, Victoria has paused to remember a disaster that has some stark parallels with today’s conditions.
In January 1939 many homes were destroyed, leaving people in the Selby district homeless.
The fires were the result of a long drought and a severely hot summer.
More than 71 people died across the state and two million hectares were burnt.
The fires raged throughout January and ripped through Selby and Belgrave.
There were also reports of fire threatening Monbulk, Silvan and the surrounds on Black Friday, 13 January.
Newspapers of the day reported how volunteer firefighters fought hard to save homes and businesses but were up against the elements.
Victoria’s Emergency Services Commissioner Bruce Esplin said it was clear prolonged drought and hot, dry summer days contributed to the risks of bushfires both now and 70 years ago.
“The areas of burnt land in 1939 and the location of the fires are eerily similar,” Mr Esplin said.
Mr Esplin warned that managing fire danger was always a necessity not just in extreme conditions.
