Ash Wednesday Photo Gallery
Read all the firsthand experiences here >>> Remembering Ash Wednesday
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 Wednesday 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