On Thursday 3 January 2013 Tasmania experienced Severe to locally Extreme fire weather conditions.  More than 50 fires were reported and several developed into major incidents.  On that evening the State’s capital Hobart recorded its hottest night on record; winds gusted to 100 kph and a band of dry lightning impacted on much of the island State’s coastline.

Friday 4 January saw the State experience Catastrophic conditions in several locations.

200 dwellings plus numerous outbuildings, caravans, boats and vehicles were destroyed as the fires burnt across 120,000 Ha.

The season lead up and the weather conditions experienced were very similar to Tasmania’s 1967 Black Tuesday when more than 2,000 homes were destroyed and 62 people killed.

There were no lives were lost or serious injuries due to the Tasmanian fires in January.

Why, what happened, what was done differently, and what more can be learn?