[Khoas]

Do you mean Ash Wednesday of 1983 ? I remember that one. It was the worst fires in Australian history until the Black Saturday fires of Feb 7, 2009. Around 75 people died in the Ash Wednesday fires in South Australia and Victoria. The Victorian fires of this month have claimed 209 people, 1500 homes, and displaced 7000 people. At least 10 hamlets, villages, and small towns have burnt to the ground.
There are still 5 major fires burning in Victoria at this moments. The fire chief reported on TV there was 315 fires yesterday in Victoria. This could change by thursday and friday where temperature are expected rise to into the high 30's to low 40's C with strong winds.
I just learnt the manni gum people ( the orginial people of the region that is fire effected) used to do a burn off every several years. Such a fire regime would help stop firestorms occuring as well helping many species to increase in population.
As Sean pointed out the drought both Victoria and South Australia are enduring is far more damaging to CP populations. In some locations the drought has been going for more than 10 years. Here in South Australia we having the driest start for the year in 55 years. I think we had about 2-3mm since the new year.