6th of February, 1851 - "Black Thursday" The largest Australian bushfire in European recorded history that burnt an area of approximately 5 million ha. which covered a quarter of Victoria. The areas affected include Portland, Plenty Ranges, Westernport, the Wimmera and Dandenong districts. Approximately 12 lives, one million sheep and thousands of cattle were lost.The elevation of Port Phillip district into the colony of Victoria, was on the 1st of July 1851. Source: 1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2004
Jeez, if true, we haven't got a handle on global warming in 160+ years.
