Ash Wednesday Photo Gallery

February 16 this year will mark the 40th anniversary of the Ash Wednesday bushfires that devastated the landscape not only close to home here, but also across Victoria and South Australia.

The fires on that one day were just part of the destructive 1982-1983 fire season, but the Ash Wednesday blazes have burnt their way into our collective memory and their legacy can still be seen today.

In the Otways, the fires killed three people and thousands of livestock, ruined several coastal communities, and burnt out tens of thousands of hectares of forest.

Here are some of the incredible images from Ash Wedneday 1983.

A burnt metals dump in bush behind Urquharts Bluff. Photos: RITCHIE FAMILY COLLECTION

Moggs Creek the day after Ash Wednesday. Photo: RITCHIE FAMILY COLLECTION

A burning power pole behind Fairhaven looking south-west the morning after fire. Photos: RITCHIE FAMILY COLLECTION

Looking across Painkalac Creek in Aireys Inlet. Photos: RITCHIE FAMILY COLLECTION

Looking across to Painkalac Creek and Fairhaven 40 years after the fires. Photo: TIM LAMACRAFT

Looking from Ridge Road Fairhaven towards Eastern View.

Blown bottles at the Aireys Pub.

An Eastern View home that withstood the fires.

On the foreshore at Lorne as the fire burns through North Lorne. Photo: TIM FITZGERALD

Photo: TIM FITZGERALD

In the water at Lorne. Photo: TIM FITZGERALD

Onlookers at Lorne watch as the fire heads up the coast towards Fairhaven. Photo: TIM FITZGERALD

Much of Lorne had evacuated to the foreshore below Mountjoy Parade. Photo: TIM FITZGERALD

Photo: TIM FITZGERALD

The top shop in Aireys Inlet was a suprise survivor of the fires. Photo: TIM FITZGERALD

The Aireys Inlet top shop. Photo: TIM LAMACRAFT

Days after the fire on Boundary Road behind Fairhaven. Photos: RITCHIE FAMILY COLLECTION

Sandy Gully on Eagle Rock Parade in Aireys Inlet. Photos: RITCHIE FAMILY COLLECTION

Stephen Ritchie on the stumps of the family home on Eagle Rock Parade. Photos: RITCHIE FAMILY COLLECTION

Alastair Ritchie by a burnt caravan at the family home in Aireys Inlet. Photo: RITCHIE FAMILY COLLECTION

Frank Ritchie clearing debris at the family home. Photo: RITCHIE FAMILY COLLECTION

Photo: RITCHIE FAMILY COLLECTION

Frank Ritchies surveying the aftermath of the fires. Photo: RITCHIE FAMILY COLLECTION

Frank Ritchie. Photo: RITCHIE FAMILY COLLECTION

Frank Ritchie the day after the fires in Aireys. Photo: RITCHIE FAMILY COLLECTION

The house of former deputy Prime Minister Jim Cairns between Moggs Creek and Fairhaven. Photo: RITCHIE FAMILY COLLECTION

Photos: TIM FITZGERALD

Photos: TIM FITZGERALD

Photos: TIM FITZGERALD

Photos: TIM FITZGERALD

A burnt out home on Wilkins Street, Anglesea. Photo: ANGLESEA & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Fire burns near the Aireys lighthouse. Photo: ANGLESEA & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Aireys Inlet police roadblock. Photo: ANGLESEA & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

A police roadblock at Odonohue Road in Anglesea prevented drivers heading towards Aireys Inlet. Photo: ANGLESEA & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

An disaster plan area in Anglesea. Photo: ANGLESEA & DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

CFA brigades at Spout Creek watch as the fire raced over Devil’s Elbow toward Aireys Inlet. Photo: TIM FITZGERALD

Photo: TIM FITZGERALD

Members of the St Leonard brigade watch as the fire races toward them. Photo: TIM FITZGERALD