1980 Ash Wednesday bushfires

The first Ash Wednesday fires were a series of bushfires that began in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia, on Ash Wednesday, 20 February 1980.^[1] 51 homes and 25 other buildings were destroyed, including the Anglican Christ Church, Longwood,^[2] and 75 farms were affected. 40 people were injured, with 150 left homeless. The fire burnt an area of 3,770 ha (14.6 sq mi),^[3] and caused an estimated $34,000,000 damage.^[4]

Ash Wednesday I
Date(s)	20 February 1980 (1980-02-20)
Location	Adelaide Hills, South Australia
Coordinates	34.91°S 138.71°E / -34.91; 138.71
Statistics
Burned area	3,770 ha (14.6 sq mi)
Impacts
Non-fatal injuries	40 civilians
Structures destroyed	51 homes 25 outbuildings 75 farms damaged
Damage	$34,000,000
Ignition
Cause	Faulty power lines, arson, and negligence after years of extreme drought
Map

In 1983, after the Ash Wednesday fires in February that year, the 1980 fire became known in South Australia as the "first" Ash Wednesday, or Ash Wednesday I.^[3]