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Fatal bushfires in Australia:
February 7, 2009 - 108 people confirmed killed and fears of more fatalities in bushfires across rural Victoria.
December 30, 2007 - Blaze kills three truckers on a highway near Coolgardie in WA.
January 2006 - Three deaths and multi-million-dollar stock and property losses in 10 days of bushfires in Victoria.
January 11, 2005 - Nine lives lost in South Australian Eyre Peninsula bushfires.
December 2003 - Two women die as they try to outrun flames near Tenterden, 350km south-east of Perth.
January 18, 2003 - Four people die and almost 500 homes are razed in a massive firestorm in Canberra.
December 2002 - Two men die and more than 20 homes lost in bushfires that spread from rural NSW to ring Sydney.
December 2, 1998 - Bushfire claims five firefighters at Linton in Victoria.
December 2, 1997 - Two die in bushfires at Lithgow in NSW.
January 21, 1997 - Three people die and 33 homes destroyed in bushfires that ravaged the Dandenong Ranges on Melbourne's eastern outskirts.
January 1994 - Four die, 200 properties lost, several hundred people injured as bushfires from rural NSW descend on Sydney.
February 16, 1983 - Ash Wednesday bushfires in Victoria and South Australia claim 75 people.
February 7, 1967 - Bushfires kill 59 people in southern Tasmania.
Black Friday bushfires
71 people killed, 1,000 homes destroyed, two million hectares burnt on January 13, 1939, known as Black Friday.
The fires started by a combination of human causes such as burning off for land clearing and grass growth, lighting campfires, inappropriate sawmill operations and domestic fires.
Fanned by extremely strong winds, the fires swept rapidly across large areas of Victoria, causing widespread destruction.
Five townships: Hill End, Narbethong, Nayook West, Noojee, Woods Point were completely destroyed
Ash Wednesday bushfires
47 people were killed, 2,800 homes destroyed and 210,000 hectares burnt when more than 100 fires started on February 16, 1983, which became known as Ash Wednesday.
Most fires were sparked by arson or by powerlines clashing in the high winds.
In South Australia, 28 people were killed, 383 homes destroyed and 21,000ha burnt on the same day.
The total damage bill was estimated at $200 million in each state.
Most loss of life and property occurred in the hour after the southwesterly wind change late in the day.
More than 16,000 firefighters, 1,000 police and 500 army personnel battled the fires.
Up to 400 vehicles, including fire trucks, water tankers and bulldozers, 11 helicopters and 14 fixed-wing aircraft, were used to battle the fires.
2009 Victorian bushfires
108 people killed, 10 in critical condition in hospital, 750 homes destroyed and more than 330,000ha hectares burnt.
Causes of fires yet to be determined.
Other facts and figures about bushfires in Victoria
Average number of fires caused by lightning each year: 149
Average number of fires deliberately lit each year: 145
Average number of fires started as a result of campfires each year: 59
Average number of hectares burnt each year by fire caused by lightning strikes: 53,096
Average number of hectares burnt each year by deliberately lit fires: 15,649
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