8th of January  2003    Australian Capital Territory Bushfires
On 8 January 2003 lightning strikes in the ACT and surrounding area caused four fires known as the McIntyres Hut fire, the Bendora fire, the Stockyard Spur fire and the Mount Gingera fire.

Eventually these fires combined to produce the firestorm that devastated the ACT on 18 January 2003.
On 18 January 2003, the ACT experienced an unprecedented fire disaster causing the tragic deaths of four people; the loss of almost 500 homes and some 93 community, commercial and farm buildings; damage to many other homes and businesses, including rural properties and villages to the west of Canberra; and widespread destruction of forests and the environment generally.

Few people within the ACT have not been affected by this disaster.
During the emergency more than 5,000 people were evacuated to emergency centres. Many others went to the homes of family and friends. Thousands of people participated in fire fighting activities, and in assisting those in the ‘front line’ of the disaster, as neighbours, volunteers and contributors of goods, services and financial support.

In the two weeks after the fire, more than 1,000 volunteers came forward. Evacuation centres were swamped with donations. There was, in short, a spontaneous coming together of the community that was matched by generous assistance from governments, businesses, communities and individuals from across Australia and overseas.

2002 was a year of severe drought for much of Australia, including the ACT, with water restrictions being introduced in Canberra and Queanbeyan by December. On Wednesday 8 January 2003 lightning strikes from large dry thunderstorms started some 80 fires in the ACT, the Kosciusko National Park in NSW, and the Victorian Alps.

Three fires were ignited in the ACT in the Brindabella Ranges on the western side of the Cotter River, within Namadgi National Park, some 10 kilometres from the nearest grazing properties and some 20 kilometres from the urban areas of Canberra. In addition, a fourth fire—the so-called McIntyre’s Hut fire—was burning to the north west of the ACT in the Brindabella National Park in NSW.